Category: Meetings

Collaborative Efforts in the East African Rift System

  Fillmore ABC, Grand Hyatt San Francisco
345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA
Thursday, December 12, 2013, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Conveners Part 1: C. Ebinger, T. Fischer, S. Kattenhorn
Conveners Part 2: D.S. Stamps, W. Nelson, R. Moucha, A. Nyblade

AgendaMeeting objectivesMeeting report
PART I – Opportunities and Challenges in GeoPRISMS EAR Focus Site
6:30 – 6:40 | GeoPRISMS introduction – Peter van Keken
6:40 – 6:50 | Existing data, ongoing projects and opportunities for capacity-building – Cindy Ebinger
6:50 – 7:00 |  Opportunities for collaboration with geothermal exploration groups – Tobias Fischer
7:00 – 7:10 |  Brief scientific overview and logistical challenges – Simon Kattenhorn
7:10 – 7:30 |  Question and answer session

BREAK

7:45 – 7:50 |  Introduction and objectives – D.Sarah Stamps
7:50 – 8:05 |  Community-driven proposals – James Gaherty
8:05 – 8:15 |  Existing datasets – Wendy Nelson, Rob Moucha, Andy Nyblade
8:15 – 8:45 |  Instructions and group discussions
8:45 – 8:55 |  Conveners compile responses
8:55 – 9:05 |  Disseminate results
9:05 – 9:10 |  Closing remarks

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPart I – The Eastern Branch Focus Site

The GeoPRISMS focus site and affiliated sites in the East African Rift (EAR) system pose tantalizing research opportunities, as well as logistical challenges for new data acquisition, and access to existing in-country data sets (e.g., aeromag, reflection).

Coordination of research and educational activities with African geoscientists may be challenging, both in terms of finding partners, and liaising with the relatively small research community. Coordination of field programs, and ideas for collaborative training opportunities enables fuller, more rewarding interactions with our international colleagues. Our mini-workshop is planned to coordinate and facilitate planning and training activities in or concerning the Eastern rift focus site. Our goals are to review existing data sets and active projects, including rapidly expanding geothermal exploration, paleoanthropological studies, and geohazards initiatives (e.g., GEMS), to facilitate team-building and collaborative experiments, and to share experience. Early-career scientists in particular are encouraged to attend. Prior to the AGU meeting, we will work with GeoPRISMS to develop a web-based template for region-specific planning in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. We encourage others to add to this template, which will be hosted by GeoPRISMS. Early identification of project partners enables the African colleagues time to apply for in-country or USAID funds to support their full participation in field and laboratory research.

Part 2 – Synoptic Studies of the East African Site

The East African Rift System (EARS) offers an unparalleled opportunity to synthesize disparate studies that produce data pertinent to understanding the fundamental geodynamics of continental rifting. In 2012 during the GeoPRISMS EARS planning workshop, the community identified synoptic investigations along the entire EARS as a Collaborate Target of Opportunity. The initial questions posed in the implementation plan suggested studies aimed at understanding the wide variations in the origin, composition, and timing of volcanism, the rate and distribution of strain along and across the rift systems and large-scale pre-rift structure and dynamics underpinning the rift system. However, at the time of the workshop, the details of the implementation plan were not identified. In addition, there may be interest in investigating other processes that span the entire length of the EARS (e.g. natural hazards, tectonic-climatic interactions, large-scale mantle dynamics, etc.) that were not discussed at the planning workshop. Due to the size and complexity of the rift-system and the challenges involved in coordinating multi-country fieldwork, a community effort will be required to address synoptic studies of the EARS. To encourage community discussion, forward-thinking, and to capitalized on the timing of GeoPRISMS funding cycles, we as a community need to identify and define possible system-wide, multi-disciplinary, collaborative investigations in the EARS. The timing is also ideal for combining efforts to leverage the NSF PIRE program which will accept proposals in July 2015. To this end, we will host a timely, structured mini-workshop with the following goals:

  1. Identify specific synoptic studies of interest to the GeoPRISMS community.
  2. Identify existing datasets and what data sets are needed to address multi-disciplinary synoptic studies.
  3. Assess interest in a community proposal for submission to the July 2015 GeoPRISMS solicitation.
  4. Provide a networking opportunity to foster mentoring of young investigators and team building.

Collaborative Efforts in the East African Rift System
AGU Fall Meeting 2013, San Francisco, USA
Conveners Part 1: Simon Kattenhorn1, Cynthia Ebinger2, Tobias Fischer3
Conveners Part 2: D. Sarah Stamps4, Wendy Nelson5, Robert Moucha6, Andy Nyblade7

1University of Idaho; 2University of Rochester; 3University of New Mexico; 4MIT; 5University of Houston; 6Syracuse University; 7Penn State University

The AGU GeoPRISMS Mini-Workshop on Collaborative Efforts in the East African Rift System was held Thursday evening, 12 December 2013 at the Grand Hyatt hotel in San Francisco during the AGU Fall Meeting. It was well attended with 50 participants, 9 of whom were graduate students and 7 were postdoctoral researchers. This workshop had two sections sharing a common theme of bringing scientists together to discuss collaborative efforts underscored by the GeoPRISMS East African Rift System (EARS) implementation plan.

