EarthRef.org Newsletter -- Issue 01 : 2006

EarthRef.org Newsletter
The Web Site for Earth Reference Data and Models

	Register Now for Fifth GERM (Geochemical Earth Reference Model) Workshop in NYC
The Geochemical Earth Reference Model (GERM) initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary with a workshop on the Columbia University main campus on May 29-31, 2006, following Spring AGU. This workshop will offer exciting science and discussions, as well as an opportunity to influence the development of a cyberinfrastructure in geochemistry. Details can be found on the recently updated Conference Website. The Venue: The Fifth GERM workshop will be held on the Columbia University campus in New York City, offering a wide range of culinary, cultural and entertainment attractions. GERM registrants will have a wide range of accommodation choices from first rate hotels (with Columbia corporate discounts) to inexpensive dormitory housing at Columbia University. We reserved housing blocks such that GERM participants can come to NYC for a long weekend in Manhattan prior to the workshop (beginning May 25), and stay through the GERM workshop on Monday through Wednesday (May 29-31). Science Program: The workshop program includes keynotes and discussions on a range of central and rapidly developing themes in the geochemistry of the hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. Experts in a wide range of disciplines will explore exciting new developments in how planet Earth works as a complex chemical, physical and biological system. All keynotes will be accompanied by extensive and moderated discussion periods. Confirmed keynote speakers and discussion leaders include: J. Adkins (Caltech), R. Anderson (LDEO), N. Banerjee (U of Alberta), R. Blake (Yale), S. Brantley (Penn State), C. Class (LDEO), K. Edwards (WHOI), J. Gaillardet (IPG-Paris), B. Hacker (UC-Santa Barbara), E. Hauri (DTM-CIW), M. Hirschmann (U. Minnesota), A. Hofmann (MPI-Mainz), C. Langmuir (Harvard), J. Moffett (WHOI), G. Nolet (Princeton), J. Phipps Morgan (Cornell), P. Raymond (Yale), O. Rouxel (WHOI) and N. Sobolev (MPI-Mainz). Breakout Sessions: GERM will also ask participants to help shape the rapidly expanding Cyberinfrastructure in geochemistry, to develop key initiatives for databases, and to explore new ways for publishing data in geochemistry. Most of this will be accomplished in breakout sessions, followed by a plenary discussion of the breakout results. GERM Short Courses: Two pre-meeting modeling short-courses in geochemistry will be held on May 28 that will be open to 40 participants at no extra charge. These courses will cover U-series Modeling (M. Spiegelman) and the MELTS software program (M. Hirschmann). Please check out the Conference Website for more details and Register for an exciting workshop. If you have any questions about the workshop organization, please contact Patty Keizer (pkeizer@ucsd.edu), Steve Goldstein (steveg@ldeo.columbia.edu) or Hubert Staudigel (hstaudigel@ucsd.edu).

The Geochemical Earth Reference Model (GERM) initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary with a workshop on the Columbia University main campus on May 29-31, 2006, following Spring AGU. This workshop will offer exciting science and discussions, as well as an opportunity to influence the development of a cyberinfrastructure in geochemistry. Details can be found on the recently updated Conference Website.

The Venue: The Fifth GERM workshop will be held on the Columbia University campus in New York City, offering a wide range of culinary, cultural and entertainment attractions. GERM registrants will have a wide range of accommodation choices from first rate hotels (with Columbia corporate discounts) to inexpensive dormitory housing at Columbia University. We reserved housing blocks such that GERM participants can come to NYC for a long weekend in Manhattan prior to the workshop (beginning May 25), and stay through the GERM workshop on Monday through Wednesday (May 29-31).

Science Program: The workshop program includes keynotes and discussions on a range of central and rapidly developing themes in the geochemistry of the hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. Experts in a wide range of disciplines will explore exciting new developments in how planet Earth works as a complex chemical, physical and biological system. All keynotes will be accompanied by extensive and moderated discussion periods. Confirmed keynote speakers and discussion leaders include: J. Adkins (Caltech), R. Anderson (LDEO), N. Banerjee (U of Alberta), R. Blake (Yale), S. Brantley (Penn State), C. Class (LDEO), K. Edwards (WHOI), J. Gaillardet (IPG-Paris), B. Hacker (UC-Santa Barbara), E. Hauri (DTM-CIW), M. Hirschmann (U. Minnesota), A. Hofmann (MPI-Mainz), C. Langmuir (Harvard), J. Moffett (WHOI), G. Nolet (Princeton), J. Phipps Morgan (Cornell), P. Raymond (Yale), O. Rouxel (WHOI) and N. Sobolev (MPI-Mainz).

Breakout Sessions: GERM will also ask participants to help shape the rapidly expanding Cyberinfrastructure in geochemistry, to develop key initiatives for databases, and to explore new ways for publishing data in geochemistry. Most of this will be accomplished in breakout sessions, followed by a plenary discussion of the breakout results.

GERM Short Courses: Two pre-meeting modeling short-courses in geochemistry will be held on May 28 that will be open to 40 participants at no extra charge. These courses will cover U-series Modeling (M. Spiegelman) and the MELTS software program (M. Hirschmann).

Please check out the Conference Website for more details and Register for an exciting workshop. If you have any questions about the workshop organization, please contact Patty Keizer (pkeizer@ucsd.edu), Steve Goldstein (steveg@ldeo.columbia.edu) or Hubert Staudigel (hstaudigel@ucsd.edu).

This newsletter may contain workshop and conference announcements, as well as news about new functionality and contributions to the EarthRef.org databases. If you wish to contribute to this newsletter please email to webmaster@earthref.org. If you do not want to receive these emails, please Edit Your Profile on the EarthRef.org website.