March 2002 Workshop

March 24-27, 2002
Snowbird, Utah

EarthScope (www.earthscope.org) was inspired by the need to address longstanding and fundamental questions about the forces that continue to shape the dynamic Earth. EarthScope's network of multipurpose geophysical instruments and observatories will significantly expand capabilities to observe the structure and ongoing deformation of the North American continent. In addition, EarthScope will combine these geophysical measurements with data and observations from all disciplines of the Earth sciences, permitting enhanced analyses and integrated models of active deformation. Improved understanding of the structures and processes in the solid Earth will translate into better hazards assessment, more precise estimates of natural resource potential, and a deeper appreciation of connections between different aspects of our physical environment.

Because of the high volume of data to be generated by EarthScope, together with the need to construct integrated models and simulations of Earth system processes, the success of EarthScope will depend in large measure on modern developments in Computational Science and Information Technology (CSIT). To consider how CSIT can best be used to ensure the success of EarthScope, a workshop was organized to develop preliminary plans for a CSIT component of the EarthScope program that will address issues in three areas critical to the program's success: (1) data collection, archiving, and distribution, (2) modeling and simulating nonlinear Geosystems, and (3) advanced information technologies for the EarthScope collaboratory. Major objectives were to cross-educate members of the Geoscience and computer-science communities in the major research goals and capabilities of the two fields, and to discuss how these capabilities can be mobilized to enhance the success of the EarthScope program.

The workshop was held on March 24-27, 2002 in Snowbird, Utah and was open to about 70 participants from the Geoscience and computer science communities. The organizing committee will produce a summary of results in the form of a preliminary CSIT plan, which will be widely circulated for review and comment. A final plan will be submitted to the National Science Foundation by August, 2002.