Part 1. The Eastern Branch Focus Site

Ongoing research programs in the Kenya-Tanzania rift sector were briefly reviewed as a foundation for scientific planning, and as experiential learning in terms of data acquisition and collaboration. These studies show high levels of seismicity, fault activity, and gas emissions in this magmatically-active region, which spans basins that formed at 25 Ma to < 1 Ma. The age span enables studies of rift initiation, propagation, and evolution within one sector. Presenters outlined existing data sets acquired by academics, petroleum, mineral, geothermal exploration, and governmental organizations.
Coordination of field programs and collaborative training opportunities enables fuller, more rewarding interactions with our international colleagues and provides more effective liaison with the relatively small EAR research community. For example, Fischer outlined strong support offered by geothermal exploration and production teams in Kenya.
Presenters outlined the procedure to obtain research permits in Kenya and Tanzania, as well as potential collaborating institutions. Attention was drawn to the USAID PEER program, which enables African collaborators to seek separate funding for enrichment of participation in NSF-funded research.

Mini-Workshop “Collaborative Efforts in the East African Rift System”

Mini-Workshop “Collaborative Efforts in the East African Rift System”

Part 2. Synoptic Studies of the East African Site

The GeoPRISMS initiative offers an unprecedented opportunity to synthesize EARS data and models for an improved understanding of the fundamental geodynamics of continental rifting. In 2012, during the GeoPRISMS EARS planning workshop, the community identified synoptic investigations along the entire EARS as a Collaborative Target of Opportunity. The initial questions posed in the implementation plan motivate studies of the mechanisms enabling rifting of cratonic lithosphere, the origin, composition, and timing of volcanism, the rate and distribution of strain along and across the rift systems, and large-scale pre-rift structure and dynamics underpinning the rift system.
Part 2 of the Mini-Workshop centered on obtaining feedback from participants in real-time. We presented three questions for discussion and report responses to each:
What questions are of interest to the community that concern synoptic studies of the EARS?
What datasets exist and what is needed to address system-wide studies of the EAR?
Is there interest in a community-driven proposal?
Given the recorded responses at the AGU Mini-Workshop, there is some interest within the GeoPRISMS community to develop a community-driven proposal to address synoptic studies of the EARS as evidenced by 50% of the responses.

Acknowledgements

We thank the GeoPRISMS Program of the National Science Foundation for funding this workshop, the moderators who volunteered to record participant responses in real-time to on-line documents using their personal computers, and the GeoPRISMS chair for providing Internet connectivity during the workshop.

Exploring the interplay between solid Earth tectonics and surface processes using community codes

  Fillmore ABC, Grand Hyatt San Francisco
345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA

Wednesday, December 11, 2013, 6:00  – 9:00 pm

Conveners: Phaedra Upton, Mark Behn, John Jaeger

AgendaMeeting objectivesMeeting report

6.00 | Refreshments and posters

6.45 – 7.15 |  Introduction to the CSDMS Geodynamics Focus Research Group – Phaedra Upton and Mark Behn

7.15 – 8:00 | Three speakers, 15 minutes each (10 minutes of speaking + questions)

8:00-9:00 | Discussion led by Upton/Behn/Jaeger addressing the implementation plan

9:00 | Adjourn

FlacChildUpliftThe goal of this mini-workshop is to discuss the availability and performance of community modeling codes for coupling geodynamics and surface processes. The workshop is motivated by the recent formation of the Geodynamics Focus Research Group within the Community Surface Dynamic Modeling System (CSDMS), which is co-sponsored by GeoPRISMS. The Geodynamics FRG was formed with the aim of understanding the interplay between climatic, geomorphic, and geological/tectonic processes in governing Earth surface processes and landscape evolution. A primary goal of the Geodynamics FRG is to move toward an integrated-coupled modeling suite that has the capability to account for paleo-topography, geology, substrate lithology, crustal deformation, climate, vegetation, runoff production, and ensuing sediment transport and storage.

The goals of the mini-workshop include:
(1) building a community of researchers interested in the interactions between geodynamics and surface processes,
(2) identifying key scientific questions that should be addressed by the Geodynamics FRG,
(3) reviewing the strengths/weaknesses of existing modeling tools to couple geodynamics and surface processes, and

(4) discussing how to build on these existing codes to develop a robust coupled geodynamic-landscape evolution model(s) within the CSDMS framework. To facilitate these discussions we have invited 3 speakers to give short presentations on various aspects of community codes and problems in coupling tectonics and landscape evolution. However, the majority of the workshop will be set aside for open discussion on how best to build, benchmark, and disseminate a coupled community model.

