Designators for special sessions belong to the lead section or committee abbreviation (i.e., A01 denotes Atmospheric Sciences, P01 denotes Planetary Sciences, etc.).  Additionally, special sessions are listed under all sections, focus groups or committees who have agreed to sponsor particular sessions.
 

Union(U)	Ocean Sciences(OS)
Atmospheric Sciences(A)	Paleoceanography and Paleclimatology(PP)
Atmospheric and Space Electricity(AE)	Planetary Sciences(P)
Biogeosciences(B)	Public Affairs(PA)
Cryosphere(C)	Seismology(S)
Earth and Space Science Informatics(IN)	SPA-Aeronomy(SA)
Education and Human Resources(ED)	SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics(SH)
Geodesy(G)	SPA-Magnetospheric Physics(SM)
Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism(GP)	Study of Earth's Deep Interior(DI)
Global Environmental Change(GC)	Tectonophysics(T)
Hydrology(H)	Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology(V)
Mineral and Rock Physics(MR)	Ecological Society of America(ES)
Near Surface Geophysics(NS)
Nonlinear Geophysics(NG)

Union

U01 Origin of Late Holocene (Pre-Industrial) Increases in Atmospheric CO2 and CH4
The proposed session will explore the causes of the gradual increases in atmospheric CO2 and CH4 during millennia prior to the industrial era. A vigorous debate has been underway for 5 years as to whether these increases were natural in origin or the result of anthropogenic forcing tied to early agriculture. The session will also cover two additional issues relevant to the main theme: Would a new glacial inception have begun by now in the absence of early anthropogenic (agricultural) forcing? Were the short-term CO2 decreases in the last 2000 years linked to mortality from pandemics and warfare?
Conveners: William F. Ruddiman, University of Virginia, , Charlottesville, VA 22904 USA, Tel: 540-348-1963, email: rudds2@ntelos.net, and Michel Crucifix, Institut d''''Astronomie et de Geophysique, Universite Catholique de Louvain 2, Chemin du Cyclotron , Louvain-de-Neuve, BE-1348 BEL, Tel: 00 32 10 47 33 00, email: michel.crucifix@uclouvain.be

U02 The International Polar Year
The Polar Regions are indisputably vital components of the Earth System and sensitive indicators of change. Many polar environments change faster than anywhere else on the planet and perhaps faster than at any time in the past. Given the pressing need to understand both the processes of change in the Polar Regions and their wider implications for the planet, the launch of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 programme in March 2007 has been timely, relevant and necessary. This session will provide an introduction to, and overview, of the broad IPY program, including its objectives, design, preliminary results and achievements. Many of these achievements represent new standards of international and interdisciplinary cooperation and new models for public engagement that bode well for all of science. A series of invited-only presentations in this session will link to presentations in a related IPY Cryosphere session (C32)and to IPY activities in science, data and outreach described throughout the Fall Meeting
Conveners: Marco Tedesco, CUNY / NASA / UMBC, 138th St. and Convent Av., New York, NY 10031 USA, Tel: 2126505188, email: mtedesco@umbc.edu, and David Carlson, IPY International Programme Office, , , GBR, email: ipy.djc@gmail.com, and J. Cynan Ellis-Evans, British Antarctic Survey, , , GBR, email: jcel@bas.ac.uk

U03 MESSENGER at Mercury: The Second Flyby
MESSENGER is the first spacecraft to visit the planet Mercury in more than 30 years. In January of this year, MESSENGER flew by Mercury and conducted color imaging of the surface, the first high-resolution spectral reflectance measurements (UV to near-IR) of surface composition, the first spacecraft altimetric measurements of surface topography, the deepest penetration yet into Mercury's magnetosphere, the first measurements of the abundances and compositions of plasma ions in Mercury's magnetosphere, and searches for previously undetected species in Mercury's surface-based exosphere and neutral Na tail. In October of this year, MESSENGER will fly by Mercury for a second time, an encounter that will reveal more than 30% of the planet never before seen at close range. Targeted observations of the surface, exosphere, and tail will profit from the experiences of the first flyby, and a more active Sun than in January will permit sampling a different suite of solar wind interactions with the magnetosphere and neutral and ionized exosphere. The Fall AGU meeting will be the first presentation of the results of this second Mercury flyby to the scientific community and should be of broad interest to workers in planetary science, geochemistry, geomagnetism, atmospheric science and aeronomy, and space physics.
Conveners: Sean C. Solomon, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Department of Terrestrial Magnetism 5241 Broad Branch Road, N.W., Washington, DC 20015 USA, Tel: 202/478-8850, Fax: 202/478-8821, email: scs@dtm.ciw.edu, and Ralph L. McNutt, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Space Department 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723 USA, Tel: 240/228-5435, Fax: 240/228-0386, email: ralph.mcnutt@jhuapl.edu, and Maria T. Zuber, MIT, Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Building 54-915 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617/253-6397, Fax: 617/258-9697, email: zuber@mit.edu

U04 Understanding of the Global Carbon Cycle Using Models and Observations
This session will focus on our understanding of carbon in the atmosphere, ocean and land, including assessments of our knowledge of carbon reservoirs and exchange. Papers are solicited that consider global observations and models of carbon species, including carbon dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide. Specific questions span our understanding of processes that control carbon exchange between land-and-atmosphere and ocean-and-atmosphere and how realistically these processes can be represented in models. Natural and anthropogenic processes will be considered. Timescales of interest range from seasonal to multi-decadal. Seasonal to interannual timescales are expected to use land, atmosphere and ocean models alongside contemporary space-based and in-situ datasets to critically assess our understanding of processes and their representation in models. Longer timescales will focus on coupled models that can be used to assess our understanding of past observed increases and seasonality of carbon reservoirs and concentrations, as well as to predict future evolution.
Conveners: Steven Pawson, Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, NASA GSFC, , , USA, email: Steven.Pawson@nasa.gov, and Watson Gregg, Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, NASA GSFC, , , USA, email: Watson.Gregg@nasa.gov, and Jim Collatz, Biospheric Sciences Branch, NASA GSFC, , , USA, email: George.J.Collatz@nasa.gov

U05 Episodic Tremor and Slip: Insights into a Newly Discovered Process
This session explores the latest observations, models, and implications of episodic tremor and slip (ETS). ETS encompasses two closely associated phenomena - one detected seismically, the other geodetically. These previously unrecognized phenomena are being discovered in an increasingly diverse range of tectonic environments, and there is increasing evidence that episodic tremor and slip are two end members of a spectrum of fault motion that ranges over characteristic durations from a fraction of a second to weeks or more. Differences of ETS from ordinary earthquakes awaiting explanation include far longer durations of activity, much greater sensitivity to small stresses, and sometimes strikingly periodic occurrence. Understanding of ETS and its relation to ordinary earthquakes is in its infancy, but it is of intense interest not only because it is a newly discovered way for faults to slip, but also because of its strategic location near the down-dip edge of dangerous, seismically active faults. ETS recurs predictably enough that temporary field experiments now routinely record it in detail. A diversity of seismic and geodetic instruments, including: high-gain and broadband seismometers, long-baseline and borehole strainmeters, long-baseline and borehole tiltmeters, and GPS arrays, many recently added by EarthScope, provide complementary information that allows us to characterize these phenomena over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.
Conveners: John E. Vidale, University of Washington, 4000 15th Avenue NE Seattle, WA 98195-1310, Seattle, WA 98195-1310 USA, Tel: 310-210-2131, email: john_vidale@mac.com, and Greg C. Beroza, Stanford University, , Palo Alto, USA, email: BEROZA@stanford.edu, and Herb Dragert, Geological Survey of Canada, , , CAN, email: hdragert@nrcan.gc.ca, and Paul Segall, Stanford, , , CA USA, email: segall@stanford.edu

U06 Geoengineering to Counteract Global Warming?
Geoengineering schemes have been proposed to temporarily counteract global warming, as nations work to implement preferred mitigation strategies - namely, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. While many general geoengineering concepts have been put forward in recent years, no concrete proposals that address the range of scientific and social issues related to such activities have been submitted for consideration. This session focuses on climate modification through the manipulation of solar energy input to Earth via processes internal or external to the atmosphere. Several specific schemes along these lines have been investigated in a preliminary way in terms of basic processes. Examples include the injection of reflective aerosols into the lower stratosphere, seeding of marine clouds to modify their albedo, and placement of mirrors beyond the atmosphere to deflect incoming sunlight. However, it is now desirable to ask more detailed questions regarding implementation and expected outcomes. Accordingly, this session invites papers describing the most recent scientific and engineering results on solar radiation control strategies. Particularly sought are papers describing the feasibility, risks, costs, policy implications, and ethical and political dimensions of global radiation intervention, but only if the analyses are developed on the basis of sound scientific findings. While proposed engineering projects may assume regional or global scales, all of the local, regional and worldwide impacts are open to consideration, including predictions of changes in climatological, biological, and social parameters. Presentations of well-developed designs for laboratory or field experiments relevant to the topics outlined above are also welcome.
Conveners: Alan Robock, Rutgers University, Department of Environmental Sciences 14 College Farm Road , New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA, Tel: 732-932-9800, x6222, email: robock@envsci.rutgers.edu, and Richard P. Turco, University of California - Los Angeles, , Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Tel: 310-825-6936, email: turco@atmos.ucla.edu, and Georgiy L. Stenchikov, Rutgers University, Department of Environmental Sciences 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA, Tel: 732-932-9800, x6215, email: gera@envsci.rutgers.edu

U07 Role of Science in Water, Biologic, and Geologic Hazards Security
Adequate knowledge about the risks to human health and ecosystems, and innovative solutions to prevent pollution, warn of impending disasters, and reduce risk can be gained through both science and technology transfer. Never before has that need been more important, especially in the areas of water, biologic, and geologic hazards in regard to disaster risk reduction, targeting vulnerability and overall security for populations around the globe. A burgeoning population and frequent large-scale disasters (growing from about 60 country-level disasters in 1975 to almost 400 in 2006) make it imperative that science respond to assist in more focused efforts regarding health, disaster risk reduction, environmental sustainability, water security, and related issues. This session seeks hydrological, biological, and geological results, methods, and data that evaluate science and technology, vulnerability targeting, adaptation, and modeling within the parameters of disaster risk reduction.
Conveners: James Tindall, USGS, MS 413, Box 25046 Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 USA, Tel: 303 236 5005, Fax: 303 236 5034, email: jtindall@usgs.gov, and Edward Moran, Bethel Scientific, 620 E. Whitney Road, Anchorage, AK 99501 USA, Tel: 907.522.6311 ext 130, email: ehmoran@bncak.com

U08 The Library - Data Center Alliance in Earth and Space Sciences
Preserving, sharing, and understanding the diverse and growing collection of Earth and space science data and information require sustained commitment and diverse expertise. Recent reports from national and international scientific organizations increasingly emphasize professional and collaborative approaches to managing data and information, especially supporting interdisciplinary science. The electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) promotes this professional development and collaboration. In particular, eGY recognizes the conceptual alliance between today's research libraries and scientific data centers, and promotes partnerships, collaboration and even hybrids of these two types of enterprises to meet the Earth science informatics challenge. Research libraries have a long, sustained, and respected role as curators of Earth science information and knowledge. Yet, in recent decades, scientific data centers have also played an increasingly important role in stewarding Earth science data and information. Libraries seek to extend their expertise to manage new forms of digital publication, including data. Data centers seek to develop sustained, long-term archival systems. It is apparent; the two communities should collaborate to achieve their complementary objectives. This session aims to bring together members of both the research libraries and the data center communities to survey and compare approaches, philosophies, and long-term strategies for dealing with the problems of managing digital scientific data collections, and invites submissions regarding issues and approaches for archiving, serving, and curating such collections. An emphasis on support of interdisciplinary science is encouraged.
Conveners: Mark A. Parsons, National Snow and Ice Data Center, , , USA, email: parsonsm@nsidc.org, and Rajendra Bose, Columbia University Center for Digital Research and Scholarship, , , USA, email: rbose@columbia.edu

U09 Different Views on One Asthenosphere
It is generally accepted that the asthenosphere is a mechanically weak region in the shallow mantle underneath the lithosphere. Even so, every discipline has a different perspective on what the asthenosphere is. For example, it has been termed the low (seismic) velocity zone and the low-viscosity zone, and its unique properties have been attributed to either mineral properties at relevant temperatures and pressures or to the presence of melt and/or water. While we have a good understanding of some of the asthenosphere's properties and know of the importance of this thin layer as it influences mantle flow, we are still seeking a unified picture that includes independent constraints from all relevant disciplines. In this session we will explore different views on the asthenosphere to (1) identify first order characteristics (e.g. location, depth, viscosity, seismic velocity, anisotropy, attenuation, electrical conductivity, density, flow field, lateral variations) and (2) combine observations to provide a forum to discuss a unified picture of the asthenosphere.
Conveners: Tobias Höink, Rice University, MS 126, PO Box 1892 Earth Science , Houston, TX 77021 USA, Tel: +1 713 348 4497, email: tobias.hoeink@rice.edu, and Greg Hirth, Brown University, Box 1846 Dept. of Geological Sciences, Providence, RI 02912 USA, Tel: 401-863-7063, email: Greg_Hirth@Brown.Edu

U10 Tropical Cyclone-Climate Interactions Past, Present, and Future
Aspects of tropical cyclone activity are strongly influenced by climate variability; yet large uncertainties in the understanding of tropical cyclone sensitivity to climate change continue to limit predictability on short and long timescales. It is critical to understand the linkages between tropical cyclone dynamics and both natural and anthropogenic climate variability in order to assess potential anthropogenic influences and project future tropical cyclone activity. This session aims to bring together computer modelers, climatologists, and earth scientists to examine the temporal and spatial patterns of past, present, and future tropical cyclone activity using a range of forward and inverse approaches. The session will foster cross-disciplinary discussion of critical needs in the areas of data and modeling. We hope to feature new results from studies of tropical cyclone feedbacks in the climate system, as well as storm impacts on ecosystems and water resources. Cross-disciplinary studies involving models and data or proxy data are especially welcome.
Conveners: Amy Frappier, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave Devlin Hall 213 , Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 USA, Tel: 617-552-1296, email: amy.frappier@bc.edu, and James Done, NCAR, PO Box 3000 , Boulder, CO 80307 USA, Tel: 303 497 8209, email: done@ucar.edu, and E. Christa Farmer, Hofstra University, 156 Gittleson Hall , Hampstead, NY 11549 USA, Tel: 516-463-5566, email: geoecf@hofstra.edu, and Kerry A. Emanuel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rm. 54-1620, MIT 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-324-0308, email: emanuel@texmex.mit.edu

U11 Comparative Climate Studies of Earth, Venus and Mars
Venus and Mars are Earth’s nearest planetary neighbors and provide the closest analogs for many important climate processes. Venus, with its runaway greenhouse atmosphere and Mars, with its record of orbitally driven climate cycles, represent extreme examples of nonlinear climate evolution. What challenges are encountered, and insights gained, in adapting terrestrial climate and circulation models to Mars and Venus? What lessons do the divergent climate histories of these three planets hold for Earth’s long term evolution? Motivated by recent advances in modelling of Earth’s climate system, along with relevant new data sets from several recent Mars missions and the Venus Express spacecraft, this session will cover comparative studies of the climates, and climate-related processes, on these three planets. Suggested topics include: atmospheric dynamics; radiative balance; solar cycle responses; cloud microphysics, structure and radiative forcings; volcano-climate interactions, polar processes and feedbacks between any of the above phenomena.
Conveners: David Grinspoon, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205 USA, Tel: 3033706469, Fax: 3033706005, email: dgrinspoon@dmns.org, and Brian Toon, University of Colorado, Boulder, , , USA, email: brian.toon@lasp.colorado.edu, and Janet Luhmann, University of California, Berkeley, , , USA, email: jgluhman@ssl.berkeley.edu

U12 Consequences of Peak Oil for Climate Change
"Peak Oil" refers to the peaking of world oil production and its subsequent decline. According to the inexorable laws of supply and demand, Peak Oil will be signaled by a relentless rise in the price of oil as rising demand outstrips flat or declining production. The reality of Peak Oil has become increasingly accepted, even by oil companies, and now the only substantive disagreement is about when it will occur; some say it occurred this year (2008), while others say it is 10-20 years away. Peak Oil has received little attention in projections of future global warming by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) . The IPCC relies upon the Special Report on CO2 Emissions Scenarios (SRES), in which future energy use is projected without considering Peak Oil per se. The SRES scenarios have not been updated since the early 1990s, although revisions are in progress now. The scenario which will ultimately be played out due to Peak Oil may lie somewhere between the two most extreme SRES scenarios, but this knowledge provides little in the way of predictive power for climate change. The implications of Peak Oil for climate change are profound and complex. It is a sword that cuts both ways. If the decline of oil production is swift, its rapid price rise will dampen consumption, and CO2 emissions will fall. On the other hand, Peak Oil may drastically hasten coal-burning and tar-sand processing, causing CO2 emissions to rise much more rapidly than any current scenario. Therefore, this session solicits contributions on the interaction between Peak Oil and climate change. This is part of a rapidly growing activity called "Integrated Assessment" which attempt to factor humans into the climate change prediction equations. We particularly encourage contributions about the global warming consequences of energy decisions that are looming rapidly due to Peak Oil.
Conveners: Warren Wiscombe, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Bldg. 490-D, Upton, NY 11973 USA, Tel: 631-344-4260, email: wwiscomb@bnl.gov, and Catherine Gautier, University of California, Institute for Computational Earth System Science, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-3060 USA, Tel: (805) 893-8095, Fax: (805) 893-2578, email: gautier@icess.ucsb.edu

U13 The Phoenix Mission
On May 25, 2008, the Phoenix lander touched down on the polar plains of Mars. Its sophisticated complement of instruments, including a Thermally Evolved Gas Analyzer, a wet chemistry lab with optical and atomic force microscopes, an atmospheric LIDAR, air pressure and temperature sensors, an electrical conductivity probe, and panoramic and close-up cameras, have provided unprecedented insights into the chemistry, thermodynamics, geology and meteorology of the northern polar regions of Mars. Phoenix's overall goals are to dig to water frozen under subsurface soil, touch, examine, vaporize and sniff the soil and ice to discover the history of water on Mars, determine if the Martian arctic soil could support life, and study Martian weather from a polar perspective. This session invites papers describing the first measurements and scientific results of this historic mission.
Conveners: Leslie K. Tamppari, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr. M/S 264-623, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, email: leslie.tamppari@jpl.nasa.gov, and Peter H. Smith, University of Arizona, 1415 N. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 USA, email: psmith@lpl.arizona.edu

U14 Environmental Consequences of the Changing Global Food System
Producing agricultural products, whether for food, animal feed or biofuels, is a primary driver of global environmental change. The pressure on terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems worldwide is increasing due to rises in the global population, the demand for diets rich in meat and fish protein, and the demand for biofuels. At the same time, globalization and the commodity trade are creating linkages between demand, land use change and environmental degradation in different, distant regions of the planet. This session will examine recent changes in the production of food, feed and fuel around the planet, the social, cultural and economic forces driving those changes, and the global implications for ecosystems, biodiversity, food security, water resources and the climate. Emphasis will be places on the following issues: i) appropriation of planetary resources (land, water, estuaries, fisheries) for food, feed and biofuel production; ii) environmental "teleconnections" caused by globalization and the international food trade; iii) the consequences of changes in food demand and diet on nutrient cycling, water resources, biodiversity, and air quality; iv) the effect of global change on agricultural production.
Conveners: Simon Donner, University of British Columbia, Department of Geography 133-1984 West Mall University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6K 1X2 CAN, email: simon.donner@ubc.ca, and Jonathan Foley, University of Wisconsin, Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment University of Wisconsin-Madison 1710 University Avenue , Madison, WI 53726 USA, email: jfoley@wisc.edu, and Navin Ramankutty, McGill University, , , CAN, email: navin.ramankutty@mcgill.ca, and Mutlu Ozdogan, University of Wisconsin, , , USA, email: ozdogan@wisc.edu

U15 Global Climate Change and Gas Hydrate Reservoir Degassing: Assessing the Scientific Evidence
Frequent media reports and numerous scientific papers maintain that rising air and water temperatures will significantly, and possibly catastrophically, increase methane fluxes from permafrost and/or marine gas hydrate reservoirs. Such increased fluxes would serve as a positive climate feedback by elevating atmospheric concentrations of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and its long-lived oxidation product, carbon dioxide. This session will evaluate emergent scientific evidence to address the controversy over the impact of past, contemporary, and future climate change events on gas hydrate reservoirs and the potential consequences of releasing such gas to the ocean-atmosphere system. Of particular interest are studies that document contemporary degassing of gas hydrates through field-based observations, that describe unambiguous terrestrial or marine rock evidence for or against massive gas hydrate dissociation and methane release in the past, that couple Earth models to ocean-atmosphere models to quantitatively assess the susceptibility of contemporary hydrate deposits to climate change under IPCC scenarios, that report on factors that mitigate (e.g., microbially-mediated oxidation of methane in ocean water) or enhance direct communication between degassing hydrates and the atmosphere, and that constrain time scales for methane release or gas hydrate reservoir recharge.
Conveners: Carolyn Ruppel, U.S. Geological Survey, , Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA, Tel: (508) 457-2339, email: cruppel@usgs.gov, and Gerald Dickens, Rice University, Dept.of Earth Sciences, Houston, TX USA, email: jerry@rice.edu

U16 The Van Allen Radiation Belts and Their Impact on Modern Space Science
In 1950 a small group of scientists gathered at the home of James A. Van Allen and proposed that the International Geophysical Year (IGY) be planned for 1957-58 during the expected maximum of solar activity. The IGY stimulated the U.S. Government to propose Earth satellites as geophysical tools.Data from Explorer 1 (launched 31 January 1958) and Explorer 3 (launched March 26, 1958) provided the first space-age scientific discovery: the existence of a doughnut-shaped region of charged particle radiation trapped by Earth's magnetic field. Today, we see that radiation belt processes are universal phenomena. Results from recent space missions have shown clear evidence that radiation belts exist at all strongly magnetized planets throughout our solar system. The particle acceleration physics that we study within the Earth's radiation belts and our neighboring planets has far reaching implications beyond our solar system. In the relatively accessible planetary environs we can study processes applicable in a whole host of cosmic settings. In this special Union session we will explore the broad relevance of radiation belt studies to all of space science. The session will consist of both invited and contributed papers and we welcome observational, theoretical, and modeling results pertinent to radiation belt phenomena. Highly dynamical behavior of radiation belts still remains a mystery even 50 years after the original discoveries. During increased geomagnetic activity, radiation levels across the belts vary over orders of magnitude on the timescales from minutes to days. A large range of acceleration and loss mechanisms operating at different spatial and temporal scales compete over the global extent of the belts. While a number of local and global mechanisms have been identified as potentially important, their relative role is not understood. We solicit contributions that address these and related topics, and also contributions that address how the physics of Earth's radiation belts might explain or otherwise impact particle radiation observed in distant extraterrestrial environments.
Conveners: Daniel N. Baker, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Campus Box 590 University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 USA, Tel: 303-492-4509, Fax: 303-492-6444, email: Daniel.Baker@lasp.colorado.edu, and Nicola J. Fox, JHU/Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723 USA, Tel: 240 228 3529, Fax: 240-228-1641, email: nicola.fox@jhuapl.edu, and Geoff D. Reeves, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Mail Stop D-466, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA, Tel: 505-665-3877, Fax: 505-665-7395, email: reeves@lanl.gov, and Harlan E. Spence, Boston University, Boston University Department of Astronomy and Center for Space Physics CAS Room 410 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 USA, Tel: 617 353 7421, Fax: 617 353 6463, email: spence@bu.edu

U17 Decision Support Needs and Tools for Global Change: Bridging the Gap Between Physical and Societal Models
Human-induced climate change, land-use, and water-use individually and collectively present a challenge to decision support analysis affecting societal needs ranging from treaty verification and carbon markets to natural resource management and human health. An understanding of the couplings and feedbacks between technological activities, the earth system, and societal vulnerabilities is a critical precursor to successful risk-assessment and response. There currently exists a significant informational gap between the earth-sciences, solution engineering, and socio-economics in the form of the disparate models, analytical methods, and basic terminology used in the various domains. A comprehensive and sustained effort to integrate the various disciplines is necessary to meet this challenge – and on more than one front as there likely is no “one size fits all” approach. This session solicits contributions in the following areas: a) Identification of decision-maker information needs, b) Methods and tools for integrating models of earth science, technological activity, and socio-economics, c) Other techniques for addressing the information gap between earth scientists, engineers, decision-support analysts, and decision makers. In particular, case-studies which identify sector-specific questions and analytical frameworks for delivering answers in a format understood by decision-makers are encouraged. Examples include but are not limited to: atmospheric CO2 linkages with treaty verification, carbon markets, and marine ecosystem management – or, the interplay between hydrological changes, urban planning, and agriculture.
Conveners: Riley Duren, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, , , USA, email: riley.m.duren@jpl.nasa.gov, and Robert Lempert, RAND Corporation, , , USA, email: lempert@rand.org

U18 Interaction and Co-evolution of Earth Reservoirs: Coupling of Mantle, Tectonic, Atmospheric, and Hydrospheric Dynamics in the Evolution of Earth
While significant progress has been made in understanding the evolution of the various reservoirs that constitute Earth (e.g. mantle, atmosphere, continents, etc...), recent research suggests the interaction of these reservoirs plays an important role in the dynamics of the planet. Degassing from Earth's interior at volcanoes influences the evolution of the atmosphere and hydrosphere. Climatic and tectonic processes have been found to develop feedbacks which alter the evolution of both reservoirs. The interaction of climate and mantle dynamics has been explored in planetary tectonics, and this coupling may be important in the stability of plate tectonics on a planet. The purpose of this session is therefore to bring together researchers from various disciplines to discuss the coupled interaction between various components of Earth's mantle, continents, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Does the evolution of the atmosphere and hydrosphere influence the thermal history of Earth and vice versa? What is the influence of climate on the evolution of continental crust, and what controls would these processes have on mantle dynamics? We would also like to address the interplay of the different physical and chemical processes governing reservoir interactions on short (< kyr), intermediate (~100 kyr), and long (> Myr) timescales and various lengthscales. We seek contributions from any field bearing on this subject including atmospheric science, geochemistry, and geophysics. Contributions considering the interactions of various reservoirs on other planets are highly encouraged as well.
Conveners: William Landuyt, Yale University, , , USA, email: william.landuyt@yale.edu, and Adrian Lenardic, Rice University, , , USA, email: ajns@rice.edu, and Mark Jellinek, University of British Columbia, , , CAN, email: mjellinek@eos.ubc.ca

U19 The Great 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake: A Multi-disciplinary View
The devastating Ms 8 Wenchuan (Sichuan, China) earthquake occurred on May 12, 2008 along the eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau on May 12, 2008, killing over 70, 000 people. The fault has a distinctive geomorphologic expression, lies in a region where existing GPS studies indicate low shortening rates, and is part of the overall north-trending Longmen Shan thrust belt that bounds the eastern Tibetan plateau against the Sichuan basin. The purpose of this session is to bring experts from multidisciplinary fields of seismology, earthquake geology, geodesy (GPS and InSAR), neotectonics, geomorphology, regional geology and geodynamics to an integrated view on the tectonic processes related to this earthquake. The topics include, but are not limited to: (1) geometry and kinematics of the Longmen Shan fault system, (2) rupture processes of the main shock and aftershocks, (3) pre-, co-, post-, and inter-seismic deformation and regional stress evolution and associated earthquake potentials, (4) neotectonic and morphological expression of the active fault systems in the eastern Tibetan plateau and their relationships to the Wenchuan earthquake fault, (5) structure of crust and lithospheric mantle and regional tectonics of the eastern Tibetan plateau and its margins, (6) dynamic implications for the development of the Tibetan plateau, and (7) lessons on seismic hazards mitigation. We hope the session will provide new insights into large earthquakes in collisional orogens in general and future earthquake hazards in the region in particular.
Conveners: Robert van der Hilst, Dept of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, MIT, Building 54-521A 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 USA, Tel: 1-617-253-6977, email: hilst@mit.edu, and Peizhen Zhang, Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration, P.O.Box 9803 Qijiahuozi, Beijing, 100029 CHN, Tel: 86-10-62009520, email: peizhen@ies.ac.cn, and An Yin, University of California, Los Angeles, Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Tel: 310-825-8752, Fax: 310-825-2779, email: yin@ess.ucla.edu, and Yongshun (John) Chen, Peking Univerisity, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Beijing, 100871 CHN, Tel: 86-10-6275-8277, email: johnyc@pku.edu.cn, and David Sandwell, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0225 USA, email: dsandwell@ucsd.edu

U20 Fluids at Convergent Margins: Synthesis of Observations, Experiments and Models
Water and other fluids play defining roles in subduction zone processes over a wide range of depths and scales. At shallow levels these processes include diagenesis and alteration, fault zone stability and seismogenesis, and coupling of deformation between subducting and overriding plate. Fluids likely play an important role in controlling shallow seismic events at the plate interface. Deeper in the subduction zone fluids control dehydration and metamorphic reactions, magma formation and migration, rheology and dynamics of the mantle wedge, and generation of intermediate-depth seismicity. Characterizing the role of fluids and volatiles has been a key component of international and collaborative subduction zone research projects, that include the Seismogenic Zone Experiment (SEIZE) and Subduction Factory (Subfac) initiatives of the NSF MARGINS program, the Japanese IFREE program, the German SFB574 collaborative research center and the Russian-German KALMAR collaborative project, with focus sites at Nankai, Central America, Central Chile, Kamchatka, and Izu-Bonin-Marianas. These efforts have led to unprecedented advances in our understanding of the role of fluids in the formation and maintenance of the seismogenic zone and the connection between the inputs and outputs of the subduction factory. In-situ observations of fluids in subduction zones remains difficult, but the additional use of indirect observations coupled with integrated experimental and theoretical work has allowed for significant progress. This session will further the synthesis of observational, theoretical and experimental research on the role of fluids in subduction zones. This session is intended to bring together researchers from various fields with interests that cut across traditional discipline boundaries. We invite contributions from a wide range of disciplines including geodesy, ocean drilling, hydrology, volcanology, seismology, petrology, geodynamics, and geochemistry.
Conveners: Peter van Keken, University of Michigan, , Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1063 USA, Tel: 1-734-764-1497, email: keken@umich.edu, and Alison Shaw, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, , , USA, email: ashaw@whoi.edu, and Demian Saffer, Penn State, , , USA, email: dsaffer@geosc.psu.edu, and Kaj Hoernle, IFM-GEOMAR, , , DEU, email: khoernle@ifm-geomar.de

U21 Geologic, Seismologic, and Geodynamic Constraints on the 4-D Evolution of North America: Where are we now and Where are we Going?
New advances in our understanding of the 4-D evolution of the North American continent will require integrated, multidisciplinary approaches that combine observations of seismology, geology, and geodesy, together with computationally intensive geodyanmic approaches that utilize these observations. Furthermore, continued input from the fields of mineral physics and rock mechanics are also critical. The rich data sets available through EarthScope, combined with the diversity of geologic field work performed to date, provide an unprecedented opportunity to understand the inner workings of the distributed plate boundary zone that spans the western third of the continent, including crust-mantle coupling, large-scale driving mechanisms, the presence or lack of distributed deformation, and the role of vertical and lateral variations in crust and mantle composition, temperature, and rheology, as well as provide insights into the processes that drive the Wilson cycle over longer time scales. We invite papers that take multidisciplinary approaches to understand the geodynamic history of North America. We especially encourage papers that highlight new results from data acquired through USArray and PBO, including anisotropy and tomography studies, and papers that use these recent results in geodynamic models. We welcome larger-scale studies that account for global effects of continental keel structure, the role of dynamic topography, and 4-D subduction dynamics. Finally, we seek insight from geologic studies that provide a window into the nature of past middle and lower crustal flow in North America. The expected outcome of this session is to identify a number of key scientific targets, controversies, and goals for further focus and a deeper scientific inquiry into the nature of plate boundaries through time.
Conveners: William Holt, Dept. of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Dept. of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794 USA, Tel: 6316328215, Fax: 6316328240, email: william.holt@sunysb.edu, and Michael Williams, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Department of Geosciences,, Amherst, MA USA, Tel: 4135450538, email: mlw@geo.umass.edu

U22 Geologic Carbon Sequestration: The Vital Links Between Risk Assessment, Monitoring and Mitigation Design
Global climate change and increasing anthropogenic carbon emissions are two of the chief environmental challenges facing the world today. Forecasts of future energy usage suggest that fossil fuels will continue to be used far into the future. Geologic carbon sequestration is a technology that can be used to bridge the gap between the two competing needs, whereby carbon dioxide is captured from power plants or other sources and stored in deep geological formations, thereby allowing for continued usage of fossil fuels without increasing carbon emissions. Technology exists today to achieve geologic carbon sequestration, but risks are inherent to the process. Therefore, many modeling, monitoring, and risk assessment technologies are being developed to ensure safe storage of large volumes of CO2 in underground formations. This session will review, explore and break down the critical links among risk assessment, monitoring, and development of effective mitigation plans for geologic carbon sequestration sites. Dozens of geologic CO2 field tests, including injection with extensive monitoring programs, are ongoing in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, Japan and other countries. Most of these tests are relatively small in size and scope, from tens to hundreds of thousands of tons per year, but commercial-scale sequestration will necessarily involve millions of tons per year injection. While injection and monitoring technologies are relatively mature, the design of a meaningful monitoring strategy involving multiple technologies requires quantitative input from risk assessment to be effective. Furthermore, the development of effective mitigation plans is critically dependent on reliable risk assessment, and also on robust monitoring and associated simulation models. This session will explore this complex system in detail and synthesize the short- and long-term research agenda for integrated monitoring, risk assessment and mitigation design.
Conveners: Brian McPherson, University of Utah, , , USA, email: bjolm@yahoo.com, and Grant Bromhal, NETL, , , USA, email: grant.bromhal@netl.doe.gov, and John Litynski, NETL, , , USA, email: john.litynski@netl.doe.gov

U23 Observing, Understanding, Predicting and Responding to Pan-Arctic Environmental Change and Rapid Arctic Ice Retreat Problems
It is recognized that the Arctic system is currently undergoing unprecedented change whose impacts can be severe but whose drivers and rates remain ill quantified. This is an amplified response to global change and expresses itself in the physical, biogeochemical, ecological and human domains. For example, the Arctic ice is melting at rates much faster than the IPCC-2007 climate model predictions. The potential for an ice-free Arctic in our lifetime, and the abrupt Pan-Arctic and global impacts it would trigger, underscores the urgency of the problem. Rapid response from the scientific community is required to determine the rate of change, to understand its causes and for future projection, as well as for design of response strategies, including mitigation and adaptation. The Union (U23) session will provide a broad overview of the existing integrated Arctic Environmental Change programs and field campaigns. A series of invited presentations will inform policy relevant questions such as: Is anthropogenic activity or natural variability the driving the rapid Arctic melting? Or Are both of these conspiring to make the Arctic more vulnerable? Has Arctic melting occurred in the past? How does this inform policy to adapt to and respond to impacts? How well can we predict the rate of future Arctic change? What energy, exploration, shipping and air quality policies will help slow (or exacerbate) the pace of the Arctic ice retreat? The session will be followed by a Cryosphere session (C33) dealing with specific results and covering topics dealing with observing, understanding, and responding to Arctic Environmental Change across physical, biogeochemical, and human domains.
Conveners: Michael Tjernstrom, Stockholm University, , Stockholm, SWE, email: michaelt@misu.su.se, and Manvendra K. Dubey, LANL, , Los Alamos, NM USA, Tel: 5056653128, email: dubey@lanl.gov, and Julienne Stroeve, CIRES, NSDIC, , Boulder, CO USA, email: stroeve@kryos.colorado.edu, and Peter Schlosser, Columbia University, , Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 845 365 8707, email: schlosser@ldeo.columbia.edu

U24 Perspectives on the Past and Future of Paleoceanography and Paleclimatology
The fields of paleoceanography and paleoclimatology are evolving at an ever-rapid pace with new analytical techniques and collection methods providing the community with more and more data to process and disseminate. As an example to the speed at which the field is growing, the 2001 annual meeting had twenty-two oral and poster sessions offered under the paleoceanography and paleoclimatology division compared to forty-eight in 2007. With the field growing so quickly and most presentations revolving around very specific data sets, a little perspective as to where we have been, where we are, and where we might be going would help educate the community at large and focus our future efforts. This session would bring together several eminent paleoclimatologists and paleoceanographers who would be invited to give talks about their perspectives on the past, present, and future of the field of paleoclimatology. The invited speakers will span several sub-disciplines of the Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology Focus Group (modelers, oceanographers, glaciologists, geologists, etc.) and will preferably be respected leaders in the field. This session will be particularly important for graduate students and other young scientists who are just being set free into the field and could use some perspective and parting advice before embarking on their respective research careers. Because of the nature of the session, we are proposing an all invited speaker assembly consisting of 6-8 speakers for one, two-hour session. This will enable our speakers the leverage to provide a perspectives talk without sacrificing their current research presentations.
Conveners: Shaun A. Marcott, Oregon State University, , , USA, email: marcotts@science.oregonstate.edu, and Jeremy D. Shakun, Oregon State University, , , USA, email: shakunj@geo.oregonstate.edu

U25 Integrated Geohazards Along Continental Margins and Plate Boundary Zones
An ancillary but significant product of investigations along continental margins and plate boundary zones (e.g., through the NSF MARGINS Program, ODP/IODP, and related programs) has been a broader, highly integrated understanding of the scientific causes and resulting impacts of geohazards. Examples include, but are not limited to, (1) rheologic and structural controls on plate boundary seismogenesis and tsunamigenesis; (2) stratigraphic, chemical, and geomechanical factors that promote weakening and failure; (3) climatic, tectonic, and anthropogenic influences on rates of sediment erosion, transport and deposition, and impacts on our coastlines, and (4) explosive volcanism, and the role of magma composition and volatile flux in eruptive behavior. Although geologic settings may differ, they share many common processes and conditions that contribute to hazardous phenomena; therefore a broad, cross-disciplinary discussion could benefit many scientific communities. To foster these discussions, we solicit contributions that address the wide range of margin-related geologic hazards, their causes, and their consequences. Field, laboratory, and numerical studies are welcome.
Conveners: Julia K. Morgan, Rice University, Dept Earth Science, MS-126 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA, Tel: (713) 348-6330, Fax: (713) 348-5214, email: morganj@rice.edu, and Brandon Dugan, Rice University, Dept Earth Science, MS-126 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 USA, Tel: (713) 348-5088, email: dugan@rice.edu, and Eli Silver, University of California, Santa Cruz, Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 USA, email: esilver@pmc.ucsc.edu, and Cynthia Ebinger, University of Rochester, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences 227 Hutchinson Hall, Rochester, NY 14627 USA, email: ebinger@earth.rochester.edu, and Susan Bilek, New Mexico Institute of Technology, , , USA, email: sbilek@nmt.edu

Atmospheric Sciences

A01 General Contributions: Chemistry and Composition
Abstracts discussing topics related to chemistry and climate are solicited for this session.
Conveners: Russell Dickerson, University of Maryland, , , USA, email: russ@atmos.umd.edu

A02 General Contributions: Aerosols and Clouds
General contributions related to aerosols and clouds are solicited for this session.
Conveners: Eric Jensen, NASA Ames Research Center, , , USA, email: eric.j.jensen@nasa.gov

A03 Aerosol Indirect Effects: Measurements and Modeling
Aerosol indirect effects are a very challenging problem in climate research. Research efforts dealing with the understanding of aerosol indirect effects on clouds and climate rely on both measurements and numerical models. Following considerable efforts made over the past decade in both model developments and space sensor deployments, a challenge lies ahead on how to best combine multiple observations and modeling efforts. On the observational front, the quality and availability of data essential for dealing with the aerosol-cloud interaction problem are both increasing rapidly. In particular, the altitude region between the boundary layer and the lower stratosphere can now be examined by accurate and global scale measurements from a constellation of satellite instruments (e.g. those on the “A-Train”) currently in orbit. On the modeling front, state-of-the-art numerical models are now available as a powerful tool to aid satellite data analysis by providing information about dynamical and microphysical processes in the atmosphere that can not be easily measured. This session solicits observational (particularly from satellite instruments) and numerical modeling studies on aerosols and clouds, with a focus on all aspects of aerosol indirect effects. Discussion of new ideas for future satellite mission (e.g. Aerosol-Clouds-Ecosystem mission) on studies of aerosol-cloud indirect effects are also welcome.
Conveners: Jonathan H. Jiang, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 8183547135, Fax: 818-393-5065, email: jonathan.h.jiang@jpl.nasa.gov, and Steven T. Massie, National Center for Atmospheric Research, , Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 3034971404, email: massie@ucar.edu, and Hui Su, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, , Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 8183937388, email: hui.su@jpl.nasa.gov, and Mark Schoeberl, NASA GSFC, , , USA, email: Mark.R.Schoeberl@nasa.gov

