Biography
Charles G. Sammis
Present Position:
Born:
Professor of Geological and Materials Sciences, University of
Southern California
Visiting Professor, University College London
1944, Huntington, New York.
Education:
Brown University, Sc. B. (Cum Laude, with honors in Physics) 1965
California Institute of Technology, M.S. (Geophysics) 1968
California Institute of Technology, Ph.D., 1971
Previous Positions:
N.A.T.O. Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Theoretical Chemistry, Univ. of Bristol, 1971-72.
Assistant Professor of Geophysics, Department of Geosciences, Penn. State University, 1972-75
Associate Professor of Geophysics, Department of Geosciences, Penn. State University, 1975-77
Associate Professor, Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of Southern California, 1977-1987
Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Southern California, 1987Academic Awards:
United Aircraft Scholarship, Brown University, 1961-1965.
Title IV Fellowship, Caltech, 1966-1970.
N.E.R.C. Visiting Scientist Fellowship, Cambridge, 1983-1984.
Burlington Resources Foundation Faculty Research Award, 1991.
USC Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1994.
Tomas Brody Honorary Chair at the UNAM Institute of Physics, Mexico City, 1999.
USC Associates Award for Creativity in Research, 2002.
USC General Education Teaching Award, 2004.
Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, 2007.
Professional Activity:
Department Chair:
Visiting Scholar:
Visiting Professor:
Associate Editor:
Associate Editor:
Member:
Member:
Member:
Member:
U.S. Organizer:
Dept. of Earth Sciences, Univ. of Southern California 1994-1998
Cambridge University Engineering Laboratory, 1983-1984
Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris,
Universite Pierre et Marie Curie, Summer, 1987.
Institute for Theoretical Physics (U.C. Santa Barbara), Fall, 1992
Journal of Geophysical Research, 1984-1987
Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics, 1984-1987
NASA Planetary Science Review Panel, 1980-1982
AGU Mineral Physics Committee, 1984AGU Publicity Committee , 1988-1991
Geomechanics Committee of the Am.Soc.Mech.Engineers, 1988U.S.-Japan Workshop on "Fracture, Form, and Fractals", NSF U.S.-Japan
Cooperative Science Program, Lake Arrowhead, CA. 1989.
PUBLICATIONS
2008 Papers
Sammis, C. G., A. J. Rosakis, and H. S. Bhat (2008), Effects of Off-Fault Damage on Earthquake
Rupture Propagation: Experimental Studies, PAGEOPH, submitted.
Biegel, R. L., H. S. Bhat, C. G. Sammis, and A. J. Rosakis (2008), The Effect of Asymmetric
Damage on Dynamic Shear RupturePropagation I: No Mismatch in Bulk Elasticity, J.
Geophys. Res., submitted.
Bhat, H. S., R. L. Biegel, A. J. Rosakis, and C. G. Sammis (2008), The Effect of Asymmetric
Damage on Dynamic Shear Rupture Propagation II: With Mismatch in Bulk Elasticity, J.
Geophys. Res., submitted.
Fischer, A.D. and C.G.Sammis (2008), Body wave triggering of small shallow events during
strong motion, Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am., accepted for publication.
Sammis, C. G. and Y. Ben-Zion, The Mechanics of Grain-Size Reduction in Fault Zones, J.
Geophys. Res., 113, 02306, doi:10.1029/2006JB004892, 2008.
Biegel, R. L., C. G. Sammis, and A. J. Rosakis (2008), An experimental study of the effect of
off-fault damage on the velocity of a slip pulse, J. Geophys. Res., 113, B04302,
doi:10.1029/2007JB005234.
Fischer, A. D., Z. Peng, and C. G. Sammis (2008), Dynamic triggering of high-frequency bursts
by strong motions during the 2004 Parkfield earthquake sequence, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35,
L12305, doi:10.1029/2008GL033905.
Fischer, A. D., C. G. Sammis, Y. Chen, and T. L. Teng (2008), Dynamic triggering by strong
motion P- and S-waves: Evidence from the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan earthquake, Bull.
Seismol. Soc. Am., 98, 580–592.
Frost, E., J.A. Dolan, C.G. Sammis (2008), Progressive strain localization in a major strike-slip
fault exhumed from mid-seismogenic depths: Structural observations from the SEMP fault
system, Austria. J. Geophys. Res, in press.
Sammis, C.G. and . Kositsky, Accelerating Moment Release Before Large Earthquakes, in
Acoustic Emissions and Critical Phenomena: From Structural Mechanics to Geophysics,
A. A. Balkema Publishers, 2008.
2007 Papers
Sammis, C. G., and G. C. P. King, Mechanical origin of power law scaling in fault zone rock,
Geophys. Res. Lett, 34, L04312, doi:10.1029/2006GL028548, 2007.
Biegel, R.L, Sammis, C.G. and Rosakis, A.J., Interaction of a dynamic rupture on a fault plane
with Short Frictionless Fault Branches, Pure and Appl. Geophys., 164, 1881-1904,
doi:10.1007/s00024-007-0251-2, 2007.
Dolan, J.F, D.D. Bowman, and C.G. Sammis, Long-range and long-term fault interactions in
southern California. Geology, 35, 855-858, doi: 10.1130/G23789A.1, 2007.
2006 Papers
Chen, Y., C. G. Sammis, and T.-L. Teng, A high frequency view of the 1999 Chi-Chi Taiwan
Earthquake source rupture and fault mechanics, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 96, 807-820, 2006.
2006 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G. and G.C.P. King, The mechanical origin of power law scaling in fault zone rock,
Eos Trans. AGU, 87(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract S42A-07, 2006.
