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USC College > Faculty > Departments > Department of Earth Sciences > Ronald Biegel
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Ronald Biegel

Assistant Professor (research) of Earth Sciences

Contact Information
Office: ZHS 264A
Phone: (213)821-5519
E-mail: biegel@usc.edu

LINKS
Curriculum Vitae
Department of Earth Sciences
 

Education
M.S. Geophysics, State University of New York - Stony Brook, 5/1984
Ph.D. Geophysics, .University of Southern California, 5/1989
 

Postdoctoral Training
Research Scientist, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 01/1989-01/1992  
 

Description of Research

Summary Statement of Research Interests
I investigate fault rupture dynamics from two perspectives: experimentally simulating earthquake ruptures in the lab, and investigating fault zone structures and fault rock properties in the field. In the lab, I use state-of-the-art high speed digital photography to capture images of propagating mode-2 shear ruptures in photoelastic materials. The data from these experiments are used to improve our theoretical models of fault rupture. In the field, my analysis of exhumed fault structures and the fault rocks within them are used to further elucidate the mechanics of fault rupture and to design more realistic simulations of earthquake experiments for the lab.
 

Research Keywords
Earthquakes, fault mechanics, fault zones, fault rock, fault rupture, dynamic rupture, off-fault stresses, off-fault damage, rupture velocity, fault gouge, comminution, fractal.
 

Publications

Book Chapter
Biegel, R. L., Sammis, C. G. (2004). Relating Fault Mechanics to Fault Zone Structure. (Vol. 47). pp. 65-111. Amsterdam: Advances In Geophysics, Elsevier.
 

Journal Article
Biegel, R. L., Sammis, C. G., Rosakis, A. J. (2007). An Experimental Study of the Effect of Off-Fault Damage on the Velocity of a Slip-Pulse. Journal Of Geophysical Research.
Biegel, R. L., Sammis, C. G., Rosakis, A. J. (2006). Interaction of a Dynamic Rupture on a Fault Plane with Short Frictionless Fault Branches. Pure and Applied Geophysics. Vol. 164 (10), pp. 1881-1904.
Chester, F. M., Evans, J. P., Biegel, R. L. (1993). Internal structure and weakening mechanisms of the San Andreas fault. Journal of Geophysical Research - Solid Earth. Vol. 98, pp. 771-786.
Biegel, R. L., Boitnott, G., Scholz, C. H., Yoshioka, N., Wang, W. (1992). Micromechanics of Rock Friction, 1: Effects of surface roughness on initial friction and slip hardening in Westerly granite. Journal of Geophysical Rsearch - Solid Earth. Vol. 97, pp. 8951-8964.
Boitnott, G., Biegel, R. L., Scholz, C. H., Yoshioka, N., Wang, W. (1992). Micromechanics of rock friction, 2: Quantitative modeling of initial friction with contact theory. Journal of Geophysical Research - Solid Earth. Vol. 97, pp. 8965-8978.
Biegel, R. L., Sammis, C. G., Dieterich, J. R. (1989). The frictional properties of a simulated gouge having a fractal particle distribution. Journal of Structural Geology. Vol. 11, pp. 827-846.
Sammis, C. G., Biegel, R. L. (1989). Fractals, fault gouge and friction. Pure and Applied Geophysics. Vol. 131, pp. 255-271.
Sammis, C. G., King, G. C., Biegel, R. L. (1987). The kinematics of gouge deformation. Pure and Applied Geophysics. Vol. 125, pp. 777-812.
Wong, T., Biegel, R. L. (1985). Effects of pressure on the micromechanics of San Marcos Gabbro. Journal of Structural Geology. Vol. 7, pp. 737-749.
 
 
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