A04 General Contributions: Dynamics and Climate
General contributions related to dynamics and climate are solicited for this session.
Conveners: William Vizuete, University of North Carolina, , , USA, email: airquality@unc.edu, and Eric Jensen, NASA Ames Research Center, , , USA, email: eric.j.jensen@nasa.gov

A05 Long-Term Trends in the General Circulation of the Atmosphere: Observations, Simulations, Mechanisms, and Impacts
An increasing body of evidence indicates that key-elements of the large-scale atmospheric general circulation have undergone significant change over the past several decades, which may be an important indicator of climate change. Examples include widening of the Hadley cell, changes in the position of the subtropical jets and extratropical storm tracks, lifting of the tropopause, and trends in the annular modes. However, there is still much to be learned about the observational evidence of these changes, their causes, and their societal and environmental impacts. Several causal mechanisms have been suggested, such as changes in tropospheric stability, extratropical eddy activity, and stratospheric dynamics. But it is still unclear which may be most appropriate and whether there exists a single unifying theory. This session will bring renewed focus to this issue by examining further evidence for these processes, exploring their cause(s), and improving our theoretical understanding of their linkages. We invite studies on all aspects of long-term change in the general circulation, particularly papers that combine observational, modeling, and theoretical approaches.
Conveners: Thomas Reichler, University of Utah, 135 S 1460 E, Rm 819 (WBB), Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA, Tel: 801-585-0040, email: thomas.reichler@utah.edu, and Jian Lu, NCAR / Climate and Global Dynamics Division, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 USA, email: jianlu@ucar.edu, and Dian Seidel, NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (R/ARL), 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA, email: Dian.Seidel@noaa.gov

A06 Reducing Uncertainties in our Understanding of the Atmospheric Mercury Cycle
Mercury is an important neurotoxin with a complex atmosphere-biosphere-geosphere cycle. There are large uncertainties associated with the Hg biogeochemical cycle, especially regarding atmospheric chemistry and air-surface exchange. In this session we will explore development of new methods for measuring air speciation and surface fluxes, as well as discuss the use of models as tools to help address uncertainties. Papers are solicited on: better characterization of existing methods, new methods for measurement of atmospheric mercury species and surface fluxes, model sensitivity analyses that help pinpoint key processes and mechanistic studies addressing poorly understood atmospheric reactions and processes.
Conveners: Dan Jaffe, University of Washington, 18115 Campus Way NE , Bothell, WA 98011 USA, Tel: 425-352-5357, email: djaffe@u.washington.edu, and Mae Sexauer Gustin, University of Nevada, 1664 North Virginia St NRES Dept MS 370, Reno, NV 89557 USA, Tel: 775-784-4203, email: mgustin@cabnr.unr.edu

A07 Aerosol Multi-sensor and Model Inter-comparison and Synergy
The integration of data from multiple sources represents the cutting edge of global aerosol science. Aerosols are measured by a variety of space-based sensors and are simulated with a range of climate and transport models. However, there are significant differences among global and regional aerosol properties, retrieved or simulated, from different sources. Presentations are solicited discussing aerosol measurement and model inter-comparison and fusion, using MODIS, MISR, POLDER, OMI, MERIS, AIRS, and other sensors’ Level 1, 2 or 3 data, and/or model simulations. Presentations can focus on interdisciplinary applications exploiting the complementary nature of aerosol, trace gases, and cloud information from satellite and sub-orbital measurements and models. Talks covering inter-comparison techniques, such as data comparison and fusion algorithms, and the spatial and temporal statistical and sampling aspects of inter-comparison and fusion, are also encouraged.
Conveners: Gregory Leptoukh, NASA GSFC, Code 610.2 Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-614-5253, email: Gregory.Leptoukh@nasa.gov, and Ralph Kahn, NASA GSFC, Code 613.2 Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, email: ralph.kahn@nasa.gov, and Rudolf B. Husar, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA, Tel: 314 935 6099, email: rhusar@me.wustl.edu

A08 Innovative Applications of Satellite and Ground Observations in Evaluating General Circulation Models
General circulation models need to be evaluated against various observations before their projection of future climate changes can be trusted. The accumulation of enormous amount of satellite and in-situ measurements over the past decade, especially the unprecedented A-train observations, has motivated innovative ways of using observations in model evaluation, which is in sharp contrast with traditional evaluations of, for example, regional and monthly mean maps. These new approaches try to establish physically meaningful avenues to expose model deficiencies in cause-attributable ways (e.g. running climate models in numerical weather forecast mode, diagnosing GCM in the spectrally-resolved radiance domain, using statistical techniques to characterize cloud objects observed from satellite and simulated in the GCMs). In return, it would help guide further model improvement. Moreover, the coordinated observations like A-train satellites or DOE-ARM measurements provide comprehensive measurements of various physical variables. The synergy between different measurements and dataset in model evaluation is another promising area for enhancing the merits of these observations in model evaluation. Based on the above rationales, we solicit presentations on reviewing or introducing such innovative analyses and their applications in model evaluations, reporting new results from such usages of satellite and in-situ measurements, and illustrating the synergy between different observations for model evaluations.
Conveners: Xianglei Huang, University of Michigan, 2455 Hayward St 1541A SRB Bldg., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143 USA, Tel: 734-936-0491, Fax: 734-936-0503, email: xianglei@umich.edu, and Stephen A. Klein, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, PCMDI Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Mail Code L-103 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550 USA, Tel: 925-423-9777, email: klein21@llnl.gov, and Zhengzhao Johnny Luo, City College, City University of New York, Dept. of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and NOAA-CREST center City College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031 USA, Tel: 212-650-7026, email: luo@sci.ccny.cuny.edu

A09 Airborne Mineral Dust: Sources, Emissions, Destinations
2 billion people live in the arid 34 percent of Earth’s land surface. Routine exposure to airborne dust increases their risk of cardiovascular and respiratory disease. People a continent or ocean away are exposed to these dusts, along with hitchhiking molds, spores and bacteria. Air and land transportation safety, human and veterinary health, and food and water security are threatened, and linked to the global economy. Weather, climate and air quality are affected by the 17 billion tons of dust suspended in our atmosphere at any given time. Papers are invited that identify source, composition and emission characteristics of arid-land, airborne particulates and their consequences in weather, climate, health, safety, and food and water security. Papers are also solicited in the detecting, monitoring and modeling of airborne dust generation, entrainment, transport and fate.
Conveners: William A. Sprigg, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210081, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: 520-626-8646, Fax: 520-621-6833, email: wsprigg@u.arizona.edu, and Slobodan Nickovic, World Meteorological Organization, 7 bis, Avenue de la Paix BP2300, 1211 , Geneva, CHE, Tel: : +41 (0)22.730.80.95, Fax: +41 (0)22.730.80.49, email: SNickovic@wmo.int

A10 Year of Tropical Convection (YOTC): High-Resolution Modeling, In-Situ Data and State-of-the-Art Satellite Observations to Address the Challenge of Multi-Scale Organized Convection
The realistic representation of tropical convection in our global atmospheric models is a long-standing grand challenge for numerical weather prediction and climate projection. To address this challenge, WCRP and WWRP/THORPEX have proposed a year of coordinated observing, modeling and forecasting of organized tropical convection and its influences on predictability. This new effort, referred to as the Year of Tropical Convection (YOTC), is intended to exploit the vast amounts of existing and emerging observations, the expanding computational resources and the development of new, high-resolution modeling frameworks. The objectives of YOTC are to advance the characterization, diagnosis, modeling, parameterization and prediction of multi-scale convective/dynamic interactions, including the two-way interaction between tropical and extra-tropical weather/climate. This project and its ultimate success will be based on the coordination of a wide range of ongoing and planned international programmatic activities (e.g., GEWEX/CEOP/GCSS, THORPEX/TIGGE, EOS, AMY), strong collaboration among the operational prediction, research laboratory and academic communities, and the construction of a comprehensive data base consisting of satellite data, in-situ data sets and global/high-resolution forecast and simulation model outputs relevant to tropical convection. The time frame targeted for scientific focus, May 2008 to October 2009 was chosen in order to leverage the most benefit from recent major investments in Earth Science infrastructure and overlapping programmatic activities (e.g., AMY, TIGGE). Specific areas of emphasis identified in the YOTC are: i) the MJO and convectively coupled waves; ii) diurnal cycle; iii) easterly waves and tropical cyclones; iv) tropical-extratropical interactions; and v) the monsoon systems. Presentations are welcome that address such focus areas, especially if they have relevance to the target period and have an emphasis on the application and development of high-resolution modeling frameworks, parameterization development, application using satellite and in-situ data analysis and model-data comparison, and connections between YOTC and the above or related programmatic activities.
Conveners: Duane Waliser, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 8183934094, email: duane.waliser@jpl.nasa.gov, and Mitch Moncrieff, NCAR, Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 USA, Tel: 303 497 8960, email: moncrief@ucar.edu

A11 ENSO and Global Change: The Past, Present, and Future
Historical SST records suggest that for the past three decades, ENSO has been anomalously strong. What has caused this elevation of ENSO activity? Is it a response to anthropogenic forcing? A manifestation of an intrinsic decadal mode of the coupled climate system? A stochastically forced variability? Are there analogues from past climates that shed light on this recent elevation of ENSO activity? How might we quantitatively disentangle natural fluctuations of ENSO from its response to anthropogenic forcing? Could a significant portion of global warming due to anthropogenic forcing take place through an elevation of this natural mode of variability? What are the effects of a persistent elevation in the ENSO activity on the heat uptake of the tropical Pacific? What is the relationship between the zonal SST gradients in the mean state of the tropical Pacific and the level of ENSO activity? Do state-of-the-art climate models reliably predict the response of ENSO to global warming? How can we improve the reliability of these model projections? We invite modelers, theoreticians, and observational experts who have an interest in these questions to gather together, report their findings, and discuss new strategies and possible collaborations.
Conveners: De-Zheng Sun, University of Colorado/CIRES & NOAA/Earth System Research Laboratory, 325 Broadway USA 303 497 6272, Boulder,, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303 497 6272, Fax: 303 497 6449, email: dezheng.sun@noaa.gov, and Andrew T. Wittenberg, NOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Forrestal Campus, US Route 1, Princeton, NJ 08542 USA, Tel: 609 987 5064, Fax: 609 987 5063, email: Andrew.Wittenberg@NOAA.GOV, and Amy Clement, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 USA, Tel: 305 421 4846, Fax: 305 421 4696, email: aclement@rsmas.miami.edu, and Fei-Fei Jin, Department of Meteorology, University of Hawaii, 2525 Correa Rd, HIG 350, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, Tel: 808 956 4645, Fax: 808 956 3498, email: jff@hawaii.edu, and Axel Timmermann, IPRC, University of Hawaii, 2525 Correa Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, Tel: 808 956 2720, Fax: 808 956 9425., email: axel@hawaii.edu, and Jin-Yi Yu, Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, 3315 Croul Hall, Irvine, CA 92697 USA, Tel: 949 824 3878, email: jyyu@uci.edu

A12 Observed and Predicted Changes in Upper Stratospheric Composition and Processes Related to Changes in Climate and Emissions
Recent models and observations suggest that changes will occur, or may already be occurring, in the upper stratosphere (20-30 km) as a result of anthropogenic or natural forcings. For example, climate change is expected to accelerate the Dobson-Brewer circulation possibly changing atmospheric composition. Increased emissions related to energy production and transportation likewise may change tropospheric composition, which can be transferred to the upper stratosphere in the tropics. This session will bring together scientists to discuss and compare predictions and observations of upper stratospheric composition with the primary goal of determining if there are emerging connections to specific forcings. For example, is upper stratospheric water vapor or sulfate aerosol concentration changing? Are changes in ozone clearly detectible and are they related to the expected recovery from ozone depleting substances, to changes in transport, or to a combination of both? Contributions related to stratospheric changes that might affect climate will also be considered.
Conveners: David Hofmann, CIRES, University of Colorado, NOAA Earth System Resarch Laboratory, R/GMD 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303-497-6966, email: David.J.Hofmann@noaa.gov, and Michael Kurylo, Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology Center, University of Maryland Baltimore County, NASA GSFC, Mail Stop 610.6, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-2751, email: Michael.J.Kurylo@nasa.gov

A13 Climate Change in the Coastal Zone: Observed Trends and Future Predictions
This special session will address the fundamental scientific aspects of climate change along coastal regions, with topics covering the following physical processes: 1. Trends in coastal storm frequencies and intensities 2. Sea level rise: past, present and future 3. Wave hindcasts and climatologies 4. Modeling near-shore waves, wave run-up and inland penetration 5. Storm surge observations and predictions 6. Observed changes in coastal erosion and future scenarios given sea level rise Abstract submissions are encouraged on these and related topics, with special emphasis on studies that integrate historical observations with hindcast models and prognostic perspectives.
Conveners: David Levinson, NOAA National Climatic Data Center, 151 Patton Avenue , ASHEVILLE, NC 28801 USA, Tel: 828-271-4851, Fax: 828-271-4358, email: David.Levinson@noaa.gov, and John Marra, NOAA Integrated Data and Environmental Applications (IDEA) Center, East-West Center John A. Burns Hall (JAB4092) 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96848 USA, Tel: 808-944-7453, Fax: 808-944-7499, email: John.Marra@noaa.gov, and Len Pietrafesa, North Carolina State Univserity, , Raleigh, NC USA, email: ljpietra@ncsu.edu

A14 Cloud Effects on Aerosol
Clouds affect aerosol through a variety of mechanisms, including vertical transport, activation to droplet and crystal phase, aqueous-phase chemistry, surface chemistry, in-cloud scavenging, cloud-particle collision and coalescence, resuspension, precipitation, and impaction scavenging. These processes play major roles in determining the distribution, microphysical and chemical properties, and climatic effects of both natural and anthropogenic aerosol. Although most of these processes are understood quite well, their representation in climate models is extremely crude, largely because of the difficulty of parameterizing clouds in climate models. Presentations in this session will describe field studies and cloud-resolving and global simulations of cloud effects on aerosol, with emphasis on improving understanding of the mechanisms, characterizing sensitivity to uncertainty in cloud parameterization, and developing more accurate methods to represent these processes in climate models.
Conveners: Steven Ghan, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, , Richland, WA USA, Tel: 509-372-6169, email: steve.ghan@pnl.gov, and Chien Wang, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, , Cambridge, MA USA, email: wangc@mit.edu, and Phil Rasch, NCAR, , Boulder, CO USA, email: pjr@ucar.edu

A15 Oceanic Sources and Sinks of Trace Gases
The troposphere contains many biogenic trace gases that are significantly affected by the oceans. Many of these compounds play a role in the NOx/ozone cycle in the troposphere or otherwise significantly affect the chemistry of the atmosphere. Understanding how the oceans affect the chemistry of the atmosphere is important to our overall understanding of atmospheric chemistry, especially in the remote atmosphere. This session focuses on oceanic sources and sinks of biogenic trace gases to the atmosphere not including CO2. Specific topics of interest include 1) ocean-atmosphere fluxes; 2) water column measurements; 3) aerosols as related to trace gases; and 4) oceanic production and loss rates as well as mechanisms for production and degradation for trace gases.
Conveners: Shari A. Yvon-Lewis, Texas A&M University, Department of Oceanography, College Station, TX 77843 USA, Tel: 979-458-1816, Fax: 979-845-7211, email: syvon-lewis@ocean.tamu.edu, and Brandon D. Finley, University of Washington, Bothell, 11136 NE 180th St Box 358511 (UW2-340) , Bothell, WA 98011-8246 USA, Tel: 425-352-3475, email: bfinley@uwb.edu, and Elizabeth E. Dahl, Loyola College in Maryland, Chemistry Department 4501 N Charles St. , Baltimore, MD 21210 USA, Tel: 410-617-2236, Fax: 410-617-2803, email: eedahl@loyola.edu

A16 Processes Regulating the Sources, Transformations, and Fate of Tropical Aerosols
Tropical aerosols, in large part from biomass burning, dust emissions, and biogenic primary and secondary processes, have chemical and physical properties that are in many ways distinct from aerosols in other domains of the Earth system. There have been recent intensive investigations of tropical aerosols in equatorial Africa in African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA, www.amma-international.org/), in equatorial South America in the Amazonian Aerosol Characterization Experiment (AMAZE-08, www.seas.harvard.edu/AMAZE-08), and in equatorial Asia (Borneo) in the Oxidant and Particle Photochemical Processes above a South-East Asian Tropical Rain Forest (OP3, www.es.lancs.ac.uk/op3/). The results of these campaigns separately offer fresh insights into tropical aerosols, but further depth and integrated understandings and insights can be expected by cross comparisons and communication among these communities. In pursuit of this goal, this session will bring together all scientists interested in tropical aerosols, including those of these campaigns as well as more generally, to provide an integrated perspective on the general findings of processes regulating the sources, transformations, and fate of tropical aerosols. Topics include, but are not limited to, particle properties (such as light scattering and absorption, CCN activation, on-line and off-line chemical characterization, size distributions, flux measurements, and changes in all of these because of aging processes in the atmosphere), direct and indirect emissions of particle number and mass, and wet and dry deposition.
Conveners: Scot T. Martin, Harvard University, , Cambridge, MA USA, Tel: (617) 495-7620, email: scot_martin@harvard.edu, and Paulo Artaxo, University of Sao Paulo, , Sao Paulo, BRA, email: artaxo@if.usp.br, and Hugh Coe, The University of Manchester, , Manchester, GBR, email: hugh.coe@manchester.ac.uk

A17 Ice Nucleation: From Laboratory, Field and Remote Sensing Data to Process and Global Models
We solicit presentations that will advance our understanding of ice nucleation from recent laboratory experiments, field studies, or via remote sensing as well as from model representations of this process on all scales. Special emphasis will be placed upon studies that bridge experiments, remote sensing and modeling. There are recent laboratory experiments, for example those that take place in cloud chambers, which have investigated fundamental processes of ice formation under controlled conditions. Field studies in the upper troposphere and in the Arctic have collected unique data for process understanding, modeling evaluation, and parameterization development. Remote sensing instruments from surface and space now provide unprecedented views of ice clouds. New physically-based parameterizations are being implemented into GCMs to improve ice microphysics and to better estimate climate forcing. This session will bring together experiment, remote sensing, and modeling efforts to tackle this challenging and important problem.
Conveners: Xiaohong Liu, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, , Richland, WA 99352 USA, Tel: (509) 372-4528, email: xiaohong.liu@pnl.gov, and Daniel Cziczo, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, , , USA, email: daniel.cziczo@pnl.gov, and Ulrike Lohmann, Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, , , CHE, email: ulrike.lohmann@env.ethz.ch

A18 Tropospheric Halogen Chemistry
The presence of halogen species and their impact on the composition of the troposphere is a subject of growing interest. However, many of the underlying physical, chemical and biological processes leading to the release of halogens at the surface are poorly understood and quantified. In addition, considerable uncertainties remain in the homogeneous and heterogeneous chemistry of many halogen species. The reliable measurement of many halogen species at tropospheric concentrations has also not yet been fully achieved. Consequently the quantification and assessment of the impact of halogen chemistry on tropospheric ozone, mercury, aerosols and climate still remains a considerable challenge. The goal of this special session is to provide a forum for discussion of all aspects of the study of tropospheric halogens, their chemistry, sources and sinks, and their impact on local, regional, and global scales. Papers are solicited on field experiments, satellite observations, laboratory studies, and numerical models of halogen chemistry. Contributions on results from research related to the International Polar Year (IPY) and the Ocean Atmosphere Sea Ice Snowpack (OASIS) projects are particularly encouraged.
Conveners: Alfonso Saiz-Lopez, NASA Jep Propulsion Laboratory, , Pasadena, CA USA, Tel: 818-354-5858, Fax: 818-393-5019, email: alfonso.saiz-lopez@jpl.nasa.gov, and Jochen Stutz, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, UCLA, , Los Angeles, CA USA, Tel: 310-825-5364, Fax: 310-206-5219, email: jochen@atmos.ucla.edu

A19 Impacts of Small-Scale Variability on Regional Flux Estimates Derived From Greenhouse Gas Observations
Anthropogenic emissions of CO2 are relatively well known, but the total amount of CO2 that remains in the atmosphere is strongly influenced by biological and oceanic uptake. The sources and sinks of other important greenhouse gases (GHGs), e.g. CH4, N2O, CFCs, HFCs, Halons, SF6, etc. are not well known, and because many GHGs have long atmospheric lifetimes, even small errors in the parameters that are used to construct emissions inventories can cause large errors in predicted atmospheric abundance. Accurate accounting for CO2 and other GHGs will be needed in order to track efforts to reduce emissions. GHG flux information is needed at politically relevant spatial and temporal scales (e.g., monthly to seasonal fluxes with spatial resolution of a large metropolitan area or of a state, province or small country). In principal, networks for measuring GHG concentrations can enable accurate regional-scale flux accounting, but adequate modeling tools to interpret the data are lacking. The session focuses on the aspects of linking local-scale measurements of greenhouse gases to larger-scale models. Strictly speaking, in-situ observations represent only a point in space, and remote sensing data represent the column of air seen by the satellite instrument at a particular time, usually with a footprint area of only few square km or less. Over continents, in the vicinity of strong and highly variable surface-atmosphere fluxes, trace gas distributions as observed by aircraft measurements show significant spatial variability. Tall tower observatories used for monitoring greenhouse gases in the continental boundary layer are strongly affected by fluxes in the near-field (nearest 100 km) and thus will respond to small scale flux heterogeneity. Further, mesoscale transport phenomena such as land-sea breezes or mountain-valley circulations can cause significant variability. Another significant source of uncertainty when using measurements made within the continental boundary layer is related to the representation of vertical mixing within the transport models, especially during nighttime. These issues should be taken into account when using GHG observations in a modeling framework for analysis or to derive trace gas budgets. Current generation inverse modeling tools resolve scales of at most 1x1 degree, leaving a significant fraction of the variations unresolved. In the best case, unresolved variability is treated as “noise” which reduces the power of atmospheric concentration measurements to constrain surface-atmosphere exchange fluxes, but it can also lead to biased flux estimates. This session seeks to solicit presentations that describe observed or modeled spatial variability of greenhouse gases over the continents and high-resolution modeling efforts to bridge the gap between measurement scales and global models.
Conveners: Christoph Gerbig, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knoell-Str. 10 , Jena, 07745 DEU, email: cgerbig@bgc-jena.mpg.de, and Arlyn E. Andrews, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, 325 Broadway R/GMD 1, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, email: Arlyn.Andrews@noaa.gov, and Ravan Ahmadov, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knoell-Str. 10, Jena, 07745 DEU, email: rahmadov@bgc-jena.mpg.de

A20 Atmospheric Aerosols and Electron Microscopy
This session invites studies of the understanding of atmospheric aerosols through the use of electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis. Studies include but are not limited to microscopic determinations of particle size, morphology, and chemical composition to reveal sources of anthropogenic aerosols vs. natural aerosols and to reveal links between climatic effects of aerosols and the physical and chemical properties of individual particles.
Conveners: Joseph Michael Conny, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive Stop 8372, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 USA, Tel: 301-975-3932, email: joseph.conny@nist.gov, and Robert Willis, US Environmental Protection Agency, MD E205-03 Research Triangle Park, Research Triangle Pa, NC 27711 USA, Tel: 919-541-0960, email: willis.robert@epa.gov

A21 Vertical Exchange and Chemical Processing in the Tropical Marine Atmosphere
The tropical maritime atmosphere is a complex photochemical and thermodynamic environment. Biogenic emissions, particularly over nutrient-rich upwelling regions, not only greatly enrich the chemical environment of the local marine boundary layer but have important implications for the global atmosphere. Near the ocean surface, abundant sea salt aerosols provide fertile ground for heterogeneous chemical processing of sulfur and halogen compounds. The buffer layer, a region controlled by weakly stratified intermittent turbulence, lies above the well-mixed boundary layer and below the trade wind inversion. This transition layer is regulated by intricate interactions between boundary layer sources, sporadic turbulent mixing, and cloud processing, which results in chemical characteristic distinct from both the marine boundary layer and the free troposphere. The vertical exchange and cloud scavenging in the tropical troposphere can be quite efficient due to convective processes near the intertropical convergence zone. However, marine airmasses of considerable photochemical age can develop around the inflow regions. Lastly, pollution episodes driven by transport from distant biomass burning regions can strongly alter photochemistry in these environments. This session will focus on measurements and modeling studies that elucidate the complex relationships of marine sources, trace gases, aerosols, clouds, and pollution transport in the context of fundamental chemical, physical, and dynamical processes over the maritime tropics. Recent field experiments, long-term measurements, laboratory studies, and modeling analyses are of particular interest in this session.
Conveners: Yuhang Wang, Georgia Institute of Technology, , , USA, email: ywang@eas.gatech.edu, and Lee Mauldin, NCAR, , , USA, email: mauldin@ucar.edu, and Ian Faloona, University of California, Davis, , , USA, email: icfaloona@ucdavis.edu

A22 Underwater Acoustic Sensing of Tropical Cyclones
Advances in technology for the design and deployment of hydrophones, coupled with the finding that acoustic noise in certain frequency intervals is strongly affected by surface winds, offer the intriguing possibility that tropical cyclone intensity and, perhaps, other characteristics might be routinely estimated from suitably deployed hydrophones. Currently, in-situ measurement of tropical cyclones is done routinely only over the North Atlantic, and only then for events that pose a threat to the United States. Elsewhere, tropical cyclone characteristics are routinely estimated using almost exclusively using satellite-based measurements, and intensity estimates based on these still have large margins of error. For developing nations, such as Myanmar and Bangladesh, that suffer devastating tropical cyclones but cannot afford to conduct airborne reconnaissance, hydrophone arrays may provide a cost effective means of estimating storm intensity to aid in warning and evacuation decisions. This session will review recent advances in acoustic detection of storms at sea and explore ways that this technique could be improved and expanded so as to provide useful information about tropical cyclones on a routine basis.
Conveners: Kerry Emanuel, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rm 54-1620 MIT 77 Mass Ave , Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-253-2462, email: emanuel@texmex.mit.edu, and Nicholas Makris, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rm 5-212 MIT 77 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-258-6104, email: makris@mit.edu, and Peter Niiler, The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The Scripps Institution of Oceanography A-0213 , La Jolla, CA 92093-0213 USA, Tel: 858-534-4100, email: pniiler@ucsd.edu

A23 Multi-Platform and Multi-Sensor Satellite Observations of Cloud-Precipitation Structures and Microphysics: New Discoveries and Applications to Model Developments
A combination of multi-platform and multi- frequency satellite observations can provide a more complete view of cloud-precipitation processes, ranging from cloud formulations, to coalescence processes, to the onset of precipitation and on the aerosol and thermodynamic effects of these processes. This session aims to create a forum that discusses new discoveries and model developments of cloud-precipitation structures and microphysics using A-train constellation satellites (e.g., Aqua, Aura, Terra, CloudSAT, CALIPSO, and PARASOL) as well as other existing satellites (e.g., TRMM, POES, and GOES). The session particularly welcomes researchers who provide innovative idea that combines multi-platform and multi-sensor satellite observations in order to improve understanding of following topics, i) cloud-to-precipitation microphysics and processes (coalescence, the onset of precipitation, precipitation efficiency), ii) cloud-precipitation structures associated with energy and water budget, and iii) i) and ii) processes linking to atmospheric aerosols, thermodynamics, and diurnal cycles. Multi-platform and multi-sensor satellite observations can be also applied to development of cloud-precipitation processes in global, regional and process-scale atmospheric models. This session also encourages studies that utilize new multi-platform and multi-frequency satellite observations to i) improve cloud parameterizations in global- and regional-scale models, ii) improve cloud microphysics in cloud-resolving models, and iii) develop data assimilation techniques in mesoscale and cloud-resolving models. Studies that use direct satellite observations via satellite simulators are particularly welcomed.
Conveners: Toshihisa Matsui, GEST UMBC & NASA GSFC, , , USA, email: Toshihisa.Matsui-1@nasa.gov, and Wei-Kuo Tao, NASA GSFC, , , USA, email: Wei-Kuo.Tao-1@nasa.gov, and Graeme Stephens, Colorado State University, , , USA, email: stephens@atmos.colostate.edu

A24 High Resolution Active Optical Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Processes
This session focuses on new observations of atmospheric phenomena at fine spatial and temporal scales enabled by active optical remote sensing (lidar) methodologies. The value of these techniques for the elucidation of dynamic atmospheric processes occurring on sub-km, sub-diurnal scales is being demonstrated by a steadily increasing number of fielded systems on the ground, in the air, and in space. This session solicits contributions that describe original research results from each of these observational regimes. Topics will include: process studies related to atmospheric composition, pollution, transport, and dynamics; convection and storm development; climate, aerosols and clouds.
Conveners: David M. Tratt, The Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 92957, M2-747, Los Angeles, CA 90009-2957 USA, Tel: 310 336 2876, Fax: 310 563 5617, email: David.M.Tratt@aero.org, and Grace S. Peng, The Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 92957, M1-102, Los Angeles, CA 90009-2957 USA, Tel: 310-336-5699, Fax: 310-563-8240, email: Grace.S.Peng@aero.org, and Yongxiang Hu, NASA Langley Research Center, MS 475, Hampton, VA 23681 USA, Tel: 757-864-9824, Fax: 757-864-2671, email: Yongxiang.Hu-1@nasa.gov, and Alan Brewer, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303-497-7859, Fax: 303-497-5318, email: Alan.Brewer@noaa.gov

A25 Space Observations of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide: Retrieval, Validation, Modeling, and Assimilation
Carbon cycle science stands on the verge of a new era in research that will be enabled by satellite remote sensing of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). New retrieval approaches are being applied to existing sensors (AIRS, SCIAMACHY, IASI), and the first instruments designed specifically to measure global CO2 at high precision (OCO, GOSAT) are scheduled for launch in 2008. Validation data at several sites (TCCON) are providing accurate measurements to compare with space observations. These new capabilities promise to revolutionize our scientific understanding of the behavior of the global carbon cycle. The improved ability to resolve regional sources and sinks of atmospheric CO2 will allow new insight into the underlying biological, physical, and socioeconomic mechanisms regulating atmospheric CO2 levels and how surface fluxes are evolving in time. This knowledge will lay the foundation for more reliable forecasts of future changes of CO2 in the atmosphere and the effect that these changes may have on Earth's climate. Realization of this promise will require careful attention to measurement quality, validation (including FTIR, aircraft, and other surface-based systems), innovative analysis, and veritable modeling. Much of this work is already in progress. In this session, we solicit papers focused on remote sensing measurements of CO2, both ongoing and future missions; validation measurements; analysis procedures to optimize and maximize the information content of these measurements with application to carbon cycle science; and modeling activities using CO2 remote sensing and other carbon-related measurements to infer higher level properties such as the distribution of surface sources and sinks and the transport of atmospheric CO2.
Conveners: Moustafa T. Chahine, JPL/CALTECH, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818-354-6057, Fax: 818-393-1554, email: Chahine@jpl.nasa.gov, and Anna M. Michalak, University of Michigan, 183 EWRE Bldg., 1351 Beal Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125 USA, Tel: 734-763-9664, Fax: 734-763-2275, email: amichala@umich.edu, and Charles E. Miller, JPL/CALTECH, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818-393-6294, Fax: 818-354-0966, email: charles.e.miller@jpl.nasa.gov

A26 Physics and Chemistry of the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS)
Rapid progress is occurring in characterizing behavior of the UTLS using observations and models. This session will focus on a wide range of topics related to the UTLS, focused on improved understanding of processes on regional and global scales. Topics include dynamics and chemistry of the tropopause region (in both the tropics and extratropics), strat-trop exchange, improved understanding of water, ice and clouds, aspects of climate change relevant to the UTLS, and the dynamics of large- and small-scale waves and coupling with processes such as deep convection. We especially encourage presentation of new observational results, based on aircraft and satellite data, plus modeling and diagnostic studies.
Conveners: Paul A. Newman, NASA, Code 613.3 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md 20771 USA, Tel: 301 614 5985, Fax: 301 614 5903, email: Paul.A.Newman@nasa.gov, and William J. Randel, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Center for Atmospheric Research PO Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 USA, Tel: 303-497-1439, email: randel@ucar.edu

A27 Air Quality and Photochemical Processes in Polluted Regions Impacted by Complex Meteorology: Land/Sea Influences
Poor air quality related to high levels of fine particulates, ozone and other photochemical oxidants continues to be of concern to governments, health agencies and the general population at large. Many urban areas are adjacent to oceans or inland seas (ie- Great Lakes), where the air quality is not only impacted by emission, transformation and transport of pollutants into and out of a domain, but also by the effects of the complex boundary layer meteorology at the land/sea interface, including sea breeze induced convection and sea breeze circulations. An example of such an area is the Detroit/Windsor cosmopolitan area and surrounding regions. This region is impacted by local and long range transport of anthropogenic, biogenic and agricultural sources of pollutants, heat island effects, lake breeze circulations associated with three inland seas (lakes). This region was the location of a major field study in 2007; the Border Air Quality and Meteorological Study (BAQS-Met 2007). Many other large field studies have also taken place in recent years in coastal polluted regions. In this session we invite contributions that address photochemical processes of oxidant and aerosol formation, spatial and temporal heterogeneity of particles and gases, transport of pollutants, complex boundary layer meteorology and air quality modeling in polluted regions where the meteorology and air quality is perturbed by large bodies of water.
Conveners: Robert McLaren, York University, Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry 4700 Keele St., North York, ON M3J 1P3 CAN, Tel: 416-736-2100 x30675, Fax: 416-736-5411, email: rmclaren@yorku.ca, and Katherine L. Hayden, Environment Canada, Science and Technology Branch Air Quality Research Division 4905 Dufferin Street, Downsview, ON M3H 5T4 CAN, Tel: 416-739-5733, Fax: 416-739-4281, email: katherine.hayden@ec.gc.ca, and Jennifer Murphy, University of Toronto, Department of Chemistry 80 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3H6 CAN, Tel: 416-946-0260, email: jmurphy@chem.utoronto.ca

A28 Biogenic and Anthropogenic Influences on Particle Nucleation and Growth
This session focuses on recent field study results studying the frequency and nature of nucleation events in rural areas impacted by anthropogenic emissions. Measurements from two campaigns serve as the core of this session and investigators examining other similar study areas are encouraged to participate. BAQS-Met 2007 was over SW Ontario at four rural sites impacted by local agriculture and signifcant urban and industrial emissions. NIFTy 2008 was conducted over an expansive deciduous forest in S Indiana.
Conveners: Greg Evans, University of Toronto, , Toronto, ON CAN, email: greg.evans@utoronto.ca, and Sara Pryor, Indiana University, , Bloomington, IN USA, email: spryor@indiana.edu, and Jeff Brook, Environment Canada, , , CAN, email: jeff.brook@ec.gc.ca

A29 Linking Past and Present Hydrological Cycles to Climate with Water Vapor and Precipitation Isotopes
The isotopic composition of water reflects the history of exchange processes and can be used to determine pathways of water in the atmosphere and capture the linkage between large-scale atmospheric circulation and the hydrological exchange. In the modern setting isotopes of precipitation and water vapor have been used to understand cloud processes, the balance between multiple contributing water fluxes and changes in the source of water at some location. Many proxy records of climate rely on known or assumed linkages between the isotopic composition of precipitation and other climate parameters (such as temperature or precipitation). The origin of the isotopic signal in precipitation is tied to the isotopic composition of atmospheric water vapor, but until now very few measurements of the isotopic composition of atmospheric water have been available to constrain understanding of the controls on the final proxy record. Simple and comprehensive models have been used to test the relationships between climate and isotopes on many time scales, but there remains great potential for understanding the linkages between the water cycle and climate on long and short time scales by making use of new isotopic observations and interpretations guided by improved knowledge of the underlying physical and dynamical drivers. While in the past only a small number of water vapor isotope measurements have been available using cryogenic or chemical trapping methods, new measurement technologies now allow estimates of atmospheric water vapor isotopes to be obtained more directly. These compliment more traditional precipitation measurements, and open new research avenues. Laser absorption instruments have been used on aircraft with great success, and now commercial instruments are poised to revolutionize the field by enabling larger volumes of water vapor isotope measurements to be made by more research groups. Similarly, satellite observations of water isotopes have begun to emerge as a new source of information on isotopes at global scales. This session aims to bring together researchers using observations and models of water vapor and precipitation isotopes to understand the linkages between the large- and regional-scale atmospheric processes and hydrologic cycles, and how these linkages change with climate. Special attention is given to making use of newly available observational constraints and the need for such observations in science applications. As such, the session will provide a forum to leverage contemporary isotopic information to inform interpretation of proxy records and understand processes controlling modern climate.
Conveners: David Noone, University of Colorado, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and CIRES Campus Box 216, Boulder, CO 80309-0216 USA, Tel: 303-735-6073, email: dcn@colorado.edu, and Joe Galewsky, University of New Mexico, Earth and Planetary Sciences MSC 03 204 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 USA, Tel: 505-277-2361, email: galewsky@unm.edu, and Worden John, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Earth and Space Sciences Division MS 183-617 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CO 91109 USA, Tel: 818 393 7122, email: john.worden@jpl.nasa.gov

A30 The Role of Atmospheric Wind Measurements in Weather and Climate Forecasting
Accurate knowledge of 3D tropospheric wind profiles are critical to improved weather and climate forecasting as well as accurate hurricane tracking. To date, this lack of direct observations of winds has been the greatest unmet challenge in the US satellite global observing system. “Wind profiles at all levels” is listed as the number one priority in the strategic plan for the United States Integrated Earth Observing System (USIEOS) where “wind speed and direction” is stated as having a “high level of importance” in five of nine societal benefit areas in the USIEOS. Recently, the NRC Earth science decadal survey identified a space-based lidar wind mission as one of top 15 priorities. Notably the NRC Weather panel named the wind mission as its top priority calling 3D winds a “transformational” measurement for the weather community. The European Space Agency is currently developing a wind lidar mission called the Atmospheric Dynamics Mission (ADM) that is slated to launch in 2009. Additionally, in summer of 2009, the THORPEX Pacific-Asian Regional Campaign (T-PARC) will be underway in which two wind lidar instruments will be deployed on aircraft to assess impact of the observations on forecasting skill. Preparing for these missions has stimulated significant new activities in technology development, observing system simulation, and application of existing instruments to assess the impact of atmospheric parameters on measurement precision. This session will focus on new developments and results associated with remote sensing of winds. Technology advances, assessment of the impact of wind measurements on numerical forecasts, results from field experiments, and synergism obtained through measurements of winds in combination with other meteorological observations will be included. The session solicits original contributions describing wind observations from surface instruments or networks, aircraft-based systems, and space-based techniques such as atmospheric motion vectors from feature-tracking, as well as results showing how these observations are applied to weather and climate problems on all scales
Conveners: Robert Michael Hardesty, NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303-497-6568, Fax: 303-497-5318, email: mike.hardesty@noaa.gov, and George David Emmitt, Simpson Weather Associates, 809 East Jefferson St, Charlottesville, VA 22902 USA, Tel: 434-979-3571, Fax: 434-979-5599, email: gde@swa.com, and Azita Valinia, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-5039, Fax: 301-286-1772, email: azita.valinia@nasa.gov

