MARGINS Workshop on Central American Subduction Processes

Two of the primary initiatives of the MARGINS program are the
Seismogenic Zone and the Subduction Factory. A series of workshops from
1997 to 1999 reinforced the significance of the Central America
subduction zone as a prime focus for each of these initiatives. Field
programs are underway, one drilling leg has occurred and a second is
planned to focus on these objectives. By the summer of 2001 a
significant amount of data will have been obtained and processed, and we
feel that it will be time to assess what exists, to integrate land and
marine data, and to discuss what is needed for the future. It is also a
time to encourage modeling of these processes and to more fully
integrate Central American scientists into these efforts.

A workshop is planned for July 9-13, 2001, to be held in Costa Rica.
Major foci will include:
* geodynamics of the seismogenic zone,
* distribution of fluids and chemical tracers through the subduction
system,
* effect of the incoming plate on differences in seismicity and volcanic
products along the arc system
* impacts of these processes on the human populations
* planning for the next generation of integrated studies

Contributions are solicited and welcomed that relate broadly to these
topics. We expect contributions to include seismic imaging, geochemical
tracers, marine geological and geophysical studies of the subduction
margin, geodesy, onland geology, and volcanism. In addition, we seek
contributions concerning the impact of seismicity and volcanism on human
populations in Central America.

The importance of holding this workshop in Central America is to foster
closer interaction between local scientists and foreign researchers, and
to increase the integration of local scientists and their expertise into
the interpretive phases of these programs.

Support is available for some US participants through NSF funding. We
expect to make decisions on support early in 2001. Prospective
participants are urged to apply by February 1, 2001, to be considered
for funding. Application should take the form of a vita plus a statement
of research activities and interest relevant to the Central American
Seismogenic Zone or Subduction Factory, submitted to Eli Silver or Tim
Dixon.

Field trips, not covered by NSF support, are being planned for both
before and after the meeting. Details on these will be made available at
a later date.

The co-convenors, to whom applications should be sent, are:

Eli Silver Tim Dixon
Earth Sciences Department RSMAS
University of California University of Miami
1156 High Street 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Santa Cruz, CA 95064 Miami, FL 33149-1098
O: 831-459-2266 O: (305) 361-4663
F: 831-459-3074 F: (305) 361-4632
esilver@... tim@...

Members of the Steering committee are:
Don Fisher (fisher@...)
Julie Morris (jmorris@...)
Marino Protti (jprotti@...)
Roland von Huene (rhuene@...)
--
Robert D. Rogers
University of Texas Institute for Geophysics
4412 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 600
Austin, TX USA 78759-8500

Tel. 512 232-3387
Fax. 512 471-8844
email. rrogers@...

Honduras Geology website:
http://www.ig.utexas.edu/research/projects/honduras/index.html