Fischer, A.D., C.G. Sammis, and Y. Chen, Dynamic Triggering of Microearthquakes by P- and
S-waves from the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan Earthquake, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(52), Fall Meet.
Suppl., Abstract S31A-0179, 2006.
Biegel, R.L, Sammis, C.G. and Rosakis, A.J. The Effect of Off-Fault Damage on Earthquake
Rupture Velocity: An Experimental Study, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(52), Fall Meet. Suppl.,
Abstract S33A-0229, 2006.
Frost, E.K., J.F. Dolan, C.G. Sammis, B. Hacker, L. Ratschbacher, and J. Cole, Structural
Analysis of the Exhumed SEMP Fault Zone, Austria: Towards an Understanding of Fault
Zone Architecture Throughout the Seismogenic Crust, Eos Trans. AGU, 87(52), Fall Meet.
Suppl., Abstract T21C-0441, 2006.
2005 Papers
Rice, J.R., C. G. Sammis, and R. Parsons, Off-fault secondary failure induced by a dynamic slip
pulse, Bull. Seismological Soc. Am., 95, 109–134, 2005.
Sammis, C. G. and R. L. Biegel, Seismic radiation from explosions in frozen crystallinerock, in
Proceedings of the 27th Seismic Research Review: Ground-Based NuclearExplosion
Monitoring Technologies, LA-UR-05-6407, Vol. 1, pp. 642–652, 2005.
2005 Published Abstracts
Fischer, A D and Sammis, C.G, (2005), A Closer Look at High Frequency Bursts Observed
During the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan Earthquake, Eos Trans. AGU.
86(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract S43A-1053.
Biegel, R.L, Sammis, C.G. and Rosakis, A.J., (2005), A Laboratory Investigation of Off-Fault
Damage: Effects on Rupture Velocity, Eos Trans. AGU.
86(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract S41B-1002
Sammis, C.G. (2005), Using Regional Seismicity to Forecast Large Earthquakes, Eos Trans.
AGU.86(52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract S42B-04 INVITED
2004 Papers
Sammis, C.G., D.D. Bowman, and G.C.P. King, Anomalous Seismicity and Accelerating
Moment Release Preceding the 2001 and 2002 Earthquakes in Northern Baja California,
Mexico, Pure and Appl. Geophysics, 161, 2369-2378, 2004.
Wyss, M., C.G. Sammis, R.M. Nadeau, and S. Wiemer, Fractal dimension and b-value on
creeping and locked patches of the San Andreas Fault near Parkfield, California, Bull.
Seismol. Soc. Amer., 94, 410-421, 2004.
Manighetti, I., G. King, and C.G. Sammis, The role of off-fault damage in the evolution of
normal faults, Earth Planet Sci. Lett., 217, 399-408, 2004.
Biegel, R.L., and C.G. Sammis, Relating fault mechanics to fault zone structure, Advances in
Geophysics, 47, 65-111, 2004.
Manighetti I., M. Campillo, G. King, M. Mai, C.G. Sammis, Evidence for self-similar, triangular
slip distributions on earthquake faults; implications for earthquake and fault
mechanics,Journal Geophys. Res., in press, 2004.
Smith and Sammis, Revisiting the Tidal Activation of Seismicity with a Damage Mechanics and
Friction Point of View, Pure Appl. Geophys., 161, 2393-2404, 2004.
Bowman, D. D. and C. G. Sammis, Intermittent criticality and the Gutenberg-Richter
distribution, Pure Appl. Geophys., 104, 1945-1956, 2004.
Sammis, C. and R. Biegel, Mechanics of strengthening in crystalline rock at lowtemperatures: a
preliminary assessment, in Proceedings of the 26th Seismic ResearchReview: Trends in
Nuclear Explosion Monitoring, LA-UR-04-5801, Vol. 2, pp. 475–484. 2004
2004 Published Abstracts
Biegel, R.L. and C. G. Sammis (2004), Scaling Off-Fault Damage from Field to Laboratory, Eos
Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract T23A-0564
Chen, Y., C.G. Sammis, and T.L. Teng (2004), A High Frequency View of 1999 Chi-Chi,
Taiwan, Source Rupture and Fault Mechanics, Eos Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl.,
Abstract S33C-07.
Dolan, J.F., D.D. Bowman (2004), and C.G. Sammis, Long-Range and Long-Term Fault
Interactions in Southern California, Eos Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract
G14A-05 INVITED
Frost, E K., Dolan, J.F., Sammis, C.G., Hacker, B., and Ratschbacher, L (2004), Direct
Observation of Depth Variation in Fault Zone Structure Through and Below the
Seismogenic Crust: Preliminary Results From the SEMP Fault System in Austria, Eos
Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract S31D-05
2003 Papers
Ben-Zion, Y. and C.G. Sammis, Characterization of fault zones, Pure appl. geophys., 160, 677715, 2003.
Smith, S.W. and C.G. Sammis, Revisiting the tidal activation of seismicity with a damage
mechanics and friction point of view, Proceeding of the 3rd ACES workshop, Edited by A.
Donnellan and P. Mora, pp. 327-332, 2003.
Chen, Y. and C.G. Sammis, Asperity Models for Earthquakes, Bulletin of the Seismological
Society of America, 93, 1792-1802, 2003.
Rundle, J.B., D.L.Turcotte, R. Shcherbakov, W. Klein, and C.G. Sammis, Statistical physics
approach to understanding the multiscale dynamics of earthquake fault systems, Rev.
Geophys., 41, 1019, 2003.