A31 Results from the Cumulus Humilis Aerosol Processing Study (CHAPS) and the Cloud and Land Surface Interaction Campaign (CLASIC)
While fair-weather clouds (FWC) are small in size, they are ubiquitous, occurring over large areas of continents, such as the Southern Great Plains, and in the trade wind regions over the oceans. These clouds play an important role in the earth’s climate by reflecting the sun’s energy away from the planet. These clouds are tightly coupled to the planetary boundary layer, and form a conduit for the transport of aerosols moisture from the boundary layer to the free troposphere. This session will consist of the presentation of results from two concurrent field campaigns that were focused on cumulus processes over the central United States: the Cumulus Humilis Aerosol Processing Study (CHAPS; asp.labworks.org), and the Cloud and Land Surface Interaction Campaign (CLASIC; acrf-campaign.arm.gov/clasic). These studies, conducted during June 2007, employed 11 aircraft and involved scientists from the US Department of Energy, NASA, NOAA, the US Department of Agriculture, Rutgers University, the University of Oklahoma, and Duke University. CHAPS was focused on changes to the properties of aerosols as they pass through shallow cumuli, and included in situ measurements of cloud and aerosol properties as well as ground-based and airborne lidars. CLASIC was focused on linking cloud properties to the surface characteristics and aerosols, and included enhanced surface sites for measuring the fluxes of heat, moisture, momentum, and carbon dioxide, in situ measurements of turbulence and cloud properties in and above the boundary layer, and ground based and airborne radars and lidars, including the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Airborne Simulator.
Conveners: Larry K. Berg, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard P.O. Box 999, MSIN K9-30, Richland, WA 99352 USA, Tel: 509-375-3916, email: larry.berg@pnl.gov, and Peter J. Lamb, The University of Oklahoma, The National Weather Center 120 David L. Boren Boulevard, Suite 2100, Norman, OK 73072 USA, Tel: 405-325-3041, Fax: 405-325-7614, email: plamb@ou.edu

A32 The Next Generation of Operational Earth Observations from the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS)
The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) will be the primary source of U.S. operational, space-based measurements of the atmosphere, ocean, land, and near-Earth space environment in about five years. NPOESS platforms and instruments will combine the two polar-orbiting satellite systems operated separately by NOAA and DoD into a single national system while transitioning technological advances from NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites into an integrated, broad interdisciplinary mission serving the nation’s civilian and military needs for space-based, remotely-sensed environmental data. NPOESS will be a primary source of operational and research data used by the worldwide scientific community comprising AGU’s membership. The first flight of several new instruments will occur in 2010 with the launch of the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP). The first operational NPOESS spacecraft is planned for launch in 2013. NPOESS will provide faster delivery of high quality real-time data for numerical weather prediction and improved weather and environmental forecasts and warnings, a critical mission for this new system. As a result of recent programmatic decisions, several instruments have been remanifested on NPOESS to improve capabilities for climate monitoring. NPOESS will provide measurements of more than half of 26 essential climate variables with its VIIRS, CrIS, ATMS, OMPS, CERES, and TSIS instruments. In this session we solicit abstracts covering a range of topics on NPOESS including capabilities of NPOESS instruments for atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial, and space environment measurements; calibration and validation plans; plans for processing, distribution, and availability of data; applications of NPOESS data in weather forecasting, natural hazards detection and monitoring, and climate monitoring; and continuity of measurements with the current NOAA operational and NASA research satellites. This session will be of interest to not only the Earth science remote sensing community but also to scientists interested in interdisciplinary applications in biogeoscience, global change, and Earth and space science informatics. Contributions are invited in all these AGU interest areas.
Conveners: John Bates, National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 USA, Tel: 828-271-4378, Fax: 828-271-4328, email: john.j.bates@noaa.gov, and Ron Birk, Northrop Grumman Space Technology, 1000 Wilson Blvd, Suite 2300, Arlington, VA 22209 USA, Tel: 703-741-7788, email: Ron.Birk@ngc.com, and Gary McWilliams, Integrated Project Office, NOAA NESDIS, 8455 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA, Tel: 301-713-4808, Fax: 301-427-2164, email: Gary.Mcwilliams@noaa.gov

A33 Anthropogenic Influences on Aerosols and Clouds
Evidence is emerging from long-term aerosol loading trends, rainfall pattern changes, and weekly cycles of climate variables, that anthropogenic influences on atmospheric aerosols and clouds have reached detectable levels, and may be environmentally significant relative to natural variability. Likely causes range from fossil fuel consumption rates to possible indirect human impacts on wildfire occurrence and regional weather patterns. However, much remains unclear about the mechanisms involved, the magnitudes of the effects, and the degree to which nature can absorb these influences. This session aims to survey recent observational and modeling studies focused on anthropogenic contributions to aerosol and cloud property changes.
Conveners: Dong L. Wu, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Caltech, M/S 183-701, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818-393-1954, email: Dong.L.Wu@jpl.nasa.gov, and Ralph Kahn, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 613.2, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, email: Ralph Kahn

A34 Advances in Cloud System Resolving Models
A cloud system resolving models (CSRM) are two- or three-dimensional non-hydrostatic numerical models that resolve deep convective and mesoscale cloud system structures using horizontal grid sizes between 1 and 10 km. Such models are increasingly being used as regional numerical weather prediction models, as tropical cyclone models, embedded in global climate models using the multiscale modeling framework, and even as global cloud system resolving models. Boundary-layer clouds, turbulence, and microphysical processes are subgrid-scale (SGS) in CSRMs and must be parameterized. Existing parameterizations are not general enough for current and future applications. What is the optimal strategy for improving the parameterization of SGS processes in CSRMs? Improve them at the cost of increased complexity? Decrease the horizontal grid size? Or some combination of the two? We encourage contributions that describe recent advances in parameterizing SGS processes in CSRMs, especially systematic tests that compare various approaches using observations or benchmark high-resolution (large-eddy) simulations. We also solicit contributions that describe advances in the modeling frameworks for CSRMs, including the governing equations and the numerical methods.
Conveners: Steve Krueger, University of Utah, 135 South 1460 East, Room 819, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA, Tel: 801 581-6136, Fax: 801 585-3681, email: steve.krueger@utah.edu, and Marat Khairoutdinov, Stony Brook University, , Stony Brook, NY 11794 USA, Tel: 631-632-6339, email: mkhairoutdin@ms.cc.sunysb.edu

A35 Cooperative Studies Incorporating Measurements from Land-Based Atmospheric Arctic Observatories
The main mission of the International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA) is coordination of atmospheric data collection and research at existing and newly established intensive Arctic atmospheric observatories. This effort supports the International Polar Year (www.ipy.org) but is intended to establish a continuing network consortium into the foreseeable future. Data of interest to the IASOA consortium include measurements of standard meteorology, greenhouse gases, atmospheric radiation, clouds, pollutants, chemistry, aerosols, and surface energy balances. IASOA is responsive to growing evidence that the earth system may be approaching environmentally critical thresholds within decadal time scales. The information from IASOA will not only enhance scientific understanding but will also support decisions by the global community regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA) International Polar Year (IPY) project invites papers on Arctic atmospheric research. We are particularly interested in receiving papers comparing measurements from two or more of the IASOA observatories: Abisko (Sweden), Alert/Eureka (Canada), Barrow (USA), Cherskii or Tiksi (Russia), Ny-Ålesund (Norway), Pallas/Sodankylä (Finland), and/or Summit (Greenland). Papers addressing Arctic climate change attribution (why things are changing), rather than trends (how things are changing), are particularly desirable. Results from recent IPY Arctic experiments, analyses of long-term measurements, as well as satellite or model assessments using measurements from IASOA stations are encouraged.
Conveners: Lisa Darby, Earth Systems Research Laboratory, R/PSD3 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303 497 5219, Fax: 303 497 6181, email: Lisa.Darby@noaa.gov, and Taneil Uttal, Earth Systems Research Laboratory/NOAA, R/PSD3 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303 497 6409, Fax: 303 497 6181, email: Taneil.Uttal@noaa.gov, and John Burkhart, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, P.O. Box 100 , Kjeller, N-2027 NOR, Tel: +47 96 82 5011, email: jfb@nilu.no

A36 Improving Hurricane Prediction through Advanced Data Assimilation, Modeling and Observations
One of the major deficiencies in current regional and global hurricane prediction models is initialization of hurricane structure, which is critical to forecasting hurricane intensity change. The lack of conventional observations over the open ocean requires new approach to the problem. Systematic studies of assessing utility of satellite and airborne observations can be done using Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs). Data assimilations using simple schemes, such as 3DVar, may not be able to represent the influence of a single observation on the analysis of the presence of a hurricane vortex. The Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) and 4DVar, in contrast, use information about the existing cyclone and the flow around it to enhance the information provided by the nearby and embedded observations. The successful implementation of fully coupled air-sea models will require the development of new data assimilation methods using both atmospheric and oceanic data sets. Recent advances in technology in observations from field programs such as the ONR supported Coupled Boundary Layer Air-Sea Transfer (CBLAST) and the NSF supported Hurricane Rainband and Intensity Change Experiment (RAINEX), the NASA, NOAA and NSF supported CAMEX, Tropical Cloud System Processes (TCSP), Sahara Air Layer (SAL), and NASA African Monsoon Multi-scale Analysis (NAMMA) and are all providing important new insights into storm dynamic, its interaction with environmental changes and changes in the upper layers of the ocean. These insights are helping to drive a strategy for the next generation hurricane prediction models from regional to global scales. Furthermore, the data from these field programs provided a unique opportunity to develop and test new data assimilation techniques for high-resolution models. The goal of this session is to develop new strategies for improving data assimilation, high-resolution modeling, and observations for hurricane prediction and to discuss the issues concerning the representation of dynamic and thermodynamic processes and data assimilation technique in hurricane prediction models. It will bring together those knowledgeable in the areas of data assimilation, hurricane dynamics and modeling, observations, and forecasting.
Conveners: Shuyi S. Chen, RSMAS/University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 USA, email: schen@rsmas.miami.edu, and Robert Atlas, NOAA/AOML, 4300 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 USA, email: robert.atlas@noaa.gov

A37 A Micro-scale, GIS-Based Modeling Emission Inventory System in Support of Micro-scale Chemical Transport Modeling
As the city is urbanized, population density and the volume of traffics get larger. Also, more commercial and residential high-rise buildings have been constructed due to the improvement of technology and higher cost of land areas. The regional-to-local atmospheric transport models usually parameterize the influence of those high-rise structures, such as roughness length. The effect of the structures in 3-dimensional air flow estimation should be very important for the micro-scale urban air pollution modeling and analysis. In addition, because of confined atmospheric dispersion, air pollution in urban area can be easily affected by detailed emission sources which are located within the area. The conventional modeling emissions inventory, however, could not support the detail-micro scale modeling. Therefore, developments of methodologies, which can estimate micro-scale modeling emissions inventory from each sources types, are important for successful atmospheric transport modeling. So, we established a 3D building GIS database and developed a micro-scale emission inventory in support of micro-scale atmospheric modeling in Seoul. Methodology of establishing 3D building GIS and developing micro-scale modeling emission inventory system and initial results will be presented.
Conveners: Rina Ryoo, Konkuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: joinrina814@naver.com, and Jung-Hun Woo, Konkuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: woojh21@gmail.com, and Rok-Jin Park, Seoul National University, , Seoul, KOR, email: rjpark@snu.ac.kr, and Jae-Jin Kim, Pukyung National University, , Busan, KOR, email: jjkim@pknu.ac.kr, and Young Sunwoo, Konkuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: ysunwoo@konkuk.ac.kr

A38 Combined Analysis of Carbon Dioxide Emissions Information and Airborne Measurements in Support of NASA ARCTAS and TC4 Field Campaigns
Please note that this session has been withdrawn from the Fall Meeting program. Please use the Session Search Tool to find an alternate session in which to submit an abstract. This can be found at: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm08/?content=search
Conveners: AGU AGU, AGU, , , UGA, email: fm-help@agu.org

A39 Diagnosing Climate Feedbacks and Climate Sensitivity
The uncertainty in the equilibrium and transient climate sensitivity, and in the magnitude of individual feedback factors has scarcely decreased over the last 10 years. A number of approaches have been taken to narrow this uncertainty, diagnosing climate sensitivity or climate feedbacks either from data alone, or from a combination of data and model output. It has become clear that the ranking of climate sensitivity across a range of climate models depends strongly on the definition (whether transient or equilibrium) of sensitivity employed. Work on climate feedbacks has expanded from analysis of purely atmospheric effects to work on biological and ecological feedbacks involving the carbon cycle response to climate change. In this session we solicit original contributions to the work of narrowing the range of climate sensitivity and climate feedback, and contributions that seek to better define the problem for particular purposes.
Conveners: Daniel B. Kirk-Davidoff, University of Maryland, College Park, 3423 Computer and Space Sciences, College Park, MD 20742 USA, Tel: 301-405-5386, email: dankd@atmos.umd.edu, and Chris Forest, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave Rm E40 - 427 , Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-253-6958, email: ceforest@MIT.EDU

A40 Sources, Evolution and Sinks of Organics in the Troposphere
The troposphere contains a very large number of organic compounds in both the particle and gas phases, spanning a wide range of lifetimes, volatilities, and sources. These species have a major influence on both climate and air quality: the atmospheric oxidation of gas-phase organics forms ozone and other secondary pollutants, condensed phase organic compounds make up a substantial fraction of fine particulate matter, and organics may play a role in global biogeochemical cycles. In addition, specific organic compounds can be of interest due to their potential toxicities or use as emission source markers. Despite the importance of organics in the chemistry of the atmosphere, their chemical composition and atmospheric transformation remain highly uncertain. In particular, overall budgets are generally poorly constrained, as are the processes governing concentrations of oxygenated and low-volatility organics. Obtaining an improved understanding of the role of organic compounds in the troposphere requires contributions from field measurements, laboratory studies, and modeling. Development and deployment of new analytical techniques allows for the identification and quantification of tropospheric organics; laboratory measurements help constrain their properties and changes upon atmospheric oxidation; and modeling studies can integrate this information to examine regional to global budgets and implications for air quality and climate. Satellite or remote observations could provide important insights on large-scale distributions and evolution of organics, though few compounds are currently detected and considerable challenges remain. This session focuses on work aimed at understanding the nature, transformations and fate of non-methane organics in the atmosphere, from the perspective of field measurements, laboratory studies, and atmospheric modeling. Specific topics of interest include 1) anthropogenic vs. natural sources of organic compounds, 2) the formation and chemical transformation of organic particulate matter, and 3) depositional and reactive sinks of atmospheric organics. Contributions which consider novel approaches to measuring/modeling individual or total organics in the atmosphere are particularly encouraged.
Conveners: Colette L. Heald, Colorado State University, Department of Atmospheric Science 1371 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80524 USA, Tel: 970-491-8034, email: heald@atmos.colostate.edu, and Jesse H. Kroll, Aerodyne Research, , Billerica, MA 01821 USA, Tel: 978-663-9500, email: kroll@aerodyne.com, and Joost de Gouw, NOAA ESRL, , Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303-497-3878, email: Joost.deGouw@noaa.gov

A41 Inter-comparison Study of Global Emission Inventories in Support of Climate Change and Air Quality Interaction Modeling
Emission preparation is a critical stage in air quality and climate change modeling. In order to correctly understand the impact of global climate change on regional air quality, it is required to prepare the most up-to-date global emissions inventory. In our study, we extensively reviewed many existing global emission inventories, such as EDGAR, GEIA, and POET, so that we can understand the structures of inventories. The attribute the databases that were selected for the review are: pollutants list, emission sectors, spatial/temporal extents, spatial/temporal resolution, and chemical speciation information. The intercomparison analysis suggested that the best available emissions data and the points of improvements that are needed to conduct better modeling. On site, we will present the characteristics of reviewed global emission inventories then discuss the resulting emission inventories.
Conveners: BuJeon Jung, Konkuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: Bujeon.jung@gmail.com, and Jung-Hun Woo, Konkuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: woojh21@gmail.com, and Young Sunwoo, Konkuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: ysunwoo@konkuk.ac.kr, and Rok-Jin Park, Seoul National University, , Seoul, KOR, email: rjpark@snu.ac.kr, and Ki-Chul Choi, Konkuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: minic3000@gmail.com, and Young-Il Ma, Konkuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: bluesky0002@gmail.com, and Sang-Wook Yeh, KORDI, , Seoul, KOR, email: swyeh@kordi.re.kr, and Ul Kyu Im, Hanyang University, , Seoul, KOR, email: imeg@hanyang.ac.kr, and ByeongKwon Moon, Chonbuk University, , Seoul, KOR, email: moonbk@chonbuk.ac.kr, and DaeOk Yoon, Seoul Natioanl University, , Seoul, KOR, email: bujeon.jung@gmail.com, and ChangKeun Song, National Institute of Environmrntal Reaserch, , Seoul, KOR, email: cksong@me.go.kr, and JungSoo Kim, National Institute of Environmental Research, , Seoul, KOR, email: jsookim@me.go.kr

A42 Studies of Atmospheric Composition using Satellite Occultation Instruments: Past, Present and Future
The high vertical resolution of occultation measurements have provided and continue to provide valuable insights into atmospheric composition. From the extensive data sets provided by the SAGE, POAM, ILAS and HALOE instruments to new results from the current ACE and AIM missions and the SCIAMACHY and GOMOS instruments, there is a broad range of scientific studies being undertaken using solar and stellar occultation observations from space. This session welcomes presentations related to all aspects of remote sensing using the solar, stellar and lunar occultation techniques. In addition to studies of retrieval methods, validation, data analysis and scientific studies for past and present missions, contributions are encouraged for future and follow-on instruments employing this technique.
Conveners: Kaley Walker, Department of Physics, University of Toronto, 60 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1A7 CAN, Tel: +1 416 978 8218, Fax: +1 416 978 8905, email: kwalker@atmosp.physics.utoronto.ca, and Peter Bernath, Department of Chemistry, University of York, , Heslington, York, YO10 5DD GBR, Tel: +44-(0)-1904-434526, Fax: +44-(0)-1904-432516, email: pfb500@york.ac.uk

A43 Recent Advances in Atmospheric General Circulation Models: Towards Earth System Models
An improved representation of dynamical and physical processes in Atmospheric General Circulation Models (GCMs) is one of the key challenges for future climate model developments. They are a stepping stone towards future Earth System Models that will (1) allow seamless weather and climate predictions at all scales, (2) provide increased complexity such as the carbon cycle and chemistry modules with hundreds of tracers, (3) have unprecedented levels of scalability on peta-scale computing architectures and (4) incorporate modern numerical techniques and computational grids. The session invites papers that address recent advances in atmospheric modeling techniques. The goal of the session is to facilitate an open discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of current and future modeling approaches. Special emphasis will be placed on models that resolve large-scale down to meso-scale atmospheric phenomena. The areas of interests are: 1) Recent developments in hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic dynamical cores, physics parameterizations, advection algorithms and numerical methods 2) Multi-scale modeling approaches including variable mesh sizes, nested grids and regional climate models 3) Idealized model assessments including simplified General Circulation Models (GCMs) and idealized test cases for GCMs 4) Advances in whole atmosphere models with model tops above 80km, middle atmosphere dynamics 5) Model intercomparisons including sensitivity studies with respect to varying horizontal and vertical resolutions. Of particular interest are issues related to very high mesh resolutions in global atmospheric models. 6) Software engineering and data management aspects for Earth System Models
Conveners: Christiane Jablonowski, University of Michigan, 2455 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA, Tel: 734 763 6238, Fax: 734 936 0503, email: cjablono@umich.edu, and Peter H. Lauritzen, National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 3034971316, email: pel@ucar.edu

A44 Possible Links Among Vegetation, Aerosols and Climate
Natural fluxes of climate-relevant compounds can exceed those from human activities. Hence, climate change depends on both, direct anthropogenic impacts and on future changes of natural processes. Because of the complexity of the climate system, reliable predictions of future developments and consequent policy decisions remain difficult. An important uncertainty to be resolved is the interaction between the atmosphere and biosphere and the related feedbacks - and how they may change under predicted climate changes. A negative feedback between terrestrial eco-systems and the atmosphere was proposed by Kulmala, et al., ACP 2004. Increase in biogenic emissions coupled with increasing temperatures can lead to more and larger particles. An increase of particle number and size could lead to increasing cloud coverage and increasing cloud albedo possible counteracting temperature increase. The formed particles also scatter (and possibly absorb) solar radiation, which may also lead to decreased solar radiation flux to the Earth's surface. Understanding these feedbacks by laboratory, modeling and field data is the focus of this session.
Conveners: Yinon Rudich, Weizmann Institute, , , ISR, email: yinon.rudich@weizmann.ac.il, and Thomas Mentel, Research Center Juelich, , , DEU, email: t.mentel@fz-juelich.de

A45 Climate Services Structures in Support of Societal Response: Challenges and Opportunities
Clear, timely, and accurate climate data and information that frame the influence of climate variability and change are in strong demand by many sectors and user groups. Yet the practices and tools required to meet this demand are fragmented across many entities. This session will survey current and evolving organizational models of climate services developed to meet user needs in a systematic fashion. An important organizational model, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS; drought.gov), will be featured for its drought monitoring, prediction, and impacts assessment infrastructure. Presentations of additional organizational models that address the following attributes of climate services on a thematic and/or sectoral basis are encouraged: Brokerage of climate data and information that explicitly enable public and private sector applications, assessments, and both mitigation and adaptation responses; user-defined accessibility to climate and data information through web-based portals and databases; research-to-operations and research-to-applications constructs that translate climate information for specific user groups; and/or collaborative structures for synergies between environmental and socioeconomic data sources.
Conveners: Timothy Owen, NOAA/NESDIS/National Climatic Data Center, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 USA, Tel: 828-271-4358, Fax: 828-271-4246, email: Tim.Owen@noaa.gov, and Roger Pulwarty, NOAA/OAR/Climate Program Office, , , USA, email: Roger.Pulwarty@noaa.gov, and Richard Heim, NOAA/NESDIS/National Climatic Data Center, , , USA, email: Richard.Heim@noaa.gov

A46 Troposphere Gaseous Composition in the Regional and Global Prospective
The composition of the troposphere is an important environmental issue. Concentrations of many chemically and radiatively important gases are changing under the impact of anthropogenic and natural factors. Some changes are understood and well-described, while others are not. The focus of this session will be to further define and understand changes in tropospheric chemical constituents on regional and global scales as inferred from measurements and models. Relevant species include tropospheric ozone and its precursors, other reactive gases, free radicals, and greenhouse gases. Results from the global and zonal monitoring networks, regional sites and field campaigns representative of large regions are of interest, as are long-term in-situ and satellite measurements of troposheric composition. Papers that discuss processes controlling tropospheric variability with an emphasis on human and natural emissions are solicited. Submission of papers on results from global transport chemical models and source/sink attributions are also encouraged.
Conveners: Michiel G.M. Roemer, TNO, Postbus (PO Box) 80015, Utrecht, 3508 NLD, Tel: 08886 62071, email: michiel.roemer@tno.nl, and Oksana A. Tarasova, Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry, Joh.-Joachim-Becher-Weg 27, Mainz, 55128 DEU, Tel: +49(6131)305495, email: tarasova@mpch-mainz.mpg.de

A47 Wind Power Meteorology: The Decade Ahead
Wind energy promises to be an important component of a sustainable energy portfolio as governments seek to balance increasing demands for energy while striving to minimize impacts of global climate change. For example, wind projects accounted for about 30% of all new power-generating capacity added in the U.S. in 2007. Increasing wind energy production and efficiency will require improved scientific understanding and characterization of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) and its interactions with the underlying surface. With the participation of scientists and engineers from academia, research laboratories and the wind energy industry, this session will summarize the current status of wind power meteorology, highlight current research projects, and suggest future research directions to break new ground in wind power meteorology. Specific topics include, but are not limited to: wind resource assessments, short-term wind forecasting, atmospheric modeling for power grid integration efforts, physics of flow over complex terrain, physics of flow over canopies, offshore PBL modeling, remote sensing for resource assessment, turbulence-turbine interactions, turbine micrositing, turbine wake modeling, effects of wind farms on local microclimates, effects of climate change on wind energy production, and resource assessment for high-altitude wind energy generation.
Conveners: Sukanta Basu, Texas Tech University, , , USA, email: sukanta.basu@ttu.edu, and Julie K. Lundquist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, , , USA, email: jkl@llnl.gov, and Jim McCaa, 3Tier Group, , , USA, email: jmccaa@3tiergroup.com

A48 Infrared Hyperspectral Sounder Data and Climate Research
Long-term global and precise measurements of the spectrally resolved upwelling infrared radiances from Earth orbit have a unique role in the observation of climate and climate change: They give direct insight into the way the Earth Climate System responds to periodic and longterm changes in forcing with changes in surface and atmospheric temperatures and changes in large scale atmospheric circulation patterns. With the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) since 2002 and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) since 2007 we now have two extremely well calibrated infrared hyperspectral sounders in polar orbit, which sample the diurnal cycle at 1:30 PM, 9:30 PM, 1:30 AM and 9:30 AM local time. AIRS, to be continued with the CRosstrack Infrared Sounder (CRIS), and IASI form the start of a multi-decadal sequence of hyperspectral infrared sounders in support of climate research. Papers describing results with data from AIRS and IASI for the evaluation and refinement of climate models and climate related atmospheric processes are solicited
Conveners: Hartmut Aumann, California Institute of Technology/JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818 354 6865, email: hhaumann@jpl.nasa.gov, and Sergio DeSouza-Machado, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle JCET and Dept of Physics , Baltimore, MD 21250 USA, Tel: 410-455-1944, Fax: 410-455-1072, email: sergio@umbc.edu, and Yuk L. Yung, Caltech, 150-21 Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA, Tel: 626 395 6940, Fax: 626 585 1917, email: yly@gps.caltech.edu

A49 Extratropical and High-Latitude Storms: Synoptic-Scale Perspective and Linkage to Large-Scale Climate Variability, Change, and Impact
Storms bring extreme weathers to the extratropical and polar regions, and are directly responsible for the major high-wind events, big ocean waves and surges, coastal flooding and erosion, and rapid temperature changes. Shift of storm track and intensification of storm activity may also leave fingerprints on or contribute to large-scale climate variability and change through altered or strengthen synoptic-scale atmosphere-ice-ocean interactions associated with storms. This session will continue to provide a platform to present new progresses of the studies on the extratropical and high-latitude storm activity from synoptic-scale analysis to its upscale/integrative linkage to climate variability and change, as well as associated ecosystem- and societal impacts. Specifically, the following topics fit this session well: detection of interannual-to-decadal variability and long-term changes of storm activity in observations and in model simulations; projections of possible future conditions; exploration of underlying physical mechanisms, examination of anthropogenic forcing impacts on the storm activity; investigation of storm impacts on atmosphere-ice-ocean interactions and the associated role in climate variability and change; comparison of storm identification and tracking methodologies; and statistical analysis and model simulation of extreme weather associated with storm events. Studies of storm-induced severe weather systems, on storm dangers and damages, such as big ocean waves, storms surges and erosion as well as impacts of storm activity on coastlines, ecosystem and society in the extratopical and polar regions are also welcome.
Conveners: Xiangdong Zhang, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska, , , USA, email: xdz@iarc.uaf.edu, and Vladimir Alexeev, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska, , , USA, email: valexeev@iarc.uaf.edu, and John Walsh, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska, , , USA, email: jwalsh@iarc.uaf.edu, and Lennart Bengtsson, Environmental Systems Science Centre, University of Reading, , , GBR, email: lennart.bengtsson@zmaw.de, and Christoph Matulla, Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics, , , AUT, email: christoph.matulla@zamg.ac.at, and Hans von Storch, GKSS Research Center, , , DEU, email: hvonstorch@web.de

A50 Arctic Chemistry and Climate
The advent of the Third International Polar Year has brought renewed attention to the polar regions and has prompted numerous modeling and field studies. A particular concern has been the impact of long-range transported pollutants on Arctic atmospheric chemistry and climate. During the winter and spring pollutants from northern hemisphere mid-latitude industrial and urban sources are transported to the Arctic contributing to the build-up of Arctic Haze. In addition, biomass burning emissions are transported to the Arctic during the spring and summer as a result of boreal forest fires and agricultural burning. Industrial, urban, and shipping activities within the Arctic also provide a growing source of pollutants. Once in the Arctic atmosphere, these short-lived pollutants which include tropospheric aerosols, ozone and its precursors, and methane, impact the surface radiation budget and contribute to an accelerated warming of the Arctic relative to the global average. This session will focus on recent results from modeling studies, long term measurements, and intensive field campaigns that provide insight into sources of pollutants and naturally occurring gas and aerosol phase species in the Arctic (long range transport and local production), chemical processing of these gas and aerosol phase species in the Arctic atmosphere and along the transport pathway, and their impacts on the Arctic climate system.
Conveners: Trish Quinn, NOAA PMEL, , , USA, email: patricia.k.quinn@noaa.gov, and Tim Bates, NOAA PMEL, , , USA, email: tim.bates@noaa.gov, and John Burkhart, NILU, , , NOR, email: jfb@nilu.no, and Eric Williams, NOAA ESRL, , , USA, email: eric.j.williams@noaa.gov, and Jack Dibb, University of New Hampshire, , , USA, email: jack.dibb@unh.edu

A51 Science in Support of Climate Regulation – Quantifying and Managing Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Regional to National Scales
Regulating green house gas (GHG) emissions requires higher resolution information than has been generally obtained to assess aggregate national or global contributions to climate forcing. For example, regulating GHG emissions in California will require quantification of specific sources and sinks of all GHG gases (CO2, N2O, CH4, CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs) on a state-wide scale. Observationally-derived estimates may be possible on such scales through a combination of atmospheric measurement data and a range of analysis approaches including sophisticated atmospheric models. Such top-down estimates can in principle allow for validation of emission inventories and sink fluxes, documentation of emission increases or reductions, estimation of changes in emissions from non-regulated (or natural) processes, and support both direct control and market trading of emissions and sequestration capacity. This session will focus on recent air sampling and modeling approaches, and other research activities aimed at providing such finer scale emissions data from atmospheric observations. It is open as well to consideration of future needs and/or methods development for monitoring emissions of greenhouse gases in regulatory contexts.
Conveners: Richard VanCuren, California Air Resources Board, , , USA, email: rvancure@arb.ca.gov, and Marc Fischer, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, , , USA, email: MLFischer@lbl.gov, and Martin Vollmer, EMPA, , , CHE, email: martin.vollmer@empa.ch, and Stephen Montzka, NOAA/ERSL, , , USA, email: stephen.a.montzka@noaa.gov

A52 Bjerknes Lecture
The Atmospheric Sciences section invites a distinguished scientist each Fall Meeting to give a lecture in honor of Jacob Bjerknes. This year's Bjerknes Lecture will be given by James Hansen of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Recent past Bjerknes Lectures were given by Veerabhadran Ramanathan in 2006 and Susan Solomon in 2007. Please visit http://www.agu.org/sections/atmos/BjerknesLecture.htm for a list of all past lecturers and a link to a biography of Jacob Bjerknes.
Conveners: Alan Robock, Rutgers University, Department of Environmental Sciences, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA, Tel: 732-932-9800 x6222, email: robock@envsci.rutgers.edu, and Eric Jensen, Ames Research Center, , , USA, Tel: 303-492-3290, email: eric.j.jensen@nasa.gov

A53 The 2008 Eruptions of Okmok and Kasatochi Volcanoes, Alaska
During the summer of 2008 two large explosive volcanic eruptions occurred in the Aleutian Volcanic Arc at Okmok Caldera and Kasatochi Volcano. On July 12, 2008 Okmok Caldera in the central Aleutian Arc erupted with notably short seismic precursors. Continuing eruptive activity has been characterized by protracted periods of explosive activity accompanied by volcanic tremor and large ground deformation. On August 7, 2008 Kasatochi Volcano began eruption following a strong sequence of earthquake activity and volcanic tremor. These eruptions were highly explosive producing ash plumes that reached altitudes of 10 to 20 km. Volcanic clouds of ash, gas, and aerosols from these eruptions were transported across the Northern Hemisphere and caused disruptions to airline traffic over North America. These are the first two eruptions in the Aleutian arc that have produced such widely distributed atmospheric plumes since 1992, and were tracked by a variety of satellite sensors. Contributions covering all aspects of these two large explosive eruptions are welcome including satellite remote sensing; ground based monitoring, petrologic studies, as well as the geologic context, hazards and impacts.
Conveners: David Schneider, U.S. Geological Survey, 4210 University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508 USA, email: djschneider@usgs.gov, and Simon Carn, Michigan Technological University, , Houghton, MI 49931 USA, email: scarn@umbc.edu, and Jessica Faust-Larsen, Geophysical Institute, Univeristy of Alaska, , Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, email: faust@gi.alaska.edu, and John Power, U.S. Geological Survey, 4210 University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508 USA, email: jpower@usgs.gov

Atmospheric Sciences also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
GC05 Climate Change Impacts: Estimating Probabilities and Risks
GC02 Land-Atmosphere-Cryosphere Interactions in Northern Eurasia
OS09 Air-Sea Gas Exchange
C09 Large Scale Cryosphere – Climate Connectivity
B09 Reducing Uncertainties in Quantifying Emissions From Biomass Burning
OS13 Anisotropic Mesoscale Structure of Basin-Wide Ocean Circulation
B14 Effects of Air Pollutants on Ecosystems
H39 Soil Moisture and Freeze/Thaw Science, Algorithms and Applications for the SMAP Mission
GC10 Air-Sea interactions and Their Impacts on Climate Changes
IN10 Data Fusion: Issues, Barriers and Approaches
GC13 Regional-Scale Forcing of Climate
IN12 Strategies for Improved Marine and Synergistic Data Access and Interoperability
B24 Data Assimilation in Biogeochemical Models
P08 Evolution of Planetary Atmospheres
IN05 Frontiers in Advanced Information Systems and Earth Observation Technology
OS24 Climatic Variability in the Marine Freshwater Cycle
ED11 Climate Literacy and Communication Strategies
B29 Linking Land Use and Land Management to Models of the Earth System
G11 GNSS/GPS Observation Systems and Their Utility in Climate and Meteorological Applications
H16 Evaporation and Water Transport Dynamics in the ABL
C21 Snow/Ice Chemistry: Impacts on Atmospheric and Hydrologic Systems
H49 Large-Scale Hydrologic-Atmospheric-Remote Sensing Field Experiments: Past, Present and Future
OS26 Coupled Land-Ocean Biogeochemical Cycling in the Gulf of Mexico
GC23 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Needs in California: New Science – Growing Challenges
B36 The Role of Climate, Carbon and Limiting Nutrient Cycles and Human Activities in Terrestrial Ecosystems
B37 Isotope Tracers of Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions: Advances in Measurements, Theory and Analysis
G13 Ever Faster: Low-Latency Data Collection and Applications Across the Earth Sciences
PP21 Interhemispheric Teleconnections and Quaternary Marine and Continental Climate Records
B27 Integrated Studies of Regional Carbon Exchange
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
ED18 IYA Dark Skies Awareness Programs, Citizen Science and You
PP03 Loess 2.0 – Renaissance in the Study of the Terrestrial Dust Record
V02 Innovations in Isotope Mass Spectrometry and Isotope Metrology in Geochemistry
AE05 Thunderstorm Electrical Effects in the Upper Atmosphere
PP16 High to Ultra-High Resolution Sedimentary Records of Climate
PP19 Paleoproxy-Model Comparison of ENSO-NAO-AAO Dynamics and Forcing Over the Last 2000 Years
PP20 Asian Monsoon History and Arid-Region Environmental Changes: Global and Regional Significance
PP26 Paleoclimate and Modern Perspectives of the Southern Hemisphere Westerlies and Polar Frontal Zone
PP27 Short-Term Climate Variability in the Context of Long-Term Paleoclimatic Change
C06 Polar Regions: Local Change, Global Impacts and Future Challenges - Outcomes of the International Polar Year 2007-2008
B45 Fires in the Earth System
IN07 Making Earth Science Data Records
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
B49 Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere: New Science and Comprehensive Analyses
B34 Methane: Toward Accurate Estimates of Fluxes Over Regional Scales
GC07 Regional Climate Modeling
OS28 Application of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Theory to Atmospheric and Oceanic Observations
H67 Predicting Precipitation
H42 Adaptation and Mitigation Under Climate Change and Uncertainty
H32 Spatial and Temporal Trends in Hydrometeorological Records as Indicators of Climate Variability and Change
H72 Linking Isotope Geochemistry to Environmental and Forensic Science: Analytical Approaches, Novel Applications, Policy Implications
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
S12 Search for Large Earthquake Precursors from Space and Ground Observations
AE04 Scientific Outcomes From Lightning Mapping Observations
AE06 Thunderstorm Electrification and the Physics, Detection, and Warning of Lightning
OS16 Coastal Ocean Processes
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN13 Information Technology Infusion - Successful Strategies
IN16 Challenges for Earth Science Software Reuse
H03 Advances in Land Data Assimilation Systems and Estimation of Large-Scale Surface Turbulent Fluxes
T04 Interactions Among Climate, Exhumation and Tectonics Through the Changing Climate of the Neogene and Quaternary
T32 Active and Reactivated Faults and Thrusts, Neo-Tectonic Feedback and Related Climate Change: Implications for Landscape Development in Young Orogens
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
B07 Shifts in Phenology and Seasonality? Recent Evidence from Multiple Taxa, Ecoregions, and Models
B39 The Bio-atmospheric N Cycle: N Emissions, Transformations, Deposition, and Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts
B41 The World Is Not Flat: Isotopic Tools for Understanding Mountainous Terrain
GC08 Dynamic and Thermodynamic Controls of the Global Water Cycle in the 20th and 21st Centuries
H11 Historic Hydrologic Synthesis: Quantifying the Past to Understand the Future
H14 Verification of Hydrologic, Hydrometeorological, and Hydroclimatological Forecasts
H37 Remote Sensing and Modeling of Land Surface Hydrological Processes
H40 Advanced Methods of Groundwater Resources Assessment Under the Pressures of Aridity, Humanity and Climate Change
H60 From Points to Pixels: Design and Implementation of Ground Measurement Campaigns for Calibration and Validation of Satellite-Derived Hydrological Variables
IN06 The Science of Coupling with the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)
PP17 Green Sahara: Evidence From Climate Models and Proxy Records
S11 Research and Development in Nuclear Explosion Monitoring
OS05 Influences of Atmospheric Deposition of Nutrients, Trace Elements, and Isotopes on Ocean Biogeochemistry.
GC24 Progress and Challenges in Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision Making
H38 Tracer and Timescale Methods for Understanding Complex Fluid Flows
H52 Precipitation Extremes and Their Economical Impacts
C29 International Collaboration to Build Understanding of Climate Change in Polar Regions
B31 Black Carbon in the Environment
C04 Snow and Ice Impurities as Climate Forcing Agents and Records
GC04 Has Solar Variability Been the Dominant Forcing of Climate Change During the Industrial Era?
GC03 Urban Impact on the Weather, Climate, and Hydrology: Field Experiments, Modeling, Remote Sensing, and Societal Implications
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Atmospheric and Space Electricity

AE01 Atmospheric and Space Electricity: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Atmospheric and Space Electricity.
Conveners: Victor Pasko, Penn State University, , , USA, email: vpasko@psu.edu

AE02 Runaway Electrons and Energetic Radiation in Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres
X-rays and gamma-rays have been measured from the ground in association with natural and rocket-triggered lightning, from inside thunderstorms using balloon and aircraft instruments, and from low-Earth orbit in the form of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes. Recent x-ray measurements from long sparks demonstrate that some aspects of these phenomena can be studied in the laboratory under controlled conditions. There is a consensus that the energetic radiation results from the production of runaway electrons by strong electric fields in our atmosphere, but many variations on this theme have been proposed including a variety of physical processes. Runaway electrons and their high-energy bremsstrahlung photons may play a role in lightning initiation and propagation and may have significant impacts on the upper atmosphere and the radiation belts. The role of runaway electrons and their x-ray and gamma-ray emission in other planetary atmospheres, especially with regard to planetary lightning, have just begun to be investigated. Contributions are invited on all aspects of energetic runaway electrons and related X-ray and gamma-ray radiation in terrestrial and planetary atmospheres.
Conveners: David M. Smith, University of California, Santa Cruz, , , USA, email: dsmith@scipp.ucsc.edu, and Kenneth B. Eack, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, , , USA, email: keack@nmt.edu, and Joseph R. Dwyer, Florida Institude of Technology, , , USA, email: jdwyer@fit.edu, and Steven A. Cummer, Duke University, , , USA, email: cummer@ee.duke.edu

AE03 Lightning and Electrical Phenomena on Other Planets
Lightning and thunderstorms have been recently re-observed optically in Jupiter (New Horizons) and electromagnetically in Saturn (Cassini) and Venus (VEX). The nature of electrical conditions on the surfaces of solid- planets is of special importance for exobiology and also for future spacecraft safety and performance. This session encourages submissions of works concerning the latest results from space- and ground-based observations of electrical activity on other planets, as well as updates on the status of present and future missions. Theoretical works and models of planetary lightning, electrical processes in volcanic plumes and in planetary rings are highly encouraged. Submissions on the nature and components of the fair-weather planetary electrical circuit as well as surface and aerosol charging processes are also desired.
Conveners: Yoav Yair, The Open University of Israel, 108 Ravutsky Street, Ra'anana, 43107 ISR, Tel: (972)-9-7781341, Fax: (972)-9-7780626, email: yoavya@openu.ac.il, and Yukihiro Takahashi, Tohoku University, Dept.Geophysics, Graduate Schol of Science 6-3 Aza-aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku Sendai, Miyagi , Sendai, 980-8578 JPN, Tel: +81-(0)22-795-5775, email: yukihiro@pat.geophys.tohoku.ac.jp, and Davis Sentman, University of Alaska, , , USA, email: dsentman@gi.alaska.edu

AE04 Scientific Outcomes From Lightning Mapping Observations
Observations of lightning activity with new ground-based and satellite-based electromagnetic or optical mappers provide important clues for the understanding of lightning processes. This session aims to assess the outcomes from those observations in terms of the physics of lightning and the relation between the dynamics and microphysics of convective clouds. The focus of this session is on observations of lightning using VHF and optical mapping systems.
Conveners: Pierre Andre Laroche, ONERA, 29 avenue Division Leclerc, Chatillon, 92322 FRA, Tel: +33140734723, Fax: +33140734148, email: pierre.laroche@onera.fr, and Paul Krehbiel, New Mexico Tech, , Socorro, NM 87801 USA, Tel: 575 835 5423, Fax: 575 835 5913, email: krehbiel@ibis.nmt.edu

AE05 Thunderstorm Electrical Effects in the Upper Atmosphere
Papers are solicited on all aspects of the effects of thunderstorms and lightning in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, including the various forms of TLEs (Transient Luminous Events - sprites, jets, ELVES and haloes), the associated electromagnetic and photochemical processes, their meteorological correlates, and linkages to other elements of the terrestrial system. Of particular interest are new results from ongoing satellite and ground based observational programs, as well as from theoretical studies of underlying kinetic mechanisms.
Conveners: Davis Sentman, University of Alaska, , , USA, email: dsentman@gi.alaska.edu, and Victor Pasko, Penn State University, , , USA, email: vpasko@psu.edu

AE06 Thunderstorm Electrification and the Physics, Detection, and Warning of Lightning
Recent technological advances have provided new capabilities for studying lightning physics, electrical charge structures of thunderstorms, and cloud electrification processes. Technologies include new lightning-triggering facilities, digital high-speed video cameras, improved electric field sensors, microphysical probes, and polarimetric radar. Also, more realistic numerical models have been developed for simulating lightning and for examining how various thunderstorm processes affect storm electrification and lightning characteristics. This session seeks papers concerned with all aspects of the lightning discharge (natural or triggered), the spatial and temporal distributions of lightning activity, the electrical properties of storms, the mechanisms by which storms become electrified, and the relationship of various lightning characteristics to storm severity and other storm properties. Of special interest are improved numerical simulations of lightning or thunderstorm electrification, techniques for forecasting or warning of lightning hazards, as well as observations of lightning or electrification from recent field programs, from triggered-lightning experiments, and from high-speed video.
Conveners: Donald MacGorman, NSSL/WRDD, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman, OK 73072 USA, Tel: 405-325-5667, email: don.macgorman@noaa.gov, and Beyza Caliskan Aslan, University of North Florida, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics 1 UNF Drive Building 14, Room 2731 , Jacksonville, FL 32224 USA, Tel: 904-620-2653, email: aslan@math.ufl.edu, and William Hager, University of Florida, Dept. of Mathematics 358 Little Hall P. O. Box 118105, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA, Tel: 352-392-0281 ext.244, email: hager@math.ufl.edu

AE07 Franklin Lecture
In 2004 Atmospheric and Space Electricity Focus Group (ASE FG) began a named lecture: the Franklin Lecture. The Lecture is intended to discuss current science in lightning related fields of research and to connect it to earlier research. The lecture is presented at even-year Fall AGU Meetings. In order to select a speaker for the Franklin Lecture ASE FG forms a Franklin Lecture Committee. The Committee consists of session conveners from previous year Fall AGU meeting. The membership of the committee also includes current ASE FG Executive committee. In 2006 the Franklin Lecture Committee was chaired by Dr. Tom Marshall, Vice-Chair of ASE FG, and in 2008 by Dr. Mark Stanley, Secretary of ASE FG. The first Franklin Lecture was given by Dr. Phil Krider (University of Arizona) at the Fall 2004 AGU meeting with the title ``Advances in Atmospheric Electricity and Lightning Research" and the second one by Dr. Don Gurnett (University of Iowa) at Fall 2006 AGU meeting with the title ``Lightning in Planetary Atmospheres". Both of these events have been exceptionally well received and had excellent attendance. The 2008 Franklin Lecture Committee has completed its work and we are pleased to announce that Dr. Martin Uman (University of Florida) has kindly accepted invitation to present Franklin Lecture at Fall 2008 AGU meeting with preliminary title ``What triggered lightning has taught us about natural lightning."
Conveners: Victor Pasko, Penn State University, , , USA, email: vpasko@psu.edu

Atmospheric and Space Electricity also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
A18 Tropospheric Halogen Chemistry
ED05 Defining, Communicating and Protecting Authentic Science in Education, the Public and the Media: New and Expanding Roles for Scientists and Science Societies?

