Research that could lead to a breakthrough in predicting mega-earthquakes has seen a Monash University researcher net this year’s Anton Hales medal for Earth Sciences.

Associate Professor Wouter Schellart of the Monash University’s School of Geoscience was awarded the medal for his novel theory of geogynamics, which explains how subduction zones – areas where a tectonic plate dives beneath another plate into the mantle – effects tectonic activity.

The theory explains why the Australian continent moves approximately six centimetres a year, while Africa moves only at two centimetres. It also helps explain the formation of the longest mountain range on Earth, the Andes, and the activity of Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe.

Recently, Associate Professor Schellart has been working with seismologists to develop better techniques for predicting the spatial distribution of mega-earthquakes, such as the magnitude nine quake that caused devastation in Japan in 2011.