2003 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., J.F. Dolan, and S.W. Smith, Phase-locking in coupled non-linear relaxation
oscillators: and explanation for observed temporal and spatial correlation and anticorrelation of large earthquakes, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 84, F787, 2003.
Manighetti, I., C.G. Sammis, G. King, and M. Campillo, Evidence for self-similar, triangular slip
distributions on earthquake faults, and implications on fault and earthquake mechanics,
EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 84, F1031, 2003.
King, G.C.P., I. Manighetti, C.G. Sammis, P. Tapponier, R. Armijo, and D.D. Bowman, Fault
and Rift Evolution – all features great and small, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 84,
F1357, 2003.
Powers, P.M., C.G. Sammis, T.H. Jordan, and D. Okaya, A system for evaluating earthquake
driven stress changes in the Los Angeles Region, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 84,
F1438, 2003.
Levin, S.Z., C.G. Sammis, and D.D. Bowman, An observational test of the stress recovery model
for seismicity preceding Landers, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 84, F790, 2003.
Dolan, J.F., D.D. Bowman, and C.G. Sammis, Paleoseismologic evidence for long-distance and
long term interactions in southern California, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 84, F1003,
2003.
Mordohai, P., O. Dor, J. Zachar, C.G. Sammis, and Y. Ben-Zion, Slip surfaces in fault breccia
from the Sierra Madre Fault Zone: Geometry on mechanical implications, EOS Trans. Am.
Geophys. Union, 84, F1089, 2003.
2002 Papers
Sammis, C.G. and D. Sornette, Postitive feedback, memory, and the predictability of
earthquakes, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 99, 2501-2508, 2002.
2002 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., Recognizing and understanding patterns in the spatial, temporal, and magnitude
distributions of regional seismicity, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 83, F9, 2002.
Chen, Y., and C.G. Sammis, Spatial and temporal patterns of regional seismicity preceding the
1992 Landers California earthquake, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 83, F636, 2002.
Parsons, R., J.R. Rice, and C.G. Sammis, Off-plane secondary faulting and damage induced by a
dynamic slip-pulse, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 83, F655, 2002.
Levin, S., and C.G. Sammis, Changes in seismic strain following the 1992 Landers California
earthquake, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 83, F1068, 2002.
2001 Papers
Sammis, C.G. and J.R. Rice, Repeating earthquakes as low-stress-drop events at a border
between locked and creeping fault patches, Bull. Seismol. Soc. Am., 91, 532-537, 2001.
Johnson, L.R., and C.G. Sammis, Effects of rock damage on seismic waves generated by
explosions, PAGEOPH, 158, 1869-1908, 2001.
2001 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., Fractal fragmentation, friction and faulting, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 82,
F569, 2001.
Sammis, C.G., D.D. Bowman, and G.C.P King, A simple analytical model for the formation and
dissolution of stress shadows from large earthquakes, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 82,
571-572, 2001.
Bowman, D.D, G.C.P King, and C.G. Sammis, Stress accumulation and observations of
accelerating seismicity before large earthquakes, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 82,
831, 2001.
King, G.C.P., D.D. Bowman, and C.G. Sammis, The evolution of regional seismicity between
large earthquakes, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 82, 831, 2001.
Smith, S.W., and C.G. Sammis, Revisiting the tidal activation of seismicity with a damage
mechanics and friction point of view, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 82, F565, 2001.
Chen, Y. and C.G. Sammis, A numerical asperity model for repeating earthquakes, EOS Trans.
Am. Geophys. Union, 82, F853, 2001.
2000 Papers
Sammis, C.G., Materials Science Issues in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Progress in Materials
Science, 46, 231-247, 2001.
2000 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., Criticality, Self-organized Criticality, and Earthquake Prediction, EOS Trans
.Am. Geophys. U., 81, 48, F555, 2000.
Sammis, C.G. and J.R. Rice, Criticality, Repeating earthquakes as low-stress-drop events at a
border between locked and creeping fault patches, EOS Trans .Am. Geophys. U., 81, 48,
F1085, 2000.
Sammis, C.G., A grain bridge model for friction in granular layers, EOS Trans .Am. Geophys.
U., 81, Supplement, S408, 2000.
1999 Papers
Sammis, C.G., R.M. Nadeau, and L.R. Johnson, How strong is an asperity?, J. Geophys Res.,
104, 10,609-10,619, 1999.
Sammis, C.G., and S.W. Smith, Seismic cycles and the evolution of stress correlation in cellular
automaton models of finite fault networks, PAGEOPH., 155, 307-334, 1999.
Ben-Zion, Y., C.G. Sammis, and T.L. Henyey, Perspectives on the field of physics of
earthquakes, Seism. Res. Letters, 70, 428-431, 1999.
1999 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., Y. Chen, Y. Ben-Zion, An asperity model for repeating earthquakes, EOS Trans
.Am. Geophys. U., 80, Supplement, F705, 1999.
Pignota, G.S., S.R. Paterson, and C.G. Sammis, Thermally and mechanically driven cracking at
magma-host rock contacts: Implications for stoping in plutons, EOS Trans .Am. Geophys.
U., 80, Supplement, F983, 1999.
Bowman, D.D., and C.G. Sammis, Coulomb stress models and accelerating moment release:
Merging space and time before large earthquakes, EOS Trans .Am. Geophys. U., 80,
Supplement, F1012, 1999.
1998 Papers
Sammis, C.G., Physics of earthquakes: state of our knowledge, Quarterly Newsletter, Southern
California Earthquake Center, Vol 4, No.2, pp.16-18, 1998.
