Category: A&A Workshops

The GeoPRISMS Steering and Oversight Committee is pleased to announce a workshop to develop a detailed science plan for the GeoPRISMS Alaska Primary Site. Alaska was chosen as the highest priority primary site for GeoPRISMS because it offers broad opportunities to address a wide variety of questions outlined within the Subduction Cycles and Deformation (SCD) Science Plan. More details about GeoPRISMS science objectives in Alaska can be found in the GeoPRISMS Science Plans and will serve as the starting points for this workshop.

The main goals of the workshop are to clarify common research objectives in Alaska with both USArray and the Plate Boundary Observatory, to discuss the concept of “Discovery Corridors” and identify candidate areas, and to outline detailed implementation plans and timelines for GeoPRISMS research, considering available resources and infrastructure. White papers will be solicited in advance of the workshop to ensure community input.

Researchers from all countries are encouraged to apply, independent of past involvement in MARGINS. Post-docs, senior graduate students, and members of under-represented groups are especially encouraged to participate. Funding from NSF is expected to cover a significant fraction of travel and accommodation costs for ~75 participants with a diversity of interests. Applications should include a brief statement of interest and anticipated contribution to the workshop and a short C.V.

The program will include a number of overview presentations on Alaska and related MARGINS, GeoPRISMS, and EarthScope research programs, break-out sessions, and plenary discussions, leading to conclusive decisions about science implementation in Alaska.

Jeff Freymueller – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Peter Haeussler – USGS, Anchorage
John Jaeger – University of Florida
Donna Shillington – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Cliff Thurber – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Gene Yogodzinski – University of South Carolina
Jeff Marshall – Cal Poly Pomona, Student Coordinator and Symposium Convener

Student Symposium | Wednesday, September 21

6:30 Workshop registration, Ice Breaker, set up regular poster session

Day 1 | Thursday, September 22

Moderators: Cliff Thurber and John Jaeger
7:00 Breakfast at World Trade Center
8:00 Welcome from the conveners, logistics
8:15 Comments from NSF representatives | Bilal Haq & Chuck Estabrook 

The basic rock and sedimentary architecture of the submerged Alaska and Aleutian Forearcs – first order observations, questions, and wonderments |  5Mb – Dave Scholl

Influence of surface processes and sediment flux on subduction cycles and dynamics |  6Mb – Sean Gulick

9:50 Coffee break

Contemporary deformation in south-central Alaska |  3Mb – Tabrez Ali

Tracking magma ascent in the Aleutian arc |  2Mb – Stephanie Prejean

3D flow in subduction zones: implications for slab temperature and seismic anisotropy |  5Mb – Peter van Keken

12:15 Lunch

Moderators: Donna Shillington and Peter Haeussler
1:15 Topical talks
Effects of spatial and temporal variation in sediment flux on the Aleutian subduction zone |  6Mb – Bobby Reece
Heat flow measurements and the thermal state of the Alaska convergent margin |  2Mb – Rob Harris

Seismic structure of the Aleutian island arc near Adak: finally, a Subduction Factory that actually makes continental crust? |  3Mb – Steve Holbrook

2:30 Introduction to break-out process and objectives, including “Discovery Corridor” concept and thematic approach

2:45 Introduction for break-out #1: Research targets and data gaps

Instructions: Identify key onshore and offshore Alaska research targets and data gaps. Work toward convergence on question of Discovery Corridor locations, keeping in mind that some research objectives best-suited to thematic approach.

3:00 Coffee break

3:15 Break-out session #1, Round 1: Research targets and data gaps

Scribe: Harmony Colella

Scribe: Lindsay Worthington

Scribe: Christie Till

Scribe: Ashley Tibbits

Scribe: Margarete Jadamec

Scribe: Bobby Reece

4:00 Break-out session 1, Round 2: Research Targets and Data Gaps (participants are required to change rooms)

Geochemical Databases |  1Mb – Chris Nye

coffee break

Onshore geophysical studies |  13Mb – John Power & Geoff Abers

6:00 Plenary – open mic discussion

6:30 Conference dinner (at World Trade Center)

7:30 Poster session (with cash bar); data mini-session (concurrent with posters)

Day 2 | Friday, September 23

7:00 Breakfast at World Trade Center

Moderators: Gene Yogodzinski and Jeff Freymueller

8:00 Break-out session 1 reports

Japan |  1Mb – Yoahi Tatsumi

10:15 Coffee break

Consider Discovery Corridors for focused research versus a thematic approach. Define overlaps and opportunities between GeoPRISMS & EarthScope activities. Begin to identify potential Discovery Corridors. Discuss possible thematic studies necesssary to complete primary site studies.