Exploring the Interplay between Solid Earth Tectonics and Surface Processes using Community Codes Mini-Workshop

AGU Fall Meeting 2013, San Francisco, USA

Conveners: Phaedra Upton1, Mark Behn2, John Jaeger3

1GNS Science, New Zealand; 2Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; 3University of Florida

About 30 scientists with a wide range of interests spanning field-based to modeling studies, spent the Wednesday night of AGU at the Grand Hyatt San Francisco exploring the interplay between solid Earth tectonics and surface processes with an emphasis on using community codes. The workshop was associated with AGU sessions EP33B and EP43E/44A, sponsored by GeoPRISMS, and supported by the Community Surface Dynamics Modelling System (CSDMS). The workshop was prompted by the inclusion of a new Geodynamics Focus Research Group into CSDMS 2.0, co-chaired by Phaedra Upton (GNS Science, New Zealand) and Mark Behn (WHOI). The AGU sessions and the Mini-Workshop created an opportunity to bring together members of the long-term tectonics community with members of the CSDMS community, particularly those interested in surface processes in actively deforming terrestrial settings. The workshop began with half an hour of informal discussions over snacks and posters. The formal part of the evening began with a welcome and introduction from Peter van Keken, the incoming chair of GeoPRISMS. Phaedra Upton, co-chair of the Geodynamics FRG, introduced CSDMS and the Geodynamics FRG. She was followed by Irina Overeem (CSDMS) who gave an overview of the support, website, modelling tool, and educational repository offered by CSDMS. Three invited speakers, Ritski Huismans, Brian Yanites, and Louis Moresi then shared their thoughts and experiences using coupled modeling approaches to link solid Earth tectonics and surface processes. Ritski Huismans described his efforts to include surface processes into his geodynamic models. He discussed some of the computational issues of linking the two types of processes with significantly different spatial and temporal scales. He described how models have improved with increasing computational power allowing higher resolution. Brian Yanites talked about modelling surface processes as a geomorphologist working in tectonically active regions. He focused on rivers as “rivers (or glaciers) dictate orogen scale relief”. He discussed the commonly used streampower law and its limitations and showed a series of models of river incision in an uplifting region that took into account other mechanisms including bed properties (e.g., erodibility) and river capture. Louis Moresi, one of the developers of the geodynamics open source code Underworld, related many of the lessons they have learnt while building a versatile, multi-scale, community code. He conceded they did not reach all their goals, having produced a very powerful and versatile code but one which is challenging to use and thus has not been widely adopted by the community.

Exploring the interplay between solid Earth tectonics and surface processes using community codes (6:00-9:00 pm, December 11, 2013)

Following these three presentations, the floor was open for discussion. Themes that arose included:

  • The potential for more collaboration between CSDMS and the long term tectonics working group Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics (CIG).
  • Coupling is important and interesting because of the potential for feedbacks between surface processes (e.g., erosion and re-deposition) on long term tectonic proecesses
  • We need to be careful to do the coupling correctly, this requires including researchers from both communities.
  • An important issue is the mismatch of spatial and temporal scales between tectonic and surface processes. What are the best computational methods to deal with these different scales?
  • As the community, we need to think about whether we should be moving toward meshless methods.
  • The importance of bookkeeping for stratigraphy. In coupling between a landscape evolution model and a tectonic code, the overlap is not just the 2D land surface, thus coupling needs to be in 3D extending to a depth beneath the surface that records deposition.
  • One action item that came out of the meeting is that there is immediate value in coupling a high resolution 2.5D tectonic model with a landscape evolution model.Specifically, while 3D is essential for some problems, it is not necessary for all problems and often a 2D model output (extrapolated into the 3rd dimension) is sufficient and has the advantage of being higher resolution and faster to run. Therefore, it was proposed that the Geodynamics Focused Research group works to release a 2D model into CSDMS soon. This model could be coupled with existing landscape evolution models to produce some simple test cases to look at key feedbacks between fault evolution and surface processes.

We look forward to developments facilitated by linkages between GeoPRISMS and CSDMS.

Workshop on Field Logistics for GeoPRISMS Research in the Aleutian Arc

  Fillmore ABC, Grand Hyatt San Francisco
345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA

Sunday, December 8, 2013, 12:40 – 6:00 pm

Conveners: Peter Kelemen, Geoff Abers, Jeff Freymueller, P. Haeussler, W.Steve Holbrook, Brian Jicha, John Power, Gene Yogodzinski

AgendaMeeting objectivesMeeting report

12:40 1:00 | GeoPRISMS Science Plan: focus on the Aleutians – Julia Morgan
1:00 – 1:10 |   Sites for seismometer deployment: passive source – Geoff Abers
1:10 – 1:20 |  Sites for sampling lavas for geochemistry – Gene Yogodzinski
1:20 – 1:30 | Sites for sampling magmatic volatiles – Terry Plank
1:30 – 1:40 | Sites for sampling plutons for geochemistry – Peter Kelemen
1:40 – 1:50 | Sites for seismometer deployment: active source – Steve Holbrook
1:50 – 2:00 | Sites for measuring ongoing deformation – Jeff Freymueller

2-2:10 BREAK

2:10-2:20 | Sites for sampling for geochronology – Brian Jicha
2:20-2:30 | Sites for investigating tectonic history – Dave Scholl
2:30-2:40 | German-Russian-American collaborative cruises – Kaj Hoernle
2:40-2:50 | Alaska Volcano Observatory, operations & synergy – John Power
2:50-2:00 | EarthScope/Plate Boundary Observatory logistics – Max Enders
3:00- 3:10 | Experience with Aleutian logistics & options for the future – Jeff Freymueller

3:10-3:30 BREAK

3:30-4:30 | Community input & discussion: Where do you want to go?

