Alexis Ault

Alexis Ault is a Professor in the Geosciences Department at the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Utah State University. Her research focuses on earthquake mechanics, fault zone processes, and thermochronometry, particularly using hematite and zircon (U-Th)/He dating to unravel seismic history and deformation mechanisms.

Recent publications highlight her work on:

• Atomic-scale frictional behavior of hematite fault mirrors during earthquake cycles
• Shallow slow slip events in the San Andreas and Wasatch fault zones
• Thermochronometric techniques to date ancient unconformities and fault damage
• Multi-method analysis of fault healing and CO2 flux dynamics post-earthquake

Her studies integrate field observations, laboratory experiments, and numerical modeling to understand seismicity, fault strength, and tectonic evolution across diverse geological settings, including Turkey, California, and Utah.