Geodynamics

Navid Kheirdast

Navid Kheirdast is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institut des Sciences de la Terre de Paris (ISTeP). He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Structural Engineering and earned a Ph.D. in Seismology in Iran. He subsequently joined the Laboratoire de Géologie of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS Paris) as a postdoctoral researcher. His research focuses on the physics of earthquakes, with particular emphasis on earthquake simulations in geodynamically informed fault zones. His interests include earthquake mechanics, seismic cycles, kinematic inversion of earthquake ruptures, rupture dynamics, and frictional processes governing fault slip.

Modeling the full spectrum of observed seismicity: Insights from friction laws, fault instability, and fault-zone mechanics

Navid Kheirdast and edited by Alexis Gauthier June 17, 2026

Introduction Despite advances in our understanding of rock mechanics, the frictional behavior of rocks, and the physics of instability in geological materials, the coexistence of slow and fast earthquakes, as well as various types of fault-zone seismic radiation such as tremor, remains enigmatic. Can fault mechanics and friction laws reproduce the full spectrum of observed seismicity? In this week ...[Read More]