Biogeosciences

B01 Biogeosciences: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Biogeosciences
Conveners: Alistair M. Smith, University of Idaho, , , USA, email: Alistair@uidaho.edu, and Lara Kueppers, University of California Merced, , , USA, email: lkueppers@ucmerced.edu, and Anne Hartley, Florida Gulf Coast University, , , USA, email: ahartley@fgcu.edu

B02 Remote Characterization of Vegetation Structure
This session highlights advances in the remote characterization of vegetation structure, with a focus on individual plant detection methods to regional scale analysis of biophysical characteristics using aerial and satellite systems. This session will also feature research that will help inform the planned NASA DESDynI mission. Knowledge of vegetation structure, such as height, crown width, canopy gaps, and shading, can be used to evaluate biogeochemical pools and fluxes, vegetation functional group classification, ecological successional dynamics, light and water interception and their effects on radiative transfer and water budgets, among other topics. The widespread application of aerial photography, Lidar, and SAR systems has emphasized the potential of remote sensing to characterize structural information from the individual plant to the landscape level. We are soliciting both oral and poster presentations on all aspects of method development, monitoring, and modeling applications using remotely sensed datasets to quantify vegetation structure, with emphasis on the following topics: (i) Development of automated methods to locate individual trees and shrubs from lidar and passive systems (ii) Measurement and prediction of stand- to regional-scale variables using data from both air- and spaceborne sensors including: photography, lidar (discrete return and full waveform), and synthetic aperture radar (e.g., BioSAR, GeoSAR, etc) systems (iii) Application of vegetation structural metrics to model light and water interception, and/or effects on radiative transfer and water budgets, carbon accumulation, wildlife habitat, plant succession or establishment, in addition to policy and management implications (iv) Topics relating to NASA DESDynI mission and modeling requirements, algorithm development, as well as applications of data expected from the mission.
Conveners: Michael J. Falkowski, University of Idaho, 975 W 6th Street, Moscow, ID 83843 USA, Tel: 208-885-4946, email: mjfalkowski@vandals.uidaho.edu, and Alistair Mathew Stuart Smith, University of Idaho, 975 W 6th Street, Moscow, ID 83843 USA, Tel: 208-885-1009, email: alistair@uidaho.edu, and Andrew T. Hudak, USDA FS-Rocky Mountian Research Station, , Moscow, ID 83843 USA, Tel: 208-883-2327, email: ahudak@fs.fed.us, and Jonathan A. Greenberg, UC Davis, , , CA USA, email: greenberg@ucdavis.edu

B03 Monitoring and Assessing the Impacts of Disturbance on the Terrestrial Carbon Budget
Disturbance is common characteristic for almost all terrestrial ecosystems, occurring across a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Variations in the disturbance regime affect a variety of ecosystem processes and functions, and the legacies from previous disturbances can last for decades to centuries. Here we propose a special session that focuses on the impacts of disturbance on the terrestrial carbon budget. We envision attracting researchers from a variety of disciplines, including those who are: (a) using land-surface remote sensing data to monitor and analyze characteristics of different disturbance regimes and monitor how ecosystems recover from disturbance; (b) using field-based data (including forest inventory data) to analyze characteristics of different disturbance regimes and assess how ecosystems recover from disturbance; (c) integrating information from multiple sources to determine how disturbances are impacting the terrestrial carbon budget across different spatial and temporal scales.
Conveners: Eric Kasischke, University of Maryland, , , USA, email: ekasisch@umd.edu, and A. David McGuire, University of Alaska, , , USA, email: ffadm@uaf.edu, and Scott Goetz, Woods Hole Research Institute, , , USA, email: sgoetz@whrc.org, and Dan Hayes, University of Alaska, , , USA, email: ffdjh1@uaf.edu

B04 Climate Variability, Extreme Events, and Biospheric Responses and Feedbacks
Societal and ecosystem vulnerability is closely related to climate variability. Extreme climate and weather events such as droughts, heat waves, cold waves, large spring temperature fluctuations, hurricanes and floods are among the most devastating natural disasters for wildlife, vegetation and mankind. Their sudden occurrences have frequently led to fundamental shifts in structures and functions of ecosystems as well as downfall of prosperous dynasties and civilizations. It is expected that climate warming and the intensification of the water cycle will result in changes in the type, frequency, and severity of extreme events. Current climate models are in urgent need of improvement in the projection of both the occurrence of extreme events and the associated biospheric responses and feedbacks. These weaknesses are now standing in the way between climate modeling and policymaking and resources managing processes because extreme events play pivotal roles at local and regional scales and it is at these scales that climate policies and resource management strategies can be effectively made. This session will offer an opportunity to review the latest knowledge on biospheric responses and feedbacks to climate variability and extreme events and to inform the next-generation of climate models in their need of improvements in representations of physical, biological, ecological processes sensitive to extreme events. Examples of scientific questions that this session can address (but is not limited to): - How do droughts and heat waves affect terrestrial carbon cycle (e.g. 2003 European heat wave)? - How do large spring temperature fluctuations affect ecosystem structures and functions (e.g. 2007 US Easter Freeze)? - How do winter ice rains affect forest ecosystem structures and functions and fire risks (e.g. 2008 South China freezing rain)? - How do changes in the frequency and intensity of precipitation affect plant growth? - What are the potential interactive effects between extreme events and increased CO2 concentration? - How do extreme events affect nutrient cycling? - How to model ecosystem responses to extreme events?
Conveners: Lianhong Gu, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, , , USA, Tel: 8652415925, email: lianhong-gu@ornl.gov, and Philippe Ciais, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l''Environnement, , , FRA, Tel: 01 69 08 95 06, email: philippe.ciais@lsce.ipsl.fr, and Markus Reichstein, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry Jena, , , DEU, Tel: 49 3641 576273, email: markus.reichstein@bgc-jena.mpg.de, and Altaf Arain, McMaster University, , , CAN, email: arainm@mcmaster.ca

B05 Peat Soils: Natural Archives of Information on Sea-level Rise, Landscape Evolution, and Anthropogenic Disturbance
Peat soils in marshes, bogs, and fens contain a tremendous amount of information about long-term natural and anthropogenic processes. Vertical profiles in peat can be used to estimate processes such as relative sea-level rise, accretion rates, carbon sequestration, and heavy metal contamination. The characteristics of peat soils, such as organic and inorganic matter content, extent of compaction, and bulk density, can vary across wetland types and environmental conditions. The goals of this session are to present a wide range of peat archive studies and to discuss some of the challenges involved in interpreting long-term peat data.
Conveners: Judith Z. Drexler, U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, CA 95819-6129 USA, Tel: 916-278-3057, Fax: 916-278-3071, email: jdrexler@usgs.gov, and Charles N. Alpers, U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, CA 95819-6129 USA, Tel: 916-278-3134, email: cnalpers@usgs.gov

B06 Vegetation Controls Over Ecosystem Water Cycling
The water cycle plays a fundamental role in all biogeochemical cycles. All major climate change scenarios predict fundamental changes in precipitation which will alter vegetation controls over the water cycle. Adaptations and acclimations of plants allow them to balance carbon gain through photosynthesis and water losses through transpiration, to grow and thrive across a wide range of environmental conditions and gradients. Recent advances in plant-water relations are elucidating the mechanisms, from soil-to-root and canopy-to-atmosphere interactions, which determine how plants respond to environmental drivers. These advances are coming from laboratory and field experiments, small-to-large scale field studies, and modeling efforts across a spectrum of research fields in biology and hydrology. The purpose of this session is to bring together a broad range of emerging theories and methodologies that specifically address vegetation controls over ecosystem water cycling. Session goals include increased discussion on the role of vegetation in ecosystem water cycling at a variety of scales and better understanding of the nonlinear responses of- and feedbacks to ecosystem water cycling by vegetation. In this session, we would like to see a broad range of papers covering a variety of spatial and temporal scales, observations and modeling and theory and empiricism.
Conveners: Brent E. Ewers, University of Wyoming, Dept. of Botany, 1000 E. University Ave., 3165, Laramie, WY 82071 USA, Tel: 307-766-2625, Fax: 307-766-2851, email: beewers@uwyo.edu, and David S. Mackay, SUNY-Buffalo, Dept. of Geography, 105 Wilkeson Quad, Buffalo, NY 14261 USA, Tel: 716-645-2722, Fax: 716-645-2329, email: dsmackay@buffalo.edu

B07 Shifts in Phenology and Seasonality? Recent Evidence from Multiple Taxa, Ecoregions, and Models
In the wake of the IPCC AR4, questions arise about extents, magnitudes, and directions of shifts in the phenologies of species and species interactions, as well as in the seasonalities that compose their host environments. We are casting a wide net to gather multiple perspectives across spatial, temporal, and taxonomic scales to explore the evidence for significant shifts in the timing of biogeophysical phenomena. This session constitutes the fifth year of a phenology focus at the AGU Fall Meeting.
Conveners: Geoffrey M. Henebry, South Dakota State University, Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence (GIScCE) 1021 Medary Ave., Wecota Hall 506B , Brookings, SD 57007-3510 USA, Tel: 605-688-5351, email: Geoffrey.Henebry@sdstate.edu, and Kirsten M. de Beurs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Geography 115 Major Williams Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA, Tel: 540-231-1642, email: kdebeurs@vt.edu, and Julio Betancourt, US Geological Survey, Desert Laboratory 1675 West Anklam Road , Tucson, AZ 85745 USA, Tel: 520 670-6821 x107, email: jlbetanc@usgs.gov, and Mark Losleben, USA National Phenology Network, National Coordinating Office 1955 E. Sixth St. , Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520-626-4696, email: losleben@email.arizona.edu

B08 *WITHDRAWN* - Frontiers in Biomineralization Research: Processes and Signatures in Natural and Model Systems
You may search here http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm08/index.php/Program/SessionSearch for another session within your area of interest.
Conveners: AGU HELP, AGU, , , USA, email: fm-help@agu.org

B09 Reducing Uncertainties in Quantifying Emissions From Biomass Burning
Over the past several years, research efforts have improved our understanding of the impacts of biomass burning on terrestrial carbon cycling and on a variety of atmospheric processes. This research has involved developing and evaluating methods and approaches to reduce uncertainties in estimating biomass consumption during fires and the pyrogenic emissions at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Studies have included approaches to develop better characterization of the fire regime through integration of land-surface satellite remote-sensing observations and field studies (e.g., bottom-up estimation of carbon consumption and emissions from biomass burning), as well as approaches to use satellite and ground-based observations of key atmospheric constituents as constraints on the amount of emissions entering the atmosphere (top-down estimation of emissions from biomass burning). The goal of this special session is to bring together researchers from a variety of disciplines to discuss recent studies on estimating and analyzing emissions from biomass burning. We expect to attract researchers who are: (a) producing land-surface remote sensing products needed to quantify key land surface characteristics needed to estimate emissions; (b) integrating field-based observations with other geospatial data sets to produce maps of fire fuels (biomass) and estimates of carbon consumption and emissions from fires; (c) using atmospheric remote sensing products to characterize the amount and distribution of key atmospheric constituents resulting from biomass burning; and (d) using ground-based observations to characterize the amount, distribution, and source of key atmospheric constituents resulting from biomass burning.
Conveners: Nancy HF French, Michigan Technological University, Michigan Tech Research Institute 3600 Green Court, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 USA, Tel: 734-913-6844, Fax: 734-913-6880, email: nancy.french@mtu.edu, and Jennifer Logan, Harvard University, , , USA, email: jlogan@seas.harvard.edu, and Eric Kasischke, University of Maryland, , , USA, email: ekasisch@umd.edu, and Guido van der Werf, Vrije Universiteit, , , NLD, email: guido.van.der.werf@falw.vu.nl

B10 Role of Flux Networks in Biogeosciences: Experiments and Modeling
Regional and global networks of flux towers have been measuring fluxes of water vapor and CO2 between vegetation and the atmosphere for over 10 years. New and expanded databases have recently been compiled and are ready for evaluating interannual variability and validating and parameterizing land surface models. We seek contributions that examine data across regional and global networks and use the data in conjunction with ecosystem and climate modeling
Conveners: Dennis Baldocchi, University of California, Berkeley, ESPM 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, ca 94720 USA, email: baldocchi@nature.berkeley.edu, and Rodrigo Vargas, University of California, Berkeley, ESPM 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, email: rvargas@nature.berkeley.edu

B11 Developing Integrated Models for Mid-ocean Ridge Processes at the Ridge 2000 East Pacific Rise Integrated Study Site
The East Pacific Rise at 8°-11°N is one of the best studied segments of the mid-ocean ridge (MOR) in the world, and has been a focus site (Integrated Study Site - ISS) of the Ridge 2000 (R2K) Program since 2001. In particular, monitoring and repeat visits to the hydrothermal vent sites in the 9° 46’-50’N area have led to a sophisticated temporal and spatial understanding of this area. It is the only known ridge site where a full volcanic cycle has been studied with eruptions occurring in 1991-2 and 2005-6. In additional to being volcanically active, there is well-documented temporal and spatial variability in fluid chemistry, biological community development, vent fluid temperature responses and patterns of microseismicity. As such it is an ideal site at which to study the linkages between different aspects of the MOR system, and specifically to understand causal processes associated with the input of energy from the mantle that drives the hydrothermal system and associated biological communities and microbial populations that are supported by it. With more than 15 years of multidisciplinary studies, and 5 years of focused R2K ISS studies at this site, integrated conceptual and numerical models that describe the processes operating at this fast spreading ridge are being developed. This session will focus on EPR ISS data integration and modeling efforts. Results from recent field data that will soon be available for integration are also welcome with an emphasis on how these data will be most useful in addressing the underlying processes critical to understanding the integrated MOR system.
Conveners: Daniel J. Fornari, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd, MS24 Geology & Geophysics Dept. , Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA, Tel: 508-289-2857, email: dfornari@whoi.edu, and Maya Tolstoy, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964-8000 USA, Tel: 845-365-8791, email: tolstoy@ldeo.columbia.edu

B12 Stress Response and Survival of Metal-Reducing Bacteria in the Environment.
Metals and radionuclides in the environment present the most difficult remediation problems because they cannot be destroyed, are inorganic, react with soil and sediment constituents, and can remain hazardous and recalcitrant at extremely low concentrations. Microorganisms that can derive energy for growth by reducing metals/radionuclides like Uranium, Chromium, Technetium, Iron, Mercury thus play an important role affecting the geochemistry of soil and sediments by changing the redox state of the metals altering their solubility and toxicity. The subsurface environment is fairly complex, and the growth and survival of bacteria involved in bioremediation of metals/radionuclides is in turn affected by the co-presence of stressors in the environment that includes low and high pH, oxygen, nitrate/nitrite, high salt and other heavy metals amongst others. It is imperative to understand the microbial response to such stressors in order to elucidate the efficacy of natural attenuation and bioremediation strategies for immobilization of metals. This session strives to achieve a better understanding of stress response and survival of anaerobic bacteria in a myriad of subsurface environments.
Conveners: Romy Chakraborty, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road MS 70A-3317, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 510-486-4091, Fax: 510-486-7152, email: RChakraborty@lbl.gov, and Terry C. Hazen, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road Bldg 70A, Rm 3317, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 5104866223, email: TCHazen@lbl.gov

B13 Incorporating Process Level Measurements of N Cycling Into Global Scale Models of Terrestrial C Storage in Response to Climate Change
The availability of N limits terrestrial productivity, yet N limitation is rarely included in global-scale analysis of biosphere-atmosphere exchanges of CO2. The objective of this session is to explore the interactions between rising atmospheric CO2, N limitation and 21st century changes in climate on the uptake of C by terrestrial ecosystems. This session will bring together scientists working at different spatial and temporal scales of analysis, from ground-based observations of primary production and N cycling to the application of remote sensing tools and global-scale coupled climate-carbon cycling models. Through the discussion of available data and models we hope to facilitate the development of a new generation of global scale models that explicitly treat N cycling and limitation when predicting the terrestrial C sink through the 21st century.
Conveners: Adrien C. Finzi, Boston University, Department of Biology 5 Cummington Street, Boston, MA 02445 USA, Tel: 617-353-2453, Fax: 617-353-6340, email: afinzi@bu.edu, and William H. Schlesinger, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, PO Box AB , Millbrook, NY 12545 USA, Tel: 845-677-5343, Fax: 845-677-5976, email: schlesingerw@ecostudies.org

B14 Effects of Air Pollutants on Ecosystems
The transport and deposition of air pollutants such as oxidized and reduced compounds of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, ozone, persistent organic pollutants, and mercury can have a wide variety of cascading impacts on ecosystems that include acidification, eutrophication, bioaccumulation, phytotoxicity, and subtle shifts in species composition and community structure. New research on the cycling of air pollutants in the environment is highlighting the role of multi-pollutant interactions, as for example work on the role of atmospheric sulfur deposition in mercury methylation. Additionally, new studies are exploring the role of land use and disturbance history on the fate and effects of air pollutants in the environment, particularly nitrogen. Finally, ongoing and projected future changes in climate and the carbon cycle are likely to strongly impact the cycling and effects of air pollutants on ecosystems. Many of these air pollutant effects can be studied through the use of models and communicated to policymakers as critical loads—levels below which harmful environmental effects are not expected. Multi-pollutant interactions, landscape disturbance history, and climate change all present challenges to ecosystem and critical loads modeling efforts. In this session, we seek contributions from both empirical and modeling studies that address these challenges to our understanding of air pollutant effects on ecosystems.
Conveners: Douglas Burns, U.S. Geological Survey, 425 Jordan Rd., Troy, NY 12180 USA, Tel: 518-285-5662, email: daburns@usgs.gov, and Jason Lynch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460 USA, Tel: 202-343-9257, email: Lynch.jason@epa.gov

B15 Life in the Deep Subsurface: A Decade of Peeking at the Unseen Majority
Ten years ago, back-of-the-envelope calculations suggested that an “unseen majority” of microbial life existed in the deep subsurface of terrestrial and marine environments, a hypothesis that has significant ramifications for our understanding of energy flow and elemental cycling on Earth. In this session, we aim to bring together researchers in geo- and biosciences to discuss what we have learned in the intervening decade about life in the deep biosphere. We hope to address the following topics: What is the extent and activity of life in the deep biosphere? Which microbes comprise the deep biosphere, and how do they acquire energy for life? What are the limits for life in the deep subsurface? How important is lithoautotrophy in this habitat? In the marine subsurface, what role does microbial life have in the exchange of elements between the ocean and the crust? We also hope to highlight recent technological advances that have allowed us to access the deep biosphere.
Conveners: Beth Orcutt, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway AHF 143, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371 USA, Tel: 213-740-3187, email: borcutt@usc.edu, and Peter Girguis, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, Tel: 617-496-8328, email: pgirguis@oeb.harvard.edu, and Mitchell Schulte, University of Missouri, 101 Geology Building, Columbia, MO 65211 USA, Tel: 573-884-5712, email: schultemd@missouri.edu

B16 Current Applications of Phospholipid Analyses Across the Biogeosciences
Techniques that use microbial membrane phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and/or phospholipid ether lipids (PLELs) for assessing microbial communities and processes in diverse settings have been used in the biogeosciences for approximately three decades. Because of their utility for quantifying viable microbial biomass, fingerprinting microbial communities, and providing a vehicle for measuring isotope signatures of their parent microbes, these analyses remain a popular probe for microbial processes. The result is innumerable publications across a broad range of fields including marine science, soil microbial ecology, microbiology, bioremediation, and geobiology. Although keeping abreast of new reports in varied fields is important for interpreting phospholipid data, the volume and diversity of publications makes this difficult to impossible. The proposed session aims to bring together researchers who use phospholipid applications to share their analytical methodologies, data interpretation strategies, and recent findings for a diverse set of topics and environments. Abstract submissions should highlight the role of phospholipid techniques in the research as well as show how these techniques are integrated with other methods and data. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: - Applying multivariate statistical methods to PLFA data - Determining PLFA profiles of pure or enrichment cultures - Using stable isotope probing to identify PLFA structures associated with specific microbial processes - Methodologies and results of PLEL analyses - Intact phospholipid analyses by LC-MS-MS - Measuring the natural abundance stable carbon and/or radiocarbon isotopes of PLFAs to understand: - in situ microbial carbon cycling processes - carbon isotope fractionations occurring in microorganisms
Conveners: Chris Mills, U.S. Geological Survey, , Denver, CO 80225 USA, Tel: 303-912-0690, email: cmills@usgs.gov, and Kate Scow, University of California, Davis, , Davis, CA USA, email: kmscow@ucdavis.edu, and Jiasong Fang, Hawaii Pacific University, , Kaneohe, HI 96744 USA, email: jsfang@iastate.edu, and Greg Slater, McMaster University, , Hamilton, ON CAN, email: gslater@mcmaster.ca

B17 Terrestrial Ecosystem Respiration: Identifying Sources and Controls
Terrestrial ecosystem respiration is the combined flux of CO2 to the atmosphere from above- and below-ground, plant and microbial sources. Flux measurements alone (e.g. from eddy covariance towers or soil chambers) cannot distinguish the contributions from these plant and microbial sources. The development of process-based models that can predict how plants and microbes respond to changing environmental conditions require that field experiments partition the sources of respiration. The purpose of this session is to assemble studies in which novel approaches have been applied (or being developed) to separate ecosystem (or soil) respiration sources and their drivers. This may include the combination of flux measurements with isotopic techniques, manipulations, gradient studies, or modeling approaches. In addition, this session welcomes contributions that can highlight important environmental, biological, or physical controls on ecosystem (or soil) respiration fluxes over diel, seasonal, interannual, or decadal time scales.
Conveners: Mariah S. Carbone, UC Santa Barbara, 1832 Ellison Hall University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA, email: mcarbone@icess.ucsb.edu, and Rodrigo Vargas, UC Berkeley, 137 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, email: rvargas@nature.berkeley.edu

B18 Surface Energy, Water and Carbon Fluxes in Northern Wetlands
Concern about a potential carbon bomb or, more precisely, the fate of the enormous quantities of carbon currently stored in northern wetlands is driving much research to understand and simulate the linkages among peatland energy, water and carbon fluxes with the atmosphere. Substantial progress through the study of processes and the now longer, continuous measurements of the many components of carbon, energy and water balances across the various scales of the coupled peatland biogeochemistry - climate system has allowed us significant insight into the sensitivity of the peatland carbon cycle to environmental and direct human induced change. This has led to more realistic models that can be used to address the role of peatlands in present day, future and past climates. This session will bring together a discussion of the measurements and models to demonstrate the present day state of knowledge and where to focus future efforts on coupled climate-ecosystem models at the regional to global scales.
Conveners: Nigel Roulet, McGill University, Department of Geography 805 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, QC H3A 2K6 CAN, email: nigel.roulet@mcgill.ca, and Steve Frolking, University of New Hampshire, Complex Systems Research Center Inst for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space Morse Hall, Durham, NH 03824 USA, email: steve.frolking@unh.edu, and Patrick Crill, Stockholm University, Dept of Geology and Geochemistry Geovetenskapens hus Svante Arrhenius väg 8C, Stockholm, 10691 SWE, email: patrick.crill@geo.su.se

B19 Using Trees to Better Understand the Impacts of Human Activities on the Nitrogen Cycle
Human activities have generated emissions of atmospheric nitrogen at an increasing rate over the last 150 years, and the impacts of these emissions on forests are not well constrained. Nitrogen deposition has the potential to acidify terrestrial ecosystems, cause losses of soil nutrients and modify soil fertility. Providing a long term view on how human activities affect the N cycle constitutes an important issue as there is no long-term measurement of atmospheric N emissions. Recent investigations suggest that tree-ring nitrogen-isotope series may record regional anthropogenic perturbations of the N cycle. However, the interpretation of nitrogen isotope ratios in tree as environmental indicators is not always well constrained. This session will gather a group of scientists exploring the possibility of using Nitrogen isotope ratios in trees to: (1) construct and compare long series in various parts of the world, (2) provide a historical perspective on the N cycle; (3) gain a better understanding of the N cycle, and (4) evaluate the anthropogenic impacts on the global N cycle.
Conveners: Martine M. Savard, Geological Survey of Canada, 490 de la Couronne, Quebec, QC G1K 9A9 CAN, Tel: 418 654-2634, Fax: 418 654-2615, email: msavard@nrcan.gc.ca, and William Showers, North Carolina State University, Dept. of MEAS, Box 8202, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA, Tel: 919 515-7143, email: w_showers@ncsu.edu

B20 Urban Areas and Global Change
Urban and exurban areas contribute significant inputs to Earth system processes from local to global scales. This session will invite communities that represent observations, experimental investigations and modelers studying the biogeochemical interactions within humans-land-atmosphere system in urban and exurban areas. We encourage abstract submissions from groups that are investigating the development and deployment of new measurement techniques, experimental designs and scaling methods as well as integrated modeling approaches in complex urban terrain. Potential topics of this session include: urban climate (e.g. heat “island effect” and its influence on regional climate), land use change (e.g. remote sensing of cities’ fractional land cover), measurements of energy budget and GHG in urban areas, role of transportation patterns in city’s carbon budget, modeling of biogeochemistry in urban areas, carbon storage in urban vegetation, buildings, waste, and their interactions with policy and urban planning
Conveners: Galina Churkina, Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Hans-Knoll str. 10 , Jena, 07745 DEU, Tel: +493641576355, email: churkina@bgc-jena.mpg.de, and Kathy Hibbard, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 USA, Tel: +49(303)4971706, email: kathyh@ucar.edu

B21 Toward Large Scale Assessments of Soil Carbon Turnover and Vulnerability: Measures, Models, and Networks
Soil is a crucial natural resource and soil carbon is an integral component of soil structure and function. Although the global stock of soil carbon is immense, it is not static: about 120 Pg of carbon moves annually between soil and the atmosphere and vegetation. Soil carbon may thus play a singular but uncertain role in climate forcing during the coming decades, with significant net losses contributing to positive feedbacks, or significant sequestration helping to mitigate climate forcing. The loss of soil carbon or disruption of its cycling may also impair the ecosystem services it provides, with consequent negative impacts on society. Given the critical role that soil carbon plays in the climate cycle and ecosystems services globally, there is a strong need to conduct large scale, spatially explicit assessments of soil carbon turnover and vulnerability. Recent advances in measurement technologies, statistical applications, modeling approaches, and geographic information systems have made it possible to develop stand-to-landscape scale information in support of carbon sequestration decisions by both land managers and policy makers. This session invites researchers to discuss measurement, modeling, and networking of soil carbon turnover and vulnerability studies.
Conveners: Mark Waldrop, USGS, , , USA, email: mwaldrop@usgs.gov, and Chris Swanston, USFS, , , USA, email: cswanston@fs.fed.us, and Julie Jastrow, Argonne National Labs, , , USA, email: jdjastrow@anl.gov

B22 Soil Organic Matter: Mechanisms of Stabilization and Response to Global Change
Soil organic matter contains more reactive organic carbon than any other single terrestrial pool on Earth. Consequently, SOM balance (the difference between accumulation of decaying plant materials and combined losses due to SOM oxidation to CO2 and leaching of dissolved compounds) plays a major role in determining C storage in ecosystems and in regulating atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Despite the critical roles played by SOM within ecosystems, in the global C cycle and in the Earth’s climate system, controls on SOM balances in ecosystems remain poorly understood. This session will focus on studies of soils and carbon: storage potential, mechanisms of stabilization/destabilization/long term storage. Invited talks will fall into two categories: those that address mechanisms and process, and those that use modeling approaches to understand response of C storage to climate change as well as how to quantify change accurately at meaningful scales for a landscape, a regional or the globe.
Conveners: Kate Lajtha, Oregon State University, 2082 Cordley, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-5674, email: lajthak@science.oregonstate.edu, and Nancy Cavallero, NRI Soils & Global Change Programs, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20250-2241 USA, email: Ncavallaro@csrees.usda.gov

B23 Environmental and Ecological Consequences of Deploying Second Generation Biofuels on the Landscape
The accelerating combustion of fossil fuels is driving the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere; as this “greenhouse” gas accumulates it forces a rapid and potentially dangerous warming of the planet. Biofuels have the potential to offset the accumulation of carbon dioxide and thus slow the rate of global warming. The largest contiguous biome in continental North America is the agricultural region where corn and soybean are grown in rotation. Allocating a portion of this region to the production of “second generation” biofuels, such as perennial grasses, has the potential to reduce the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and may mitigate some of the negative impacts of modern agriculture, including the loss of soil carbon and nitrogen contamination of ground water. This session will examine recent understanding of the effects of biofuel feedstocks on the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen and water, and will incorporate societal and economic implications through a discussion of life-cycle analysis applied to biofuel feedstocks.
Conveners: Evan DeLucia, University of Illinois, , , USA, email: delucia@uiuc.edu, and William Parton, Colorado State Universtiy, , , USA, email: billp@nrel.colostate.edu

B24 Data Assimilation in Biogeochemical Models
Significant increases in the amount of observational data on biogeochemical fluxes, including remote sensing of CO2 and other trace-gas concentrations (e.g., the Orbiting Carbon Observatory), eddy-flux tower measurements, and in situ sensor networks, promise to revolutionize large-scale understanding of biogeochemical processes. Biogeochemical data assimilation, or data-model integration, seeks to extrapolate available, generally sparse, observations to regional or global scales and provide tools for estimating unknown parameters in biogeochemical models. The outcome of these efforts will hopefully be to improve understanding of large-scale biogeochemical processes and their response to changing climate. Combining field observations with remote sensing and with process-based biogeochemical models is critical for gaining improved insight into biogeochemical processes and for effectively utilizing new types of measurements, but can be challenging because many processes respond non-linearly to environmental drivers and exhibit a great deal of spatial and temporal variability. Initial results from various data assimilation techniques applied to biogeochemical topics have been promising, notably in synthesizing information on land-air and ocean-air carbon fluxes (e.g., CarbonTracker) to provide regional and global estimates of carbon cycle variability. In view of increasing interest in and the great potential of data assimilation approaches in biogeochemistry, this session will highlight exemplary recent work and address potential challenges to future progress. Presentations may focus on any scale from local to global. We particularly welcome work that bridges multiple scales, that integrates field measurements with remote sensing, or that critically compares multiple approaches to data-model integration. Some possible presentation areas include: 1. Local to global carbon data assimilation 2. Parameter estimation in models of carbon or nutrient cycling 3. Data assimilation for predicting climate-change impacts on and feedbacks from ecosystems and nutrient cycles 4. Adaptation of variational and ensemble methods (similar to those developed for numerical weather prediction) for assimilating observations into biogeochemical models to provide optimal state estimates and predictions and to enhance understanding of processes, taking into account the distinctive characteristics of biogeochemical systems (such as strongly nonlinear interactions and multiscale spatial and temporal variability) 5. Developments in spatial statistics that allow accounting for the variability of point measurements in developing representations of processes at large scales
Conveners: Nir Krakauer, University of California at Berkeley, , , USA, email: niryk@berkeley.edu, and Junjie Liu, University of California at Berkeley, , , USA, email: jjliu@atmos.berkeley.edu, and Lori Bruhwiler, NOAA/ESRL, , , USA, email: Lori.Bruhwiler@noaa.gov, and Jessica M. Cable, University of Wyoming, , , USA, email: jcable1@uwyo.edu

B25 Redox Processes in Iron-Bearing Soils and Sediments
Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, ubiquitous in soils and sediments, and often concentrated in clay particle-size fractions. Numerous bacteria, such as Shewanella, Geobacter, and Pseudomonas species, are capable of reducing ferric iron in Fe-bearing minerals, including phyllosilicates, oxides, hydroxides and oxyhydroxides. As a consequence, bacterial reduction and oxidation of iron play a key role in many biogeochemical processes occurring in natural geological systems. In recent years, scientific research in this field has focused on the role of iron-reduction and iron-reducing bacteria in the transformation and/or dissolution of the mineral constituents of soils and sediments, and on the fate of redox sensitive contaminants in contact with reduced Fe-bearing minerals. We propose a special session that focuses on redox processes in iron-bearing soils and sediments. This session will offer a great opportunity to review the latest advances in this field and will inform future research directions. We are soliciting both oral and poster presentations on all aspects of iron redox processes in natural and artificial systems, with emphasis on the following topics: (i) Method development for the accurate monitoring and/or modeling of redox processes in Fe-bearing soils and sediments; (ii) Recent improvements in understanding of redox processes in natural and artificial Fe-bearing systems; (iii) Applications of bacterial iron reduction or oxidation for the remediation of organic or inorganic contaminants in soils, sediments, and waters; (iv) Industrial applications of bacterial Fe-reduction or oxidation.
Conveners: Claire Isabelle Fialips, Newcastle University, United Kingdom, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Drummond building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU GBR, Tel: +441912225313, Fax: +441912225322, email: C.I.M.Fialips@ncl.ac.uk, and James Amonette, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PO Box 999 MSIN: K8-96, Richland, WA 99352 USA, Tel: (509) 371-6381, Fax: (509) 371-6354, email: jim.amonette@pnl.gov, and Joseph William Stucki, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, W-321 Turner Hall, 1102 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801 USA, Tel: (217) 333-9636, Fax: (217) 244-7805, email: jstucki@uiuc.edu

B26 Bio-geochemical Controls on Fate of Mercury at Contaminated Industrial Sites
This session seeks further understanding of bio-geochemical processes that affect the fate and transport of mercury in sediment-water environments. Emphasis will be placed on mercury redox transformation, methylation and demethylation processes influenced by interactions of mercury with aqueous inorganic compounds, natural dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM and POM), colloidal materials, biota, and sunlight. We invite a diverse group of scientists, engineers and specialists to present their latest observations and scientific findings that are related to 1) biogeochemical controls on mercury speciation, transformation and transport, 2) molecular-scale understandings of the interactions of mercury with DOM and POM, 3) biological processes, genetic basis and models of mercury methylation and demethylation, and 4) rates and mechanisms of photochemical and catalyzed reactions at highly contaminated industrial sites. We hope that the session serves as a forum for presentation and discussion of advances in broad scientific fields on mercury-related research, with a focus on geochemical, biological, and molecular processes at contaminated sites.
Conveners: Carrie Miller, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA, email: millercl@ornl.gov, and Baohua Gu, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 USA, email: gub1@ornl.gov, and Anthony Palumbo, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN USA, email: Palumboav@ornl.gov, and Liyuan Liang, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, Oak Ridge, TN USA, email: liangl@ornl.gov

