Team

We investigate geothermal systems, tectonically active domains and volcanoes. We are interested in the mutual interaction between fluid flow and seismic activity that is modulated by the state of stress of the crust. Vertical migration of deep fluids can either reduce the effective differential stress acting on geological structures leading to fault slip and/or hydrofracturing or vice-versa be triggered by seismic activity itself. An increasing number of observations highlights the sporadic occurrence in the crust of extremely rapid (days to years) vertical fluid flow separated by periods dominated by slow fluid diffusion. The fast upwelling of deep fluids is accompanied by short-lived permeability enhancements that are therefore associated with intense seismic and micro-seismic activity. These dynamics are more frequent in regions characterized by fluid pressures close to lithostatic where external factors such as distant earthquakes can alter the physical state of the crust.

The group is currently formed by Matteo Lupi (Associate Professor, link to personal page), Dr. Geneviève Savard (Maitre Assistant), Elliot Amir Jiwani-Brown (PostDoc), Konstantinos Michailos (PostDoc), Francisco Munoz Burbano (PhD student), and Juan Luis Porras Loria (PhD student). Additionally, Douglas Stumpp, Michail Henry, Sara Maria Borotau Fons, Laurie Mischler, Hugo Gatein, Dalila Mamanovic, Ugo Chatelain, Nicole Izquierdo, Didier Paolini and Sam-Bien Sogle actively contribute to the group while pursuing on their MSc studies.