Huang, Y., H. Saleur, C. Sammis, and D. Sornette, Precursors, aftershocks, criticality and selforganized criticality, Europhys. Letters , 41, 43-48, 1998.
Bowman, D.D., G. Ouillon, C.G. Sammis, A. Sornette, and D. Sornette, An observational test of
the critical earthquake concept, J.Geophys. Res., 103, 24,359-24,372, 1998.
Sammis, C.G., Acoustic fluidization in the damage regime of explosions in crystalline rock,
Proceedings of the 20th Annual Seismic Symposium on Monitoring a Comprehensive Test
Ban Treaty, September 21-23, 1998, (DOD and DOE), 403-407, 1998.
1998 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., A critical point model for regional seismicity, EOS Trans .Am. Geophys. U., 79,
Supplement, F2, 1998.
Sammis, C.G., and S.W. Smith, Growth and destruction of stress correlation in a cellular
automaton model for regional seismicity, EOS Trans .Am. Geophys. U., 79, Supplement,
F635-640, 1998.
Bowman, D.D., C.G. Sammis, Using aftershocks to monitor changes in the correlation length of
the stress field before and after large earthquakes, EOS Trans .Am. Geophys. U., 79,
Supplement, F644, 1998.
Bowman, D.D., C.G. Sammis, D. Lockner, and S. Stanchits, Experimental observation of
temporal clustering of seismicity due to fractal spatial heterogeneity, EOS Trans .Am.
Geophys. U., 79, Supplement, S222, 1998.
Sammis, C.G., Nadeau, R.M., and L.R. Johnson, A fractal asperity model for repeating
earthquakes, EOS Trans .Am. Geophys. U., 79, Supplement, S222, 1998.
1997 Papers
Sammis, C.G., Observational constraints on non-linear source models in the damage regime,
Proc. 19th Ann. Seismic Res. Symp., pp 662-667, 1997.
1997 Published Abstracts
Bowman, D.D., and C.G. Sammis, Observational evidence for temporal clustering of
intermediate-magnitude events before strong earthquakes in California(Abst.), Seismol.
Res. Lett., 68, 324, 1997.
Bowman, D.D., G. Ouillon, C.G. Sammis, D. Sornette, and A. Sornette, An observational test of
the critical earthquake concept, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 78, F463, 1997.
1996 Papers
Sammis, C.G., D. Sornette, and H. Saleur, Complexity and earthquake forecasting, in Reduction
& Predictability of Natural Disasters, Eds. J. Rundle, F. Klein, and D. Turcotte, SFI Studies
in the Sciences of Complexity, Vol XXV, pp. 143-156, Addison Wesley, 1996.
Saleur, H., C.G. Sammis, and D. Sornette, Discrete scale invariance, complex fractal dimensions,
and log-periodic fluctuations in seismicity, J. Geophys. Res., 101, 17,661-17,677, 1996.
Sammis, C.G., Fractal fragmentation and frictional stability in granular materials, in The
Mechanics of Granular and Porous Materials, N. Fleck, editor, Kluwer, 1996.
Saleur, H., C.G. Sammis, and D. Sornette, Renormalization group theory of earthquakes,
Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics, 3, 102-109, 1996.
Ivins, E.R., and C.G. Sammis, Transient creep of a composite lower crust 1: Constitutive theory,
Geophys. J. Geophys. Res., 101, 27,981-28,004, 1996.
An, L-J., and C.G. Sammis, Development of strike-slip faults: shear experiments in granular
materials and clay using a new technique, J. Structural Geol., 18, 1061-1077, 1996.
An, L-J., and C.G. Sammis, A cellular automaton for the growth of a network of shear fractures,
Tectonopyhsics, 253, 247-270, 1996.
1996 Published Abstracts
Smith, S.W., and C.G. Sammis, Discrete Hierarchic Cellular Model for Foreshocks, EOS Trans.
Am. Geophys. U., 77, F480, 1996.
Bowman, D.D., and C.G. Sammis, An Observational Determination of the Critical Region
Before the 1983 M=6.7 Coalinga Earthquake, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 77, F486,
1996.
1995 Papers
Sammis, C.G. and S.J. Steacy, Fractal fragmentation in shear zones, in Fractals in the Earth
Sciences, edited by C. Barton and P.R. La Pointe, Plenum, 1995.
Ivins, E.R., and C.G. Sammis, On lateral viscosity contrast in the mantle and the rheology of
low-frequency geodynamics, Geophys. J. Int., 123, 305-322, 1995.
Robertson, M.C., C.G. Sammis, M. Sahimi, and A. Martin, The 3-D spatial distribution of
earthquakes in southern California with a percolation theory interpretation, J. Geophys.
Res., 100, 609-620, 1995.
Bowman, D.D., and C. G. Sammis, Implications of Small-scale fracturing on Guinevere Planitia,
Venus, Lunar and Planetary Science XXVI, 155-156, 1995.
Sornette, D., and C.G. Sammis, Complex critical exponents from renormalization group theory
of earthquakes; implications for earthquake predictions, J. Phys.I France, 5, 607-619,
1995.
1995 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., D.D. Bowman, H. Saleur, Y. Huang, D. Sornette, and A. Johansen, Log-periodic
fluctuations in seismicity before and after large earthquakes, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U.,
76, F405, 1995.
Bowman, D.D. and C.G. Sammis, The observation of discrete scale invariance in regional fault
networks: implications for the temporal clustering of regional seismicity, EOS Trans. Am.
Geophys. U., 76, F408, 1995.
1994 Papers
Sammis, C.G., and S.J. Steacy, The micromechanics of friction in a granular layer, PAGEOPH,
142, 777-794, 1994.
