Core Sampling on Expedition 375 (IMAGE) University of Texas at Austin Caption Demian Saffer, director of the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) and Laura Wallace, a UTIG research scientist, examine rock samples drilled from about half a mile under the seafloor in a fault in New Zealand during a 2018 scientific ocean drilling mission that they co-led. Lab tests revealed that clay-rich rocks are regulating earthquakes there by allowing the fault to slip harmlessly. Credit Tim Fulton, IODP JRSO. Usage Restrictions Credit must be given to the creator. License CC BY Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.