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Brett M. Carpenter

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Brett M. Carpenter

Willard L. Miller Chair
Associate Professor


Brett Carpenter.

brett.carpenter@ou.edu
Sarkeys Energy Center, 934

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Brett Carpenter's Google Scholar
Brett Carpenter's CV.pdf


My research interests focus on how fault structure and small-scale processes affect large-scale fault and crustal behavior. I am particularly interested in the behavior of earth materials in shallow to central crustal conditions, where destructive earthquakes originate and propagate. This research has applications to natural hazards forecast and preparation, energy development, and carbon sequestration. My primary research method is combining structural observations from outcrops and boreholes with laboratory experiments to determine the mechanical, hydrologic, and acoustic properties of different Earth materials, many of them collected from faults worldwide.


  • Ph.D., 2012, Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University
  • M.S., 2007, Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University
  • B.S. ed., 2005, Earth & Space Science, Physics, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

  • Structural Geology
  • Experimental Rock Mechanics
  • Induced Seismicity
  • Remote Sensing
  • Scientific Drilling

  • Introduction to Physical Geology for Science and Engineering Majors
  • Introduction to Physical Geology – Field Intensive
  • Structural Geology and Stratigraphy for Petroleum Engineers
  • Structural Geology
  • Geowriting
  • Fractures, Faults and Earthquakes
  • Structural Geology Seminar

  • *Kibikas, W.M., A. Ghassemi, and B.M. Carpenter (2021), Evaluating the mechanical properties of carbonate and evaporite caprocks in the Sichuan Basin, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences X, 6, doi:10.1016/j.jaesx.2021.100063.
  • *Karam, P., S. Mitra, K. Marfurt, , and B.M. Carpenter (2021), Synthetic transfer zone characterization using seismic attributes, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, Interpretation, 9, doi:10.1190/int-2020-0138.1.
  • Hamilton, M., B.M. Carpenter, C. Johnston, F. Kolawole, S. Evans, and D. Elmore (2021), The damaged and altered basement of northeastern Oklahoma; Implications for induced seismicity in the midcontinent, Journal of Structural Geology, 147, doi: 10.1016/j.jsg.2021.104330.
  • Zoet, L.K., M Ikari, R.B. Alley, C. Marone, S. Anandakrishnan, B.M. Carpenter and M. Scuderi (2020), A framework for glacial stick-slip seismicity, Geophys Res. Lett., 47, doi:10.1029/2020GL088964.
  • *Firkins, M., F. Kolawole, K.J. Marfurt, and B.M. Carpenter (2020), Attribute assisted characterization of basement faulting and the associated sedimentary sequence deformation in north-central Oklahoma, Interpretation, 8, doi:10.1190/INT-2020-0053.1.
  • *Chen, Xf., B.M. Carpenter, and Z. Reches (2020), Asperity failure control of stick-slip along brittle faults, Pure Appl. Geophys. 177, doi:10.1007/s00024-020-02434-y.