An, L-J, and C.G. Sammis, Particle size distribution of cataclastic fault materials from southern
California, PAGEOPH, 143, 203-227, 1994.
Scott, D.R., D.A. Lockner, J.D. Byerlee, and C.G. Sammis, Triaxial testing of Lopez Fault gouge
at 150 MPa mean effective stress, PAGEOPH, 142, 750-775, 1994.
Scott, D.R., C.J. Marone, and C.G. Sammis, The apparent friction of granular fault gouge in
sheared layers, J. Geophys. Res., 99, 7231-7246, 1994.
1994 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., and D; Sornette, A First order correction to power law time-to-failure analysis of
regional seismicity in the San Francisco Bay area and the Aleutian arc, EOS Trans. Am.
Geophys. U., 75, 434, 1994.
Sornette, D., and C.G. Sammis, Universal log-periodic correction to renormalization group
scaling for regional seismicity, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 75, 434-5, 1994.
An, LJ., C.G. Sammis, and Y-G Li, How far can a strike-slip fault jump?, EOS Trans. Am.
Geophys. U., 75, 679, 1994.
Bowman, D.D.., and C.G. Sammis, Determining the thickness of Venus' lithosphere using
fracture length distribution, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 75, 413, 1994.
Steacy, S.J., and C.G. Sammis, A heterogeneous bond-breaking model for intermediate term
regional seismic precursors, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 75, 241, 1994.
An, L-J., and C.G. Sammis, Fracture mode and internal fracture pressure, EOS Tran. Am.
Geophys. U., 75, 338, 1994.
1993 Books
Sammis, C.G., M. Saito, and G.C.P. King (editors), Fractals and Chaos in the Earth Sciences,
Birkhauser Press, 1993
1993 Papers
Sammis, C.G., Incorporating damage mechanics into explosion simulation models, in
Proceedings of the Nuclear Modeling for Underground Nuclear Test Modeling
Symposium, edited by S.R. Taylor and J.R. Kamm, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Publication LA-UR-93-3839, pp. 65-93, 1993.
Nakanishi, H., M. Sahimi, M.C. Robertson, C.G. Sammis, and M.D. Rintoul, Fractal properties
of the distribution of earthquake hypocenters, J. Phys. I France, 3, 733-739, 1993.
Sahimi, M., M.C. Robertson, and C.G. Sammis, fractal distribution of earthquake hypocenters
and its relation to fault patterns and percolation, Phys. Rev. Lett., 70, 2186-2198, 1993.
Sahimi, M., M.C. Robertson, and C.G. Sammis, Relation between the earthquake staticstic and
fault patterns, and fractals, and percolation, Physica A, 191, 57-68, 1993.
Ivins, E.R., C.G. Sammis, and C.F. Yoder, Deep mantle viscous structure with prior estimate and
satellite constraint, J. Geophys. Res., 98, 4579-4609, 1993.
Sammis, C.G., Fractal Models in the Earth Sciences (Book Review), Science, 259, 1350-1351,
1993.
Sammis, C.G., Fault mechanics - no need to stick to the point, Nature, 362, 588-589, 1993.
1993 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G. and G.C.P. King, From first fracture to fractal fault gouge - the mechanisms of
finite brittle strain,G.S.A. 1993 Annual Meeting Abstracts with Programs, A249, 1993
Sammis, C.G., Relating fault stability to fault zone structure,G.S.A. 1993 Annual Meeting
Abstracts with Programs, A115-116, 1993
Scott, D.R., M.R. Forrest, and C.G. Sammis, Granular teconics of Southern California, EOS
Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 74, 429, 1993.
Robertson, M.C., C.G. Sammis, M. Sahimi, and A.J. Martin, Fractal analysis of the 3-D spatial
distribution of earthquakes with a percolation theory interpretation, EOS Trans. Am.
Geophys. U., 74, 430, 1993.
An, L-J, and C.G. Sammis, Development of fracture patterns under simple shear: clay layer
experiments, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 74, 580, 1993.
Steacy, S.J. and C.G. Sammis, Simulating regional seismicity with a heterogeneous bondbreaking model, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 74, 295-296, 1993.
Sammis, C.G., Relating fault stability to fault-zone structure, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 74,
295-296, 1993.
Ivins, E.R., and C. G. Sammis, A frequency-dependent Q model based upon transient rheological
properties of heterogeneous materials, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 74, 314, 1993.
1992 Papers
King, G.C.P., and C.G. Sammis, The Mechanisms of Finite Brittle Strain, PAGEOPH, 138, 611640, 1992
Sammis, C.G., L.-J. An, and I. Ershaghi, Determining the 3-D fracture structure in The Geysers
geothermal reservoir, Proc.Seventeenth Workshop Geothermal Reservoir Engineering,
Stanford University Publication SGP-TR-141, Jan 29-31, 1992.
Steacy, S.J. and C.G. Sammis, A damage mechanics model for fault zone friction, J. Geophys.
Res., 97,587-594, 1992.
Banerdt, W.B. and C.G. Sammis, Small-scale fracture patterns on the plains of Venus, J.
Geophysical Res., 97, 16,149-16,166, 1992.
1992 Published Abstracts
Steacy, S.J., C.G. Sammis, and G.V. Saldovar, Conjugate faulting in the Mojave desert: evidence
for a low coefficient of friction.EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 73, 383, 1992.
Sammis, C.G., and S.J Steacy, A physical interpretation of rate- and state-dependent friction
parameters in a simulated gouge layer.EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 73, 512, 1992.
