Harris's research into earthquakes involves a combination of computer simulations and field and laboratory investigations. She is particularly interested in creeping faults, faults that creep for long periods of time while producing multiple small earthquakes. In California, Harris quantified stress within the Parkfield segment of the
San Andreas Fault, estimated changes in stress during the
1992 Landers earthquake, and tracked the impact of the
1857 Fort Tejon earthquake on subsequent earthquakes in the region. She has simulated the movement of fractures across multiple segments of fault plans, and considered the role of earthquake depth and soil type in determining the strength of earthquakes such as the
2017 Puebla earthquake. Harris led the community effort to validate computer models of earthquakes with field-based verification efforts.
Selected publications • • • • • == Awards and honors ==