<P>Considerable progress has been made recently in quantifying geometrical and physical<BR>properties of fault surfaces and adjacent fractured and granulated damage zones in<BR>active faulting environments. There has also been significant progress in developing<BR>rheologies and computational frameworks that can model the dynamics of fault zone<BR>processes. This volume provides state-of-the-art theoretical and observational results<BR>on the mechanics, structure and evolution of fault zones. Subjects discussed include<BR>damage rheologies, development of instabilities, fracture and friction, dynamic rupture<BR>experiments, and analyses of earthquake and fault zone data.</P>