B27 Integrated Studies of Regional Carbon Exchange
Significant progress in reducing uncertainty about sources and sinks of greenhouse gases is coming out of studies that bridge across traditional methodological boundaries. Observation-based flux estimates, inventory accounting, bottom-up process modeling, and top-down inverse modeling are all valuable on their own, but their combination offers powerful insights into fluxes and underlying processes at policy-relevant scales. This session provides an opportunity to examine (in)consistency emerging from 1) comprehensive data analyses, 2) model intercomparisons, 3) data-model fusions, and 4) multi-method syntheses centered on diagnostic surface-atmosphere carbon exchanges at landscape to continental and ocean basin scales. We invite a wide range of submissions spanning terrestrial ecoregions, oceans, and the coastal zone, especially those documenting process-level understanding coming from mixed-method analyses of carbon exchanges. Presentations synthesizing results from research programs with regional focus are encouraged, including but not limited to the North American Carbon Program, CarboEurope, CarboAfrica, LBA, and FLUXNET.
Conveners: Christopher A. Williams, UMBC, Goddard Earth Sciences and Technology Center, , Greenbelt, MD USA, Tel: 301 614 6624, email: caw@umbc.edu, and Ken Davis, Department of Meteorology, Penn State University, , , USA, email: davis@meteo.psu.edu, and Burke Hales, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, , , USA, email: bhales@coas.oregonstate.edu, and Phillipe Peylin, Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l''Environnement, , , FRA, email: peylin@lsce.ipsl.fr

B28 Biogeochemistry of Oxyanion-Forming Metals and Metalloids in the Environment
The importance of biogeochemical cycling of trace metals in the environment has long been recognized; both from the aspect of occurrence of trace metals that are toxic to organisms and also owing to the presence of metals that are critical trace nutrients in the environment. Historically, studies focused on the heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Pb, Hg, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Ni), whereas much less attention was directed towards understanding the biogeochemistry of oxyanion-forming metals and metalloids (e.g., Cr, Mo, W, V, Re, As, Sb, Se, Te) in the environment. However, a number of relatively recent, environmental poisoning events have drawn widespread attention to oxyanion-forming metals and metalloids in the environment, and in particular, helped to underscore the necessity of an improved understanding of their biogeochemistry. Chief among these events is the mass poisoning of tens of millions of people in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, owing to the consumption of groundwater with elevated As concentrations. In addition, the mass poisoning of waterfowl by selenium at the Kesterson Reservoir (California) and the possible influence of tungsten as a contributing factor in the development of childhood/adolescent leukemia clusters in western Nevada and southeastern Arizona are also of note. Many of the oxyanion-forming metals/metalloids are important biologically. For example, molybdenum-based enzymes are important in a number of processes including nitrogen fixation (i.e., dinitrogenase reductase of the nitrogenase complex) and dissimilatory reduction of many oxyanion-forming metals via the dimethsulfoxide reductase group of Mo-bearing enzymes. Recently, W-bearing enzymes have also been identified from a number of thermophilic and methanogenic archaea as well as some bacteria. Microbes that fix carbon using energy derived by oxidizing As(V) to As(III), and others that respire using As(V) as a terminal electron acceptor have been identified from a number of environments. Microbes that can respire using oxidized Se, Te, Cr, and V species have also been recognized in the environment as have microbes that oxidize Se and Sb species. Consequently, understanding both the geochemistry and geomicrobiology of these oxyanion-forming metals and metalloids is critical to unraveling their biogeochemical cycles in the environment. We seek contributions that target and link novel geochemical and geomicrobiological techniques towards enhancing the understanding of these important elements in the environment. In particular, studies involving molecular level exploration using high-energy X-ray spectroscopic techniques and genetic/enzymatic markers as well as metal/metalloid speciation, environmental characterization, biogeochemical modeling, and biomineralization are encouraged.
Conveners: Karen Johannesson, Tulane Unniversity, 6823 Saint Charles Avenue Dept. Earth and Environmental Sciences 101 Blessey Hall, New Orleans, LA 70118 USA, Tel: 504-862-3193, email: kjohanne@tulane.edu, and Saugata Datta, Kansas State University, Dept. of Geology 108 Thompson Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 USA, Tel: 785-532-6724, email: datta.saugata@gmail.com

B29 Linking Land Use and Land Management to Models of the Earth System
Global climate models have included progressively more complex representations of the land surface, hoping to improve the simulated biogeophysics (e.g., atmosphere-land-ocean energy-mass-momentum transfers) and biogeochemistry (e.g., carbon and nitrogen cycles, dust and biogenic emissions). With increasing complexity we begin to refer to such coupled systems as Earth System Models (ESMs). Groups developing ESMs cannot neglect the human footprint on the landscape in simulations of historical and future climates. Traditionally we have represented this footprint with a vegetation category mimicking crop behavior, sometimes even using grassland or savannah as a proxy for managed ecosystems. Most efforts have yet to incorporate more explicit representations of land management such as crop type, planting, harvesting, tillage, fertilization, and irrigation, particularly because global scale datasets of these factors have lagged behind vegetation mapping. This is beginning to change, so we increasingly look to models that will predict the biogeophysical and biogeochemical effects not only of natural but now also human-managed land cover. Along these lines, this session will address the following issues: - Land use (e.g. crop) and land management (e.g. irrigation) model development for ESM applications - Land use and land management datasets for ESM applications - Land use and land management interactions with climate
Conveners: Samuel Levis, National Center for Atmospheric Research, , , USA, email: slevis@ucar.edu, and Christopher Kucharik, University of Wisconsin-Madison, , , USA, email: kucharik@wisc.edu

B30 Divalent Cation (Mg, Ca, Sr) Isotope Fractionation
The three divalent cations Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca) as well as Strontium (Sr) and their isotope systems (δ25/26Mg, δ44/42/40Ca, δ88/86Sr) are known to be major parts of the biogeochemical cycles on Earth interfering with long term climate change, continental weathering and biomineralization processes in the oceans and on land. Recent progress in analytical and instrumental techniques now allow detailed studies of divalent cation isotope fractionation and to establish time series in almost all proxy archives. For this session we invite contributions on all aspects of divalent cation isotope fractionation and their application for the reconstruction of Earth system history, on biomineralization processes and on climate change. In particular, contributions on the technical aspects for the measurement of divalent cation isotope fractionation are highly welcome.
Conveners: Anton Eisenhauer, Leibniz-Institute of Marine Sciences, Wischhofstr. 1-3, Kiel, 24148 DEU, Tel: +49-431-600-2282, Fax: +49-431-6002928, email: aeisenhauer@ifm-geomar.de, and Florian Böhm, Leibniz-Institute of Marine Sciences, Wischhofstr. 1-3, Kiel, 24148 DEU, Tel: +49-431-600-2104, Fax: +49-431-6002928, email: fboehm@ifm-geomar.de, and Meibom Anders, Museum National d''''Histoire Naturelle, Laboratoire d''''Etude de la Matiere Extraterrestre 61, Rue Buffon, Paris, 75005 FRA, Tel: +33-1-40-793543, email: meibom@mnhn.fr

B31 Black Carbon in the Environment
It has only recently been realized that pyrogenic carbon, or black carbon (BC), can make up a significant fraction of the organic carbon in soils and sediments. As such, BC is an important but poorly understood portion of the global carbon cycle that serves as a carbon sink and oxygen source over geological time-scales. Further, BC, or biochar, may be an important ingredient for soil fertility, controls the fate of organic contaminants, and is commonly used to reconstruct fire-frequency and human occupation records. This session will highlight recent advances in the quantification, characterization and biogeochemical cycling of BC found in the environment as well as studies that seek to utilize BC in paleoenvironmental reconstructions and soil amelioration.
Conveners: Andrew R. Zimmerman, Univ. of Florida, Dept. of Geological Sciences, 241 Williamson Hall , Gainesville, FL 32611 USA, Tel: 352-392-0070, Fax: 352-392-9294, email: azimmer@ufl.edu, and Ralph R. Mead, UNCW, Dept of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403 USA, Tel: 910-962-2447, email: meadr@uncw.edu, and Patrick Louchouarn, Texas A&M University, Oceanography and Marine Sciences 5007 Ave. U , Galveston, TX 77551 USA, Tel: 409-740-4710, Fax: 409-740-4787, email: loup@tamug.edu

B32 Linking Geochemistry, Geology, and Microbiology in Hydrothermal Systems
Hydrothermal features require truly interdisciplinary research approaches to understand linkages among the geochemistry, geology, and microbiology of these unique systems. This session will host presentations that are focused on collaborative investigations of terrestrial and marine hydrothermal features around the world with the goal of understanding the factors that drive geochemistry and community composition. We are especially interested in studies that synthesize large, diverse datasets that relate ecologic, molecular, and geochemical data.
Conveners: Cristina Takacs-Vesbach, University of New Mexico, Dept. of Biology MSC03 2020 1UNM , Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA, Tel: 505-277-3418, Fax: 505-277-0304, email: cvesbach@unm.edu, and W.C. Pat Shanks, US Geological Survey, 973 Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 USA, Tel: 303-236-2497, email: pshanks@usgs.gov

B33 Mercury Cycling in Ecosystems: Importance of Hot Spots and Hot Moments
Research on the mercury (Hg) cycle has identified wetlands and riparian areas as hot spots for methylation, and high-flow events as hot moments for transport of Hg and methyl Hg (MeHg), yet the connection between hot spots and hot moments is not well appreciated. Within wetlands, the interface with upland areas favors both the accumulation and methylation of Hg. Additionally, differences in wetland topography, hydrologic flow paths, sulfate availability, and other factors can favor some wetland areas as greater Hg and MeHg sources than others. Hot spots of Hg storage and methylation do not necessarily correspond to the dominant sources of Hg species to aquatic ecosystems. Such factors as flushing frequency by snowmelt and large storms, fluctuating water tables, hydraulic conductivity of soils, and upward hydrologic gradients through peaty wetland soils all can potentially merge hot spots with hot moments of Hg and MeHg transport to surface waters. In this session, we seek contributions from studies that have addressed these hot spot/hot moment ideas as a means of improving our conceptual models of the link between the terrestrial and aquatic cycles of Hg.
Conveners: Douglas A. Burns, U.S. Geological Survey, 425 Jordan Rd., Troy, NY 12180 USA, Tel: 518-285-5662, email: daburns@usgs.gov, and James B. Shanley, U.S. Geological Survey, , Montpelier, VT 05602 USA, Tel: 802-828-4466, email: jshanley@usgs.gov

B34 Methane: Toward Accurate Estimates of Fluxes Over Regional Scales
Methane has a global warming potential of 72 over a 20 year time horizon; it, therefore, is a promising greenhouse gas to target for short-term relief in the growth of radiative forcing. Our understanding of the global methane budget is probably sufficient to develop reasonable emission mitigation strategies, but our ability to estimate fluxes over regional scales is not sufficient to verify emission reductions reported under climate treaties or emissions trading schemes. Better estimates of fluxes will require a better understanding of the processes that emit methane, and a model system that integrates a variety of data streams, including atmospheric observations and process model outputs, to estimate fluxes at high spatial and temporal resolution. This session will build on previous sessions organized by the NCEAS-sponsored (National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis) methane working group. We invite contributions on methane biogeochemical cycling covering all spatial scales that deal with in situ observations of CH4 abundance and isotopic composition, remotely-sensed observations of CH4 abundance and land cover, field studies that relate fluxes to climate and other ecological parameters, process models, emissions inventories, and inversion models. The major goals of this session are to promote a synthesis of approaches to estimating regional CH4 flux estimates and to assess the current potential of assimilation methods for reducing uncertainties in the global methane budget.
Conveners: Chris Butenhoff, Portland State University, , , USA, email: cbuten@pdx.edu, and Ed Dlugokencky, NOAA ESRL, , , USA, email: ed.dlugokencky@noaa.gov, and Qianlai Zhuang, Purdue University, , , USA, email: qzhuang@purdue.edu, and Xiaozhen Xiong, NOAA NESDIS, , , USA, email: Xiaozhen.Xiong@noaa.gov

B35 Advances of Remote Sensing in Terrestrial Biodiversity Research
A key problem that ecologists and evolutionary biologist have strived to understand is the abundance and distribution of the biota. In this age of drastic and rapid rates of species extinctions, such knowledge has become an essential component for management and conservation. The synoptic view provided by earth-imaging sensors constitutes an important source of information on biodiversity at broad scales. The traditional approach to using these data has involved the classification of discrete land cover types which are then related to species distributions. A critical limitation of this approach is that many important dynamics are obscured as the variance is lost within arbitrary land cover classes. In recent years, novel analytical techniques have been developed that more fully exploit the spatial, spectral and temporal information content of remotely sensed imagery in order to quantify a broader range of ecosystem services, including biodiversity. This session features advances in the synoptic assessment of biodiversity at different spatial and temporal scales, using sensors carried on aerial and satellite platforms. The session will provide the initial steps towards a multi-disciplinary collaboration for establishing a synthesis on the synoptic assessment and management of biodiversity. We request presentations on applications of remote sensing techniques to biodiversity research, including the development of methodologies for assessment, monitoring, and modeling, as well as their implications for management and conservation.
Conveners: Andres Vina, Michigan State University, 1405 S. Harrison Road Suite 115 Manly Miles Bldg. , East Lansing, MI 48823-5243 USA, Tel: 517-432-5078, email: vina@msu.edu, and Mao-Ning Tuanmu, Michigan State University, 1405 S. Harrison Road Suite 115 Manly Miles Bldg. East Lansing, MI 48823-5243, East Lansing, MI 48823-5243 USA, Tel: 517-432-5025, email: tuanmuma@msu.edu

B36 The Role of Climate, Carbon and Limiting Nutrient Cycles and Human Activities in Terrestrial Ecosystems
Assessment of simulations to date with coupled carbon cycle-climate models show that carbon cycle feedbacks to climate change could significantly alter the rate of atmospheric CO2 concentration increase and climate change over the next hundred years. Nevertheless, the terrestrial carbon cycle is not only directly altered by increasing atmospheric CO2 and climate change; it is also indirectly altered by feedbacks from potentially limiting nutrient cycle (e.g., N and P) perturbations induced by changes in CO2 concentration and climate. Moreover, C cycle and other nutrient cycles and climate change, and the link between them are altered due to different natural and anthropogenic disturbance agents. The focus of this session will be the integrated understanding of climate, carbon and nutrient cycles and human activities (i.e., land cover and land use change) feedbacks in terrestrial ecosystems.
Conveners: Elizabeth Holland, National Center for Atmospheric Research, , , USA, email: eholland@ucar.edu, and Atul Jain, University of Illinois, , Urbana, IL USA, email: jain1@uiuc.edu

B37 Isotope Tracers of Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions: Advances in Measurements, Theory and Analysis
Improving the mechanistic understanding of ecosystem biogeochemistry and plant-soil-atmosphere exchange of important greenhouse gases such a carbon dioxide and water is crucial for predicting and detecting future climate changes and vegetation feedbacks. Isotope tracers are important tools in this effort. Recent developments in auto-flask sampling, field deployable mass spectrometers and optical spectrometers greatly increase the temporal frequency with which interactions and exchange processes can be investigated. This presents exciting opportunities to apply micrometeorological and chamber methods for advancing our understanding of the temporal dynamics of isotope signals and post-photosynthetic fractionations within plants and in the soil. This session is open to all contributions that apply isotopes in biosphere-atmosphere exchange and ecosystem biogeochemistry, such as measurement and modeling of isotope discrimination, measuring end-members used in flux partitioning, linking above and below ground processes, soil process studies, and regional and global atmospheric budgets.
Conveners: Kevin P. Tu, University of California - Berkeley, Dept Integrative Biology, Valley Life Science Building, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, email: kevintu@berkeley.edu, and Lisa R. Welp, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, ESC 300 , New Haven, CT 06511 USA, email: lisa.welp@yale.edu, and Alexander Knohl, ETH Zurich, Institute of Plant Sciences Universitatstr., Zurich, LFW C38 CHE, email: alexander.knohl@ipw.agrl.ethz.ch

B38 Human Health-Related Consequences of Modifying the Environment
Many studies have been conducted on evaluation of the ecological impacts of environmental change and little attention has been paid to the effects of ecological changes on human health because human health effects are too subtle and indirect to be detected. Any change in environmental systems has the potential to impact humans regionally and perhaps globally. For example, some water development projects have negatively impacted public health through the creation of habitat for disease vectors such as mosquitoes and snails in many countries. It is, hence, conceivable that any changes to water quality, air quality, land use and other environmental systems can impact human health either negatively or positively. Epidemiological studies in conjunction with analyses of environmental changes would be able to delineate subtle but important impacts on human health caused by global climate and environmental changes. This session invites authors who are working on the effects of changes in environments on human health related issues.
Conveners: Motomu Ibaraki, The Ohio State University, School of Earth Sciences 125 South Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210 USA, Tel: 614-292-7528, Fax: 614-292-7688, email: ibaraki.1@osu.edu, and Satoshi Takizawa, University of Tokyo, Department of Urban Engineering 7-3-1 Hongo, Bnukyo-ku , Tokyo, Tky 113-8656 JPN, Tel: +81-3-5841-6241, Fax: +81-3-5841-8532, email: takizawa@env.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp

B39 The Bio-atmospheric N Cycle: N Emissions, Transformations, Deposition, and Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts
Biogenic and anthropogenic emissions of reactive nitrogen (Nr) are transported and chemically transformed in the atmosphere and deposited on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, altering the structure and function of those systems and potentially degrading environmental quality. Estimating atmospheric N exchange, including emissions and deposition, and evaluating ecosystem responses require a diverse array of measurements and models that link processes at multiple scales. We seek presentations on physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic processes that drive local, regional and global nitrogen exchange, resultant impacts on ecosystem structure, function, carbon uptake, nitrogen export, biodiversity, and the ultimate fate of deposited Nr. We especially welcome presentations reagarding policy implications and responses.
Conveners: Stuart Weiss, Creekside Center for Earth Observation, 27 Bishop Lane, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, email: stu@creeksidescience.com, and Paul Rich, Creekside Center for Earth Observation, , , USA, email: paul@creeksidescience.com

B40 Interpretation of Vegetation Biophysical Processes Using Xylem Sap Flux Data and Remote Sensing Techniques
This session will focus on 1) local and regional-scale remote sensing of biophysical processes quantifiable with ground-based measurements of vegetation sap flux, and 2) hydrological and biogeochemical modeling that incorporates remote sensing and sap flux data. Contributions are welcome on mapping and characterization of vegetation biophysical dynamics, seasonal dynamics, and interannual processes. Moisture flux towers currently provide the most-often-used ground-based method by which remote sensing-based evapotranspiration (ET) estimates are scaled or validated. However, flux towers measure combined soil evaporation and vegetation transpiration, and are subject to several sources of error. Methods incorporating direct measurement of vegetation sap flux offer some advantages for providing ground data for use in scaling. These methods allow quantification of plant water use, which is often a primary research interest; they are independent measurements that can serve as a check on flux tower-based estimates; they provide detailed information on stomatal conductance and controls on transpiration at hourly, daily and longer time steps. However, they generally undersample stand-level processes, hence methods are needed to scale from branch or trunk to whole plants and then to plots large enough to serve as remote sensing targets. This session will bring together experts in sap flux measurements and remote sensing to attempt a synthesis of methods.
Conveners: Pamela Nagler, USGS, Sonoran Desert Research Station, Tuscon, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: 520-626-1472, email: pnagler@usgs.gov, and Kyle McDonald, Jet Propulsion Lab, California Institute of Technology, , Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818-354-3263, email: kyle.mcdonald@jpl.nasa.gov

B41 The World Is Not Flat: Isotopic Tools for Understanding Mountainous Terrain
Mountains cover twenty percent of the earth’s surface, including much of the western United States. They contain many of the world’s most productive ecosystems and provide essential ecosystem services (e.g., as “water towers” to lower-lying, urban areas). However, we have a very poor understanding of ecological processes in mountainous areas, especially as they relate to climate. The reasons for this are two-fold. First, ecological processes differ distinctly in mountainous terrain compared with “flat ground." These differences result partly from downslope movement of sediments and partly from rapid gravitational drainage of water and cold air. Second, many of the large-scale integration tools available for ecosystem studies, including especially flux measurements, are difficult to employ in complex terrain. It is sobering to consider that sites selected for the entire Ameriflux network, and more recently for NEON core sites, have been biased deliberately in favor of flat terrain. What else can we use as integrative measurements of ecosystem function in the mountains? Stable isotope measurements can integrate over space and time. For example, isotopic composition of stream water provides information on hydrologic processes over entire watersheds. In addition, the isotopic composition of dissolved ions in the water provides new opportunities to assess biogeochemical cycles upslope. Recent studies have demonstrated that a similar approach may be applied to nocturnal cold-air drainage systems, focusing on the carbon isotope composition of respired CO2 collected from the upslope airshed. These integrative measurements provide new opportunities to parameterize and test simulation models in the absence of eddy-flux data. This session welcomes contributions that discuss isotopic tools for the analysis of ecosystem processes in mountainous terrain.
Conveners: John David Marshall, University of Idaho, Department of Forest Resources University of Idaho , Moscow, ID 83844-1133 USA, Tel: 208-885-6695, Fax: 208-885-6564, email: jdm@uidaho.edu, and Barbara Bond, Oregon State University, Department of Forest Science Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-6110, Fax: 541-737-1393, email: Barbara.Bond@orst.edu, and Kathleen Kavanagh, University of Idaho, Department of Forest Resources University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1133 USA, Tel: 208-885-2552, Fax: 208-885-6564, email: katyk@uidaho.edu

B42 Elements and Evolution
Living things are comprised of a non-random selection of major biogenic elements (C, H, O, N, O and S) and trace metals (e.g., Fe, Cu, Ni, Mo and V). The abundances of these elements in the oceans, and their chemical forms, have changed dramatically through time, particularly in response to the progressive oxygenation of the oceans and atmosphere. The evolutionary consequences of the intersection between biochemistry and Earth history are likely to be profound, but at present are only dimly discerned. A key obstacle to progress is that researchers informed about the evolution of Earth’s surface chemistry rarely overlap with those concerned with the elemental requirements of microbes. This session seeks to bring together researchers studying the element requirements of organisms from multiple perspectives, ranging from molecular biology to ecology to those studying changes in element availability and associated environmental conditions across multiple timescales.
Conveners: Ariel Anbar, Arizona State University, , Tempe, AZ 85287 USA, Tel: 480 965-0767, email: anbar@asu.edu, and Kurt Konhauser, University of Alberta, , Edmonton, CAN, email: kurtk@ualberta.ca, and Felisa Wolfe-Simon, Harvard University, , , USA, email: wolfe@eps.harvard.edu

B43 The Carbon Cycle: From Genomes to Global Biogeochemistry
Predicting and responding to global climate change scenarios will require new levels of insight into the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and carbon cycle interactions with other key elemental cycles in the earth’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It is critical to develop a more mechanistic understanding of biological carbon transformations in order to accurately predict the processes that mediate biogeochemical cycling and how they may be affected by and respond to shifting environmental parameters. Such insights are required to understand potential impacts of climate change, provide more refined biogeochemical process and rate data for global climate models, and assess potential strategies to enhance biosequestration of carbon in ecosystems. Advances in the fields of genomics and systems biology are providing new insights into functional properties of plant and microbial communities at increasingly high levels of resolution, but many challenges remain in regards to linking genomics to ecophysiology and, ultimately, to ecosystem level biogeochemical processes. To meet these challenges, a new generation of scientific inquiry is emerging which draws on the expertise of molecular biologists, ecologists, biogeochemists, and modelers and integrates information and knowledge across broad levels of biological organization. The purpose of this session is to provide examples and discuss integrative approaches to research on biogeochemical cycling and to identify new methodologies and technologies linking genomics to community structure and function and, eventually, to ecosystem processes.
Conveners: Mary Firestone, University of California, Berkeley, 135 Mulford Hall University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, email: MFirestone@lbl.gov, and Jim Fredrickson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352 USA, email: Jim.Fredrickson@pnl.gov, and Scott Elliott, Los Alamos National Laboratory, COSIM (Climate Ocean Sea Ice Modeling) Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, NM 87505 USA, email: sme@lanl.gov, and Joseph Graber, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Biological & Environmental Research, SC-23 U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue., S.W. , Washington, DC 20585-1290 USA, Tel: 301-903-1239, Fax: 301-903-5051, email: joseph.graber@science.doe.gov

B44 Impacts of Global Change on Carbon and Nutrient Cycling in Wetlands
Wetlands are important global sinks of carbon (C), sources of methane and nitrous oxide to the atmosphere, and dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen to surface waters. Altered temperature and hydrology through climate change and increased nutrient deposition from industrialization and fertilization potentially disrupt C cycling in these ecosystems. Predicting the consequences is challenging because of differential responses of primary production, organic matter decomposition, and microbial communities involved in the decomposition of organic matter. The session invites contributions investigating how environmental change, including increased nutrient input, affects C and nutrient cycling in wetland ecosystems. Contributions may address effects of environmental change on (I) C budgets and major processes in carbon cycling, (II) changes in vegetation and microbial dynamics, and (III) biogeochemical processes. Of particular interest are disturbances such as freezing and thawing, drought and flooding, and N and S deposition. The conveners’ aim for an integration of field, laboratory and modelling approaches in this session, and to identify changes in elemental cycling across scales.
Conveners: Christian Blodau, University of Bayreuth, Universitaetsstrasse 30, Bayreuth, 95440 DEU, Tel: 49 921 552223, Fax: 49 921 552049, email: christian.blodau@uni-bayreuth.de, and Yangping Xing, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, Bayreuth, 95440 DEU, Tel: 49 921 553500, Fax: 49 921 552049, email: yangping.xing@uni-bayreuth.de, and Dimitre Dikov Dimitrov, University of Bayreuth, Universitaetstrasse 30, Bayreuth, 95445 DEU, Tel: 49 921 552221, Fax: 49 921 552049, email: dimitre@ualberta.ca

B45 Fires in the Earth System
Fires are an important part of the ecology of terrestrial ecosystems, as well as being perturbed by climate change and human activities. Fires impact and interact with terrestrial biogeochemistry by modifying plants, surface albedos and releasing nutrients. Fires emit carbon, aerosols, reactive chemicals, green house gases and nutrients into the atmosphere. These emissions, modify clouds, radiation, climate and downwind biogeochemistry. In this session we explore the multi-discplinary interactions of fires with terrestrial and ocean biogeochemistry, as well as the interactions with climate and clouds. Paleoclimate and satellite observations of fire and fire impacts provide important verficiation data for fire models currently being included in earth system models. As fire interactions are likely to influence the trajectory of carbon dioxide and climate, these interactions are important to understand for future climate projections.
Conveners: Natalie Mahowald, Cornell/NCAR, , , USA, email: nmm63@cornell.edu, and James T. Randerson, UCI, , , USA, email: jranders@uci.edu, and Peter Hess, Cornell/NCAR, , , USA, email: hess@ucar.edu

B46 Carbon Flux and the North Atlantic Bloom- Early Results from a New Measurement Program
Net CO2 uptake in the Atlantic Ocean north of 50ºN accounts for about 25% of the global total. The biological pump, most importantly the spring bloom, drives this uptake. Previous studies have shown the importance of small temporal and spatial scales, i.e. ecosystem patchiness, during the bloom, but have had limited success in resolving these scales. A new measurement program, sponsored by the National Science Foundation as part of the Carbon and Water in Earth System program, employed a mix of extended-endurance autonomous platforms (floats and gliders), complemented by process-oriented ship-supported sampling, to resolve these small scales through an entire bloom cycle. This observing system characterized vertical and horizontal mixing rates and key carbon system components and rates following water parcels in the mixed layer. This session focuses on early results from the extensive suite of collaborative North Atlantic Bloom efforts, but also encourages submissions detailing results from other spring bloom studies.
Conveners: Craig M. Lee, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, 1013 NE 40th St, Seattle, WA 98105-6698 USA, Tel: +1-206-685-7656, email: craig@apl.washington.edu, and Eric A. D'Asaro, ASpplied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, , , USA, email: dasaro@apl.washington.edu, and Mary Jane Perry, University of Maine, , , USA, email: perrymj@maine.edu, and Katja Fennel, Dalhousie University, , , CAN, email: Katja.Fennel@dal.ca

B47 Recent Advances in Microbial Oceanography
Microbes dominate our planet, especially our oceans. By nature a highly interdisciplinary field, Microbial Oceanography seeks to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role of microorganisms in the structure and function of marine ecosystems. In recognition of the overwhelming importance of microbial processes, an unprecedented amount of federal and private funding has been allocated to microbial oceanographic research recently, and this intense focus on microbial oceanography will continue well into the next decade. This session focuses on recent advances in this rapidly growing field of study. We particularly welcome presentations on the following themes: • microbial biodiversity • metabolism and C-N-P-energy flow • remote and continuous sensing • modeling microbial processes: simulation and prediction • integration of research and education: preparing the next generation of microbial oceanographers
Conveners: Barbara C. Bruno, C-MORE/University of Hawaii, , , USA, email: barb@hawaii.edu, and Paul Kemp, C-MORE/University of Hawaii, , , USA, email: paulkemp@hawaii.edu

B48 Microbiology and Biogeochemistry of the Sea Surface Microlayer
This session will to bring together colleagues engaged in studying all aspects of the microbiology and biogeochemistry of the sea surface microlayer and to discuss related findings and ideas, including new data from ongoing and recently completed studies. All contributions related to sea surface microlayer microbiology and biogeochemistry are encouraged, including new observations, more detailed data synthesis and interpretation, and advances in methodology.
Conveners: Robert Charles Upstill-Goddard, Newcastle University, School of Marine Science and Technology, Ridley Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU GBR, Tel: +44 (0) 191 222 5065, Fax: +44 191 222 7891, email: rob.goddard@ncl.ac.uk, and Elizabeth Baggs, University of Aberdeen, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Cruickshank Building, St Machar Drive , Aberdeen, AB24 3UU GBR, Tel: +44 (0)1224 272691, Fax: +44 (0)1224 272703, email: e.baggs@abdn.ac.uk

B49 Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere: New Science and Comprehensive Analyses
The sequestration of carbon by the biosphere is an important but complex component of global climate variability. From the perspective of climate change mitigation, there may be significant potential to enhance carbon sequestration in terrestrial vegetation, soils, and the ocean through carbon-oriented management strategies. Globally, our understanding of natural carbon dynamics is incomplete; ecosystem change may have multiple, sometimes offsetting effects on climate (for example, the trade-off between enhanced carbon uptake and reduced albedo that accompanies reforestation). Management plans that include land use modification or artificial fertilization of land or sea carry an added set of concerns including those related to environmental protection or competing uses of scarce resources. These concerns must be weighed against their contribution to climate change mitigation. This session invites contributions including those reporting 1) fundamental physical, chemical, biological, and genetic mechanisms that are relevant to sequestration strategies, 2) the potential to enhance carbon sequestration in the terrestrial or ocean biosphere through management practices and associated environmental consequences , and 3) economic perspectives and cost-benefit trade-offs. We encourage research presentations that emphasize both positive and negative elements of proposed sequestration initiatives.
Conveners: Ning Zeng, University of Maryland, , , USA, email: zeng@umd.edu, and Vanessa Bailey, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, , , USA, email: vanessa.bailey@pnl.gov, and Ken Caldeira, Carnegie Institution/Stanford University, , , USA, email: kcaldeira@stanford.edu, and Johannes Lehmann, Cornell University, , , USA, email: cl273@cornell.edu, and Ben Zaitchik, NASA/GSFC, , , USA, email: benjamin.f.zaitchik@nasa.gov, and Stan D. Wullschleger, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, , , USA, email: wullschlegsd@ornl.gov

B50 Sagan Lecture
Sagan Lecture for Biogeosciences and Planetary Sciences.
Conveners: William H. Schlesinger, The Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Box AB, Millbrook, NY 12545 USA, Tel: +1-845-677-5343, email: schlesingerw@ecostudies.org

Biogeosciences also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
GC05 Climate Change Impacts: Estimating Probabilities and Risks
GC02 Land-Atmosphere-Cryosphere Interactions in Northern Eurasia
P06 Focus on Enceladus
PP08 The State of the Ocean Carbonate System and the Concentration of Atmospheric CO2 in the Past
IN10 Data Fusion: Issues, Barriers and Approaches
GC12 Climate Change Impacts on Regional-Scale Hydrology and Implications for Sustainability of Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems
GC13 Regional-Scale Forcing of Climate
IN12 Strategies for Improved Marine and Synergistic Data Access and Interoperability
PP10 The Meaning Changes of the Carbon Isotope Values in the Sedimentary Record
PP07 Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic Geochemical Records of Paleoclimatic and Paleoceanographic Variability
H56 Water Quality of Hydrologic Systems
H58 The Critical Role of Long-term Watershed and Ecosystem Experimental Networks in Advancing Science
A15 Oceanic Sources and Sinks of Trace Gases
GC16 Environmental Change on the Tibetan Plateau
A25 Space Observations of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide: Retrieval, Validation, Modeling, and Assimilation
H47 Spatio-temporal Patterns of Hydrological Processes in Forest Ecosystems
C19 Snow - Vegetation Interactions
PP13 Evolution of the Marine Nitrogen Cycle Through Time
P12 Organic and Inorganic Microbial Biosignatures
OS26 Coupled Land-Ocean Biogeochemical Cycling in the Gulf of Mexico
GC23 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Needs in California: New Science – Growing Challenges
ED03 IPY: Science and Outreach In Polar Partnership
A37 A Micro-scale, GIS-Based Modeling Emission Inventory System in Support of Micro-scale Chemical Transport Modeling
PP23 The Potential of Isotopic and Elemental Composition of Tree-Rings in Climatic and Environmental Reconstruction
OS32 Ocean Acidification: Impacts From the Coast to Open Ocean Based Upon Laboratory Studies, Proxy Data and Instrumental Records
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
GC20 Earth System Science and Education in an Anthropogenic Biosphere
V02 Innovations in Isotope Mass Spectrometry and Isotope Metrology in Geochemistry
PP12 Ocean Anoxia - Climate, Ecosystem and Sedimentary Feedbacks Through Time
PP15 Radiocarbon Evidence for Past Changes in the Global Carbon Cycle and Ocean Circulation
PP22 Chemical and Isotopic Composition of Carbonate Skeletons: Seasonal Environmental and Climate Records
C06 Polar Regions: Local Change, Global Impacts and Future Challenges - Outcomes of the International Polar Year 2007-2008
PP11 The Role of Coccolithophores on a Changing Planet
IN07 Making Earth Science Data Records
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
IN14 Advancing Digital Watersheds and Virtual Environmental Observatories
H57 Sources, Transport, and Cycling of Nutrients in Aquatic Systems
A44 Possible Links Among Vegetation, Aerosols and Climate
A29 Linking Past and Present Hydrological Cycles to Climate with Water Vapor and Precipitation Isotopes
OS04 CLIVAR/GODAE: The ECCO State Estimates
V25 New Insights on the Formation and Evolution of Fast-Spreading Ocean Crust from IODP Site 1256, Pito and Hess Deeps, and Active Ridges
H09 Timescales and Feedbacks in Ecogeomorphology
H64 Ecosystem Resilience to Changing Climate Patterns: The Role of Hydrology
H72 Linking Isotope Geochemistry to Environmental and Forensic Science: Analytical Approaches, Novel Applications, Policy Implications
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
PP29 Novel Insights in Historical Geobiology
PP18 Past Changes in the Biological Pump: Integrating Theory with Observations
OS21 Advances in Operational Oceanography and Scientific Drilling
OS30 Carbon Storage in the Ocean
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN24 Open Source Remote Sensing for Environmental Mapping and Analysis
IN16 Challenges for Earth Science Software Reuse
MR05 Life Under Pressure: Chemistry of Extreme Conditions
V16 Oceanic Spreading Centers and Volcanic Rift Systems: Tracking Fluxes and the Interplay Between Processes from Mantle to Microbe
H03 Advances in Land Data Assimilation Systems and Estimation of Large-Scale Surface Turbulent Fluxes
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
IN11 Environmental Sensor Networks: Real World Examples
V08 Early Earth Evolution: Geodynamics, Geochemistry, Geobiology
H11 Historic Hydrologic Synthesis: Quantifying the Past to Understand the Future
H18 Deciphering the Role of Surface and Subsurface Processes on Solute Dynamics at the Catchment Scale
H71 Arsenic and Other Metals as Contaminants in Hydrologic Systems
H79 Microbiological Quality of Urban Water Systems: What Matters and How to Measure it
IN06 The Science of Coupling with the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)
H24 Hydrologic Controls On Ecosystem Function
OS05 Influences of Atmospheric Deposition of Nutrients, Trace Elements, and Isotopes on Ocean Biogeochemistry.
OS19 Iron Distribution and Speciation in the Oceans
V12 Nature and Role of Colloids and Nanoparticles in the Environment
ED05 Defining, Communicating and Protecting Authentic Science in Education, the Public and the Media: New and Expanding Roles for Scientists and Science Societies?
OS34 Research Experiences of Undergraduates in Ocean Sciences
C29 International Collaboration to Build Understanding of Climate Change in Polar Regions
H05 Optimality Principles for Understanding Hydrological, Biological, and Geomorphological Patterns and Processes
PA05 Responding to Changes in Global Biogeochemical Cycles: Using Assessments to Guide Policies
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Cryosphere

C01 Cryosphere: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Cryosphere.
Conveners: Danny Marks, USDA-ARS Northwest Watershed Research Center, 800 Park Blvd, Suite 105, Boise, ID USA, email: ars.danny@gmail.com

C02 Cenozoic Antarctic Glacial History
Antarctica has supported major ice sheets since the Early Cenozoic. Variations in the size and extent of these ice sheets resulted in major variations in global climate, sea-level, and atmospheric/ocean circulation. Yet, there is a paucity of Cenozoic Antarctic outcrops and difficult access to stratigraphic records has limited understanding of the timing and scale of dynamic and stable behaviour of the ice sheets. During the last two decades, studies of long sedimentary sequences drilled in and around Antarctica (e.g., ODP Legs, SHALDRIL, CRP, CIROS, ANDRILL) have led to significant advances in the understanding of the evolution of the Cenozoic climate, oceanography, and biota of the Antarctic continent and the Southern Ocean. This session is designed to investigate the many orders and scales of variation of Antarctica ice sheets, climate and paleobiota from Antarctic and Subantarctic records, deep sea drilling, continental margin drilling and seismic investigations. The session is a contribution to the Antarctic Climate Evolution (ACE) program, whose goal is to integrate geological data within climate and ice sheet models.
Conveners: Fabio Florindo, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, , , ITA, email: florindo@ingv.it, and David Harwood, Dept. of Geosciences, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, , , USA, email: dharwood1@unl.edu, and Tim Naish, University of Wellington, , , NZL, email: t.naish@gns.cri.nz, and Ross Powell, Northern Illinois University, , , USA, email: ross@geol.niu.edu, and Richard Levy, Dept. of Geosciences, Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln, , , USA, email: rlevy2@unl.edu

C03 Subglacial Processes and Environments
This session will examine the evidence for dynamical changes in subglacial processes and environments that are driven by internal and external factors within the glacier-climate system, including temperature, mass balance, subglacial hydrology, sea level, sediment supply etc. Evidence for the dynamics of past and present ice sheets and glaciers is derived mainly from spatial and temporal patterns in subglacial hydrological and sedimentary processes. A greater understanding of these processes has implications for evaluating the role of different forcing factors, and modelling glacier dynamics, including ice streams and outburst floods.
Conveners: Jasper Knight, University of Exeter, Department of Geography University of Exeter Cornwall Campus, Penryn, TR10 9EZ GBR, email: j.knight@exeter.ac.uk, and Mandy Munro-Stasiuk, Kent State University, Department of Geography Kent State University , Kent, OH 44242 USA, Tel: 330-672-3225, Fax: 330-672-4304, email: mmunrost@kent.edu