4:30-4:50 BREAK

4:50-5:10 | Updated, straw person plan for shared logistics – John Power

5:10-5:50 | Discussion

5:50-6 | Wrap up, plans for continuing input – Julia Morgan

Workshop participants will address coordination of resources for fieldwork in the Aleutian arc. We will assess available resources and community interest in proposed, shared field support for NSF GeoPRISMS supported research in the Aleutian arc.

As one important part of the mix, NSF is considering chartering a ship and an associated helicopter, which would leave Anchorage for the western Aleutians, in a 40 to 60 day round trip, in the summers of 2015 and/or 2016.

Investigators would board and disembark as needed, in ports such as Sand Point, Cold Bay, Dutch Harbor, Adak Island, and perhaps other ports, and would use the ship and helicopter to access field sites along the Aleutians.

We will also consider the role of the NSF Amphibious Array of ocean bottom seismometers, the IRIS deployment of seismometers in the Transportable Array in Alaska, the Alaska Volcano Observatory in their ongoing volcano monitoring efforts, NOAA Ocean Exploration, and other interested organizations whose resources and goals offer potential synergy with GeoPRISMS research in the Aleutian arc.

The motivation for this workshop is to reduce the logistical cost per project in the Aleutians while maximizing the number of field projects that can be supported. In particular, we hope that sharing resources will provide access to investigators who otherwise might not participate in Aleutian research, in order to ensure the maximum scientific return on this unprecedented opportunity to study a uniquely important part of the global subduction system.

Central goals of the workshop will include:
  1. Assessing community interest in one or more shared logistical platforms
  2. Assessing logistical requirements
  3. Exploring partnerships with other organizations and groups
  4. Discussing funding options with NSF personnel

The choice of venue was made to reduce travel costs for participants already planning to attend the Fall AGU Meeting 2013. There will be no registration fee. GeoPRISMS will cover the cost of meeting facilities and refreshments for the workshop, but not travel. There will be a limited number of participants. Ideally, the maximum number will be attained, but not exceeded.

Workshop on Field Logistics for GeoPRISMS in the Aleutian Arc

AGU Fall Meeting 2013, San Francisco, USA

Conveners: Peter Kelemen1, Geoff Abers1, Jeff Freymueller2, Paul Haeussler3, Steve Holbrook4, Brian Jicha5, John Power3, Gene Yogodzinski6

1LDEO; 2University of Alaska, Fairbanks; 3USGS; 4University of Wyoming; 5University of Wisconsin; 6University of South Carolina

A Mini-Workshop, with support from GeoPRISMS, was organized to explore options for shared logistical support for NSF funded research in the Aleutian volcanic arc, which is part of the GeoPRISMS Alaska Focus Area. The goal is to reduce the logistical costs per project in order to enable a larger group of investigators to benefit from the opportunity that the GeoPRISMS focus is intended to foster. The workshop was held in the Fillmore ABC meeting rooms, in the Grand Hyatt San Francisco Hotel on Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 12:40 to 6:00 PM.

Despite inclement weather across North America, which prevented some registrants from attending, there were more than 90 participants from more than 60 universities and research organizations, mostly in the US.

 icon-chevron-right Sharing Resources for Aleutian Arc Research | Eos, Vol. 95, No.11, 18 March 2014

Kermadec Arc – Havre Trough Planning Mini-Workshop

 icon-map-marker Fillmore ABC, Grand Hyatt San Francisco
345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA

Sunday, December 8, 2013, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Conveners: Adam Kent, Mark Reagan, Laurent Montesi, Kaj Hoernle

AgendaMeeting objectivesMeeting report

8.00 | Introductory Remarks and logistics – Adam Kent
8.10 | Introduction to the GeoPRISMS program – Peter van Keken
8.20 | GeoPRISMS NSF plans and opportunities – Jenn Wade
8.30 | Keynote: KAHT system introduction – Ian Smith

Ongoing projects

9.00 | Japanese ROV Plans – Yoshi Tamura
9.15 |  German Plans – Kaj Hoernle
9.30 | New Zealand Plans – Adam Kent
9.45 | Australian Plans – Richard Arculus
10.00 | Break + Posters

Opportunities
10.30 | Subduction fluxes – Erin Todd/ Jim Gill
10.45 | Subduction Initiation: lessons from the IBM – Mark Reagan
11.00 | Pop up talks

11.45 | Discussion: Priorities

The Kermadec Arc and Havre Trough (KAHT) represent a classic intraoceanic arc – back-arc system. The KAHT extends north from the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand to the Tonga-Lau subduction system. With a well-defined arc front, remnant arcs (the Colville and Kermadec Ridges), and a back arc > 100 km wide, the KAHT system is a prime setting for investigating arc processes from subduction initiation, through arc splitting, to backarc formation, including tectonic and mass transfer processes.