10:45 Break out session 2, Round 1: Implementation Strategies

6- Feedbacks between surface processes and subduction zone dynamics

11: 30 Break-out session 2, round 2: Implementation Strategies (Participants are required to switch rooms)

12:15 Lunch

Moderators: Donna Shillington and Peter Haeussler

1:30 Break-out session 2 reports

2:30 Plenary – open mic discussion of Implementation Strategies

3:15 Coffee Break

Refine potential Discovery Corridor locations across discipline, and resolve implementation gaps that justify thematic studies.

 4:00 Break out session 3: Discovery Corridors and Themes

5:15 Plenary open-mic discussion of Discovery Corridors and Themes

6:00 Dinner on your own (plus sponsored student dinner)

7:30 Poster session (with cash bar)

Day 3 | Saturday, September 24

7:00 Breakfast at World Trade Center

8:00 Break out session 3 reports

9:00 Plenary open-mic discussion with final vote on Discovery Corridors and Themes

A) Outline and justify future data acquisition efforts, identify possible community experiments, sequence, and timelines and (B) thematic efforts, especially those not fully addressed by Discovery Corridors

10:15 Coffee break

10:30 Break out session 4: Data Acquisition Plans

11:30 Plenary discussion, student perspective, decision making, and wrap-up

  Portland, OR
Wednesday, September 21, 2011

A Graduate Student Symposium and Field Trip will be held on September 21, 2011, in Portland, Oregon, in association with the GeoPRISMS Alaska Primary Site Planning Workshop. All graduate students are encouraged to participate in this pre-workshop program, which is designed to (1) introduce students to the objectives and opportunities of the GeoPRISMS Program, (2) provide scientific background about the Alaska Primary Site, (3) enable brief student presentations, as well as discussion and interaction in a comfortable setting, and (4) visit relevant geologic field sites in the Portland area. All symposium participants will enter the workshop with a rich background in the workshop topics and objectives, a strong cohort of colleagues, and a greater voice in decision-making that will take place during the workshop.

7:30 Breakfast and introduction

9:30 Alaskan surface processes & feedbacks | John Jaeger

10:00 Break

10:30 Student poster session

12:00 Pick-up box lunch, get on bus for field trip; introduction to field trip on bus

1:00 Field trip (Boring Volcanics/Columbia River Gorge)

6:30 Workshop registration, Ice Breaker, set up regular poster session

 icon-download Download the compiled white papers

Deploy the Amphibious Array to the Alaska-Aleutian Subduction System |  3Mb – Geoff Abers et al.

Collection of Potential Fields Data to Constrain Spatial Patterns of Deformation in South-Central, Alaska |  2Mb – Diane Doser et al.

The influence of the Yakutat microplate on the Alaska subduction zone |  2Mb – Julie Elliott et al.

The Case for Considering the Entire Aleutian System |  400Kb – John Eichelberger et al.

Understanding Alaska Tsunamis generated by Slope Failure |  2Mb – Gerard Fryer et al.

GeoPRISMS Data Portal |  1Mb – Andrew Goodwillie et al.

Discovery Corridors, Islands, and Megathrust Earthquake Ruptures (a.k.a. The Megathrust Megaswath) |  2Mb – Peter Haeussler et al.

Glacial-Marine Sedimentation: an important dimension of the Alaska/Aleutian Margin |  300Kb – Bernard Hallet & Charles Nittrouer

Seismic structure of the Aleutian island arc near Adak: Finally, a Subduction Factory that actually makes continental crust? |  2Mb – Steve Holbrook et al.

3D Numerical Modeling of the Alaska and Central America Subduction Zones: Implications for Plate-Mantle Decoupling |  2Mb – M. Jadamec et al.

