Thermochronological and magnetic advances on faulting processes: An introduction

This special volume presents recent advances in the use of thermochronology and rock magnetism to advance our understanding of faulting processes, integrating insights from diverse tectonic settings. Thermochronology, particularly low-temperature systems such as (U-Th)/He, fission tracks and argon dating, constrains the timing of fault initiation, slip, and reactivation, revealing links between deformation, exhumation, and surface processes. Magnetic methods, including anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization, serve as sensitive, non-destructive tools to detect mineralogical transformations caused by frictional heating, chemical alteration, and strain localization. Together, these approaches capture the thermal, structural, and fluid-related evolution of fault zones at multiple spatial and temporal scales. The volume draws from contributions presented at the 2023 American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting and includes studies on the Tibetan Plateau, the Pyrenees, and seismogenic carbonate faults in Israel and Italy. These seven contributions highlight the integration of structural geology, geochronology, and rock physics in deciphering fault zone histories and dynamic weakening processes. Collectively, the volume demonstrates the growing importance of multidisciplinary approaches in assessing seismic hazards and reconstructing Earth's crustal deformation history.