Recently, the KAHT has become the focus of international research into intraoceanic arc systems, and it is part of the New Zealand GeoPRISMS focus site. A number of groups are already working in the system, including GeoPRISMS researchers and a significant number of other international groups (Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Australia). The goal of the workshop is to share details about science plans and existing results, and to coordinate future activities to maximize the synergy between different expeditions and research programs. Researchers with existing or planned future programs in this region are encouraged to attend the workshop.

Kermadec Arc-Havre Trough Planning Mini-Workshop

AGU Fall Meeting 2013, San Francisco, USA

Conveners: Adam Kent1, Mark Reagan2, Laurent Montési3, Kaj Hoernle4

1Oregon State University; 2University of Iowa; 3University of Maryland; 4GEOMAR, Germany

On Sunday December 8, 2013 a diverse group of international researchers gathered at the Grand Hyatt, San Francisco for a GeoPRISMS-sponsored Mini-Workshop aimed at advancing collaborative science within the Kermadec-Havre Trough system (KAHT), part of the SCD New Zealand Focus Site. This followed from the successful New Zealand Planning Workshop held in Wellington in April 2013. The primary goal of this Mini-Workshop was to bring representatives of international groups together to discuss recent results, review ongoing science plans, and to identify area for future work under the aegis of GeoPRISMS.

Kermadec Arc-Havre Trough Planning Mini-workshop (8am-12 pm, December 8, 2013)

Kermadec Arc-Havre Trough Planning Mini-workshop (8am-12 pm, December 8, 2013)

Following an introduction from the organizers and short presentations by NSF and GeoPRISMS representatives, a keynote presentation by Ian Smith, University of Auckland, provided background on the KAHT system as a classic intra-oceanic arc, and emphasized some of the key science opportunities such as progressive changes in convergence rate and continental contributions along strike from North to South, the significant proportion of felsic rocks that are present, and the possibility for studies of arc initiation in older preserved arc remnants.

These opportunities were also discussed and expanded on by reports from a number of international groups that are either already working in the region or that have well advanced plans. Most of these groups are actively seeking collaborators, reinforcing the potential of the KAHT system for driving multidisciplinary collaborative research. Kaj Hoernle (GEOMAR, Germany) discussed results for upcoming cruises aimed at understanding the inception and evolution of the Vitiaz Arc that was subsequently split into the Tonga-Kermadec and Lau-Colville Ridges. These ridges offer important targets for understanding the timing of initiation and evolution of the KAHT system – particularly in comparison with recent results from the Izu-Bonin-Mariana Arc (IBM) to the North. This point was also emphasized by Mark Reagan (U. of Iowa), who summarized advances in understanding of arc initiation in the IBM – and there may be close parallels between the KAHT and IBM. Yoshi Tamura (JAMSTEC) outlined ambitious plans for ROV studies of arc initiation, origin of basalts, caldera volcanism, and hydrothermal fluids associated with submarine volcanism within the KAHT. This proposed project would be conducted by a Japanese-led team of international researchers. Adam Kent (Oregon State U.) presented results provided by Richard Wysoczanski (NIWA, New Zealand) of sampling cruises to a number of submarine KAHT volcanoes as well as a number of regional and focused geophysical surveys. Many of these data sets will provide valuable for future selection of targets for detailed study. Erin Todd (USGS) discussed trace element and isotopic variations in dredged lavas from the Havre Trough – focusing on the interplay between tectonic and magmatic processes. Erin emphasized the importance of the KAHT for resolving the effects of melting styles, tectonic settings, and mantle thermal conditions on magma production during the rifting phase of backarc basin evolution.

These presentations were followed by a number of “pop up” talks – short presentations detailing other opportunities presented by KAHT research. These included Fernando Martinez (U. of Hawaii) discussing the large difference in spreading rates between the Lau Basin and Havre Trough. Samer Naif (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) described the potential for use of marine EM techniques and Dan Bassett (U. of Oxford) discussed the interplay between structure, mechanics, and seismicity. Jessica Warren (Stanford) detailed a global data base of abyssal and forearc peridotite compositions and Ken Rubin (U. of Hawaii) and Osama Ishizuka (GSJ/AIST) showed results from recent cruises to the northern Lau and the Tonga Trench respectively, that provided additional information on the range of mantle compositions and magmatic processes in the Kermadec-Tonga system.

The final part of the workshop was spent discussing future plans for KAHT research, with a consensus that the system offers many exciting new opportunities for international collaborative research.

