EarthRef.org Newsletter -- Issue 02 : 2006

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

	Fall AGU 2006 -- V21 -- Seamounts: The Intersection of the Biosphere, Hydrosphere, and Lithosphere
Abstract: Seamounts offer rewarding targets for a wide range of science disciplines, They act as "stirring rods" to ocean circulation, with exciting marine biological habitats, food webs, prolific fisheries, and hydrothermal vents. Deep seamount corals on record ancient currents, and seamounts play a critical role in studying plate motion or plate extension, lithosphere flexure or the composition of the Earth's mantle. This session aims to attract contributions of all science disciplines involved in seamount research to foster interdisciplinary work and to help seamount researchers network with each other. Conveners: Hubert Staudigel, Julie Huber, Anthony Watts, Tim Shank, Stanley Hart and Robert Embley Link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=341

Fall AGU 2006 -- V21 -- Seamounts: The Intersection of the Biosphere, Hydrosphere, and Lithosphere

Abstract: Seamounts offer rewarding targets for a wide range of science disciplines, They act as "stirring rods" to ocean circulation, with exciting marine biological habitats, food webs, prolific fisheries, and hydrothermal vents. Deep seamount corals on record ancient currents, and seamounts play a critical role in studying plate motion or plate extension, lithosphere flexure or the composition of the Earth's mantle. This session aims to attract contributions of all science disciplines involved in seamount research to foster interdisciplinary work and to help seamount researchers network with each other.

Conveners: Hubert Staudigel, Julie Huber, Anthony Watts, Tim Shank, Stanley Hart and Robert Embley

Link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=341

	Fall AGU 2006 -- U01 -- Consequences of Subduction and the Evolution of the Mantle
Abstract: The chemical and physical properties of subducted oceanic lithosphere are not well-known, but control many aspects of Earth's convective/tectonic state as well as it's thermal history. Subduction of oceanic crust links the genesis of basalts at ridges to that at arcs, and ultimately to ocean-island magmatism, while seismic tomography images suggests that there are multiple depths of slab processing in the mantle. A recently discovered deep mantle phase change and 142Nd isotopic observations have inspired new ideas for the role of the deep mantle and the importance of early Earth subduction processes. However, many fundamental questions regarding the fate of subducted lithosphere remain: What are the thermal, chemical, and mineralogical states of the slab at different depths in the mantle? How much of the slab is lost to arc magmatism? How easily is a subducted plate mixed back into ambient mantle? Where do ancient plates reside in the mantle? What is the contribution of recycled lithosphere in the sources of oceanic island basalts, basalts of large igneous provinces and MORBs? We welcome studies from geochemistry, geodynamics, seismology and mineral physics, and in particular studies that combine approaches from different disciplines, in an effort to integrate the nature of subduction with deep mantle processes. Conveners: Rhea K. Workman, Alex Sobolev, Magali Billen, Bill McDonough and Norman Sleep Link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=345

Fall AGU 2006 -- U01 -- Consequences of Subduction and the Evolution of the Mantle

Abstract: The chemical and physical properties of subducted oceanic lithosphere are not well-known, but control many aspects of Earth's convective/tectonic state as well as it's thermal history. Subduction of oceanic crust links the genesis of basalts at ridges to that at arcs, and ultimately to ocean-island magmatism, while seismic tomography images suggests that there are multiple depths of slab processing in the mantle. A recently discovered deep mantle phase change and 142Nd isotopic observations have inspired new ideas for the role of the deep mantle and the importance of early Earth subduction processes. However, many fundamental questions regarding the fate of subducted lithosphere remain: What are the thermal, chemical, and mineralogical states of the slab at different depths in the mantle? How much of the slab is lost to arc magmatism? How easily is a subducted plate mixed back into ambient mantle? Where do ancient plates reside in the mantle? What is the contribution of recycled lithosphere in the sources of oceanic island basalts, basalts of large igneous provinces and MORBs? We welcome studies from geochemistry, geodynamics, seismology and mineral physics, and in particular studies that combine approaches from different disciplines, in an effort to integrate the nature of subduction with deep mantle processes.

Conveners: Rhea K. Workman, Alex Sobolev, Magali Billen, Bill McDonough and Norman Sleep

Link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=345

	Fall AGU 2006 -- IN22 -- Five Dimensional Framework for Geoinformatics
Abstract: Geoinformatics is an active field in the Earth sciences with a steadily growing number of new and specialized databases. Although these databases are interesting and necessary in their own right and within their own scientific community, we also realize that they may become even more valuable in a connected and federated system, that is called the Earth Science Cyberinfrastructure. However, the framework in which this interoperability can be established most effectively is not that straightforward. Besides the obvious 3D spatial framework of lat-lon-depth, there is a clear need in the Earth Sciences to connect databases through the use of geological time and through other geological properties, such as sample name, section name, formation name, paleolatitude and longitude, publication, etc. In this session we invite contributions that will shed light on how we should move forward in establishing this 5D spatial, temporal and geological framework for Geoinformatics. Conveners: Anthony A.P. Koppers, Lisa Tauxe, Dietmar Müller and Walter S. Snyder Link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=264

Fall AGU 2006 -- IN22 -- Five Dimensional Framework for Geoinformatics

Abstract: Geoinformatics is an active field in the Earth sciences with a steadily growing number of new and specialized databases. Although these databases are interesting and necessary in their own right and within their own scientific community, we also realize that they may become even more valuable in a connected and federated system, that is called the Earth Science Cyberinfrastructure. However, the framework in which this interoperability can be established most effectively is not that straightforward. Besides the obvious 3D spatial framework of lat-lon-depth, there is a clear need in the Earth Sciences to connect databases through the use of geological time and through other geological properties, such as sample name, section name, formation name, paleolatitude and longitude, publication, etc. In this session we invite contributions that will shed light on how we should move forward in establishing this 5D spatial, temporal and geological framework for Geoinformatics.

Conveners: Anthony A.P. Koppers, Lisa Tauxe, Dietmar Müller and Walter S. Snyder

Link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=264

	Fall AGU 2006 -- V10 -- Active Mantle Upwellings and Volcanism: What Do We Know?
Abstract: The mantle plume model remains the only comprehensive explanation for linear age-progressive and excess volcanism. Recent controversy about the mantle plume model, however, has exposed our incomplete understanding of the possible role of active mantle upwellings in explaining mid-plate and flood basalt activity. Temperatures, depths of melting, plume chemical and lithological heterogeneity in space and time, depth of origin, plume source precursor materials, and plume source age are some of the still poorly constrained parameters. An inter-disciplinary synthesis of our current knowledge of geophysical and geochemical characteristics of mantle plumes is the goal of this session. Conveners: Keith Daniel Putirka and Cornelia Class Link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=122

Fall AGU 2006 -- V10 -- Active Mantle Upwellings and Volcanism: What Do We Know?

Abstract: The mantle plume model remains the only comprehensive explanation for linear age-progressive and excess volcanism. Recent controversy about the mantle plume model, however, has exposed our incomplete understanding of the possible role of active mantle upwellings in explaining mid-plate and flood basalt activity. Temperatures, depths of melting, plume chemical and lithological heterogeneity in space and time, depth of origin, plume source precursor materials, and plume source age are some of the still poorly constrained parameters. An inter-disciplinary synthesis of our current knowledge of geophysical and geochemical characteristics of mantle plumes is the goal of this session.

Conveners: Keith Daniel Putirka and Cornelia Class

Link: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=search&show=detail&sessid=122

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