An, L.J., and C.G. Sammis, A computer automaton for the formation of crustal shear zones, EOS
Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 73, 512, 1992.
Scott, D., C.G. Sammis, D. Lockner, and C. Marone, The peak and residual strengths of shear
bands in fault gouge,EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 73, 516, 1992.
Steacy, S.J., and C.G. Sammis, A damage mechanics model for the slip weakening distance in
natural faults, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 1992.
Ivins, E.R., C.G. Sammis, and C. Yoder, Is a deep high viscosity layer above D'' consistent with
Starlette and LAGEOS J2 observations?, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 1992.
1991 Papers
Steacy, S.J. and C.G. Sammis, An automaton for the simulation of fractal fragmentation, Nature,
353, 250-252, 1991.(Figure on cover of this issue).
Sammis, C.G., L. An, and I. Ershaghi, Fracture patterns in graywacke outcrops at the Gysers
geothermal field. Proc.Sixteenth Workshop Geothermal Reservoir Engineering, Stanford
University Publication SGP-TR-134, Jan 23-25, 1991.
1991 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., Fractal fracture, fragmentation, and frictional stability, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys.
U., 72, 275, 1991.
Sammis, C.G. and W.B. Banerdt, Self organized critical faulting on Venus, Lunar and Planetary
Science XXII, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston Texas, PP 1163-1164, 1991.
Robertson, M.C., A.J. Martin, and C.G. Sammis, 3-D fractal analysis of hypocentral locations in
southern California, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 72, 274, 1991.
Steacy, S.J. and C.G. Sammis, A 2-D automaton for fractal fragmentation, EOS Trans. Am.
Geophys. U., 72, 275, 1991.
Steacy, S.J. and C.G. Sammis, A damage mechanics model for fault-zone friction, EOS Trans.
Am. Geophys. U., 72, 434, 1991.
Schwartz, M., M. Forrest, C.G. Sammis, S.P. Lund, and P. Malin, Chaotic attractor reconstrucion
methodology applied to recent seismic moment data from the San Andreas fault at
Parkfield, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 72, 483, 1991.
Liu, X., S. and C.G. Sammis, A computer model for the evolution of a tensile fracture network,
EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 72, 486, 1991.
1990 Papers
Ashby, M. F. and C. G. Sammis, The damage mechanics of brittle solids in compression,
PAGEOPH, 133, 489-521, 1990.
1990 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., Fractal fragmentation in a granular crust, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 71, 467,
1990.
Steacy, S.J. and C. G. Sammis, Damage mechanics of a fractal fault zone, EOS Trans. Am.
Geophys. U., 71, 467, 1990.
Steacy, Sandra J., Michelle C. Robertson, Kevin Mayeda, and Charles G. Sammis, The Evolution of
Stick-Slip Friction Events in an Analog Gouge, EOS, 71, 6, p. 259, 1990.
Li, Y., P. Leary, and C.G. Sammis, Fault zone trapped waves as a possible means of identifying
seismicity in different crustal fracture environments, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 71,
1474, 1990.
Leary, P., C.G. Sammis, and Y. Li, Evidence for fractal distribution of crustal fracture intensity
from mm to km scale lengths and it implication for earthquake prediction, EOS Trans. Am.
Geophys. U., 71, 1595, 1990.
1989 Papers
Sammis, C.G., Stress-induced segregation, Nature, 338, 114-115, 1989.
Sammis, C. G. and R. L. Biegel, Fractals, fault-gouge and friction, invited contribution to
Fractals in Geophysics, edited by D. Mandelbrodt and C. H. Scholz, PAGEOPH, 131, 255271, 1989.
Sammis, C.G. and S. Nemat-Nasser, The Brittle Failure of Rock, in Mineral Physics edited by
W. Bassett, pp.39-41, AGU, 1989.
Biegel, R.L., C.G. Sammis, and J.H. Dieterich, The frictional properties of a simulated gouge
having a fractal particle distribution, J. Structural Geology, 11, 827-846, 1989.
1989 Published Abstracts
Steacy, S.J. and C. G. Sammis, A damage mechanics explanation for low shear stress on the San
Andreas Fault, Seismological Research Letters, 60, 23, 1989.
1988 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C.G., The micromechanics of fractal fault gouge formation, G.S.A. Abstracts with
Programs, 20, 1988.
Sammis, C.G. and M.F. Ashby, The damage mechanics of brittle solids in compression, EOS
Trans. Am.Geophys. U., 44, 1464, 1988.
Biegel, R.L. and C.G. Sammis, A ligand model for the frictional behaviour of a gouge layer,
EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 44, 1463, 1988.
1987 Book
Sammis, C. G. and T. L. Henyey, Methods of Experimental Physics - Geophysics, Academic
Press, 1987.
1987 Papers
Sammis, C. G. and B. R. Julian, Fracture Instabilities Accompanying Dike Intrusion. J.
Geophys. Res., 92, 2597-2606, 1987.
Sammis, C. G., G. C. P. King, and R. C. Biegel, The Kinematics of Gouge Deformation,
PAGEOPH, 125, 777-812, 1987.
1987 Published Abstracts
Biegel, R. L., and C. G. Sammis, The upper fractal limit in self-similar fault gouge and its
possible relation to the characteristic displacement in slip-weakening friction models, EOS,
Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 68, 405, 1987.
Biegel, R. L., C. G. Sammis, and J. H. Dieterich, Frictional properties of a simulated fractal
gouge layer in Westerly granite, EOS, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 68, 1048, 1987.
1986 Papers
Sammis, C. G. and M. F. Ashby, The Failure of Porous Materials Under Compression, Acta.