Mini-Workshop for the South Island, New Zealand Primary Site coordination

   icon-map-marker Grand Hyatt San Francisco 
345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA
Union Square Room – 36th Floor

Sunday December 14, 2014, 1:30 – 5pm

Conveners: Mike Gurnis, Sean Gulick, Ellen Syracuse, Tim Stern, Phaedra Upton

 icon-file-text-o Participant list

AgendaMeeting objectivesMeeting report

Introduction

1:30 |  Introductory remarks and logistics – Michael Gurnis
1:50 | Recap of science priorities defined for Puysegur and Fiordland in the GeoPRISMS implementation plan – Sean Gulick

2:10-3:00 | Ongoing and already proposed projects – Chair: Tim Stern

2. Surface processes and the history of earthquakes from the sedimentary record in Fiordland – Jamie Howarth
7. Exploring the hyperextended margin of the Campbell Plateau – Simon Lamb & Tim Stern
8. On going work – Martha Savage
9. Investigating Exhumed Lower Arc Crust in Fiordland | Joshua Schwartz

3:00-3:15 | Short break

3:15-4:15 | Discussion and breakout

Discussion will focus on studies that are needed to fill existing science/dataset gaps in the implementation plan. Discussion will also include leveraging existing datasets, and on linking in with other planned/proposed studies. Coordinating logistics, such as taking advantage of ships that will be in the area, should also be discussed. Participants are welcome to come with a few slides if appropriate—please let us know in advance if you plan to bring slides, so we can be sure to fit this in.

4:15-5:00 | Develop a short listing that prioritizes the science gaps that need to be filled

The South Island of New Zealand offers a wealth of prospects for subduction zone research. The Puysegur Trench region — a juvenile subduction zone “caught in the act” of initiation — provides unique opportunities to investigate the geodynamics of the process. In Fiordland tectonic motions have led to deep exhumation of the only pristine Cretaceous arc section in the circum-Pacific and offers a prime locale to investigate the root zones of an ancient arc at outcrop scale. Excellent opportunities exist in both regions to address fault slip and its spatial variability. Addressing questions on subduction initiation, exhumed terranes, and subduction thrust slip behavior in one region is an exciting opportunity, and will require large geophysical field deployments, targeted geological fieldwork, sampling, geochemical analysis, multi- scale geodynamic models, and integration of diverse data types. Solving the questions may require ocean drilling and sampling through IODP. The South Island mini-workshop will focus on: 1. Brief reviews and discussion of latest work on GeoPRISMS science questions within Puysegur and Fiordland; 2. Presentation of specific plans on a wide range of studies (including geological sampling, passive and active geophysical experiments, and IODP drilling); 3. Review and discuss the capabilities of facilities from the US, NZ and other countries and how they could be used to address plans; and 4. Make plans for science collaboration. Researchers in any geoscience field are invited to participate in the workshop, including those who have not worked in the region previously.

South Island, New Zealand primary site coordination mini-workshop

AGU Fall Meeting 2014, San Francisco, USA

Conveners: Sean Gulick1, Mike Gurnis2, Ellen Syracuse3, Tim Stern4, Phaedra Upton5

1University of Texas; 2Caltech; 3Los Alamos National Laboratory; 4Victoria University of Wellington 5GNS Science, NZ

On Sunday December 14, 2014, from 1:30 to 5 pm, a diverse group of researchers met in the Grand Hyatt San Francisco before the AGU Fall Meeting to discuss coordination of work within the South Island, New Zealand GeoPRISMS primary site. The South Island of New Zealand offers extraordinary opportunities to address subduction cycles and dynamics science questions. Members of the community are gearing up for work in New Zealand and so the time was ripe to foster collaboration between US scientists and others internationally.

South Island, New Zealand primary site coordination mini-workshop (1:30pm-5 pm, December 14, 2014)

Following an introduction from the organizers, Sean Gulick (UT Austin) recapped the science priorities defined for Puysegur and Fiordland in the GeoPRISMS Implementation Plan. Sean described how the South Island of New Zealand offers a wealth of prospects for subduction zone research. The Puysegur Trench region – a juvenile subduction zone “caught in the act” of initiation – provides unique opportunities to investigate the geodynamics of this fundamental plate tectonic process. In Fiordland, tectonic motions have led to deep exhumation of a pristine Cretaceous arc section and offers a prime locale to investigate the root zones of an ancient arc at outcrop scale. Addressing questions on subduction initiation, exhumed terranes, and subduction thrust slip behavior in one region is an exciting opportunity and will require large geophysical field deployments, targeted geological fieldwork, sampling, geochemical analysis and geodynamic models.

The overview was followed by shorter talks describing specific targets or nascent efforts for larger activities. Joshua Schwartz (CS Northridge) described how an exhumed arc root exposed at Fiordland provides opportunities to address how volatiles, fluids, and melts are stored, transferred, and released through the subduction system. Sarah Penniston-Dorland (U Maryland) then described how Fiordland presented an outstanding locale for an ExTerra Field Institute in which a group of experienced scientists and students would spend several weeks in the field familiarizing newcomers to the area, collecting rock samples and making other detailed field observations. Jamie Howarth (GNS Science) discussed surface processes and the history of earthquakes from the sedimentary record. Jamie described his own work using sequences of turbidites to understand landslides and erosion in the Southern Alps and how the large magnitude earthquakes within Fiordland can be better understood through the study of turbidites.

