Bridging the Andes and the Himalaya: Geophysical and Geological Perspectives on Crustal Deformation and Hazard

The Andes and the Himalaya represent two major yet contrasting tectonic environments. The Andes are shaped by the Nazca–South America subduction system, while the Himalaya record the India–Eurasia continental collision. Although their tectonic settings differ, both regions experience significant crustal deformation, active faulting, large earthquakes, volcanic activity, and complex strain accumulation. Studying them together offers a valuable opportunity to test how observations, methods, and physical interpretations developed in one region apply to the other. This Research Topic focuses on how modern space-geodetic and geophysical techniques, particularly GNSS and InSAR, can be integrated with seismic, geological, and structural observations to improve understanding of crustal deformation and of earthquake and volcanic processes in these regions. A particular emphasis is placed on comparative and cross-regional studies connecting the Andes and the Himalaya, and on the rigorous evaluation of transient or potentially precursory signals. Any claims regarding earthquake or volcanic precursors should be assessed against observational uncertainties, physical plausibility, reproducibility, and alternative explanations. We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Methods, and other Frontiers article types that address the following aims: Consolidating recent methodological developments in GNSS time-series analysis, InSAR, remote sensing, and integrated geodetic, seismic, geological, and structural investigations. Improving understanding of interseismic strain accumulation, coseismic rupture, postseismic deformation, transient deformation processes, and their geological expression at the Earth’s surface. Investigating how crustal architecture, lithology, geological structures, fault geometry and segmentation, strain partitioning, rheological heterogeneity, and tectonic inheritance control earthquake rupture, crustal deformation, landscape evolution, and surface processes. Integrating tectonic and structural geology, active fault studies, geomorphology, stratigraphy, Quaternary geology, and geochronology with geophysical and geodetic observations to reconstruct the evolution of active tectonic systems. Examining volcanic deformation and magma-plumbing-system dynamics using multi-sensor geodetic observations, complemented by volcanic geology, petrology, geochemistry, structural analysis, and stratigraphic investigations. Establishing comparative approaches between the Andes and the Himalaya, so that observations, methodologies, and interpretations from one region can be tested in the other. Exploring the relationships among tectonic processes, geological evolution, crustal deformation, seismicity, volcanism, erosion, and landscape development across active convergent margins and continental collision zones. Developing integrated geophysical and geological monitoring and interpretation frameworks relevant to earthquake, volcanic, and broader geological hazard assessment. The scope of this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, the following themes: GNSS and InSAR constraints on interseismic coupling, coseismic slip, postseismic deformation, and transient deformation. Earthquake source characterization, fault geometry, rupture propagation, and coseismic slip modeling. Integrated geodetic, geophysical, geological, and structural investigations of active fault systems. Active tectonics, tectonic geomorphology, and Quaternary deformation. Structural geology, fault architecture, geological mapping, and characterization of active and potentially active faults. Fault segmentation, strain partitioning, crustal architecture, and tectonic inheritance. Stratigraphic, sedimentological, and geochronological investigations of tectonic deformation and basin evolution. Geomorphological markers of active deformation, including river terraces, alluvial fans, fluvial systems, uplifted surfaces, and landscape response to tectonic processes. Paleoseismology and geological constraints on earthquake recurrence, fault activity, and long-term seismic hazard. Volcanic deformation, magma chamber geometry, magma-plumbing-system dynamics, and volcanic structural geology. Volcanic geology, petrology, geochemistry, eruptive history, and relationships between magmatic processes and crustal deformation. Transient and potentially precursory deformation signals, evaluated against observational uncertainties, physical plausibility, reproducibility, and alternative explanations. Comparative investigations of the Andes and the Himalaya, including their tectonic evolution, crustal architecture, deformation, seismicity, volcanism, and surface processes. Development of integrated geological, geophysical, and geodetic monitoring frameworks. Advances in space geodesy, remote sensing, and geological observations for earthquake and volcanic hazard assessment. Multi-sensor observations, numerical modeling, and geological constraints on tectonic and volcanic processes. Interactions between tectonics, climate, erosion, sedimentation, and landscape evolution in active mountain belts. Long-term crustal deformation and geological evolution of subduction and continental collision zones. Topic editors: BABITA SHARMA, Lucía Fernández Paz, Mahesh Shrivastava, Sanjay Kumar Prajapati Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85143/bridging-the-andes-and-the-himalaya-geophysical-and-geological-perspectives-on-crustal-deformation-and-hazard