The Timing of Aleutian Arc Inception and Nascent Magmatic Evolution: Current Status and Future Prospects|  1Mb – Brian Jicha et al.

Impact of the Lithological Input into the Alaska/Aleutian Subduction Zone on Hydrology and Physical State of the Subducting Zone |  100Kb – Miriam Kastner et al.

Proposed studies of plutons in the oceanic Aleutian arc: Building blocks for continental crust via arc magmatism |  500Kb – Peter Kelemen et al.

Variations in Seismicity Along the Central Aleutian Arc: An Opportune Site for GeoPRISMS Research |  400Kb – Katie Keranen et al.

The Importance of the Land-Based Paleoseismic Record of Giant Subduction Earthquakes Under Southern Alaska as Possible Reference Markers in the Trench Turbidite Record West of Kodiak Island |  100Kb – Stephen Kirby & George Plafker

Off-trench Earthquakes in Alaska and Their Tectonic Significance |  1Mb – Stephen Kirby et al.

Coastal Paleoseismology and Paleotsunami Studies in the Eastern Aleutians: A Focus Region for the GeoPRISMS Subduction Cycles and Deformation Plan |  300Kb – Alan Nelson et al.

GeoPRISMS Planning Workshop for the Alaska Primary Site White Paper: An Aleutian Seismological Observatory |  200Kb – Stephanie Prejean et al.

Effects of spatial and temporal variation in sediment flux on the Aleutian subduction zone |  300Kb – Bobby Reece et al.

From the Slab to the Surface: Origin, Storage, Ascent and Eruption of Volatile-Bearing Magmas |  500Kb – Diana Roman et al.

The Aleutian‐Alaska Subduction Zone Is Prone to Rupture in Great and Giant Megathrust Earthquakes — How Scientific Information Can Mitigate Consequences |  900Kb – David Scholl et al.

Heat flow measurements and the thermal state of the Alaska convergent margin |  1Mb – Glenn Spinelli and Robert Harris

Linking arc volcanic fluxes and growth rates with Pleistocene climate change: Marine tephrostratigraphy of the Aleutian‐Alaska volcanic arc |  700Kb – Suzanne Straub and Gisela Winckler

FlexArray Alaska: Basin-to-slab seismic imaging of subduction tectonics |  3Mb – Carl Tape et al.

3D geodynamic and geomorphic modelling of the Alaska/Aleutian Margin – STEEP and GeoPRISMS |  400Kb – Phaedra Upton et al.

Toward a Synoptic View of Alaska-Aleutian Volcanic Rock Geochemistry: The Rationale for a Campaign of Isotope Data Acquisition on Existing Samples |  500Kb – Gene Yogodzinski et al.

Call for White Papers

Scientists interested in participating in the development of the implementation plan for Alaska as one of the NSF GeoPRISMS program’s Primary Sites are invited to submit White Papers to the GeoPRISMS Office in advance of the Alaska Primary Site Planning Workshop. White Papers should propose specific science objectives and show suitability for addressing the research themes outlined in the GeoPRISMS Draft Science Plan, specifically the Alaska Primary Site Implementation Plan. Example White Paper topics could include geographic targets or regions relevant to the selection of “Discovery Corridors,” or implementation strategies for carrying out thematic studies deemed necessary to complete primary site studies. To be most effective, White Papers should make an explicit case for how they address one of more of the key SCD questions.

White Papers will be made available to meeting participants and the community prior to the workshop, and will be used in the implementation strategy decision-making process during the workshop.

Guidelines

White Papers submitted by proponent teams are preferred to ensure broader consensus, although individuals are also welcome to submit.

Authors can contribute more than one white paper.

White Papers should be clear and succinct and are limited to 2 pages of text plus 1 page of figures and references.

The conveners reserve the right to restrict dissemination of papers deemed to be too narrow in scope or not aimed at the implementation plan.

White Paper Title
Authors and Affiliations
Contact information
Proposed sites and/or themes addressed
Key types of existing or forthcoming data/infrastructure to build upon

Workshop hotel: Hotel 50, 50 Southwest Morrison Street Portland, OR 97204-3390
Workshop meeting venue: Portland World Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon St, 2WTC, Portland OR 97204

GeoPRISMS-EarthScope Alaska Planning Workshop group photo.