C04 Snow and Ice Impurities as Climate Forcing Agents and Records
Industrial and biomass burning emissions and dust storms from low- and mid-latitudes deposit to mid- and high-latitude snow and ice. Additional deposits come from peri-glacial outflow and debris. Trace snow and ice impurities can have significant climate impacts because surface darkening triggers snow metamorphism and snow/ice-albedo feedback processes that amplify their climate change efficacy (surface temperature response per unit forcing). This session is devoted to laboratory and field measurements and numerical experiments that characterize the effects of impurities on snow/ice reflectance, structure, seasonality, and thereby on hydrology and climate. The session gives attendees an opportunity to critically examine whether, how, and by how much snow and ice impurities alter hydrology and climate. Interested researchers from the modeling, laboratory, field measurement, and remote sensing communities are invited for presentations on the measurement, attribution, and consequences of snow/ice impurities in Earth's past, present, and future climates. Relevant studies include, and are not limited to, those that 1. improve theories of and constraints on impurity-induced darkening; 2. attribute snow/ice impurities as climate records vs. forcing agents; 3. identify effects on snowpack composition, structure, or seasonality; 4. predict effects of intentional or inadvertent snow/ice darkening; 5. intercompare effects of surface darkening and other polar forcings; 6. identify and predict effects of impurities on snowmelt runoff and sublimation/evaporation rates.
Conveners: Charles Zender, University of California, Irvine, Department of Earth System Science 3228 Croul Hall , Irvine, CA 92697-3100 USA, Tel: (949) 824-2987, Fax: (949) 824-3874, email: zender@uci.edu, and Thomas Painter, University of Utah, , Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA, email: painter@geog.utah.edu, and Joseph R. McConnell, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512 USA, Tel: 775-673-7348, Fax: 775-673-7363, email: jmcconn@dri.edu, and Mark Flanner, National Center for Atmospheric Research, , Boulder, CO 80302 USA, email: mflanner@ucar.edu, and Jing Ming, Beijing Climate Center, China Meteorological Administration, 46 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Beijing, 100081 CHN, email: mingjing@mail.iggcas.ac.cn

C05 Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere
Remote sensing represents an efficient tool for monitoring and mapping the cryosphere over large areas where, otherwise, it would be difficult if not impossible. This session will bring together recent advances in remote sensing of components of the cryosphere such as frozen soil, snow, sea ice, ice sheets, etc. including results from recent field experiments, development and improvement of models, evaluation/development of techniques for the retrieval of geophysical parameters, data assimilation and data fusion. Contributions regarding remote sensing of cryosphere are kindly invited and strongly encouraged.
Conveners: Thomas Painter, University of Utah, , , USA, email: painter@geog.utah.edu, and Marco Tedesco, CUNY - NASA - UMBC, , , USA, email: mtedesco@sci.ccny.cuny.edu

C06 Polar Regions: Local Change, Global Impacts and Future Challenges - Outcomes of the International Polar Year 2007-2008
The Polar Regions are indisputably vital components of the Earth System and sensitive indicators of change. Many polar environments are changing faster than anywhere else on the planet and faster than at any time in the past. There are therefore clearly lessons to be learnt from these events that can be applied elsewhere. These changes are having profound impacts on the environment, ecosystems, and humans, both locally and globally. Despite the importance of these events, the reality is that both our level of understanding of various key polar processes and ability to accurately model them remains limited. In addition the scale of research required to address these issues is often necessarily international, whereas science funding often has to follow national priorities. Given the pressing need to understand both the processes of change in the Polar Regions and their wider implications for the planet, the launch of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 programme in March 2007 has been timely, relevant and necessary. The scientific outcomes of the Polar Year as fieldwork finishes in early 2009, coupled with the emerging IPY legacy of more capable circum-polar observational networks, increased polar infrastructure and greater international cooperation should provide a powerful platform to address globally relevant research in the changing polar environments. This session will be open to the diversity of IPY science but we hope to include presentations on the current status and challenges associated with four globally relevant IPY topics: coupling of polar processes and atmospheric composition with regional and global change; ocean circulation: polar forcing and responses: ice sheet stability and future sea level rise, and the resilience and response of polar organisms and ecosystems to environmental change.
Conveners: Marco Tedesco, CUNY - NASA - UMBC, , , USA, email: mtedesco@umbc.edu, and David Carlson, IPY International Programme Office, Cambridge, UK, Cambridge, GBR, email: ipy.djc@gmail.com, and J. Cynan Ellis-Evans, British Antarctic Survey, , Cambridge, GBR, email: jcel@bas.ac.uk

C07 Snow Stratigraphy and Microstructure
The microstructure and stratigraphy of snow has a strong effect on remote sensing measurements, avalanche forecasting, radiation models, snowpack simulation, and routing of meltwater during the spring. Measurements have shown that physical properties of snow often exhibit large spatial variability over short length scales, and this high-frequency variation influences interpretations of the snowpack in the context of remote sensing observations, slope stability, and snow hydrology. Typically measurements of stratigraphy and microstructure are available at only a few locations, due to the time consuming nature of current standard techniques, and this information is used to estimate properties over large areas, often with very large uncertainty. This session will highlight new state-of-the-art techniques for quantitatively measuring microstructure and stratigraphy, modeling and remote sensing studies which show the importance of having detailed measurements of physical properties of snow, and studies focused on spatial variations in snowpack properties.
Conveners: Hans-Peter Marshall, Boise State University and INSTAAR, University of CO, 30 Lewis Mountain Lane, Durango, CO 81301 USA, Tel: 303-859-3106, email: marshalh@colorado.edu, and Martin Schneebeli, Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, , , CHE, email: schneebeli@slf.ch

C08 Improving Global Snow Observations and Models
Large-scale observations and models of snow are needed for many hydrological and climate applications. Passive and active microwave instruments are used to determine snow properties such as depth and water equivalent on a range of scales. Long-term satellite measurements have resulted in a 30-year record suitable for climatology studies. The sensitivity of the widely-used empirical retrieval method to factors such as grain size and vegetation cover is not well quantified globally. In addition, small-scale heterogeneity and layering of the snowpack may give rise to retrieval errors that are dependent on scale (spaceborne, airborne, field measurement). Contributions are invited that cover all aspects of snow and vegetation microwave interaction, large-scale models and assimilation, and physically-based retrieval methods. This could include: improvement of forward microwave emission models and inverse modelling, microwave interaction between snow and vegetation, assessment of global snow products derived from microwave measurements, assimilation of these data to improve regional models, retrieval and model error analysis, algorithm development and validation.
Conveners: Ian Davenport, ESSC, University of Reading, 3 Earley Gate Harry Pitt Building Whiteknights , Reading, RG6 6AL GBR, Tel: +441183787762, email: ijd@mail.nerc-essc.ac.uk, and Robert Gurney, ESSC, University of Reading, 3 Earley Gate Harry Pitt Building Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AL GBR, Tel: +441183788741, email: rjg@mail.nerc-essc.ac.uk, and Debbie Putt, ESSC, University of Reading, 3 Earley Gate Harry Pitt Building Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AL GBR, Tel: +441183785216, email: djp@mail.nerc-essc.ac.uk, and Melody Sandells, ESSC, University of Reading, 3 Earley Gate Harry Pitt Building Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AL GBR, Tel: +441183785214, email: mjs@mail.nerc-essc.ac.uk

C09 Large Scale Cryosphere – Climate Connectivity
High-latitude regions are recognized as being critically sensitive to anthropogenic climate change, and are also subject to large scale climate phenomena such as the northern and southern annular modes. The cryosphere is a dominant but highly variable feature in these regions, and exists in numerous forms including snow cover, ice sheets, permafrost and sea ice. Therefore components of the cryosphere can be expected to interact with climate variability and change, either as a passive responder to climate, as an instigator of climate perturbations, or through feedback mechanisms that affect both facets of the polar environment. Moreover, this cryosphere – climate connectivity is not constrained to high latitudes, but can also occur in snow-covered mid-latitudes and hence potentially affect the global climate system. This session brings cryospheric, atmospheric, hydrologic and climate scientists together to share recent advances in our current understanding of this connectivity. Investigations are solicited involving all components of the cryosphere, and both climate variability and change. Studies that target large, regional – continental scales are particularly encouraged.
Conveners: Gavin Gong, Columbia University, , , USA, email: gg2138@columbia.edu, and Allan Frei, Hunter College, , , USA, email: afrei@hunter.cuny.edu, and Judah Cohen, Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc, , , USA, email: jcohen@aer.com

C10 Remote Sensing of Changes in Terrestrial Permafrost
Permafrost covers about one fourth of the Earth’s land surface and is an important component of the cryosphere. Permafrost dynamics during periods of global change, i.e. warming periods, are increasingly recognized as an important factor in biogeochemical cycling, topographic and hydrological change, and in engineering and infrastructure development. Remote sensing of permafrost and permafrost landscapes is a young discipline with some hurdles to overcome: in contrast with ice sheets and glaciers, permafrost is a subsurface feature of the cryosphere solely defined by the temperature of the ground. Spaceborne and airborne remote sensing of permafrost has been primarily restricted to the interpretation of surficial properties to indirectly derive subsurface permafrost characteristics. However, the sometimes rapid dynamics of permafrost during climate warming or after surface disturbance can be monitored directly with a broad variety of remote sensing techniques. Of highest interest for the permafrost and climate change research community are quantitative analyses of change, matter and energy fluxes, and the physical properties of permafrost. Often, modeling and intensive ground truthing is involved to support these remote sensing studies. For this session we invite abstracts that deal with remote sensing of permafrost-related features, properties, and dynamics. This includes, but is not limited to, the quantitative remote sensing of permafrost dynamics due to thermal abrasion of coasts and inland shores, thermokarst subsidence, thermo-erosion, frost heave and thaw subsidence, thaw slumping, solifluction, and rock glacier movement; the derivation of surface and sub-surface properties like active layer temperatures, soil moisture and ground ice contents; the establishment of quantitative relationships between surface features and processes (vegetation, soils, wild fires, human-induced disturbances) and subsurface permafrost state and dynamics; the use of remotely sensed data in numerical modeling of permafrost; and the use of remote sensing in detecting and dealing with permafrost-related changes imposed on infrastructure and development in the Arctic and mountainous areas.
Conveners: Guido Grosse, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 903 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: 907-474-7548, email: ffgg1@uaf.edu, and Hugues Lantuit, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research Potsdam, , Potsdam, DEU, email: Hugues.Lantuit@awi.de, and Paul Overduin, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research Potsdam, , Potsdam, DEU, email: Paul.Overduin@awi.de, and Vladimir E. Romanovsky, University of Alaska Fairbanks, , Fairbanks, USA, email: ffver@uaf.edu

C11 Environmental Impacts of a Shrinking Arctic Sea Ice Cover
Arctic sea ice extent at the end of the summer melt season has declined sharply over the period of satellite observations and is projected to disappear entirely as concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases continue to rise. The record low ice extent of September 2007 served as an exclamation point on the downward trend and further raised concern that the Arctic may be on the verge of rapid transition to a seasonal ice cover. While the factors forcing this trend have and will continue to be widely studied, less attention has been paid to the environmental impacts of current and future sea ice loss. Continued loss of the ice cover may result in strong rises in atmospheric temperature and water vapor content, not just at and near the surface, but extending through a considerable depth of the troposphere. Changes in humidity and the boundary layer structure are likely to alter cloud conditions, a key determinant of the surface energy balance. Through atmospheric transports, warming will likely extend well beyond areas of ice loss, potentially influencing Arctic land areas, glaciers, ice caps and the Greenland ice sheet. Extensive open water areas will promote increased wave action and coastal erosion. Ice loss may in turn have impacts on patterns of atmospheric circulation and precipitation not just within the Arctic, but potentially extending into middle latitudes. While evidence is growing that some of these effects are already occurring, they are likely to grow in coming decades. This session will address emerging and projected environmental impacts of Arctic sea ice loss through both observational and modeling studies.
Conveners: Julienne C. Stroeve, NSIDC, CIRES, CU, UCB 449, Boulder, CO 80309-0449 USA, Tel: 303-492-3584, email: stroeve@kryos.colorado.edu, and Mark Serreze, NSIDC, CIRES, CU, UCB 449, Boulder, CO 80309-0449 USA, Tel: 303-492-2963, email: serreze@kryos.colorado.edu

C12 Recent Advances in Monitoring, Measuring, and Modeling Snow Processes
The storage and modulated release of water from seasonal snowpacks are major components of hydrologic systems in many parts of the world, particularly in mountainous and boreal areas. In these regions, the seasonal snowcover is a critical component of the annual water cycle, controlling soil moisture, soil temperature, streamflow, and the development and stability of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Many snow-dominated regions may be strongly affected by climatic warming in the near future, therefore advances in snow science are essential to understand concomitant impacts on related systems. This session will bring together operational, experimental and modeling experts to address a broad range of topics that are important to understanding this important resource. The session is scheduled for an entire day to facilitate interactions between snow science and related researchers. We are soliciting poster presentations on all aspects of monitoring, measuring, and modeling snow processes, with emphasis on the following specific topics: • Investigations on the physical properties of snow • Catchment-scale studies on snowpack patterns and dynamics • Interactions between snowcover, soil, and biotic processes • The role of long-term hydrologic observatories in advancing snow science • Scaling strategies to link microscale properties to macroscale processes • Snowcover modeling in vegetated and complex terrain • Remote sensing of snowcover properties and extent • Snow measurement and monitoring techniques and instruments • Impacts of climate warming and projected changes on water resources
Conveners: Danny Marks, USDA-ARS Northwest Watershed Research Center, , , USA, email: ars.danny@gmail.com, and Adam Winstral, USDA-ARS Northwest Watershed Research Center, , , USA, email: adam.winstral@ars.usda.gov, and John Pomeroy, University of Saskatchewan, , , CAN, email: john.pomeroy@usask.ca, and David Garen, USDA-NRCS National Water and Climate Center, , , USA, email: david.garen@por.usda.gov

C13 Cryospheric Climate Data Records
The generation of cryospheric climate data records (CDRs) is a critical step in providing the necessary information for scientists, decision-makers, and stakeholders to make adaptive choices that could improve the nation’s resiliency to environmental change and variability, maintain our economic vitality, and improve the safety and comfort of U.S. citizens. This session will bring together recent efforts in the development of CDRs over Arctic and Antarctic ocean, ice, and terrestrial surfaces, including snow cover, sea and land ice, melt onset, surface temperature, sea surface temperature, etc. Contributions are encouraged covering the full spectrum of CDR development and use, including initial formulation of algorithms, validation of CDRs, and use of CDRs for scientific inquiry.
Conveners: Sheldon Drobot, University of Colorado, , , USA, email: drobot@colorado.edu, and Dave Robinson, Rutgers University, , , USA, email: drobins@rci.rutgers.edu

C14 Climate Change and Mountain Snowpacks: Observations, Future Projections, and Potential Impacts
Current analyses of climate change impacts show rising temperatures resulting in diminished snowpacks, leading to hydrologic, ecological, economic, and other impacts. This session will focus on observations of snow water equivalent, snow depth, and snowpack dynamics from ground based, airborne, and space borne sensors; snowpack and streamflow reconstructions from tree ring chronologies; modeled simulations of mountain snowpack dynamics; and potential impacts of changing snowpack on water resources and mountain ecosystems as well as potential economic impacts on ski areas and other components of mountain economies.
Conveners: Anne Nolin, Oregon State University, Department of Geosciences Wilkinson 104, Corvallis, OR 97331-5506 USA, Tel: 541-737-8051, email: nolina@science.oregonstate.edu, and Jessica Lundquist, University of Washington, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Seattle, WA 98195-2700 USA, Tel: 206-685-7594, email: jdlund@u.washington.edu, and Philip Mote, University of Washington, JISAO/CSES, Climate Impacts Group, Seattle, WA 98195 USA, Tel: 206-616-5346, email: mote@u.washington.edu

C15 Inverse Problems in Glaciology
Glaciology is rich in ill-posed problems due to the fact that glaciological processes relating the information that we seek to the measurements that we can make, are often imperfect filters. For example, data to infer the current state of flow within an ice mass can often be collected only at the surface, and observations to infer past ice flow, ice thickness or climate forcing can be carried out only at present time. Critically important parameters can therefore often be inferred only with the use of inverse methods. Such parameters include temperature fields and flow parameters, as well as basal boundary conditions and climate history. For this special session we invite contributions that emphasize the use of geophysical inverse methods in glaciological problems. We encourage the presentation of novel techniques as well as applications of existing techniques on glaciers and ice sheets.
Conveners: Martin Truffer, University of Alaska Fairbanks, , Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320 USA, email: truffer@gi.alaska.edu, and Edwin D. Waddington, University of Washington, , Seattle, WA USA, email: edw@ess.washington.edu

C16 Repeat Glacier Photography: Ice Dynamics and Climate Sensitivity
Repeat photography offers a powerful tool to document and quantify glacier dynamics and change. Terrestrial photogrammetry is being used to quantify dynamics at limited areas near glacier fronts at higher temporal and/or spatial resolution than typical of satellite or aircraft remote sensing. Photographs spanning decades are of growing importance to glacier behavior reconstruction. This session invites quantitative repeat photographic studies over any time span, including time-lapse photos and a combination with repeated airborne and satellite imagery. we encourage investigation of links between glacier dynamics and atmospheric or ocean climate forcing.
Conveners: Jason Box, Byrd Polar Research Center, , , USA, email: box.11@osu.edu, and W. Tad Pfeffer, University of Colorado at Boulder, , , USA, email: pfeffer@tintin.colorado.edu, and Jacek Jania, University of Silesia, , , POL, email: jjania@us.edu.pl

C17 Ice Sheet Hydrology and Dynamics
The extent to which fluctuations in basal and surface hydrology affect ice sheets is a topic of widespread and recent concern; changes in the flow of the Greenland Ice Sheet correlate with changes in its surface hydrology, melting at the Antarctic Peninsula has factored in the disintegration of ice shelf sections, and exchanges of water between lakes at the base of the Antarctic Ice Sheet could modulate mass losses through episodic drainage and lubrication. Although relationships between the hydrology and flow of mountain glaciers have been studied for much of the past century, attention has only recently turned to ice sheets and so a detailed understanding is still lacking. This session will explore the nature of affect hydrology has on ice sheet dynamics by collating the results of field experiments, satellite observations, and numerical modelling Contributions from each of these areas are encouraged.
Conveners: Andrew Shepherd, Unviersity of Edinburgh, , , GBR, email: andrew.shepherd@ed.ac.uk, and Roderik Van de Wal, Utrecht University, , , NLD, email: r.s.w.vandewal@uu.nl, and Andreas Vieli, University of Durham, , , GBR, email: andreas.vieli@durham.ac.uk

C18 Mass Balance of Polar Ice Sheets: Trends and Uncertainties
The mass balance of the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are changing significantly in response to climate. While new techniques have considerably improved the determination of ice sheet mass balance in the last decade, significant uncertainties remain and are being resolved. This sessions seeks to bring together results from different research groups to assess progress in reducing these uncertainties. We seek papers on the latest advances in the determination of ice sheet mass balance from changes in gravity, elevation, thickness, ice flow, ice melt, snow accumulation in Greenland and Antarctica, floating and grounded ice using ground, air and space-borne measurements combined with regional numerical models. Comparisons between different techniques, thorough assessments of errors, and determinations of long-term trends are particularly welcome.
Conveners: Eric Rignot, University of California Irvine, Croul Hall, Irvine, ca 92697 USA, Tel: 949 824 3739, email: erignot@uci.edu, and Reginald Muskett, Geophysical Institute, 903 Koyukuk Dr. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7240 USA, Tel: 907 474-2440, email: rmuskett@iarc.uaf.edu

C19 Snow - Vegetation Interactions
The storage and modulated release of water from seasonal snowpacks are major components of hydrologic systems in many parts of the world, particularly in vegetated mountainous and boreal areas. Vegetation affects snowcover accumulation and ablation processes and patterns, and snowcover likewise affects ecological processes that strongly control patterns of vegetation. Presentations are solicited that deal with all aspects of interactions between vegetation and seasonal snowpacks. Presentations are encouraged that focus on the impact of canopies on snowcover energetics, relationships between canopy structure and snowpack variability, measurement and modeling techniques for vegetated areas, effects of climatic variability and change on coupled snow-vegetation systems, and impacts of snowpack dynamics on ecological processes and patterns.
Conveners: Timothy Link, Dept of Forest Resources, Univ of Idaho, , Moscow, ID 83844-1133 USA, Tel: 208-885-9465, email: tlink@uidaho.edu, and Ken Tape, Inst of Arctic Bio, Univ of Alaska Fairbanks, , Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: (907)374-9000, email: fnkdt@uaf.edu

C20 Retreating Glaciers, Stable Glaciers, and Advancing Glaciers: Why the Difference?
Remote sensing and field observations have documented widespread retreat, thinning, stagnation, and disintegration of glaciers and the edges of ice sheets; this is the dominant trend, generally reflecting negative mass balances, occurring almost globally. The global trend is attributable to a combination of recovery from the Little Ice Age or equivalent regional climatic conditions favoring glacial advance, and (2) the past century of global warming. However, there are also contrasting behaviors, including areas of glacier and ice sheet thickening and advance and other areas of comparative stability. Dynamical instabilities and oscillations are inherent in some glaciers, ice shelves, and ice sheets; for others, the cause of glacial advances or thickening may be in the precipitation component of climate change. Repeat satellite imaging of glaciers and ice sheets has become increasingly important because of the accelerating rates of changes taking place in the terrestrial cryosphere. Fortunately, repeat images have become increasingly available due to an increase in the capabilities and number of Earth remote sensing satellites. This session seeks to fill in further parts of the global mosaic of glacier/ice sheet dynamics and to gain a better understanding of why there are contrasting behaviors. We solicit papers on relevant remote sensing observations and field data about glaciers and ice sheets, as well as numerical climate and glacier dynamical models linked to glacier observations.
Conveners: Jeffrey S. Kargel, University of Arizona, Harshbarger Building Department of Hydrology and Water Resources University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: +1 (520) 780-7759, email: kargel@hwr.arizona.edu, and Roberto Furfaro, University of Arizona, Dept. of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Univ. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: +1 (520) 312-7440, email: robertof@email.arizona.edu, and Bruce Raup, National Snow and Ice Data Center, National Snow and Ice Data Center 449 UCB University of Colorado , Boulder, CO 80309-0449 USA, Tel: 303-492-8814, email: braup@nsidc.org, and Slawek Tulaczyk, UC Santa Cruz, Earth Sciences EMS Building A208 UC Santa Cruz 1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95064 USA, Tel: +1 (831) 459-3074, email: tulaczyk@pmc.ucsc.edu

C21 Snow/Ice Chemistry: Impacts on Atmospheric and Hydrologic Systems
Lower atmospheric chemical species including contaminants, halogens, and nitrogen oxides exchange with snow and ice surfaces throughout the Polar winter. Many of the reactions influencing the deposition and fate of these species in the cryosphere are photochemical. Some species, like most trace metals, black carbon and sea salts, largely remain in the snow pack through the melt season and become part of surface runoff. However mercury and some organochlorine and bioaccumulative pollutants may undergo multiple episodes of deposition to and re-emission from the snow pack during the late winter and spring. Significant effort has been expended in field, laboratory and modeling studies, but the field of snow/ice/atmospheric interactions is still in its relative infancy. The fundamental photochemical mechanisms at play and the broader impacts of snow and ice chemistry on atmospheric and hydrologic cycles are only now being elucidated. This session will focus on the fate of atmospheric chemical compounds during and following snow melt. This includes watershed studies, surface water, snow pack runoff and long term records of chemical compounds in snow, ice, lake and tundra cores. Submissions from field, laboratory and modeling studies that can provide additional insight into the specific mechanisms responsible for snow/ice chemistry; the impact of such chemistry on local and/or regional atmospheric and hydrologic processes; and the incorporation of snow/ice chemistry into regional and global models are encouraged.
Conveners: Amanda M. Grannas, Villanova University, Dept. of Chemistry, Mendel Hall 800 Lancaster Ave. , Villanova, PA 19085 USA, Tel: 6105194881, email: amanda.grannas@villanova.edu, and Thomas A. Douglas, U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, , Fairbanks, AK USA, Tel: 9073619555, email: Thomas.A.Douglas@usace.army.mil

C22 Isotopic and Geochemical Insights Into Weathering Fluxes and Processes in Glacial Environments
Many studies have dealt with weathering fluxes and processes in temperate and tropical climates, but little is known about glacial environments. As Arctic rivers are important sources of freshwater as well as organic and inorganic nutrients to the Arctic Ocean, hydrogeochemical investigations of Arctic rivers are important to assess the impact of global change on the Arctic in general. In view of the importance of circumpolar zones for our understanding of ecosystems response to the global warming, detailed regional studies of trace elements and their isotopes in glacial environments are very timing. This session aims to present the latest advances in this field, with a focus on novel geochemical tracers of weathering fluxes and processes. In particular, a number of new isotopic (e.g. U-series, Pb, Nd, Os, Mg, Si, Ca, Fe, Zn) can be used to identify and quantify sources and sinks, rates of weathering and erosion processes and serve as proxies for important climate variables, environmental processes and human disturbance. We particularly encourage contributions that apply novel geochemical techniques, concepts or models for the study of glacial environments, whether they present modern or secular trends.
Conveners: Olivier Rouxel, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd., Woods Hole, MA02543 USA, email: orouxel@whoi.edu, and Francois Chabaux, University of Strasbourg, EOST-1 rue Blessig, Strasbourg, 67084 FRA, email: fchabaux@illite.u-strasbg.fr, and Oleg Pokrovsky, LMTG-Observatoire Midi-Pyrénée - Toulouse, 14 avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, 31400 FRA, email: oleg@lmtg.obs-mip.fr

C23 Satellite Geodesy of the Polar Oceans
New satellite geodetic techniques and observations are providing unprecedented views of the polar oceans, their ice cover as well as the topography and tectonic fabric of the seafloor below. Satellite altimeter measurements of ice and snow elevation from radar and laser systems, such as Envisat and ICESat are providing wide area, continuous, information on ice thickness changes. Satellite measurements of sea surface topography and gravity for example from GRACE offer the potential for significant advances in our understanding of the Polar Oceans, particularly when combined with in-situ observations. Marine gravity fields from satellite altimetry as well as satellite and surface gravimetry are also providing new maps of the tectonic structure and bathymetry of the poorly mapped polar oceans. The current satellite capabilities will be significantly enhanced in the near future with the launch of new missions such as GOCE, CryoSat-2 and IceSat-2. We welcome contributions on all aspects of satellite geodesy of the polar oceans with emphasis on applications of these data to science problems in the areas of oceanography, the marine cryosphere and tectonics.
Conveners: Seymour Laxon, University College London, Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling Pearson Building Gower St. , London, WC1E 6BT GBR, Tel: +442076793932, email: swl@cpom.ucl.ac.uk, and Ron Kwok, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, ca 91109 USA, Tel: 818 354-5614, email: ron.kwok@jpl.nasa.gov, and David McAdoo, NOAA, E/RA31, SSMC1, Room 5402 1335 East-West Highway , Silver Spring, md 20910 USA, Tel: 301 713-2857, email: Dave.McAdoo@noaa.gov, and Andy Shepherd, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Earth Observatory Geography Building Drummond Street, Edinburgh, GBR, Tel: +44 (0) 131 651 4345, email: Andrew.Shepherd@ed.ac.uk

C24 Antarctic Ice Shelves: Observations and Modelling
Most of the ice mass lost from the Antarctic continent occurs in ice shelf processes, through basal melting, surface melting and iceberg calving. Since they are in contact with both the ocean and the atmosphere, ice shelves are more responsive to climate change than the rest of the ice sheet. They play a supporting role for ice streams and outlet glaciers as well, i.e. they influence the speed at which these glaciers flow, and reductions in their extent or mass can lead to an increased flux of ice off the continent. While several ice shelves of the Antarctic Peninsula have undergone collapse over the past two decades, no significant changes have yet been observed on the large ice shelves (Ross, Filchner-Ronne, Amery). Continuous observations of ice shelf parameters over long time periods are desired to gain insight into the physics of these shelves and to monitor their change. Ongoing development of numerical models, based on these observations, will eventually allow for a predictive capability of ice shelf evolution. With this session we aim to bring together the current status of these monitoring and modeling efforts, and address the following questions: i) How do processes of ice-ocean interaction, including basal melt, marine ice accretion, grounding line migration, and iceberg calving, affect the mass balance and stability of ice shelves? ii) What is the distribution and variability of fresh water input to the oceans from ice shelf and iceberg melting, groundwater at the grounding line, and what role does this have on ocean circulation (e.g., maintenance of global thermohaline circulation)? This session aims to bring together glaciologists, oceanographers and remote sensing specialists who study the Antarctic ice shelves. We anticipate contributions from satellite remote sensing, fieldwork and modelling; syntheses of any of any these approaches are particularly welcome.
Conveners: David Holland, New York University, , , USA, email: holland@cims.nyu.edu, and Helen Amanda Fricker, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, , , CA USA, email: hafricker@gmail.com, and Andrew Shepherd, University of Edinburgh, , , GBR, email: andrew.shepherd@ed.ac.uk

C25 Glaciers and Human Vulnerability in Changing Mountain Environments
This integrative session focuses on glaciers as a way of exploring the human and physical dimensions of climate change in mountain environments. Mountain glaciers exist at the interface between atmospheric, lithospheric and hydrologic systems. Ongoing changes in these systems have important implications for livelihoods, grazing patterns, agricultural practices, regional water supplies, erosion, landscape evolution, and biogeography. In addition, the most recent period of glacial recession poses significant challenges to human vulnerability and adaptive change. In this session we will engage in interdisciplinary discussions of recent glacier recession in mountain environments. We seek contributions related to all aspects of glaciers and society in changing mountain environments, from theoretical or applied perspectives.
Conveners: Jeffrey Bury, University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Environmental Studies University of California, Santa Cruz Room 428, Interdisciplinary Sciences Building 1156 High Street , Santa Cruz, CA 95064 USA, Tel: 831-459-3685, Fax: 831-459-4015, email: jbury@ucsc.edu, and Bryan Mark, Byrd Polar Center, Department of Geography The Ohio State University 1036 Derby Hall, 154 N Oval Mall , Columbus, OH 43210 USA, Tel: 614-247-6180, Fax: 614-292-6213, email: mark.9@osu.edu

C26 Climate Change in the High Latitude Southern Hemisphere
Climate trends over the late 20th through the early 21st century in the Southern Hemisphere high latitudes have been highly heterogeneous, combining a large region in east Antarctic with little or no observed change, and a region in the west Antarctic with one of the largest observed trends globally. This session will present the current level of knowledge regarding the observed changes in the atmosphere, ocean and cryosphere and their suggested forcing mechanisms in this region.
Conveners: Marilyn Raphael, UCLA, 1255 Bunche Hall, , Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Tel: 310-2064590, Fax: 310-206-5976, email: raphael@geog.ucla.edu, and Will Hobbs, UCLA, 1255 Bunche Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, email: whobbs@ucla.edu

C27 High-Resolution Bathymetric Images of Glaciated and Formerly Glaciated High-Latitude Margins
The morphology of high-latitude continental shelves contains several features that are genetically related to ice-sheet flow during and since the last glacial maximum. At present, the coverage of high-resolution multibeam and sidescan bathymetric images is growing but it is still dwarfed by the large number of shallow-penetration cores on the continental shelves. From merging these two datasets, a clearer picture of ice-sheet dynamics is emerging. Since these features are not ice-covered, they represent the best opportunity to gain perspective on the modern grounding-zone and its dynamics. These relicts, their near-surface sedimentology and reflection geometries help constrain the locations of streaming versus non-streaming ice and hence the locations of features that might be useful to establish the ice-sheet chronology as well as constraints on the ice-surface elevation at the margins and interiors. We invite poster and oral presentations which highlight how both large and small-scale bathymetric features and high-resolution subsurface images on the Arctic and Antarctic continental margins might be used to document step-wise changes in the footprint of grounded ice associated with the diachronous ice-sheet retreat underway since the last glacial maximum.
Conveners: Philip John Bart, Louisiana State University, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Baton Rouge, La 70803 USA, Tel: 225 578 3109, Fax: 225 578 2302, email: pbart@lsu.edu, and John B. Anderson, Rice University, Department of Earth Sciences, Houston, Tx 77250 USA, Tel: 713 348 4884, Fax: 713 348 4800, email: johna@esci.rice.edu, and Jonathan M. Tomkin, University of Illinois, School of Earth, Society, and Environment 428 Natural History Bldg. 1301 W. Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801 USA, Tel: 217 244 2928, Fax: 217 244 6323, email: tomkin@illinois.edu

C28 Rapid Arctic Environmental Change
The extent of Arctic perennial sea ice was reduced by another million km2 between winters 2007 and 2008 with seasonal ice occupying the North Pole region in mid-winter for the first time in the observational record. There were major warm temperature anomalies in the central Arctic in fall 2007 and accelerated ice drift along the Transpolar Drift Stream in spring and summer 2007. Many impellent science issues remain: Is the summer ice extent more influenced by initial conditions or by summer forcing? What is the relative role of dynamics, thermodynamics, and feedbacks in Arctic ice reduction? Will the current change continue, accelerate, or decelerate? Has Arctic change crossed into a new state or can it be reversed? What are the regional and global impacts? Fortunately, the International Polar Year program has been ongoing with international research efforts providing new and crucial results on Arctic change and its impacts. In this regard, this session calls for presentations on 2007-2008 Arctic change, the historical context of recent change, predictions of change, and impacts of Arctic change on ocean, land, and atmosphere.
Conveners: Son V. Nghiem, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 300-235, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818-354-2982, Fax: 818-393-3077, email: Son.V.Nghiem@jpl.nasa.gov, and James E. Overland, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115 USA, Tel: 206-526-6795, email: James.E.Overland@noaa.gov, and James Morison, Polar Science Center, APL-UW, 1013 NE 40th St Box 355640, Seattle, WA 98105 USA, Tel: 206-543-1394, Fax: 206-616-3142, email: morison@apl.washington.edu, and John Walsh, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska, 930 Koyukuk Drive P.O. Box 757340, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: 907-474-2677, email: jwalsh@iarc.uaf.edu

C29 International Collaboration to Build Understanding of Climate Change in Polar Regions
We review the state of the art in current and planned international projects investigating climatic and wider environmental changes in polar regions. This reflects the very widely documented range of environmental changes that have occurred in polar terrestrial and marine regions over the past 10-100 years, and also those that are predicted for the next 100 years. Such changes include the areal coverage and mass balance of terrestrial ice and snow cover, vegetation and land-cover change, changes in hydrology (e.g. river flow and permafrost), ocean circulation and sea-ice dynamics, storm frequency and intensity, forest fires, human and ecological variations, and the possible causes of variation (natural climatic change/global warming). To what extent are these changes affected by recent and ongoing changes in climate, and how do they affect climate? Are ongoing climatic trends producing consequent impacts to ecosystems, social structures, geomorphology or other physical or biological processes? How will understanding be improved through observations and modelling? In many respects, the Arctic and Antarctic respond as systems, as physical, biological and social structures display a complicated interdependence. In order to build our understanding of the relationships and feedbacks among processes, it is important to take stock of current key national and international research efforts, as such stocktaking will help further synergise and stimulate future polar science research. This session therefore aims to bring together a wide range of international researchers, including some of the leading workers, to discuss this pressing issue.
Conveners: Edward Hanna, University of Sheffield, Winter Street Department of Geography University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN GBR, Tel: 00(44) 114 222 7965, Fax: 00(44) 114 279 7912, email: ehanna@sheffield.ac.uk, and Larry Hinzman, International Arctic Research Center, P.O. Box 757340 930 Koyukuk Drive, 423 Akasofu Building Fairbanks Alaska 99775-7340, Fairbanks, AK Alaska 997 USA, Tel: 1 907-474-7331, Fax: 1 907-474-5662, email: ffldh@uaf.edu

C30 Arctic2k - Assessment of Arctic Climate Records of the Last Two Millennia and their Relevance for Future Warming
Summer sea ice retreat over the Arctic Basin has accelerated to record levels and a complete loss of the warm season polar sea ice cover appears possible in the not too distant future. Climate models used for future climate change studies generally do not reproduce the magnitude of this observed change. Because the anthropogenic climate change effect comes superposed on natural climate variability, it is very hard to accurately quantify their individual contributions. But the discrepancies between observed and simulated change (even in ensembles) raises questions if our understanding of the sensitivity of the high latitude feedbacks is good enough. This session explores what paleo records can inform the climate change community about the sensitivity of the Arctic climate in pre-industrial times. Through detailed reconstructions of past changes, various paleoclimate archives provide insight into the question of how polar amplification over the past 1-2 millennia has affected this environment and how these natural variations compare with the current trends. We encourage contributions from the full range of high-resolution (annual to multi-decadal) proxy archives, terrestrial as well as marine, to assess and elucidate the timing and variability of arctic climate change during the last two millennia. Central questions include: a) Was the 20th century warming of the Arctic unprecedented in the last 2000 yr? b) What is the multi-decade to century scale variability in arctic climate? c) What portion of the Arctic-wide and regional temperature changes during the last 2000 yr is explained by changes in solar irradiance and volcanic activity, and what portion is related to internal adjustments of the climate system?
Conveners: Nalan Koc, Norwegian Polar Institute, Polar Environmental Centre, Tromso, 9296 NOR, Tel: +47 77750654, email: Nalan.Koc@npolar.no, and Caspar Ammann, National Center for Atmospheric Research, , Boulder, CO USA, email: ammann@ucar.edu, and Darrell Kaufman, Northern Arizona University, , , USA, email: Darrell.kaufman@nau.edu, and Pierre Francus, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, , Québec, CAN, email: pfrancus@ete.inrs.ca

C31 Observational and Model Advances to Resolve the Rapid Arctic Ice Melting Problem
The Arctic ice is melting at rates much larger than the 2007 IPCC climate model predictions. The potential for an ice-free Arctic in our lifetime, and the abrupt climate impacts it could trigger, underscores the urgency of the problem. In addition to global radiative forcing by anthropogenic greenhouse gases the Arctic is also exposed to forcing by regional pollution. The warming of the Arctic by regional ozone and by aerosols and their effects on snowfall, ice and cloud properties is potentially significant but ill constrained. Furthermore, natural variability in the dynamics of the Arctic atmosphere and ocean is key to its radiation and heat budget. Arctic forcing can trigger non-linear feedbacks in the climate system, which need quantification. Our session will address the following questions: Is anthropogenic activity or natural variability the culprit for Arctic ice melt? Or Are both of these conspiring to make the Arctic more vulnerable? Has rapid decadal Arctic melt occurred in the last century? How well can we predict the observed Arctic ice melting? Would potential shipping across an open Northwest passage in the future exacerbate the problem? What energy/pollution policy could slow the pace of melting? We will try to resolve these questions by focusing on integrated modeling, observational and laboratory studies that are improving our ability to understand the pace of Arctic ice melting. We invite researchers to present results from recent concerted field campaigns as part of the International Polar Year (2007-2008) activity, long term monitoring of Arctic ice trends from satellite and in situ records, laboratory process level studies advances in cloud, snow and climate modeling. The session will create an interdisciplinary forum to advance Arctic climate science, the most pressing near term climate issue confronting us today.
Conveners: Manvendra K. Dubey, LANL, MS D462 EES, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA, Tel: 5056653128, email: dubey@lanl.gov, and Julienne Stroeve, CIRES, NSDIC, , Boulder, CO USA, email: stroeve@kryos.colorado.edu, and Jennifer Kay, NCAR, , Boulder, CO USA, email: jenkay@ucar.edu, and Drew Shindell, NASA GISS, , New York, NY USA, email: Drew.T.Shindell@nasa.gov

C32 The International Polar Year
The Polar Regions are indisputably vital components of the Earth System and sensitive indicators of change. Many polar environments change faster than anywhere else on the planet and perhaps faster than at any time in the past. Given the pressing need to understand both the processes of change in the Polar Regions and their wider implications for the planet, the launch of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 programme in March 2007 has been timely, relevant and necessary. This session will be introduced by the Union session U02, which will be an overview of the broad IPY program, including its objectives, design, preliminary results and achievements. Many of these achievements represent new standards of international and interdisciplinary cooperation and new models for public engagement that bode well for all of science. This session will present the scientific details of the IPY program, and will be linked to IPY activities in science, data and outreach described throughout the Fall Meeting
Conveners: Marco Tedesco, CUNY / NASA / UMBC, 138th St. and Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031 USA, Tel: 212-650-5188, email: mtedesco@umbc.edu, and David Carlson, IPY International Programme Office, , , GBR, email: ipy.djc@gmail.com, and J. Cynan Ellis-Evans, British Antarctic Survey, , , GBR, email: jcel@bas.ac.uk

