Coupling, Seismicity, and Slow Slip (C3S)
Technical Short Course

Strain Accumulation and Release from GNSS

June 15-17, 2026
Time: 9 AM–1 PM PT
Virtual

About

Program Overview

Led by members of the Coupling, Seismicity, and Slow Slip (C3S) working group, this technical short course provides requisite tools for recognizing how earthquake cycle signatures in the Cascadia Subduction Zone are expressed in geodetic observations. It will introduce basic processing of geodetic time series to interpret longer-term strain accumulation processes and slow slip events. It will cover extracting velocities and displacements from geodetic time-series observations and introduce basic inverse methods to use geodetic data to constrain fault slip patterns. Analysis of geodetic data offers opportunities for students to gain geoscience-specific skills, but also data science skills, and will contribute to improving our understanding of the spectrum of slip processes on the subduction interface. 

The course will include lectures and introduction to Python computing tools, as well as free time for participants to gain hands-on experience with the tools using Jupyter notebooks. 

Course GitHUB: PowerPoints & Jupyter Notebooks

Important Dates

  • Applications Open Now

Late February

  • Applications Close

April 15

  • Notifications Sent

Mid-May

Learning Objectives

By the end of this short course, participants will be able to: 

  • Understanding basic GNSS time series signals 
  • Load and visualize GNSS time series data 
  • Use algorithms to estimate interseismic, coseismic, and slow slip signatures 
  • Use geodetic displacement fields to estimate fault slip patterns 
  • Use geodetic velocity fields to estimate interseismic coupling patterns 
  • Understand how viscoelastic processes influence observed deformation 

Highlight Your Skills with a Digital Badge: Participants earn a credential through Credly issued by EarthScope Consortium that verifies your achievements. The badge showcases the knowledge and skills you’ve gained and can be shared online, added to resumes, or displayed on professional and social media profiles to support your career growth.

Geodesy Engagement-Level credential

Participant Commitment

  • 3 days, 3 main sessions. 
  • Daily sessions are 4 hours long 

Brief Agenda

The course runs from June 15–17 and includes 3 main sessions over 3 days, with each daily session lasting 4 hours.

Tentative agenda is listed below, and subject to change. Full agenda will be sent along with a participant packet closer to the start of the course.

Day 1: Monday June 15

  • Introduction to GNSS time series data 
  • Estimating interseismic velocity, coseismic displacement, and slow slip signatures 

Day 2: Tuesday June 16

  • Using coseismic/slow slip displacement fields to estimate slip patterns in an elastic model 
  • Using interseismic velocities to estimate plate motion and fault coupling in an elastic model 

Day 3: Wednesday June 17

  • Introduction to viscoelastic earthquake cycle modeling

Application

Prerequisites  

  • This course is for upper-level undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and professionals in the field of geodesy and tectonics who have specific research or application needs for using geodetic data to image fault slip processes.  
  • An individual computer that has an internet browser and a minimum stable internet connection speed of 5 Mb/s.
  • Ability to explain how this course aligns with your current research or technical goals. 

Recommended Background

To get the most out of this course, participants are encouraged to have:

  • Intermediate Python computing skills including: 
    • Use of numpy and pandas 
    • Familiarity with working in a development environment (conda, pixi, etc.) 
  • Proficient knowledge in Jupyter notebooks
  • General understanding of linear algebra and inverse theory 
  • Basic understanding of the earthquake cycle and tectonic settings 
Apply now

The application closes April 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm Pacific Daylight Time. 

For questions contact GEI Program Manager Shannon Fasola (sfasola@uoregon.edu).

Instructors

Jack Loveless: Smith College
Brendan Crowell: Ohio State University
Kaj Johnson: Indiana University Bloomington 
Tim Melbourne: Central Washington University

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