Harm Van Avendonk (UT Austin) gave a talk on measuring crustal and fault structure across Puysegur with active source seismology. Harm described how the fundamental geophysical unknowns in Puysegur limit our understanding of subduction initiation. Through detailed models of seismic wave propagation through Puysegur, Harm showed how crustal structure, crustal thickness and dip of the nascent plate boundary could be determined with east-west active source seismic lines. Recent seismic work elsewhere showed that the necessary data could be acquired with an active source experiment. The field geophysical theme continued with a talk by Michal Kordy and Phil Wannamaker (U of Utah) on constraining mantle volatiles with an MT (magnetotellurics) experiment. They showed how major changes in electrical resistivity are likely associated with volatiles in the mantle and how a combined onshore and offshore MT experiment across Fiordland and Puysegur could constrain the volatile release during subduction initiation. Joann Stock (Caltech) made the case for magnetic measurements along Puysegur – the only subduction zone in which the kinematics of both over-riding and under thrusting plates are well known during the initiation phase.

Brian Jicha (U of Wisconsin) and Gene Yogodzinski (U of South Carolina) gave a talk on adakitic volcanism and subduction initiation at Solander Island. Solander is the only sampled volcanism along Puysegur and the andesites there are adakitic. Brian reviewed the other locations in which adakites are found and that melting of MORB eclogite in the subducting oceanic crust is one aspect of their formation. Most studies of subduction initiation have been made on western Pacific arcs and Puysegur provides an opportunity to study a nascent arc which has a different petrological expression. The case was made that there is a large area of submarine volcanism around Solander that has yet to be sampled and that the time is now ripe to do so.

Several talks explored work currently underway on the South Island that complements those planned for GeoPRISMS. Simon Lamb and Tim Stern (Victoria U of Wellington) gave a talk exploring the putative hyperextended margin of the conjugate to Campbell Plateau that might be the crust now below the central part of the Southern Alps. Martha Savage (Victoria U) gave an overview of several other South Island projects including seismic anisotropy over the extent of the island and drilling within the Alpine Fault.

The talks were followed by open discussion on both the science and logistics of the various plans presented. In terms of science returns, the participants discussed how the seismic experiments link the plate kinematics to the structure and evolving force balance. The MT experiment would map the first appearance of volatile release heralding the transformation of basalt to eclogite that could have provided a major jump in the force driving subduction initiation. Discussed at length was the question of optimizing the logistics of the passive MT and active seismic experiments while providing opportunities to sample volcanic rocks around Solander Island. The two geophysics experiments have different footprints: the seismic lines are more tightly aligned on the Puysegur margin while the MT experiment extends farther afield. The vessel that deploys or recovers the MT instruments might also be able to dredge for samples around Solander. The broader group discussed logistical aspects of holding an ExTerra Field Institute in the remote Fiordland location highlighting the advantages of coordination with any geophysical deployment. The group identified numerous opportunities and ways to coordinate activities through both NSF programs and international collaboration.

 

 

Workshop to cultivate and coordinate GeoPRISMS studies of the Hikurangi subduction margin

   Grand Hyatt San Francisco
345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA
Union Square Room – 36th Floor

Sunday December 14, 2014, 9 – 12pm

Conveners: Laura Wallace, Mike Underwood, Samer Naif, Bill Fry, Stephen Bannister, and Nathan Bangs

 icon-file-text-o Participant list

AgendaMeeting objectivesMeeting report

Introduction

9:00 | Introductory remarks and logistics – Laura Wallace

9:15 | Recap of science priorities defined for Hikurangi in the GeoPRISMS implementation planb – Mike Underwood

9:30-10:30 | Ongoing and already proposed projects – Chair: Samer Naif

10:30-10:45 | Open discussion of additional ongoing/proposed projects not discussed above

10:45-11:00 | Short break

11:00-12:30 | Discussion: Studies that should be proposed at the Hikurangi margin – Chairs: Mike Underwood and Laura Wallace

Discussion will focus on studies that are needed to fill existing science/dataset gaps in the implementation plan. Discussion will also include leveraging existing datasets, and on linking in with other planned/proposed studies. Coordinating logistics, such as taking advantage of ships that will be in the area, should also be discussed. Participants are welcome to come with a few slides if appropriate—please let us know in advance if you plan to bring slides, so we can be sure to fit this in. We will develop a short listing of potential projects that prioritizes the science gaps that need to be filled.

MVUW contributions to Hikurangi research proposed or in process – Martha Savage

The Hikurangi subduction margin in New Zealand offers an outstanding opportunity to address many fundamental questions on subduction margin deformation and megathrust behavior. The objectives of the Hikurangi mini-workshop will be to foster new relationships among researchers who will develop amphibious projects across a spectrum of geophysical, geological, and geochemical approaches. Discussion will occur within the context of existing planned projects, including a proposed IODP transect. Data acquisition activities are ongoing by New Zealand, United States, Japanese and European scientists. We will discuss ways of leveraging and coordinating these existing efforts with new efforts to maximize potential GeoPRISMS outcomes at the Hikurangi focus site.

We encourage all researchers interested in subduction processes at the Hikurangi margin to attend. We also encourage attendees interested in subduction deformation and megathrust processes in Cascadia and Alaska, to cross-fertilize ideas and implementation strategies among all three of the GeoPRISMS primary sites. Some of the topics to be discussed include:

  1. the state of the incoming plate and the role of incoming sediment properties in subduction thrust behavior and margin evolution;
  2. physical properties of the megathrust and the influence of this on megathrust behavior;
  3. fluid sources and fluxes, with emphasis on the forearc;
  4. microseismicity, episodic slip, and tremor.