Met., 34, 511-526, 1986.
Sammis, C. G. and R. H. Osborne, J. L. Anderson, M. Banerdt, and P. White, Self-similar
cataclasis in the formation of fault gouge. PAGEOPH, 124, 53-78, 1986.
Sammis, C. G. and M. F. Ashby, The Damage Mechanics of Brittle Solids in Compression,
Proceedings of the 8th Annual DARPA/AFGL Seismic Research Symposium, 66-86, 1986.
1986 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C. G., R. Biegel, and G. King, A self-similar model for the kinematics of gouge
deformation, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 67, 1187, 1986.
1985 Papers
Banderdt, W. B. and C. G. Sammis, Low-Stress High-Temperature Creep in Single Crystal NaCl.
Phys. Earth Planet. Interiors, 41, 108-124, 1985.
Ellsworth, K., G. Schubert, and C. G. Sammis, Models of Viscosity Variation in the Earth's
Mantle, Geophysical Journal Roy. Astron. Soc., 83, 199-214, 1985.
1985 Published Abstracts
Julian, B. R. and C. G. Sammis, Instabilities in the propagation of tensile cracks, E.O.S. Trans.
Am. Geophys. U., 66, 1065, 1985.
Biegel, R., C. G. Sammis, and G. C. P. King, Self-similar cataclasis and the mechanics of the
generation of fault gouge, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 66 , 1101, 1985.
1984 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C. G. and M. F. Ashby, The Failure of Porous Rock Under Compression, E.O.S. Trans.
Am. Geophys. U., 65, 1074, 1984.
1983 Published Abstracts
Ellsworth, K., G. Schubert, and C. G. Sammis, Models of Viscosity Variation in the Mantle: A
Case for Non-Newtonian Rheology, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 64, 838, 1983.
Banerdt, W. B. and C. G. Sammis, Observation of Newtonian Creep at Low Stress in Sodium
Chloride, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 64, 840, 1983.
1982 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C. G., and R. H. Osborne, Textural and Petrographic Modal Analysis of Gouge from a
Depth of 165m in the San Andreas Fault Zone, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 63, 1109,
1982.
Ellsworth, K., G. Schubert, and C. G. Sammis, Constraints on Creep Activation Energy in the
Lower Mantle, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. U., 63, 1105, 1982.
1981 Papers
Sammis, C. G., J. C. Smith, and G. Schubert, A critical assessment of estimation methods for
activation volume, J. Geophys. Research, Vol. 86, p. 10707-10718, 1981.
Sammis, C. G., M. Banerdt, and D. E. Hammond, Stress induced release of Rn222 and CH4 to
percolating water in granitic rock, Proceedings of the Seventh Workshop on Geothermal
Reservoir Engineering, Stanford University Press, in press 1981.
Ryan, M. P., and C. G. Sammis, The glass transition in basalt, J. Geophys. Res., 86, 9519-9535,
1981.
1981 Published Abstracts
Dehghan, A., C. G. Sammis, and T. G. Langdon, High temperature deformation of
polycrystalline orthoenstatite under controlled oxygen fugacity, E.O.S. Trans. Am.
Geophys. Union, 62, 1029, 1981.
Sammis, C. G., M. Banerdt, and D. E. Hammond, Stress induced release of Rn222 and CH4 to
percolating water in granitic rock, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 62, 1049, 1981.
Langdon, T. G., A. Dehghan, and C. G. Sammis, Flow processes in lunar and planetary interiors,
Lunar and Planetary Science Abstracts, 12, 589, 1981.
1980 Published Abstracts
Banerdt, M., W. B. Banerdt, and C. G. Sammis, An experimental study of the extraction of
Rn222 from stressed rock by water flow, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 61, 362,
1980.
Sammis, C. G., R. H. Osborne, J. L. Anderson, and M. Banerdt, Reading stress from cataclastic
rock, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 61, 1118, 1980.
Langdon, T. G., A. Dehghan, and C. G. Sammis, Deformation mechanism maps for Olivine,
E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 61, 1128, 1980.
Banerdt, W. B. and C. G. Sammis, An evaluation of finite strain equations of state using a lattice
model, submitted to Phys. Earth Planet Interiors (1979).
Smith, J. C. and C. G. Sammis, A critical assessment of estimation methods for activation
volume, E.O.S., Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 60, 370, 1979.
Banerdt, W. B. and C. G. Sammis, Transient creep regimes in polycrystalline MgO, E.O.S.,
Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 60, 378, 1979.
1978 Papers
Ryan, M. P., and C. G. Sammis, Cyclic fracture mechanism in cooling basalt, Geol. Soc.
America Bull., 89, 1295-1308, 1978.
1978 Published Abstracts
Ryan, M. P. and C. G. Sammis, The glass transition and the cyclic fracture mechanism of cooling
basalt, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 59, 379, 1978.
Banerdt, W. B. and C. G. Sammis, An evaluation of finite strain equations of state using a lattice
model, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 59, 1180, 1978.
Dein, J. L. and C. G. Sammis, Transformation-rate criterion for superplasticity in the earth's
mantle, E.O.S. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 59, 1185, 1978.
1977 Papers
Sammis, C. G., J. C. Smith, G. Schubert, and D. A. Yuen, Viscosity-depth profile of the earth's
mantle: Effects of polymorphic phase transition, J. Geophys., Res., 82, 3747-3761, 1977.
1977 Published Abstracts
Ryan, M. P. and C. G. Sammis, High temperature elasticity of basalt, E.O.S. Trans. Am.
Geophys. Union, 58, 492, 1977.