C33 Observing, Understanding, Predicting and Responding to Pan-Arctic Environmental Change and Rapid Arctic Ice Retreat Problems
It is recognized that the Arctic system is currently undergoing unprecedented change whose impacts can be severe but whose drivers and rates remain ill quantified. This is an amplified response to global change and expresses itself in the physical, biogeochemical, ecological and human domains. For example, the Arctic ice is melting at rates much faster than the IPCC-2007 climate model predictions. The potential for an ice-free Arctic in our lifetime, and the abrupt Pan-Arctic and global impacts it would trigger, underscores the urgency of the problem. Rapid response from the scientific community is required to determine the rate of change, to understand its causes and for future projection, as well as for design of response strategies, including mitigation and adaptation. This session covers topics dealing with observing, understanding, and responding to Arctic Environmental Change across physical, biogeochemical, and human domains and will presents results from the existing integrated Arctic Environmental Change programs and field campaigns. Presentations should address policy relevant questions such as: Is anthropogenic activity or natural variability the driving the rapid Arctic melting? Or Are both of these conspiring to make the Arctic more vulnerable? Has Arctic melting occurred in the past? How does this inform policy to adapt to and respond to impacts? How well can we predict the rate of future Arctic change? What energy, exploration, shipping and air quality policies will help slow (or exacerbate) the pace of the Arctic ice retreat? Contributions with emphasis on the integration of individual observing system components into an integrated network, observing system design, utilization of data from the Arctic Observing System in synthesis/modeling studies, results from synthesis/modeling studies of Arctic System changes, and results from the International Polar Year campaigns obtained so far are especially encouraged. The session will create an interdisciplinary forum to advance Arctic climate science, the most pressing climate issue confronting us today. The session is preceded by a Union session (U23) that will provide a broad overview of these issues and the existing integrated Arctic Environmental Change programs and field campaigns.
Conveners: Jean-Claude Gascard, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), , , FRA, email: Gascard@locean-ipsl.upmc.fr, and Christian Haas, University of Alberta, , , CAN, email: chaas@ualberta.ca, and Drew Shindell, NASA GISS, , New York, NY USA, Tel: 2126785605, email: drew.t.shindell@nasa.gov, and Jennifer Kay, NCAR, , Boulder, CO USA, Tel: 6072275145, email: jenkay@ucar.edu

C34 Nye Lecture
Nye Lecture for Cryosphere
Conveners: Jason Box, The Ohio State University and Byrd Polar Research Center, , , USA, email: box.11@osu.edu

Cryosphere also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
GC02 Land-Atmosphere-Cryosphere Interactions in Northern Eurasia
P06 Focus on Enceladus
G08 Recent Advances in Observation and Modelling of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA)
IN10 Data Fusion: Issues, Barriers and Approaches
OS20 The Formation, Evolution, and Impact of Mode Waters
GC16 Environmental Change on the Tibetan Plateau
MR04 Planetary Ices - Cryo-mineralogy and Cryo-petrology
IN05 Frontiers in Advanced Information Systems and Earth Observation Technology
G17 Understanding Geosphere and Cryosphere Processes Using Spaceborne Measurements of Deformation, Altimetry, and Topography
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
IN20 Sustained, Interoperable Data Systems for Observing Networks—Building the IPY Legacy for Earth System Science.
PP27 Short-Term Climate Variability in the Context of Long-Term Paleoclimatic Change
IN07 Making Earth Science Data Records
ED01 Education and Human Resources: General Contributions
GC15 Late Holocene High-Resolution Sea-Level Records: A Context for Future Sea-Level Change
OS21 Advances in Operational Oceanography and Scientific Drilling
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN24 Open Source Remote Sensing for Environmental Mapping and Analysis
IN16 Challenges for Earth Science Software Reuse
H03 Advances in Land Data Assimilation Systems and Estimation of Large-Scale Surface Turbulent Fluxes
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
IN11 Environmental Sensor Networks: Real World Examples
IN06 The Science of Coupling with the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)
NS03 Geophysical Characterization of Flow in Dual Porosity Media: From Fractures to Karst and Glaciers
PP14 North Atlantic Freshwater Forcing: History, Consequences, and Implications for Future Climate Change
PP25 Progress in Quaternary Geochronology in Polar Regions
V40 International Polar Year: Antarctica Geological and Geophysical Research

Earth and Space Science Informatics

IN01 Earth and Space Science Informatics: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Earth and Space Science Informatics.
Conveners: Peter Fox, HAO/ESSL/NCAR, , Boulder, CO 80307 USA, Tel: (303) 497-1511, Fax: (303) 497-1589, email: pfox@ucar.edu, and Robin Pfister, NASA/GSFC, , , USA, email: robin.g.pfister@nasa.gov, and Glenn Prescott, University of Kansas, , , USA, email: prescott@ku.edu

IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
Since NASA World Wind (2004) and Google Earth (2005) brought the concept of a "Virtual Globe" into the general public’s consciousness, our concept of to how view the planet we live on has permanently changed. Similar to the way the internet changed the way we store, access and sort information, Virtual Globes are reshaping our perspective on how best to visualize geospatial data. Party of this evolution has been emergence of Keyhole MarkUp Language (KML) as the preferred code for adding and controlling content in these technologies. Now recognized by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) as an international standard, KML is now increasingly supported by a range of platforms, including Google Earth, NASA World Wind, ESRI ArcGIS Explorer and Microsoft’s Virtual Earth and EarthBrowser. The Virtual Globes at AGU session seeks to provide a forum for users to exchange ideas, promote concepts and demonstrate innovations using KML and/or globe and other geobrowser technologies. We also welcome participation from the wider 3D visualization scientific user community. Our intent is to bring together scientists, educators, developers and any individuals interested in promoting the use of these technologies for better scientific understanding, policy management and applications, public outreach and education about our "real" world.
Conveners: John E. Bailey, University of Alaska Fairbanks, ARSC 909 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: 907-474-6504, email: jbailey@gi.alaska.edu, and Michael Weiss-Malik, Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA, email: michaelwm@google.com, and Jonathan Dehn, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute 903 Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, email: jdehn@gi.alaska.edu, and Dina Venezky, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road MS 910, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, email: dvenezky@usgs.gov

IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
Based on the present demand for computing support for geoscience research endeavors, the underlying cyberinfrastructure (CI) is both maturing and evolving. As in www.cyberobservatories.net, we use the term to mean the set of reliable, well-specified, and interoperable connections of electronic hardware and software that allows people to discover, learn, teach, collaborate, disseminate, access, and preserve knowledge in their domain. Cyberinfrastructure includes technology – including a spectrum including instruments all the way to the networks used and software tools used for analysis and manipulation. CI also includes the social infrastructure used to support interpersonal collaboration among all team members with diverse backgrounds and discipline training. It is the use of cyberinfrastructure by teams needing to analyze and integrate data that brings CI into the world of informatics. This session seeks broad contributions on emerging CI in support of all areas of geosciences particularly those that highlight areas where needs are only partially or not being met.
Conveners: Peter Fox, HAO/ESSL/NCAR, , Boulder, CO 80307 USA, Tel: 303 497-1511, Fax: 303 497-1589, email: pfox@ucar.edu, and Deborah McGuinness, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, , , USA, email: dlm@cs.rpi.edu

IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
A significant challenge to facilitating collaborations in informatics and cyberinfrastructure projects is the availability of suitable collaboration environments. While there has been an explosion and even proliferation of tools and greater provisioning of interactive user-contributed web-based content, it is still true that collaboration systems and related software are far from robust and complete. Typically tools are selected for a focused set of requirements. Additionally evolution and adaptability requirements are often an unmet challenge. As a result, many groups are still experimenting and switching tools and technologies frequently; causing disruption for the ongoing collaborations. Collaborative work in knowledge rich environments today seems to be hampered by insufficient consideration of human machine interaction. Existing middleware is often not much more than 'glue' for different technical components. One possible future need is collaborative upperware which provides the matching of communication and cognition as the fundamental dimensions of collaboration. The challenges require new methods and concepts of collaborative working with the inherent communication processes and cognitive structures. This session solicits contributions from a broad spectrum of those involved in collaboration: the end-users, the project managers, and the developers. We specifically invite contributions for innovative solutions to difficult collaboration environment challenges, both technical and social/ organizational. We also welcome requirements specifications with the supporting use cases.
Conveners: Peter Fox, HAO/ESSL/NCAR, , Boulder, CO 80307 USA, Tel: 303 497-1511, Fax: 303 497-1589, email: pfox@ucar.edu, and Deborah McGuinness, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, , , USA, email: dlm@cs.rpi.edu

IN05 Frontiers in Advanced Information Systems and Earth Observation Technology
Many promising remote sensing technologies and systems of space-based observations will be bringing scientific data and observations to Earth scientists in the next 5 to 10 years. These include instruments such as passive and active microwave and optical sensors for measuring geophysical parameters of the atmosphere, the seas and the land masses. Also, advanced information systems will be storing, processing and transmitting data collected from spaced based sensors so that massive amounts of data will be available for scientists to analyze and include in their models. This session, which is hosted by the NASA Earth Science Technology Office, solicits papers relating to these technologies that support earth science observations and information systems.
Conveners: Glenn Prescott, NASA Earth Science Technology Office, Goddard Space Flight Center Code 407 - Bldg 22, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-9170, email: prescott@nasa.gov, and Mariann Albjerg, NASA Earth Science Technology Office, Goddard Space Flight Center Code 407 - Bldg 22, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-9114, email: Mariann.Albjerg-1@nasa.gov

IN06 The Science of Coupling with the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)
In order to address new challenges in Earth and space system science, it has become necessary to couple together modeling components developed by diverse, often geographically distributed sets of specialists. The Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF), initiated in 2002 and now funded and managed by a multi-agency consortium, has become an interface standard at NASA, NOAA, the Department of Defense and other organizations for combining components that are connected via high-performance data transformations. Modelers are using ESMF to create multi-component applications that simulate the weather, the ionosphere and solar wind, the coastal ocean environment and storm surges, ocean biogeochemistry, and many other natural processes. This session is focused on the science that is emerging from the use of ESMF. It will encourage an exchange of ideas on how this infrastructure can enable new scientific exploration, and on how new science questions are guiding the future development of ESMF.
Conveners: Cecelia DeLuca, NCAR, 1850 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder, CO 80302 USA, Tel: 303-497-1828, Fax: 303-497-1814, email: cdeluca@ucar.edu, and V. Balaji, Princeton University, 201 Forrestal Road, Princeton, NJ 08540-6649 USA, Tel: 1-609-452-6516, email: V.Balaji@noaa.gov, and Chris Hill, MIT, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-253-6430, email: cnh@plume.mit.edu

IN07 Making Earth Science Data Records
U.S. federal agencies and international partners now have a long history of collecting data from spaceborne instruments as well as a rich set of in situ data that are highly relevant to the modeling of long-term phenomena in the Earth System. Climate change modeling is a particular case in point. While similar measurements may be made from multiple instruments over time, it is essential to build long time series of consistently calibrated, computed and validated data. NASA refers to such long time series records as Earth System Data Records (ESDRs), which includes the concept of Climate Data Records (CDRs). NASA has sponsored a Program called Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs). The purpose of this program is to generate ESDRs deemed important by the Earth science research community in several disciplines such as land processes, ocean biology, atmospheric composition, hydrology, solid Earth and cryosphere. The program emphasizes generation of ESDRs using community accepted algorithms and making the ESDRs, and their key production source code for validation purposes, publicly available with an open data policy. This session provides an interdisciplinary forum for exchange of ideas on generation of ESDRs from either the MEaSUREs Program or any similar activities being conducted outside NASA's sponsorship. Of particular interest in addition to the scientific significance of the ESDRs will be processes to: achieve algorithm maturity, obtain community consensus on algorithms, generate and reprocess products, ensure product availability and encourage usage.
Conveners: Hampapuram (Rama) K. Ramapriyan, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 423 , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-614-5356, Fax: 301-614-5267, email: rama.ramapriyan@nasa.gov, and Martha Maiden, NASA, NASA HQ 3B74, Washington, DC 20546 USA, Tel: 202-358-1078, email: Martha.E.Maiden@nasa.gov, and Jared Entin, NASA Headquarters, , , USA, email: jentin@hq.nasa.gov, and Ramesh Kakar, NASA, , , USA, email: ramesh.k.kakar@nasa.gov

IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
Providing thorough provenance information, sufficient to guarantee that it is possible to understand and reproduce a data set adds to the credibility and usefulness of the entire measurement and processing effort. In some cases it may be an absolute requirement for effective use of the data. Tremendous volumes of data are being captured analyzed and archived from many projects. Data are transferred from organization to organization and value added transformation are made at multiple stages. Large scale datasets can consist of thousands to millions of files and tens to hundreds of algorithms and algorithm versions. Unless a thorough set of provenance information is created even the scientists who produced a data set often do not remember exactly how it was made. Subsequent users find it difficult to obtain the information and impossible to be sure that they know exactly what the data set represents. The problem becomes even more difficult when considering long term or climate data sets that should be useful even when all of the original producers are gone. There is a growing body of research and knowledge about methods for managing provenance throughout the process of producing scientific data sets. This session will explore current methods and "best practices" for providing adequate provenance for the types of data sets in use in the Earth and Space Science communities. It will also provide a venue for identifying missing elements and needed changes in the production, archival and distribution communities for such data.
Conveners: Curt Tilmes, NASA GSFC, Code 614.5 , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: +1 301-614-5534, email: Curt.Tilmes@nasa.gov, and Albert J. Fleig, PITA Analytic Sciences, , , USA, email: Albert.J.Fleig@nasa.gov

IN09 EarthScope and CyberInfrastructure
A robust cyberinfrastructure is required for EarthScope to achieve its potential. The EarthScope and Cyberinfrastructure session at the AGU provides a forum for discussion of the cyberinfrastructure(CI) needs, requirements, and objectives of EarthScope-based science and education applications. It also provides a forum for discussion of extant capabilities and efforts in related geoinformatics and CI communities, such as CUAHSI HIS, OOI, etc., and their potential use in supporting EarthScope applications. In addition to information technology issues surrounding data flow from EarthScope facilities, a strong cyberinfrastructure effort is needed to insure ease of access to these data, EarthScope data products, software tools, and workflows for data analysis, integration, modeling, and interpretation. EarthScope cyberinfrastructure must ensure that data are presented to a broad user community in a user-friendly manner. To this end, the EarthScope Data Portal is under development and scheduled for general availability by October 2008. EarthScope CI must also promote the integration of a wide range of geoscience data into databases useable by the EarthScope community; identify and promote the use of databases that complement EarthScope data and products; coordinate with other existing and emerging geoscience cyberinfrastructure efforts; and, coordinate with the cyberinfrastructure efforts of Federal and state agencies as well as international groups.
Conveners: Chaitan Baru, University of California, San Diego, , , USA, email: baru@sdsc.edu, and G. Randy Keller, University of Oklahoma, School of Geology and Geophysics 100 E. Boyd, Norman, OK 73019 USA, Tel: 405-325-6697, email: grkeller@ou.edu, and Ramon Arrowsmith, Arizona State University, , , USA, email: ramon.arrowsmith@asu.edu, and Tim Ahern, IRIS, , , USA, email: tim@iris.edu, and Charles Meertens, UNAVCO, , , USA, email: meertens@unavco.org

IN10 Data Fusion: Issues, Barriers and Approaches
It is increasingly urgent and possible to merge disparate data sources and models for multidisciplinary study. Key drivers motivating this direction of research include the need to improve situational awareness, preparedness and response to natural and manmade disasters, global climate change, and a wide range of other societal and environmental contexts. However, cultural and institutional issues can impede our ability to apply the rapidly improving technology available. We welcome submissions describing multidisciplinary settings in which integrative data analysis has been achieved, the barriers to cooperation and coordination found, and specific approaches which overcame these barriers.
Conveners: David Arctur, Open Geospatial Consortium, 329 S Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733-4006 USA, Tel: 1-512-771-1434, Fax: 1-815-642-8336, email: darctur@opengeospatial.org, and Peter Fox, HAO/ESSL/NCAR, , Boulder, CO 80307 USA, Tel: (303) 497-1511, Fax: (303) 497-1589, email: pfox@ucar.edu

IN11 Environmental Sensor Networks: Real World Examples
Environmental Sensor Networks are a new way of monitoring the environment. They comprise large scale autonomous sensor nodes which are placed in the environment and automatically record real-time data, which is then transmitted to a data server. There the data can be integrated with other data sets (i.e. satellite images, GIS, processes models). By using the latest tehnologies, sensor networks show promise for improving spatial and temporal coverage in harsh environments such as the Arctic and Antarctic, volcanoes, oceans and severe storms. These networks are used both to understand environmental processes and/or act as intelligent hazard warning systems. There are many different contributions to this research and we are particularly inviting submissions on: a) sensor node design - theory and practice b) radio telemetry and networking c) using cyberinfrastructure, GRID and Semantic web technologies: including for data management, control and event detection. This conference provides a chance for Earth and Space System Scientists to exchange ideas with sensor network and system designers, to share the successes and problems of constructing working Environmental Sensor Networks for a range of environments.
Conveners: Kirk Martinez, School of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Highfield , Southampton, SO17 1BJ GBR, Tel: +44 2380 594491, email: km@ecs.soton.ac.uk, and Jane Karen Hart, School of Geography, University of Southampton, , Southampton, SO17 1BJ GBR, Tel: +44 2380 594615, email: jhart@soton.ac.uk, and James G. Bellingham, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, Monterey, CA 95039-9644 USA, Tel: 831-775-1731, email: Bellingham, James

IN12 Strategies for Improved Marine and Synergistic Data Access and Interoperability
Mindful of the growing number of ecological research data systems, data management efforts and underlying ontologies, this special session will focus on solutions to, and strategies for, accessing marine and synergistic data across multiple collections, platforms, systems, and standards. The effective integration of data retrieved from distributed sources depends upon negotiated arrangements of science domain concepts, metadata frameworks, and community engagement. We will hear about successful interactions of these components, managing field data in all its complexity, as well as lessons learned from strategies gone awry. This session represents an opportunity for the marine and related data management communities to draw together our diverse data management experiences and appreciate and learn from our collective research efforts and associated community developments.
Conveners: Cyndy Chandler, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MS 43, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA, Tel: 508-289-2765, email: cchandler@whoi.edu, and Karen Baker, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Integrative Oceanography Division, SIO University of California at San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0218 USA, email: kbaker@ucsd.edu, and John Graybeal, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, 7700 Sandholdt Road , Moss Landing, CA 95039 USA, email: graybeal@mbari.org

IN13 Information Technology Infusion - Successful Strategies
In 2003 NASA established the Earth Science Data Systems Working Groups to provide an interactive forum to advance the use of Earth science remote sensing data. Technology Infusion was identified as a strategic component of future NASA data systems. The group created a vision of the NASA information system capabilities anticipated for the coming decade and tackled the barriers and solutions to infusing new technology to achieve the vision. Information technology has a significant impact throughout the life cycle of remote sensing systems, from sensor data processing to multi-sensor data production to data assimilation. To ignore changing technology is costly, so proactively planning for infusion and adaptation is a strategic necessity. This session seeks technology infusion experiences from both within and beyond NASA sponsored activities, and how the corresponding lessons learned can benefit present and future efforts. Examples of problems and solutions to technology infusion in remote sensing data systems are desired, specifically those dealing with data processing, system interoperability and service oriented architectures.
Conveners: Karen Moe, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-2978, email: karen.moe@nasa.gov, and Karl Benedict, U of New Mexico, EDAC MSC 01 1110 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87109 USA, Tel: 505-277-3611 x234, email: kbene@edac.unm.edu, and Chris Lynnes, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD 2071 USA, Tel: 301-614-5185, email: chris.lynnes@nasa.gov, and Matt Heavner, Univ of Alaska Southeast, 11120 Glacier Highway, Juneau, AK 99801 USA, Tel: 907-796-6403, email: heavner@uas.alaska.edu

IN14 Advancing Digital Watersheds and Virtual Environmental Observatories
The abstract concept of digital watersheds and virtual environmental observatories (VEO) as a means of integrating and interacting with heterogeneous data sources from sensors, satellites, models and other user-generated contents (such as citizen-science-generated observation data) is gaining significant traction and there are a wide range of tools being called digital watersheds or VEO. In addition, potentially many applications can benefit from a successful digital watershed and VEO. Examples include flood simulation and visualization, drought monitoring, water quality (nutrients and pollutants) monitoring, study of biological species concentrations and movements, OGC sensor web enablement-compliant applications, near-real-time decision support and collaboration, semantically-enhanced streaming data management, virtual sensors and virtual actuators for command-and-control of sensor networks, and human-nature coupled system study etc. Such diversified applications present both challenges and opportunities to further develop the digital watershed concepts and associated technologies. This session will bring interdisciplinary experts from both academia and industry to present the latest in digital watershed developments and to discuss the research and development needed to realize the full potential of the digital watershed concepts.
Conveners: Yong Liu, NCSA, University of Illinois, 1205 W Clark St., Urbana, IL 61801 USA, email: yongliu@ncsa.uiuc.edu, and Marian V. Muste, IIHR, The University of Iowa, 300 South Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA, email: marian-muste@uiowa.edu, and Ilya Zaslavsky, SDSC, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA, email: zaslavsk@sdsc.edu, and David Arctur, Open Geospatial Consortium, 329 S Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733 USA, Tel: 512-771-1434, Fax: 815-642-8336, email: darctur@opengeospatial.org

IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
Recent trends in computer microprocessor development have shifted from increasing performance of individual cores to multi– and many–cores, meaning that Earth and space science applications must exploit orders of magnitude more parallelism to reach petascale computing and beyond. Higher-resolutions and more sophisticated treatment of physical processes make models even more computationally intensive. Moreover, the drastic increase of data collected by various instruments requires a significant increase in computing power for data processing and analysis. Therefore, it is crucial for the Earth and space sciences community to evaluate the impacts of this shift on computationally intensive modeling and data processing applications and to develop appropriate solutions. It is known that the computing power of conventional processors is limited by memory bandwidth. Adding more cores to the processors intensifies the problem. Recently, new unconventional architectures have emerged in the commodity processor arena: IBM’s Cell Broadband Engine System (or simply Cell) and NVIDIA’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Intel and AMD are also developing such processors. It has been demonstrated that the physics components of climate and weather models such as radiation and precipitation could reap significant performance improvements from both Cell and GPU processors [1,2]. Furthermore, processing of space data has realized tremendous acceleration gains with GPUs [3]. However, these emerging processors may require significant investment in terms of porting to multi- and many-core processors to exploit the promised potential performance. Adapting highly scalable computing algorithms will be needed to effectively utilize the computing power of those multi- and many-core processors if the number of cores per chip doubles every two years according to the new Moore’s law as some predict. The goal of this session is to discuss the issues concerning the impacts of multi- and many-core processors, bringing together those developers of application algorithms and experts in utilizing multi- and multi-core processors. [1] J. Michalakes, M. Vachharajani, “GPU Acceleration of Numerical Weather Prediction,” Proceedings of the Workshop on Large Scale Parallel Processing, IPDPS, Miami, April 14-18. 2008 Also http://www.mmm.ucar.edu/wrf/WG2/michalakes_lspp.pdf . [2] S.J. Zhou, D. Duffy, T. Clune, M. Suarez, S. Williams, M. Halem, “Impacts of the IBM Cell Processor on Supporting Climate Models,” International Supercomputing Conference, Dresden, Germany, June 17-20, 2008 [3] P. Messmer, B. Granger, D. Karipides, “GPU Computing in IDL,” AstroGPU 2007, Workshop on General Purpose Computation on Graphics Processing Units in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ, USA, 2007
Conveners: Shujia Zhou, NASA GSFC/Northrop Grumman Corporation, Code 610.3, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-8227, email: shujia.zhou@nasa.gov, and John Michalakes, NCAR, 3450 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80301 USA, Tel: (303) 497 8199, email: michalak@ucar.edu, and Peter Messmer, Tech-X Corporation, 5621 Arapahoe Ave., Suite A, Boulder, CO 80303 USA, Tel: (303) 473 9286, email: messmer@txcorp.com, and Milton Halem, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Dep''t., 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250 USA, Tel: (410) 455 2862, email: halem@umbc.edu

IN16 Challenges for Earth Science Software Reuse
This session will cover a variety of topics within the area of software reuse, focusing on its application within the Earth science domain and the challenges involved with reuse. Contributions from unsuccessful as well as successful reuse efforts are encouraged. Topics may include, but are not limited to: web services, challenges faced when reusing assets, how to overcome "not invented here" syndrome, lessons learned through reuse experiences, preparing and packaging assets for reuse, documenting for reuse, maturity of assets in terms of reusability, creation of reusable assets, modification of reusable assets for reuse in a new system or environment, distribution of reusable assets, methods for increasing systematic reuse, reuse of assets from other domains, case studies of reuse experiences, incentives for encouraging/practicing reuse, education and public outreach, tools and mechanisms that support and enable reuse.
Conveners: Robert E. Wolfe, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Mailstop 614.5, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, email: Robert.E.Wolfe@nasa.gov, and Robert R. Downs, Columbia University, Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, email: rdowns@ciesin.columbia.edu

IN17 Earth and Space Science Applications of GigaPan Imagery
Gigapixel panoramic (GigaPan) imagery captures highly detailed photographic information that can be viewed in a way that preserves a high degree of detail through a wide range of zoom (magnification). Recent developments in robotics technology, image processing, and web-delivery have made the creation, viewing, and annotation of GigaPan imagery far more accessible to scientists and the general public than was previously possible. Examples of GigaPan imagery can be found at Gigapan.org. The GigaPan session at AGU seeks to bring together scientists and technologists who are pioneering the application of GigaPan imagery in the Earth and space sciences to share their experiences and results, as well as to introduce additional scientists and educators to the capabilities and possible scientific and educational applications of GigaPan technology.
Conveners: Ronald C. Schott, Fort Hays State University, FHSU Geosciences 600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601 USA, Tel: 785-628-5348, Fax: 785-628-4096, email: rschott@fhsu.edu, and Randy Sargent, Carnegie Mellon University & NASA/Ames Research Center, Building 23, Moffett Field, CA 94035 USA, Tel: 866-401-WEST, email: Randy.Sargent@west.cmu.edu

IN18 Complex, Interdisciplinary Ontologies and Automated Semantic Web Data Integration for Hydrology and Earth System Science
Two projects, the NSF-sponsored CUAHSI and, secondly, the NASA-sponsored WaterNet, are attempting to construct new semantic web data integration and ontological tools that will automate data retrieval to advance hydrological science (CUAHSI) and help create an integrating framework for the Integrated Earth Observation System and GEOSS (WaterNet). The session will provide a forum for overviews of new techniques, both within a GIS-framework and a Land Surface Modeling-framework, that will be useful for other Earth Sciences.
Conveners: Will Pozzi, Center for Research in Environment and Water, 4041 Powder Mill Road, Suite 302, Calverton, MD 20012 USA, Tel: 240-247-1448, email: wpozzi@iges.org, and Michael Piasecki, Drexel Univ., , , USA, email: michael.piasecki@drexel.edu

IN19 From Data to Synthesis: Next-Generation Science Applications
The research community has made great strides in assembling and publicizing a living compilation of scientific data. As we continue to move toward greater interoperability and improved data access and visualization, the final and most difficult challenge is building tools that enable quantitative analyses and lead to new scientific insight. We seek to highlight efforts underway in numerous multi-disciplinary research communities (e.g. Ridge 2000, MARGINS, IODP, EarthScope, OOI, IPY, OCB, GLOBEC) that aim to meet this challenge. As many of these large-scale research initiatives move toward synthesis and integration phases, there is a particular need for tools that are powerful, flexible, and broadly useful across disciplines. We encourage contributions that describe existing tools and science applications, lessons learned, and directions for future development.
Conveners: Vicki Lynn Ferrini, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), Columbia University, 61 Route 9W , Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 845-365-8339, email: ferrini@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Tim Ahern, Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS), IRIS Data Management Center 1408 NE 45 St., Suite 201 , Seattle, WA 98105 USA, Tel: 206-547-0393, email: tim@iris.washington.edu, and Stephen Miller, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), UCSD, 312 Ritter Hall, Mail Code 0220 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093 USA, Tel: 858-534-1898, email: spmiller@ucsd.edu, and Cyndy Chandler, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), WHOI Mailstop 43 , Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA, Tel: 508-289 2765, email: cchandler@whoi.edu, and Jamus Collier, Integrated Ocean Drilling Program-Management Intl. (IODP-MI), Hokkaido University CRIS Bldg. Room 05-103 Kita 21-jyo, Nishi 10-chome (N21 W10) Kita-ku , Sapporo, 001-0021 JPN, Tel: +81 11 738 1072, email: jcollier@iodp-mi-sapporo.org

IN20 Sustained, Interoperable Data Systems for Observing Networks—Building the IPY Legacy for Earth System Science.
“The International Polar Year aims to exploit the intellectual resources and science assets of nations worldwide to make major advances in polar knowledge and understanding, while leaving a legacy of new or enhanced observational systems, facilities and infrastructure.” (International Council for Science. 2004. A Framework for the International Polar Year 2007-2008) Investigators have responded to the goal of the IPY Planning Group to “make major advances in polar knowledge and understanding” and national and international organizations pursue efforts to sustain new and improved observational systems. Substantial new initiatives include the Sustained Arctic Observing Network (SAON) and the Pan-Antarctic Observing System (PAntOS). These initiatives extend and link existing and other planned networks such as the Arctic Observing Network (AON), the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS), the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P), the Circumarctic Environmental Observatories Network (CEON), and others. Meanwhile, other national and international initiatives seek to coordinate and sustain environmental observing networks beyond the polar regions. The National Science Foundation explores a new “Federation of Environmental Observing Networks,” while the Intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations creates a Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS). Two core issues emerge in developing and interlinking these observing networks: 1. How can the research community sustain the increase in observational capability and ensure the data are preserved for long-term access and use? 2. How can data and metadata be shared across the various networks in interoperable frameworks supporting interdisciplinary, system science? In this session we seek presentations that describe the status of observation systems and their associated data systems and presentations that describe recommended approaches or lessons learned on data management and interoperable data and metadata sharing in existing networks. In addition, discussion of cost models and the networks of human interaction necessary to sustain observational data systems are encouraged. We particularly emphasize examples of interdisciplinary support. While we focus on polar observing systems, this is a global challenge, and we seek knowledge and experience from all Earth science domains.
Conveners: Taco de Bruin, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, , , NLD, email: bruin@nioz.nl, and Mark A. Parsons, National Snow and Ice Data Center/World Data Center for Glaciology, , , USA, email: parsonsm@nsidc.org

IN21 Building Interoperability Across the Geosciences
There are a number of critical stumbling blocks to overcome in creating the geoinformatics component of the Cyberinfrastructure for the Sciences. These challenges include: agreement on common standards, vocabularies, and protocols; engagement in a vast number of distributed data resources; practices for recognition of and respect of intellectual property; a simple data discovery system with distributed and integrated catalogues; mechanisms to encourage development of web sevice tools for analysis; and business models for continuing maintenance and evolution of information. This session will showcase the national and international initiatives and partnerships that are successfully overcoming these challenges and starting to achieve interoperability across geoscience domains. These efforts include organized systems and networks such as the Geosciences Information Network,OneGeology, GeoSciNet,and the National Geoinformatics System, as well as use of standards such as GeoSciML, WaterML, OGC and a number of others. Presentations will discuss progress to date, philosophies, and solutions to problems in informatics and building interoperability. Examples will include the kinds of dynamic and powerful science capabilities that can be realized.
Conveners: Linda Gundersen, U.S. Geological Survey, MS 911 National Center Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20194 USA, Tel: 703-648-6601, Fax: 703-648-, email: lgundersen@usgs.gov, and Lee Allison, Arizona Geological Survey, 416 West Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85701 USA, Tel: 520-770-3500, email: Lee.allison@azgs.az.gov

IN22 Data and the Ethos of Science
Data are central to Earth and space science. Sharing data is necessary to ensure repeatability of results--a cornerstone of the scientific method. In addition, people increasingly repurpose data in ways unforeseen and unforeseeable by the original investigator or user community. This data sharing and reuse imply certain ethical obligations for both data producers and users. These obligations include ensuring that data are shared openly and preserved for future generations, that data authors receive fair attribution, that data are as accurate as possible, that uncertainty is well described, and that data are not used inappropriately. Further, “inappropriate use” may not be well defined. It is not simply a matter of inappropriate scientific application. For example, often there are privacy and economic concerns related to information about hazards and risk and increasingly detailed geospatial information. Issues of intellectual property arise with local and traditional knowledge, certain derived products, and commercially produced data. In this context, one would expect that the obligations surrounding data, data sharing, and data management would be deeply embedded in the beliefs, training, and aspirations of the science community--core tenets in the ethos of science. Yet data are sometimes hoarded not shared. Preservation is neglected. The actual data used in a study are rarely cited. Documentation on accuracy and uncertainty is often lacking, and data users are ill informed on appropriate use of data outside their discipline. Formal study of the ethical dimensions of data remains on the periphery. The Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) recognizes the need to enhance the role of data, data management, and informatics in the ethos of Earth and space science. Publications by the International Council of Science, the World Summit of the Information Society, and others echo this sentiment. In this session, we solicit papers that explore the disconnect between professed ethics and actual practice, especially across diverse disciplines. What is lacking socially, politically, and technically to bring data into the core ethos of science? What are the root issues and how can they be addressed? What is the role of the academy in educating future scientists? We seek results of both formal investigations and practical experiences from both producers and users of data in exploring the ethical dimensions of data.
Conveners: Ruth Duerr, National Snow and Ice Data Center/World Data Center for Glaciology, , , USA, email: rduerr@nsidc.org, and Mark A. Parsons, National Snow and Ice Data Center/World Data Center for Glaciology, , , USA, email: parsonsm@nsidc.org

IN23 Uncertainty in Geophysical Data Interpretation: Implications and Developments
Geophysical risk analysis has been to a large extent under-emphasized for near surface applications either due to economic limitations or under-estimation of its significance. In the wake of pressing environmental and economical issues, it is of prime importance for the geophysical community to shed light onto great efforts by geophysicists to quantify uncertainties and to provide quality assurance to our communities at large. The uncertainty in near surface geophysical data interpretation has critical implications on resource exploration, data acquisition and modeling, and development endeavors. This session is for papers that propose consideration of new case studies, that highlight implications of uncertainties in near surface geophysical data interpretations and explain techniques of quantifying and understanding causes of uncertainty, which are very significant for future developments and essential for feasibility studies. We would also like to invite papers that report on advances in geophysical modeling towards understanding uncertainties in data interpretation and those that help avoid interpretation pitfalls. Recent utilization of advanced geostatistical techniques are also of interest in this session. We encourage authors to contribute to this important session and look forward for constructive discussions that pave the way for future research developments.
Conveners: Yevgeniy A. Kontar, Head, Geophysics Section, Illinois State Geological Survey, 615 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820-6964 USA, Tel: 217-265-5438, Fax: 217-244-7004, email: kontar@isgs.uiuc.edu, and John H. McBride, Chair, Department of Geological Sciences, Brigham Young University, PO Box 24606 , Provo, UT 84602 USA, email: mcbseis@gmail.com, and Ramesh P. Singh, Professor, College of Science, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 5C3 , Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 USA, Tel: 703-993-9238, email: rsingh3@gmu.edu

IN24 Open Source Remote Sensing for Environmental Mapping and Analysis
Anthropogenic and natural pressures on ecosystems and environments threaten human and ecological health at many levels. Remote sensing analysis of aerial photography and satellite imagery provides views of the environment necessary for sound environmental stewardship. Unprecedented amounts of earth imagery are now available on our desktops through data portals and virtual earths, and many open source geographic information system (GIS) applications are available. However, there is a great need for free or low cost, easy to use remote sensing software tools to help non-geospatial-experts make better use of these image resources to enhance environmental mapping and analysis. The goal of this session is to highlight open source remote sensing tools and applications in environmental analysis. How are open source remote sensing tools being used in environmental analysis (e.g., land cover mapping; change detection; disaster recovery; habitat analysis; impervious surface mapping)? Are remote sensing mapping algorithms incorporated in virtual earths to expand their analytical capability? Can we develop easy to use open source decision support tools to help guide environmental decision making at the national, regional, local and citizen levels? How can we better harness the observations of citizens informed about their local environments in a geospatially-enabled manner?
Conveners: Drew Pilant, US Environmental Protection Agency, 109 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Pa, NC 27711 USA, Tel: 919 541 0648, email: pilant.drew@epa.gov, and Peter Fox, HAO/ESSL/NCAR, , , USA, email: pfox@ucar.edu

Earth and Space Science Informatics also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
H13 Understanding Hydrologic Modeling Error: Pathways Toward Improved Model Diagnosis, Correction and Practical Application
ED10 Promoting the Use of Cyberinfrastructure in the Classroom: Challenges and Success Stories
SA11 Heliophysics Research Using Virtual Observatories
G13 Ever Faster: Low-Latency Data Collection and Applications Across the Earth Sciences
ED19 Solid Earth Geovisualizations
A07 Aerosol Multi-sensor and Model Inter-comparison and Synergy
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
ED18 IYA Dark Skies Awareness Programs, Citizen Science and You
G03 Extracting Signal in Geodetic Measurements
G06 Geodetic Imaging: Advances in Instrumentation and Methods
P14 Landed Measurements on Mars: Ground Truth for Orbital Data
PP24 Advancing Process Understanding in Proxy Climate Records
DI04 Technical Advances in Geodynamical Modeling
G10 The Future of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Their Impact on Geodetic, Geophysical and Environmental Applications
OS04 CLIVAR/GODAE: The ECCO State Estimates
OS14 Decadal Trends in the Ocean Carbon Cycle
OS28 Application of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Theory to Atmospheric and Oceanic Observations
OS03 Advances in Tsunami Research with Application to Forecasts and Warnings
OS21 Advances in Operational Oceanography and Scientific Drilling
H65 Integrated Modeling in Hydrology: Advances in Model Interoperability, Architectures, and Cyberinfrastructure
T18 Transforming the View of Cascadia Through Interpretation of Multidisciplinary Data Sets
NS02 Geoscientific Data for the Revitalization of Afghanistan
H61 Integration of Sensors, Models, and Computation: Multiscale/Multiprocess Strategy for Land-Vegetation-Atmosphere Interactions
NS05 Application of Joint Inverse Methods for Improved Characterization and Assessment of Ground-Water, Mineral, and Petroleum Resources
MR02 Computational Approaches and Applications in Earth Materials Studies
H15 Recent Innovations in Environmental Sensing, Cyberinfrastructure and Observatories

Education and Human Resources

ED01 Education and Human Resources: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Education and Human Resources.
Conveners: Susan Buhr, CIRES, , , USA, email: susan.buhr@colorado.edu

ED02 Space Physics Education and Connections to Science Education Standards
Solar and space physics education can meet with resistance among teachers, curriculum developers and program officials when it is unclear how these topics can be integrated into national and state STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education standards. These standards and related science literacy efforts are a vital tool for improving STEM education in the U.S. and will help to keep the U.S. workforce competitive in the global economy. The space physics community is in a unique position to provide novel curricular materials to meet these standards, but clear links must be made between space physics concepts and the basic science education objectives they support. This session, and its associated workshop, are intended to start a dialog in the space physics education community on this topic, synthesizing work already done in this area and identifying topics that need additional attention. Invited and contributed talks are encouraged to not only discuss their education and outreach programs, but also to link them to national science education standards such at the NRC report "National Science Education Standards" and AAAS Project 2061 Benchmarks, as well as individual state standards. Discussion about what constitutes "meeting" a particular standard and how that is evaluated are also encouraged.
Conveners: Nicholas Gross, Boston University, 725 Commonwealth Ave, Rm. 402, Boston, MA 02215 USA, Tel: 617-358-3245, Fax: 617-358-3242, email: gross@bu.edu, and Emily CoBabe-Ammann, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), , , USA, email: EcoBabe@lasp.colorado.edu, and Mark S. McCaffrey, University of Colorado- Boulder, , , USA, email: Mark.Mccaffrey@Colorado.EDU

ED03 IPY: Science and Outreach In Polar Partnership
The International Polar Year 2007-8 continues to lead the integration of outreach, education and communication into research projects. Scientists and educators within the polar community have been working together to develop and share effective methods of communicating the important role of Polar Regions in the global system. This session is an opportunity to celebrate and profile successful partnerships between IPY science and outreach, explore best-practices, and set recommendations for future collaborations. We welcome abstracts from all areas of polar science and outreach, especially those that used IPY as an opportunity to explore new collaborations, techniques, audiences, and technology. We are interested in approaches used for international to local activities, evaluation of these, and how these might be applied to a different context.
Conveners: Rhian Salmon, International Polar Year, International Programme Office BAS High Cross Madingley Rd, Cambridge, CB3 0ET GBR, Tel: +44 7711181509, email: ipy.ras@gmail.com, and Jenny Baeseman, Association of Polar Early Career Scientists, , Fairbanks, USA, email: baeseman@gmail.com, and Louise Huffman, ANDRILL, , , USA, email: lhuffman@andrill.org, and Nicola Munro, International Polar Year, , , GBR, email: ipy1@bas.ac.uk, and Elena B. Sparrow, University of Alaska Fairbanks/ IARC, 930 Koyukuk Drive P.O. Box 757340 , Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: 1-907-474-7699, Fax: 1-907-474-1578, email: esparrow@iarc.uaf.edu

