Understanding the physics behind the rupture of a great earthquake - such as occurs in the subduction zones around the Pacific - from its preparatory phase to its destructive effects in the near or far field, is a major issue of socio-economic interest. Over the past few decades, thanks to major seismic and geodetic (especially GPS) instrumentation efforts in some of the zones concerned, and the recent occurrence of a series of giant earthquakes (Sumatra 2004, Chile 2010, 2014, 2015, Japan 2011), a rich data set has been collected at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Together with numerical calculations made possible by advances in computing, this has enabled a new surge in the development of mechanical and kinematic models of seismic rupture.
The aim of this lecture, and the associated international symposium, was to take stock of our knowledge of the physical processes behind very strong earthquakes.