1976 Papers
Sammis, C. G., The effect of polymorphic phase boundaries on vertical and horizontal motions in
the earth's mantle, Tectonophysics, 35, 169-182, 1976.
Sammis, C. G., T. M. C. Li, and W. F. Downs, Effects of hydrothermal chemistry on reservoir
evolution, proceedings of the NSF reservoir engineering symposium, Stanford University
Press, Stanford, 1976.
1976 Published Abstracts
Smith, J. C., C. G. Sammis, and S. S. Alexander, Tidal stress concentrations due to asperities on
the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary in the Moon, Trans. Am. Geophys. Un., 57, 945,
1976.
Ryan, M. P., and C. G. Sammis, Cyclic (fatigue) fracture mechanisms in cooling basalt: A
detailed field study, Trans. Am. Geophys. Un., 57, 321, 1976.
Sammis, C. G., J. C. Smith, G. Schubert, and D. A. Yuen, Viscosity-depth profile of the earth's
mantle: Effects of polymorphic phase transitions, Trans. Am. Geophys. Un., 57, 1001,
1976.
Dein, J. L., and C. G. Sammis, A new transformational superplasticity theory, with application to
the earth's mantle, Trans. Am. Geophys. Un., 57, 323, 1976.
1975 Papers
Alexander, S. S., and C. G. Sammis, New geophysical evidence on the driving mechanisms for
continental drift, Earth and Mineral Sciences, 44, 25, 1975.
Sbar, M. L., R. R. Jordan, C. Stephens, T. E. Pickett, K. D. Woodruff, and C. G. Sammis, The
Delaware-New Jersey-Pennsylvania earthquake of February 28, 1973, Bull. Seis. Soc. Am.,
65, 85-92, 1975.
1975 Published Abstracts
Dein, J. L. and C. G. Sammis, Transformational superplasticity at the olivine-spinel phase
transition in the earth's mantle. Trans. Am. Geophys. Un., 56, 454, 1975.
Morris, J. R. and C. G. Sammis, The recovery of chemical energy from a dry-rock geothermal
reservoir, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 56, 1073, 1975.
1974 Papers
Sammis, C. G., and E. K. Graham Geophysical observations and the tectonic evolution of the
western United States, in Rock Mechanics, The American Northwest, ed., B. Voight, spec.
Pub. Expt. Station, Penn. State, 1974.
Sammis, C. G., and J. L. Dein, On the possibility of transformational superplasticity in the earth's
mantle, J. Geophys. Res., 79, 2961, 1974.
1974 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C. G., Elastic properties of NaCl structure oxides, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 55,
1189, 1974.
1973 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C. G., A deformable shell model for MgO and geophysical applications, Trans. Am.
Geophys. Union, 54, 474, 1973.
Sammis, C. G., and J. L. Dein, Accelerated creep along poloymorphic phase boundaries, Trans.
Am. Geophys. Union, 54, 1209, 1973.
1972 Papers
Sammis, C. G., Lattice dynamics of MgO, AlMgO, and MgSiO spinel, Geophys. J. R. Astr. Soc.,
29, 15-42, 1972.
Anderson, D. L., C. G. Sammis, and T. Jordan, Composition of the mantle and core, in The
Nature of the Solid Earth, ed., E. C. Robertson, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1972, 41-66.
Spetzler, H., C. G. Sammis, and R. O'Connell, Equation of state of NaCl: Ultrasonic
measurements to 8 kbar and 800 k and static lattice theory, J. Phys. Chem. Solids, 33,
1727, 1972.
1971 Papers
Sammis, C. G., Theoretical equations of state, U.S. National Report 1967-1971, to the 15th
General Assembly, IUGG, Trans. Am. Geophys. Un., 52, 122-126, 1971.
Anderson, D. L., C. G. Sammis, and T. Jordan, Composition and evolution of the mantle and
core, Science, 171, 1103-1112, 1971.
1970 Papers
Sammis, C. G., The pressure dependence of the elastic constants of cubic crystals in the NaCl
and spinel structures from a lattice model, Geophys. J. R. Astr. Soc., 19, 285-297, 1970.
Sammis, C. G., D. Anderson, and T. Jordan, A note on the application of isotropic finite strain
theory to ultrasonic and seismological data, J. Geophys. Res., 75, 4478-4480, 1970.
Anderson, D. L., and C. G. Sammis, Partial melting in the upper mantle, Phys. Earth Planet.
Interiors, 3, 41-50, 1970.
Archambeau, C., and C. G. Sammis, Seismic radiation from explosions in prestressed media and
the measurement of tectonic stress in the earth, Rev. Geophysics, 8, 473-499, 1970
1970 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C. G., T. Jordan, and D. L. Anderson, Inhomogeneity of the lower mantle, Trans. Am.
Geophys. Union, 51, 838, 1970.
1969 Papers
Anderson, D. L., C. G. Sammis, and R. Phinney, Brillouin scattering - A new geophysical tool, in
The Application of Modern Physics to Earth and Planetary Interiors, ed., S. K. Runcorn, J.
Wiley & Sons, 1969, 465-477.
1969 Published Abstracts
Sammis, C. G., The pressure dependence of the elastic constants of close-packed oxides and
silicates from a lattice model, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 50, 671, 1969.
Anderson, D. L., T. Jordan, C. Sammis, and B. Julian, Physical properties of the mantle, Trans.
Am. Geophys. Union, 50, 671, 1969.
1967 Published Abstracts
Smith, S., C. G. Sammis, and W. Jackson, Microearthquake source dimensions and energy
release, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, 48, 201, 1967.