Kurt Decker

Kurt Decker serves as a scientific employee at the Institute of Geology within the Faculty of Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy at the University of Vienna. With a doctorate in geology, he maintains an active research and teaching profile, supervising multiple MSc students and leading numerous research projects funded by institutions including FFG, Wien Energie, and NAGRA. His office is located in room 2A346, and he can be reached at +43-1-4277-53437.

Dr. Decker specializes in Active Tectonics, Earthquake Geology, Applied Structural Geology and Tectonics, and Alpine Tectonics. His research focuses on understanding fault zone mechanics, seismic hazard assessment, and the hydrogeological properties of faults in carbonate rocks. He has made significant contributions to the study of the Vienna Basin Transfer Fault System, Alpine-Carpathian junction dynamics, and the stress field in the Eastern Alps. His work often employs multidisciplinary approaches combining field observations, seismic data, and borehole analysis.

Analysis of Dr. Decker's recent publications reveals a strong focus on strike-slip fault systems, seismic hazard assessment, and fault zone hydrology. His research spans from microstructural investigations of rock deformation to regional-scale tectonic analyses. Key themes include the interaction of different deformation mechanisms in fault zones, the temporal evolution of seismicity, and the quantification of active tectonic processes in the Alpine region. His most recent work extends to 3D seismic interpretation and the study of fractured basement hydrocarbon reservoirs.

• Wilhelm-Ritter-von-Haidinger-Medal (2009)

Dr. Decker has successfully secured substantial project funding, including the FFG/NiMBUC project on fracture discrimination in deep boreholes (2021-2023), multiple Wien Energie projects on geothermal energy exploration in Vienna (2018-2022), and various collaborations with Wiener Wasser on hydrogeological properties of faults. He has supervised 11 MSc students and regularly teaches courses including Strukturgeologie und Tektonik (Bachelor), Quantitative Strukturgeologie und Tektonik II (Master), and Active Tectonics.

His research integrates field work, laboratory analysis, and numerical modeling, with particular emphasis on the application of structural geological methods to practical problems including nuclear waste repository siting, geothermal energy exploration, and seismic hazard assessment in the Alpine region.