We are pleased to report on the outcome of the most recent GeoPRISMS planning meeting, the GeoPRISMS-EarthScope Planning Workshop for the Alaska Primary Site, held over a 2.5-day period in Portland, OR this past week. Approximately 150 people were in attendance. Substantial discussion took place both in break-outs and in plenary session, leading to a consensus plan for GeoPRISMS science in Alaska.

The primary elements of the science implementation plan are a geophysical transect along the oceanic part of the arc in combination with complementary focused studies of the Alaska Peninsula and Cook Inlet areas.

The geophysical transect along the oceanic arc is envisioned as the “back-bone” which provides a framework for focused studies at point locations encompassing varied aspects of the arc, fore-arc, trench and incoming plate. The chief focal point on the transect is the Amlia Fracture Zone area, where a strong contrast in trench sediment thickness and subducting plate age are linked to distinctive magma chemistry in the arc. This location may also mark a change in seismogenic character. Additional focal points in the Adak and Unalaska areas provide unique opportunities to characterize the birth and evolution of the arc, through geochemical and geochronological studies of plutonic and volcanic rocks produced early in the arc’s history. Volcanoes of the Unalaska area (e.g., Okmok, Akutan, Shishaldin) also provide ideal targets, located on the backbone transect, for slab-to-surface geophysical imaging of the largest and most active volcanic centers in the Alaska-Aleutian subduction system.

The Alaska Peninsula features dramatic along-strike changes in the seismogenic zone, spanning megathrust rupture areas in different parts of their cycles, and is the best location for combining onshore and offshore studies to investigate the causes of these changes. This area allows for focused investigation of segments characterized by creep, segments characterized by wide locked regions, and the boundaries between them. It offers the best opportunity to examine links between seismicity and forearc surface process and variable subduction inputs (e.g., fan sediment, seamounts, Aja Fracture zone). The Alaska Peninsula includes the most productive volcanoes of the continental part of the arc, including both large dominantly basaltic centers and smaller dominantly andesitic centers.

The Cook Inlet area is the continental end-member of the subduction zone, which experienced a watershed megathrust event in 1964, and is dominated in the Quaternary by glacial and other surface processes that direct sediment into the subduction zone and forearc. The clearest evidence in Alaska for large slow slip events and transient changes in the extent of the seismogenic zone come from this region. Cook Inlet and the Alaska Peninsula are also areas with substantial opportunities for synergy with EarthScope and the Alaskan Volcano Observatory, which maintains active monitoring of volcanoes in these regions.

Alaska was chosen as GeoPRISMS Primary Site because of the distinct along-arc changes in volcanism, seismicity, forearc structure, and subducting sediment thickness. Participants recognized that specific synoptic studies that address these spatial changes along the entire arc as opposed to specific target areas were needed. These studies could include geodesy, paleoseismology, surface processes and along-arc sediment transfer, arc geochemistry and geochronology, and passive seismic monitoring.

We would like to thank the meeting attendees for their participation in the process of reaching a consensus on the GeoPRISMS science plan for Alaska. Also, a special thanks to all of the speakers, break-out group leaders, and white paper authors for their contributions in making the workshop such a success. Finally, we want to recognize the enthusiastic participation of the graduate students and post-docs – their input is greatly appreciated.

A number of important tasks lie ahead. The conveners and break-out leaders plan to prepare a comprehensive workshop report for distribution by November 2011, and an updated draft of the GeoPRISMS Alaska science implementation plan by January 2012. The implementation plan will be made available for public comment prior to final release. It will serve as a guide for proposals submitted for the next NSF GeoPRISMS solicitation, July 1, 2012.

Jeff Freymueller – University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Peter Haeussler – USGS, Anchorage
John Jaeger – University of Florida
Donna Shillington – Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Cliff Thurber – University of Wisconsin-Madison
Gene Yogodzinski – University of South Carolina
Jeff Marshall – Cal Poly Pomona, Student Coordinator and Symposium Convener

 icon-chevron-right Photos from the workshop

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.

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