The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $125,519 Project Grant under the Geosciences Program (CFDA 47.050) to Cornell University to conduct collaborative research on understanding the frictional processes that control fault and glacial systems. The research aims to directly observe the evolution of microscopic contacts at frictional interfaces through experiments using a custom cryogenic biaxial apparatus and a sample of transparent ice. This approach will provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms that drive the nucleation, slow/fast slip, healing, drag, and melting of frictional interfaces, which are critical for assessing seismic and glacial hazards. The 3-year project will support a graduate student and collaborate across three institutions to advance this scientific understanding, with the goal of improving predictions of large-scale behaviors in both fault and glacial systems. No subawards are planned for this award.
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