During a NATO Advanced Study Institute in Izmir, Tur key, July 1973 on Modern Developments in Engineering Seis mology and Earthquake Engineering it emerged that a debate on Continuum Mechanics Aspects of Geodynamics and Rock Fracture Mechanics would be very welcome. Therefore, it was decided to seek NATO sponsorship for an Advanced Study In stitute on this subject. The purpose of the new Advanced Study Institute was to provide a link between mechanics of continuum media and geo dynamic s. By bringing together a group of leading scientists from the above two fields and participants actively...