Subduction Zone in Developing Countries Working Group. Sponsored by IASPEI and IAVCEI

Many developing countries are located above major subduction zones with a consequence of both seismic and volcanic hazards. Scientists in these countries need to understand the nature of the subduction process and the way in which, for example, changes in the configuration of the subducted slab affect the character of the earthquake distribution and the chemistry of volcanoes. However, such scientific studies are difficult to carry out because of the very limited infrastructure and emphasis on direct hazard.

There is a major benefit in getting Earth scientists together from a range of developing countries so that we can pool our expertise and help to create our own understanding of the problem we face, rather than being dependent on studies carried out by others. Of course, we also hope that scientists from developed countries interested in studies of subduction zones located in developing countries would also be willing to join this Working Group.

The Working Group needs to involve both seismologists and volcanologists, and is therefore jointly sponsored by IASPEI and IAVCEI.