Seismic Dynamics:

Dr. Simon Peacock, Dean, Faculty of Science, UBC, tells us about current research on earthquakes, volcanos, and the movement of tectonic plates, and answers questions about his career as a geoscientist. Click here for more on Plate Tectonics.

University of British Columbia researchers have offered an explaination for the regular tremors that occur under Vancouver Island. The Cascadia megathrust fault, named for its massive but infrequent earthquakes, runs along the length of North America's western coast from northern Vancouver Island to northern California and is the boundary between two of the Earth's tectonic plates. An area on the fault line – approximately 35 kilometres under Vancouver Island – has also seen surprisingly regular "slips," accompanied by small tremors – roughly every 14 months. Megathrust fault lines in regions where episodic tremors occur, such as the Cascadia subduction zone, are structurally weak and prone to slip and slide. This process is called "Episodic Tremor and Slip". Scientists have been unable to explain why, until now.

In a recently published article in the journal Nature, University of British Columbia researchers Pascal Audet, Michael Bostock, Nicolas Christensen and Simon Peacock demonstrate how water trapped in a portion of the fault area escapes periodically after pressure build-up, which in turn lubricates the tectonic plates and causes them to slip and slide.

Below, Dr. Peacock answers a few questions about his research and career as a geoscientist:

1. Could you describe your work/research?

I am a geoscientist and a faculty member in UBC's Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences. My research focuses on understanding earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building that occur where two "tectonic plates" collide. Specifically, I focus on "subduction zones" where an oceanic plate is driven into the Earth's mantle beneath either a continental or oceanic plate. Bamfield and Vancouver Island sit atop the Cascadia subduction zone, where the Juan de Fuca plate subducts beneath the North American plate. The plate boundary is located off the west coast of Vancouver Island, and the Juan de Fuca plate dives eastward beneath Bamfield, Victoria, and Vancouver. My most recent research has focused on understanding the nature of the plate boundary beneath southern Vancouver Island. In addition to my geoscience research, I currently serve as Dean of the Faculty of Science at UBC.

2. How did you get interested in geology in general, and subduction zone processes in particular?

As a child, I enjoyed hiking in the low mountains of Scotland on summer vacations and I had a very inspiring 9th grade Earth Sciences teacher (Mr. Frappier) in New York. My passion for subduction zones developed while I was a graduate student conducting field work in the Klamath Mountains of northern California. The rocks there were approximately 400 million years old and formed in an ancient subduction zone.

3. What specific skills do you use in your research?

Much of my current work relies on computers that permit me to simulate subduction using mathematical models. Simulating geologic time, which involves millions of years, is not possible in a conventional laboratory, but computers can be used as a numerical laboratory. I also conduct field work, collecting rocks, and analyzing them using a petrographic microscope and electron microprobe.

4. What training and education did you need to obtain your current position? How do you juggle administrative duties with research activities?

In order to be a professor at a university, you must have a Ph.D. degree. I received my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and my Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from the University of California at Los Angeles. In order to be a Dean, you need to have been promoted to full Professor and have demonstrated administrative experience (for example, I served as a Department Head for 5 years). Juggling administrative and research duties is challenging, but fortunately I find both to be fun and rewarding. Someone once defined a "real" job as one where you cannot possibly finish your "To Do" list. I have had a real job for many years!

5. What is rewarding about your work, from personal, and professional perspectives?

As Dean, I spend much of my day working with people committed to improving UBC, making our university a better place for student learning and for scientific research. I enjoy working with people and I enjoy trying to enhance the opportunities for the next generation. I also get a thrill out seeing the amazing discoveries across the life, physical, and mathematical sciences

6. Is your work important to society?

My research focuses on basic science, but is helping us better understand the seismic hazard associated with the next big earthquake here in Cascadia. The last big earthquake occurred in 1700 AD and was a magnitude 9+. It was very similar to the 2004 Sumatra earthquake that generated a large tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean.

7. What advice do you have for young students interested in geology?

Follow your passion! Geology is a very cool science and it has allowed me to see the world - the Alps, Japan, even Antartica!

8. Anything else you would like to add?

If the ground starts shaking at Bamfield, immediately run to high ground to be safe from any potential tsunami.

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