Attendees will collectively identify new research activities that address these topics most effectively, with an emphasis on leveraging existing studies/datasets.

Workshop to cultivate and coordinate GeoPRISMS studies of the Hikurangi subduction margin (9am-12 pm, December 14, 2014)

On Sunday, December 14, 2014, an enthusiastic group of more than 70 international researchers from a variety of disciplines met in San Francisco at AGU to discuss studies that should be proposed at the Hikurangi subduction margin (part of the New Zealand focus site) for the upcoming GeoPRISMS funding rounds. The meeting began with a brief overview of the GeoPRISMS program by Peter van Keken, which was followed by Mike Underwood’s review of the Hikurangi margin science priorities, which are based largely on discussions at the New Zealand Focus site workshop that was held in April 2013. The objective of the mini-workshop was to promote and coordinate new collaborations to fill critical gaps in the GeoPRISMS Implementation Plan. To that end, a series of short talks highlighted projects that are either ongoing, already proposed, or soon to be proposed. The last half of the meeting was focused on open discussion during which participants identified new research opportunities.

The community has already made major progress in advancing key science objectives identified for the Hikurangi margin. Demian Saffer overviewed the IODP drilling proposals to investigate shallow slow slip events (SSEs) at the northern Hikurangi margin; the proposal for riserless drilling has passed through panel reviews and now awaits scheduling by the JOIDES Resolution Facilities Board. A proposal for riser drilling also reviewed well and has been forwarded to the Chikyu Facilities Board. Already underway is the Hikurangi Ocean Bottom Investigation of Tremor and Slow Slip (HOBITSS) to investigate vertical deformation of the seafloor and seismicity related to the shallow SSEs, supported by funding from NSF, New Zealand, and Japanese sources. An NSF-funded heat-flow survey led by Rob Harris is scheduled for May/June 2015 to constrain the thermal regime of the subduction interface. Proposals have been submitted to NSF to (1) acquire 3-D seismic data of the shallow SSE source, (2) conduct onshore and offshore geophysical investigation of megathrust properties along-strike, and (3) to install long-term borehole observatories at the proposed IODP sites.

Numerous representatives from the New Zealand geoscience community introduced ongoing and planned geophysical, geological, and modeling initiatives that dovetail nicely with GeoPRISMS goals. In particular, there are a large number of seismological, electromagnetic (onshore), numerical modeling, and paleoseismological investigations conducted by New Zealand-based researchers. To leverage these existing and planned studies (and not duplicate efforts), it is particularly important for GeoPRISMS-funded investigators to collaborate with and communicate with their New Zealand-based counterparts. David Johnston of GNS Science informed participants about a New Zealand-based initiative called “East Coast Life at the Boundary (LAB)”, part of which is targeted at communication of research results on the Hikurangi margin to the general public and local policymakers. This offers an excellent opportunity for GeoPRISMS researchers at Hikurangi to work with the East Coast LAB to coordinate outreach activities in New Zealand. We also heard about ongoing and already funded efforts by Japanese and European researchers focused on the offshore Hikurangi margin over the next four years.

The last half of the mini workshop was dedicated to discussion of critical science gaps. The main discussion focused on:

  1. microseismicity, episodic slow slip, and tremor;
  2. the state of the incoming plate and the role of incoming sediment properties in subduction thrust behavior and margin evolution;
  3. past and present megathrust slip behavior and the physical controls on that behavior;
  4. fluid and volatile fluxes in the forearc.

From this discussion we identified some of the most critical studies that are needed to fill gaps. Paleoseismology studies will help resolve the past earthquake behavior of the subduction thrust and whether or not the modern-day geodetic locking pattern is static or varies with time. Increased efforts towards sampling and geochemical analysis of onshore and offshore fluid seeps will yield important insights into volatile cycling and hydrogeology above a shallow subduction thrust. A new idea was raised to use the seafloor drill rig MeBo for coring at numerous points on the Hikurangi Plateau (a Large Igneous Province) where the sedimentary cover is thin (<200 m). Such sampling would address the role of 3-D stratigraphic variability in modulating subduction-interface slip behavior. Controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) transects in the offshore forearc and incoming plate will evaluate the role of fluids in megathrust slip behavior and margin evolution. Seafloor (GPS-Acoustic) geodetic studies will help resolve the slip behavior of the shallow subduction thrust. Densification of onshore geodetic instrumentation, and addition of strain meters, tiltmeters, and borehole seismometers will lower the threshold of slow slip event detection, enabling higher-resolution investigation of SSEs and seismicity, and detection of smaller events. Modeling of Hikurangi SSEs assuming a rate-state friction framework, as well as other approaches, will help resolve the physical controls on the diversity of SSE behavior.
The conveners appreciate the participants’ contributions, and thank them for their help in achieving the goals of the mini-workshop.