Geodynamics

Sofia Michail

Sofia Michail is a geophysicist by training with a doctorate from ETH Zurich and a Master’s degree in Applied Geophysics from the IDEA League consortium (ETH Zurich, TU Delft, RWTH Aachen). Her doctoral research focused on fault mechanics, seismology, contact mechanics and tribology, exploring how complex physical systems evolve across scales. Eventhough she transitioned to the industry she will always remain passionate about how fundamental mathematical structures, such as fractals and scale-dependent processes, translate into real-world behaviour, whether in the Earth, in markets, or in large-scale sustainability challenges. You can find her in LinkedIn under her name or around in Zurich.

Fault characteristics, how close is close enough?

Sofia Michail and edited by Kleoniki Lydia Theodoridou February 11, 2026

Have you ever wondered what common thing connects fault surfaces and their characteristics with your… squeezy sneakers on a wet surface or the required frequent change of your car tyres? Well, the answer is simple. The fundamental principles of stress and friction can significantly cause this behaviour in our everyday lives. However, these two factors …[Read More]