ED04 Bright STaRS: Bright Students Training as Research Scientists
Several science programs in the San Francisco Bay Area are aimed at encouraging talented high school-aged students to discover the Earth and Space Sciences through after school and summer programs that provide hands-on research opportunities in these fields. This invitation-only session will highlight recent student research activities associated with such programs including the East Bay Academy for Young Scientists at U.C. Berkeley-Lawrence Hall of Science, the SF-ROCKS Program, a partnership between San Francisco State University and the San Francisco Unified School District, and the Earth Sciences High School Intern Program at Stanford University. High school students involved in summer research programs at other locations are encouraged to contact the conveners and submit their research projects.
Conveners: Ines Cifuentes, AGU, 2000 Florida Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 USA, Tel: 202-777-7508, Fax: 202-328-0566, email: icifuentes@agu.org, and Kevin Cuff, Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 510-642-7448, Fax: 510-642-1055, email: kcuff@berkeley.edu, and Jennifer Saltzman, School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Mitchell Building B53 397 Panama Mall, Stanford, CA 94305 USA, Tel: 650-725-2410, Fax: 650-725-6566, email: saltzman@stanford.edu, and Lisa White, Department of Geosciences, SFSU, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132 USA, Tel: 415-405-4211, Fax: 415-338-7705, email: lwhite@sfsu.edu

ED05 Defining, Communicating and Protecting Authentic Science in Education, the Public and the Media: New and Expanding Roles for Scientists and Science Societies?
Should North American Scientists and Science Societies consider expanded/new roles in Science Communication? A special session entitled Involving Authentic Environmental Change Science and Scientists in Education and the Media at the American Geophysical Union in December 2007 brought together a diverse group of education, science and science communication specialists to discuss why discourse outside of science societies is so often misinformed and distorted on environmental change issues that are clearly defined and described within the science community. Climate change was an issue most often referenced in the discussion – there is virtual unanimity and overwhelming evidence from the scientific community that the Earth is warming rapidly and humans are an important cause, but there is confusion in the media and the public, in part due to disinformation campaigns by greenhouse gas polluters and privately funded “Think Tanks.” The 2008 session will engage scientists and scientific societies to consider whether we continue with current paths for disseminating knowledge; or is there a need for innovation in the manner in which science informs and educates beyond the science community on important scientific issues? This session will explore directions, and ways and means for science to regain leadership and address misunderstanding and obfuscation of sound science. The session will address a number of issues including: (a) whether unified, proactive actions/programs are required by scientists and/or Science Societies, (b) if so, what actions/programs those may be; and (c) the ways and means to pursue those activities at any and all levels?
Conveners: James Michael Byrne, Lethbridge, , Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 CAN, Tel: 403 329 2002, Fax: 403 329 2016, email: byrne@uleth.ca, and Dan Fagre, USGS, , West Glacier, MT USA, email: dan_fagre@usgs.gov, and Stephen H Schneider, Stanford University, , Stanford, CA USA, email: shs@stanford.edu, and Alan Robock, Rutgers University, Department of Environmental Sciences 14 College Farm Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA, Tel: 732-932-9800, x6222, Fax: 732--932-8644, email: robock@envsci.rutgers.edu

ED06 National Alliance for Broadening Participation of Native Americans in the Geosciences
This session will focus on a new alliance of science, education, and tribal leaders that is being formed for broadening participation of Native Americans in the geosciences. The purpose of the alliance will be to explore ideas for research on best practices and barriers to participation, and the alliance will be organized to foster new collaborations and partnerships.
Conveners: Diana M. Dalbotten, National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics, St. Anthony Falls Lab, Univ of MN 2 3rd Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA, Tel: 6126244608, Fax: 6126240066, email: dalbo001@umn.edu, and Rajul Pandya, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, SOARS and Community Building P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 USA, Tel: 303-497-2650, email: pandya@ucar.edu

ED07 Earth System Science Education Alliance (ESSEA) Teacher Professional Development Program
This session focuses on one of NSF’s GeoTeach programs to enhance teacher geoscience content knowledge and teaching skills. ESSEA professional development program is providing in-depth geoscience content and teaching methods to pre- and in-service teachers. Sponsored by NSF, the network has expanded to nearly 40 institutions of higher learning committed to teacher Earth system science education. The program supports participating institutions with funding, training, and standards-aligned courses and resources for pre- and in-service teachers. As a result, teachers are prepared to teach Earth system science using inquiry-based classroom methods, geoscience data and tools.
Conveners: Robert Myers, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, 1600 Wilson Blvd, Ste 901, Arlington, VA 22209 USA, Tel: 623-792-5652, email: bob_myers@strategies.org, and Theresa Schwerin, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, 1600 Wilson Blvd. Ste 90, Arlington, VA 22209 USA, Tel: 703-312-0825, email: theresa_schwerin@strategies.org

ED08 Making Introductory-Level Science Courses Interesting and Relevant – Best Practices
Science education should help students develop thinking skills. Both the mathematics, technological and scientific skills and knowledge they acquire, and the manner in which their courses are presented, have a lasting influence on their intellectual growth. The U.S. currently ranks second in science literacy among the world’s developed countries, due in large part to college curricula that require non-majors to take introductory science courses. As such, these broad survey courses deserve more attention. Innovative and effective undergraduate teaching and learning both transforms the lives of our non-major students and serves as a promotional tool for attracting new majors. Do you have a unique method for linking the learning of new concepts to what students already know? How do you employ visualization technologies and personal response systems in your classroom? Have you developed techniques for promoting the learning of scientific concepts through the study of science as a process? Do you provide learners with the opportunity to engage in scientific questioning, gather evidence, formulate, justify and/or discard explanations, and evaluate alternatives? Share your insights with colleagues.
Conveners: Patricia Cooper, School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology, 1680 East-West Rd., POST 802 , Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, Tel: 8089569513, Fax: 8089529152, email: pcooper@hawaii.edu

ED09 Teaching Introductory Geoscience in the 21st Century
Introductory geoscience courses are the main venue both for recruiting students into our majors and for educating a much broader audience about the Earth. Over the past few decades, our understanding of how people learn has improved dramatically. Likewise, the geosciences have expanded rapidly, and now cover a wide variety of research areas, tools, and techniques. It is critical, therefore, that our introductory courses incorporate our best practices from the educational research and give an up-to-date picture of the state of our science. Building on the 2008 Cutting Edge workshop “Teaching Introductory Geoscience in the 21st Century”, this session is intended to provide opportunities for the geoscience community to present research about instructional techniques that enhance student learning in introductory geoscience courses, including physical and historical geology, oceanography, atmospheric and climate science, global change, earth system science, natural hazards, and topical courses. Possible topics include successful innovations in instructional materials, laboratory and field exercises, courses, and curricula; research-based approaches to assessment; and successful methods for engaging new student audiences, among many others.
Conveners: Rachel Teasdale, California State University, Chico, Department of Geological & Environmental Sciences California State University, Chico , Chico, CA 95929-0205 USA, Tel: 5308985547, Fax: 5308985234, email: rteasdale@csuchico.edu, and Jennifer M. Wenner, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Department of Geology 800 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, WI 54901-8649 USA, Tel: 9204247003, email: wenner@uwosh.edu, and Anne E. Egger, Stanford University, Department of Geological & Environmental Sciences 450 Serra Mall, Bldg 320, Stanford, CA 94305-2115 USA, Tel: 6507240984, email: annegger@stanford.edu

ED10 Promoting the Use of Cyberinfrastructure in the Classroom: Challenges and Success Stories
The development of resources that facilitate digital data acquisition, management and visualization (cyberinfrastructure) has provided new opportunities to enhance scientific inquiry in everyday undergraduate teaching and learning. Egalitarian access to data resources provides a level playing field for educational institutions to engage students in exploration and participation in the scientific process. However, online data resources are often geared toward domain research and present challenges to both non-specialist instructors and students in how to develop teaching modules and reach learning goals, respectively. This session invites papers that provide detailed examples of how online resources are applied in the undergraduate classroom and the range of success attained in the various endeavors.
Conveners: Karin A. Block, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 845-365-8393, email: kblock@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Lehnert A. Kerstin, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 845-365-8506, email: lehnert@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Jeffrey G. Ryan, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33620 USA, Tel: 813-974-1598, email: ryan@shell.cas.usf.edu

ED11 Climate Literacy and Communication Strategies
During the International Geophysical Year in 1958, the US National Academy of Sciences described in the pioneering science education publication "Planet Earth: Mystery with 100,000 Clues" that the natural greenhouse effect was being altered because "our industrial civilization has been pouring carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a great rate" and that if it remained "it would have a marked warming effect on the earth's climate" and could "cause significant melting of the great icecaps and raise sea levels in time." Over the past fifty years, with few exceptions, science education has made little headway in effectively informing and educating students and citizens about the basics of the climate system in general and human impacts in particular. With the release of the Climate Literacy framework of essential principles and fundamental concepts, the formation of the Climate Literacy Network and numerous formal and informal education and information programs and campaigns, the tide may be turning. This session will examine the urgent need and current efforts to identify high quality education materials, best practices and effective information sharing and communication strategies related to climate variaiblity and change, looking at education and communication research relating to how people learn and make informed decisions including their prior knowledge, ideological filters, and misconceptions, examining deficit knowledge theory as it relates to climate related science, policy and advocacy. We encourage papers be submitted that focus on classroom pedagogical content knowledge curricula, free choice and community-based education programs, efforts to engage and inform underrepresented audiences, and other traditional and emerging communication mediums that relate to science-based climate, energy and/or sustainability topics.
Conveners: Mark S. McCaffrey, CIRES- CU Boulder, , , USA, email: mark.mccaffrey@colorado.edu, and Susan M. Buhr, CIRES- CU Boulder, , , USA, email: susan.buhr@colorado.edu, and Frank Niepold, NOAA, , , USA, email: frank.niepold@noaa.gov

ED12 Integrating Data and Technology in Education: Novel Ways to Promote Earth Science Literacy
The 21st century workforce uses new technologies to process, analyze and visualize geoscience data. Breaking news portrays human events, tomorrow's weather, and natural disasters on high resolution landscape images packaged for cable TV or web outlets. K-12 through college students use GPS and Google Earth for geocaches, science fair projects, campus navigation, and recreation. Educators, more than ever before, are required to combine real data with visualization technology to engage students in the disciplines of science. This session will showcase a wide range of new data, tools, and successful projects for geoscience education.
Conveners: Cathy L. Connor, University Alaska Southeast, 11120 Glacier Highway , Juneau, AK 99801 USA, Tel: 907 796 6293, Fax: 907 796 6406, email: cathy.connor@uas.alaska.edu, and Anupma Prakash, Goephysical Institute University Alaska Fairbanks, 903 Koyukuk Dr; PO Box 757320, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320 USA, Tel: 907-4741897, Fax: 907-4747290, email: prakash@gi.alaska.edu

ED13 Space Physics Particle Multimedia Products for Education
The concept of how particles, both charged and neutral, behave in space is not an easy concept to convey to students. This includes everything from individual charged particles moving in magnetic fields to radiation effects in the Earth's magnetosphere to major plasma outbursts on the Sun and other stars. This session will highlight the movies, animations, and imagery available to educate students in these concepts. The intent is to understand what is presently available and provide a forum for what would be useful for the future. Participants are asked to bring laptops posters or whatever is necessary to display their products. Participants will, however, have to pay for internet access, if needed.
Conveners: James R. Thieman, NASA/GSFC, Code 690.1, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-9790, Fax: 301-286-1771, email: james.r.thieman@nasa.gov, and Eric R. Christian, NASA Headquarters, Mail Suite 3V23, NASA Hq., Washington, DC 20546 USA, Tel: 202-358-1763, email: eric.r.christian@nasa.gov, and Beth Barbier, SP Systems Inc., Code 661, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-7209, email: beth.barbier@nasa.gov

ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
This session will focus on scientists, educators, education researchers, evaluators and funding agency program officers providing K-12 teachers with authentic research experiences in science and engineering. Presentations should highlight best practices for the “Teacher Research Experience” (TRE) model. Presentations by those who design, facilitate, evaluate, and fund TRE programs are especially encouraged, as well as presentations by teachers and scientists who have participated in such programs. Suggested areas for presenters to address can include but are not limited to: • The enhanced transfer of knowledge from the teacher/researcher to the students through implementing a research program within the classroom • How these teacher professional development programs play an essential role in science education reform and teacher retention and renewal • Examples of effective programs and techniques for assessing TRE programs • The transformation of the educational environment into an authentic research center • How best to prepare teachers to become part of scientific research teams • The use of o Online learning in teacher professional development o Support systems for teacher researchers o Research community collaboration and o Program assessment and evaluation. • Examples of the value to the scientific community of involving teachers in research • Recommendations for designing and implementing research experiences that align with national, state, and/or local reform efforts in science education • The framework for conceptual learning in terms of the curricula and embedded research activities Presentations on new or ongoing successful models for long and short-term teacher research experiences are invited from the fields of space science, environmental science, atmospheric science, earth science, oceanography, etc. Scientist-teacher research teams are particularly encouraged to submit abstracts for the session. Printed and CD-based materials may be brought by participants to the session to be distributed to attendees.
Conveners: Constance E. Walker, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 N. Cherry Ave. , Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520-318-8535, Fax: 520-318-8451, email: cwalker@noao.edu, and Gail Scowcroft, University of Rhode Island, Office of Marine Programs Graduate School of Oceanography South Ferry Rd. , Narragansett, RI 02882 USA, Tel: 401-874-6486, email: gailscow@gso.uri.edu, and Steven K. Croft, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520-318-8495, Fax: 520-318-8451, email: scroft@noao.edu, and Stephen M. Pompea, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520-318-8285, Fax: 520-318-8451, email: spompea@noao.edu

ED15 The International Year of Astronomy 2009: Celebrating Galileo's Legacy of Observations of the Solar System and Beyond
In 2009 we celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo's first observations of the planets, sun, and astronomical objects through a telescope. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the United Nations have proclaimed 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) to spread awareness of astronomy’s contributions to society and culture, stimulate young people’s interest in science, portray astronomy as a global peaceful endeavor, and nourish a scientific outlook in society. Activities in the United States are being coordinated by the American Astronomical Society. As part of the IYA-US team, NASA views IYA as an opportunity to share its exciting discoveries in space astronomy and planetary science internationally. In an effort to encourage participation in this celebration and encourage the public to "Look Up" and "Discover the Universe", we invite related papers describing education and outreach programs and coordinating efforts planned for IYA, supporting resources that are suitable for use in this area, and opportunities for scientist participation.
Conveners: Leslie Lynne Lowes, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MS 200-108 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818-393-7734, Fax: 818-393-6024, email: Leslie.L.Lowes@jpl.nasa.gov, and James R. Thieman, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Mailstop 690.1 , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-9790, Fax: 301-286-1771, email: james.r.thieman@nasa.gov

ED16 Innovations in the Classroom That Can Facilitate and Support Undergraduate Research in the Earth, Ocean, and Space Sciences
Advances in the instrumentation, tools, and data resources for research have led to new classroom approaches that help prepare students to participate in a range of research activities in the earth, ocean and space sciences. This session will highlight innovative classroom uses of research technologies, and new instructional approaches in introductory and upper-level earth, ocean, atmospheric and planetary science courses.
Conveners: Jeffrey G. Ryan, University of South Florida, Dept. Geology Univ. South Florida 4202 East Fowler Ave. SCA 528 , Tampa, FL 33620 USA, Tel: 813-974-1598, Fax: 813-974-2654, email: ryan@shell.cas.usf.edu, and Kirsten Nicolaysen, Whitman College, Department of Geology Whitman College , Walla Walla, WA 99362 USA, Tel: 509-527-4396, Fax: 509-527-5904, email: nicolakp@whitman.edu, and Kathleen Surpless, Trinity University, Department of Geosciences Trinity University One Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212 , San Antonio, TX 78212 USA, Tel: 210-999-7606, Fax: 210-999-7090, email: ksurpless@trinity.edu

ED17 Undergraduate Geoscience Programs: Defining and Assessing the Curriculum
Geoscience departments now offer a variety of BA and BS programs meeting a diversity of goals. This session will showcase the variety of curriculum models that have been developed and the assessments that are being used to measure their success.
Conveners: Cathryn A Manduca, Carleton College, 1 N College Street, Northfield, MN 55057 USA, Tel: 507 646 7096, email: cmanduca@carleton.edu, and R. Heather Macdonald, College of William and Mary, , , USA, email: rhmacd@wm.edu

ED18 IYA Dark Skies Awareness Programs, Citizen Science and You
The loss of a dark night sky as a natural resource is a growing concern. It impacts not only astronomical research, but also our environment in terms of ecology, health, safety, economics and energy conservation. For this reason, “Dark Skies Awareness” is a cornerstone project of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA). Its goal is to raise public awareness of the impact of artificial lighting on local environments by getting people involved in a variety of dark skies-related programs. As one means to reach this goal, the AGU session will immerse participants in hands-on, minds-on activities and resources. A focus will be on “star-hunting” programs like GLOBE at Night, but will also include presentations on a planetarium show, podcasting, social networking, a digital photography contest, the Good Neighbor Lighting Program, Earth Hour, National Dark Skies Week, a traveling exhibit, a video tutorial, Dark Skies Discovery Sites, Astronomy Nights in the (National) Parks, Sidewalk Astronomy, and a Quiet Skies program. The GLOBE at Night program has students and the general public, as citizen-scientists, take data on light pollution levels by comparing observations with stellar maps of limiting magnitudes toward the constellation, Orion. For more precise measurements, citizen-scientists can use digital sky brightness meters. Measurements are then compared with data from previous years, Earth at Night satellite data and population density data. Session participants could include scientists, educators, and education and public outreach professionals. Presenters will provide the “know-how” and the means for session participants to become community leaders in promoting Dark Skies programs like GLOBE at Night as public events at their home institutions. Participants will be able to jump-start their education programs through the use of well-developed instructional materials and kits that will be distributed as part of the workshop, as funding permits. For more information, visit http://astronomy2009.us/darkskies/ and http://www.darkskiesawareness.org/.
Conveners: Constance E. Walker, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520-318-8535, Fax: 520-318-8451, email: cwalker@noao.edu, and Chuck Bueter, nightwise.org, 15893 Ashville Lane, Granger, IN 46530 USA, Tel: 574-271-3150, email: bueter@rad-inc.com, and Robert Sparks, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520 318-8313, Fax: 520-318-8451, email: rsparks@noao.edu, and Stephen M. Pompea, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 N. Cherry Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520-318-8285, Fax: 520-318-8451, email: spompea@noao.edu

ED19 Solid Earth Geovisualizations
Large geological and geophysical datasets from EarthScope and other programs allow for unprecedented resolution of Earth's structure and dynamic processes. This session will highlight visualizations of these data in 3 and 4 dimensions and their applications in geoscience research, education and outreach. Geovisualizations offer tremendous resources for scientists to understand their data and modeling results in much finer detail and from new perspectives. Visualizations also have great potential as teaching and outreach tools providing access to exciting, cutting-edge research results and as a means to explain Earth’s dynamic processes to teachers, students, and the public. We invite contributions from scientists and educators who are developing and using innovative methods of visualizing data from seismology, geodesy, geodynamics, subsurface exploration and other fields investigating the solid Earth.
Conveners: Robert J. Lillie, Oregon State University, Department of Geosciences, 104 Wilkinson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-1242, Fax: 541-929-7377, email: lillier@geo.oregonstate.edu, and Louise Kellogg, University of California, Davis, Department of Geology, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: 530-752-3690, email: kellogg@geology.ucdavis.edu

ED20 Are You an Explorer? Using Adventure Learning as a Powerful Tool for Your Scientific Mission
Following his discovery of the Titanic, Marine Biologist Dr. Ballard pioneered the delivery of real-world science in the 5th – 8th grade classroom across the nation with his multi-million dollar program, the Jason Project. Today, hundreds if not thousands of scientists around the globe are involved with IPY and the vital element of its mission to ‘educate’ learners of all ages about the polar regions. But how about you, the ‘ordinary scientist?’ As a good citizen scientist often funded by public tax dollars we are asked to communicate and involve the wider K-12 community in our explorations. How do you go about this communication and education in a meaningful way that does not drain resources (be it money or maybe more importantly time and people power) and offers true substance beyond school visit(s) or ‘website’ features to showcase your findings? How do you share your explorations? Grab on to the word “explorations.” You are a scientist… thus you are an explorer. Consider your scientific explorations an adventure—a powerful tool to educate learners worldwide when delivered in an educational, collaborative and exciting context. In 1831 Darwin set out onboard the Beagle to survey the tip of South America. Imagine if Darwin had been online collaborating with students worldwide in an online learning environment anchored in natural and social science curriculum! Learners would not only have been taking part in an exciting journey into the land of unknown – they would have had the opportunity to take part, first hand, in the scientific process, and in the bigger picture of changing the course of science. Such is the excitement of adventure learning! Adventure learning (AL) (Doering, 2005; 2006; 2007) is a proven educational approach that anchored in curriculum and collaboration uses a hybrid online educational environment to connects students with ‘explorers in the field.’ Scientists, fellow experts, students and educators investigate real-world issues through the authentic learning experience presented in your research. The concept is proven with literally thousands of classrooms on six continents and across every state of the US. But, what is the future role of AL in the science community? What is AL bringing to the toolbox for you the scientist? How can scientists use AL for educational outreach? This session is an opportunity to profile the implementation of the principles of an AL program along with six-step process for designing and implementing mini-AL environments, as well as the challenges and rewards of using the AL framework. We invite abstracts that discuss the role of educational outreach within the science community while exploring the delivery of AL and the challenges involved in such an approach. These challenges and opportunities range from the curriculum development, technical issues and solutions, and methods of outreach utilized to maximize your AL program to its fullest extent in your research location, the education and scientific community, the media and to the broader audience.
Conveners: Aaron H. Doering, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota, 130D Peik Hall 159 Pillsbury Dr SE , Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA, Tel: 6126251073, email: adoering@umn.edu, and Mille Porsild, GoNorth!, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota 1313 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA, email: mporsild@polarhusky.com, and Robert Max Holmes, Woods Hole Research Center, 149 Woods Hole Road, Falmouth, MA 02540-1644 USA, email: rmholmes@whrc.org, and Paul L. Pregont, GoNorth!, University of Minnesota, 1313 5th St SE Suite 215A, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA, email: ppregont@polarhusky.com

ED21 Remote Sensing Education - Integrated Geospatial Education and Technology Training (iGETT) and CalGETT
These are initiatives to provide training in the area of remote sensing at the Community College Level both at the National Level and the State Level in California. Both initiatives are funded by National Science Foundation and The Industry Driven Regional Collaborative in California.
Conveners: Chris Cruz, West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave. , Saratoga, Ca 95070 USA, Tel: 408-741-2622, Fax: 408-741-2145, email: chris_cruz@westvalley.edu

ED22 Facilitating Literacy in Fundamental Earth System Concepts and Problems
The current focus by the media on fundamental problems related to the sustainability of human society serves as an important motivation for citizens to understand the complex processes in the Earth system that sustain our environment and deliver energy, food, water, and shelter to our population. It is imperative that the public, students, and teachers achieve a scientifically-based understanding of key concepts in the geosciences which they can draw upon to make sound decisions concerning issues related to our health, security, and economic well-being. From a pedagogical perspective, complex problem solving is an effective means of learning to think creatively and serves as an ideal avenue for achieving multidisciplinary literacy. Over the past several years a number of initiatives have developed or are developing literacy frameworks (Ocean Literacy, Climate Literacy, Atmospheric Science Literacy, Earth Science Literacy) to identify the key concepts and the "big ideas" that citizens should understand. This session will include invited and contributed presentations that highlight efforts to provide guidance to educators and policy makers on the critical knowledge in the geosciences needed by citizens. A dialog will be facilitated among scientists and educators regarding education programs, aimed at various audiences that present Earth system problems at global, regional, or local scales. In many cases, these problems disproportionately impact minority groups, and educators who serve these groups are encouraged to participate in this session. Scientists who have multidisciplinary applications of science affecting societal well-being and that should be articulated in educational forums and programs are also encouraged to participate to strengthen the overall dialog in communicating science to broad audiences.
Conveners: Roberta M. Johnson, UCAR Education and Outreach, , , USA, email: rmjohnsn@ucar.edu, and Susan Eriksson, UNAVCO, 6350 Nautilus Drive, Boulder, CO 80301-5554 USA, Tel: 303-381-7466, Fax: 303-381-7501, email: eriksson@unavco.org, and Rajul Pandya, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 USA, Tel: 303-497-2650, email: pandya@ucar.edu, and Glenn Richard, Stony Brook University, Earth and Space Sciences Building, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2100 USA, Tel: 631-632-8336, Fax: 631-632-8140, email: Glenn.Richard@stonybrook.edu

Education and Human Resources also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
IN17 Earth and Space Science Applications of GigaPan Imagery
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
IN14 Advancing Digital Watersheds and Virtual Environmental Observatories
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN22 Data and the Ethos of Science
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
GC24 Progress and Challenges in Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision Making
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Geodesy

G01 Geodesy: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Geodesy.
Conveners: Pascal Willis, Institut Géographique National, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris Geophysique Spatiale et Planetalogie 4, place Jussieu, Paris, 75252 FRA, Tel: + 33 (0)1 57 27 84 81, Fax: +33 1 44 27 73 40, email: willis@ipgp.jussieu.fr, and Matt King, Newcastle University, School of Civil Engineering Cassie Building, Newcastle upon Thyme, NE1 7RU GBR, Tel: +44-191-222-7833, email: m.a.king@ncl.ac.uk

G02 Plate Motion and Its Relation to Deforming Zones
We seek geodetic and geologic studies on plate motion, microplate motion, and their relation to elements in the deforming zones between the plates—faults, slip, great earthquakes, and mountains and rifts generated by active deformation. Important questions relevant to this session include: What fraction of plate motion is being taken up by elastic strain that will be released in earthquakes? What fraction is being taken up by permanent strain that is becoming part of the geologic record? Are deforming belts better described by microplates or by a homogeneous medium? Do estimates of plate motion from magnetic anomalies, transform azimuths, and earthquake slip vectors differ significantly from those from geodetic techniques, such as GPS, VLBI, SLR, and DORIS?
Conveners: Donald F. Argus, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive , Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: (818) 354 3380, Fax: (818) 393 4965, email: Donald.F.Argus@jpl.nasa.gov, and Jeff T. Freymueller, University of Alaska, , Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320 USA, Tel: (907) 474-7286, Fax: (907) 474-7290, email: jeff.freymueller@gi.alaska.edu

G03 Extracting Signal in Geodetic Measurements
Geodetic observables always integrate signals coming from a variety of sources, from the Earth deepest interior to the highest layers of the atmosphere and above. For example, the measurement of tectonic deformation includes influences from polar motion, tides, atmosphere, glacial isostatic adjustment, erosion processes, monument instabilities, etc. As techniques mature, the dominant signal becomes less interesting, and the exciting science comes from the understanding and physical interpretation of the smaller, second order, contributions hidden close to, or even below, the noise level. This session is devoted to the solutions used by geodesists to isolate, emphasize, separate, analyze and extract the signals they are interested in and the results from different techniques for signal extraction.
Conveners: Olivier de Viron, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris/Université Paris 7, , , FRA, email: deviron@ipgp.jussieu.fr, and Michel Van Camp, Royal Observatory of Belgium, , , BEL, email: mvc@oma.be, and Simon Williams, Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, , , GBR, email: sdwil@pol.ac.uk, and Juliet Biggs, University of Miami, , , USA, email: jbiggs@rsmas.miami.edu

G04 The Global Geodetic Observing System: Science and Instrumentation
The Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) provides measurements of the time varying gravity, rotation, and shape of the Earth using instruments located on the ground and in space. These measurements need to be accurate to better than a part per billion in order to advance our understanding of the underlying processes that are causing the Earth's rotation, gravity, and shape to change. The terrestrial and celestial reference frames within which the measurements are taken need to be at least an order of magnitude better than this in order to ensure that the measurements are not corrupted by errors in the reference frames. Mass transport in the global water cycle, sea level change, crustal deformation, and interplanetary spacecraft navigation are examples of particularly demanding applications of geodetic measurement systems. Designing the instrumentation and observing networks that are needed to provide geodetic measurements of the accuracy and stability required for these and other applications is an ongoing challenge for GGOS. This session will be a forum for discussing demanding scientific applications of global geodetic measurement systems and the instrumentation and networks that are needed to fulfill those demands.
Conveners: Richard Gross, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818 354-4010, Fax: 818 393-4965, email: Richard.Gross@jpl.nasa.gov, and Mike Pearlman, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, Tel: 617 495-7481, Fax: 617 496-0121, email: mpearlman@cfa.harvard.edu, and Hans-Peter Plag, University of Nevada, , Reno, NV 89557 USA, Tel: 775 682-8779, Fax: 775 784-1709, email: hpplag@unr.edu, and Markus Rothacher, GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A17, Potsdam, D-14473 DEU, Tel: ++49-331-288-1101, Fax: ++49-331-288-1111, email: rothacher@gfz-potsdam.de

G05 Using a Gravimetric Geoid Model to Define and Access a Vertical Datum
The historic method of defining and accessing a vertical datum (leveling to passive benchmarks) can not be sustained to sufficient accuracy for current mapping initiatives in large regions or countries. This is especially true due to the vulnerability of benchmarks to human interference as well as a variety of unmonitored vertical motions. Additionally, the use of GNSS to achieve fast, accurate ellipsoid heights has driven a need to acquire orthometric heights with similar speed and accuracy which also can not be done with a poorly maintained and monitored vertical datum. One solution to this problem is to define the vertical datum through a gravimetric geoid model. This session deals with the challenges toward using a gravimetric geoid as the vertical datum for a country or large region. Topics of interest include (1) Data collection (2) Improvements to geoid modeling theory (3) Long-term monitoring of geoid changes and (4) Practical implications of transitioning to such a vertical datum.
Conveners: Dru A. Smith, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3 , Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA, Tel: 1-301-713-3222 x 144, Fax: 1-301-713-4175, email: dru.smith@noaa.gov, and Jianliang Huang, Natural Resources Canada, 615 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0E9 CAN, Tel: 1-613-9471043, Fax: 1-613-9953215, email: jianhuan@NRCan.gc.ca

G06 Geodetic Imaging: Advances in Instrumentation and Methods
The spatial density with which airborne and ground-based sensors can range to the terrain has increased so dramatically over the last two decades that it is now appropriate to think in terms of “geodetic images,” rather than merely point samples for studying surface structure and change. Modern geodetic imaging sensors make it possible to collect high resolution (few meters down to sub-meter scales) topographic data over areas of hundreds to thousands of square kilometers, in time periods of hours to days. Ground-based measurements can add even more detail over smaller areas. The resulting “geodetic imaging” data is of sufficient resolution to allow the development and testing of theories pertaining to localized land surface processes. Geodetic imaging data is also increasingly being used for other applications, such as surface-water hydrology, landscape ecology, mapping of wildlife habitats, and forestry research and management. The focus of this session will be on geodetic imaging technologies, including airborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR, UAV-SAR), airborne laser swath mapping (lidar), and ground-based lidar. Of particular interest will be presentations concerning advances in the state-of-the-art of the instrumentation, operating procedures, processing, and filtering of observations to achieve the highest resolution and accuracy. Also of interest will be presentations focusing on the estimation of parameters from geodetic imaging data, and possible improvements to the information content that might be achieved by combining observations from different geodetic imaging sensors (particularly of different resolutions), and combining geodetic imaging data with other types of observations. Presentations reporting scientific results obtained using geodetic images will be welcome, but the emphasis should be on the geodetic aspects of the research as opposed to discoveries more appropriate for presentation in sessions organized under other disciplines.
Conveners: William E. Carter, University of Florida, Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering 365 Weil Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA, Tel: 3523925003, Fax: 3523925032, email: bcarter@ce.ufl.edu, and K. Clint Slatton, University of Florida, Department of Electrical and Computer Enginering 459 New Engineering Building, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA, Tel: 3523920634, email: slatton@ece.ufl.edu, and Yunling Lou, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 USA, Tel: 818-354-4321, email: yunling.lou@jpl.nasa.gov, and Scott Hensley, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 USA, Tel: 818-354-4321, email: Scott.Hensley@jpl.nasa.gov

G07 Earth's Reference Frame and Geophysical Interpretation
We seek studies on defining (in theory) and determining (in practice) Earth’s reference frame and their relation to the interpretation of natural phenomena. We welcome research on integrating different space techniques (including GPS, VLBI, SLR, DORIS, and GRACE) to determine Earth’s center, Earth’s spin axis and rate of spin, Earth’s scale, and how these parameters change with time. Scientists are improving the accuracy of GPS position–time series satellite and ground antenna phase center maps of time delay; we invite research on how this is strengthening GPS’s contribution to the reference frame. We would like abstracts on how fluctuation and change in the oceans, atmosphere, and ice sheets relate to Earth’s rotation and Earth’s so-called geocenter (the position of the mass center of solid Earth, atmosphere, and oceans relative to the center of solid Earth), and on how to distinguish geocenter oscillations from vertical oscillations of Earth’s surface. We seek research on how Earth’s center and scale relate to plate tectonics, Earth’s viscous response to the unloading of the late Pleistocene ice sheets, and Earth’s elastic response to recent ice mass changes. We also welcome studies on defining the reference frame of a plate interior for application to regional tectonics and interseismic strain accumulation.
Conveners: Donald F. Argus, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive , Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: (818) 354 3380, Fax: (818) 393 4965, email: Donald.F.Argus@jpl.nasa.gov, and Erricos C. Pavlis, Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology/Univ. of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Acad IV A 114E, Baltimore, MD 21250 USA, Tel: +1 410 455 5832, Fax: +1 410 455 5868, email: epavlis@umbc.edu, and Zuheir Altamimi, Institut Géographique National, Laboratoire de Recherche en Géodésie, 6 & 8 Avenue Blaise Pascal, Champs-sur-Marne, 77455 FRA, Tel: 33 1 64 15 32 55, Fax: 33 1 64 15 32 53, email: altamimi@ensg.ign.fr, and Xiaoping Wu, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: (818) 354 9366, Fax: (818) 393 4965, email: Xiaoping.Wu@jpl.nasa.gov

G08 Recent Advances in Observation and Modelling of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA)
Glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) has recently received renewed attention since associated mass transportation is seen as a contaminating signal in Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) estimates of ice sheet mass balance. This session welcomes reports on advances in both the modelling of GIA, including earth and ice sheet models, and its measurement using geodetic and other techniques, including GRACE, GPS, DORIS, absolute gravity, sea-level indicators and geologic and geomorphologic approaches. A particular focus is on GIA processes under the major present-day ice sheets. Therefore, studies that explore present-day errors/uncertainties/deficiencies in GIA models in Antarctica and Greenland, as relevant to GRACE-based ice mass balance studies, will be of wide interest. Large-scale comparisons of the effects of GIA on satellite altimetry, GPS and GRACE data are particularly welcome. Applications of new GIA models - especially those that can deal with more realistic (full 3-D) earth structures and rheologies - to estimates of ice sheet mass balance are further encouraged.
Conveners: Bert Vermeersen, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1 , Delft, 2629HS NLD, email: L.L.A.Vermeersen@tudelft.nl, and Matt King, Newcastle University, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences Cassie Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU GBR, email: m.a.king@ncl.ac.uk, and Erik Ivins, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, email: Erik.R.Ivins@jpl.nasa.gov

G09 High-Rate GPS Seismometer and Tsunami Remote Sensing
Real-time high-rate GPS data, high-dynamic-range broadband seismic stations, and numerical models have recently provided valuable insights to volcanic/seismic deformation and tsunami genesis, greatly improving rapid assessment of immediate crustal activities, tsunami threat, physical understanding, and identification of new data types for tsunami warning systems. This session will address current capabilities, progresses and future directions/challenges for effectively using high-rate GPS and seismic observations in monitoring volcanic/seismic activities (e.g. post-seismic stress transfer), and modeling tsunamis for early warnings. This session also welcomes submissions that combine high-rate GPS with GRACE, SAR and satellite altimetry data for monitoring, comparing and calibration, as well as propose new applications for these observations, and present future missions/challenges.
Conveners: Shuanggen Jin, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, , Daejeon, 305-348 KOR, Tel: 82-42-8653241, Fax: 82-42-8615610, email: sgjin@kasi.re.kr; sg.jin@yahoo.com, and Tony Y. Song, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA, , Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, email: Tony.Song@jpl.nasa.gov

G10 The Future of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Their Impact on Geodetic, Geophysical and Environmental Applications
The availability of modernized GPS and a revitalized GLONASS system offers a steadily increasing number of opportunities and challenges in the field of geosciences. Very soon the upcoming Galileo system will contribute with additional open signals. This session will address these opportunities starting from the GNSS systems status and performance point of view up to the level of future applications, such as atmosphere monitoring, altimetry from reflected signals, and GNSS time transfer. We further invite presentations dealing with innovative geodetic GNSS-positioning techniques such as high precision real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning, precise point positioning (PPP), and triple/multi-carrier ambiguity resolution (TCAR, MCAR). We also invite presentations on approaches that will, in the future, realize close to real-time delivery of geoscience results due, in part, to new GNSS data processing techniques. In addition, we encourage presentations on the contributions of international services (including, but not limited to, the International GNSS Service), organizations, and programs, which support the geosciences with GNSS data and derived products.
Conveners: Robert Weber, University of Technology, Vienna, , Vienna, A-1040 AUT, Tel: +4315880112865, Fax: +4315880112896, email: robert.weber@tuwien.ac.at, and Larry D. Hothem, US Geological Survey, 517 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Reston, VA 20192 USA, Tel: 1-703-648-4663, email: Ldhothem@aim.com, and Richard B. Langley, University of New Brunswick, , Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3 CAN, Tel: 1 506 453-5142, Fax: +1 506 453-4943, email: lang@unb.ca

G11 GNSS/GPS Observation Systems and Their Utility in Climate and Meteorological Applications
From a Geodesist’s perspective, the neutral atmosphere remains a dominating error source in high precision science applications. From an atmospheric scientist’s perspective, geodetic observational systems provide a unique platform to study water vapor in the Earth’s atmosphere. The interface between these two disciplines creates an ideal opportunity for cross-discipline research and two-way collaboration of benefit to both communities. This session solicits input both from geodesists who are creating troposphere products and atmospheric scientists who are using these derived products to address questions related to both high precision geodesy and the global hydrological cycle. Suggestions of science and application questions of particular interest include: • What impact do GNSS tropospheric estimates have on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) forecasts? • How has the IGS05 reference frame, and the associated change to absolute antenna phase centers, impacted GNSS estimates for climate monitoring? How important is the consistent reprocessing of historical GNSS data for climate studies? • How has the recent evolution in tropospheric mapping functions, including the Global Mapping Function (GMF), the Vienna Mapping Function (VMF), and other direct mapping algorithms impacted geodetic estimates of tropospheric parameters? • How are NWP systems being used to improve estimates of geodetic parameters? • What is the current state of the art in realtime and near-realtime applications of precipitable water vapor estimation for NWP applications? • How can GNSS troposphere estimates be used to improve climate monitoring and sample the Earth’s hydrological cycle? • How can GNSS estimates of tropospheric water vapor be used to validate, calibrate or otherwise complement alternative remotely sensed datasets (e.g. those derived from AIRS, MODIS, AMSR-E, InSar), particularly in relation to previously poorly monitored regions of the Earth? • What can we learn from GNSS measurements about the spatial and temporal variability in atmospheric water vapour on sub-daily to decadal timescales? • What are the future possibilities and / or requirements for GNSS as a climatic or meteorological tool (e.g. Tomography), as we move into the third decade of GNSS measurements?
Conveners: Junhong Wang, National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO 80305 USA, email: junhong@ucar.edu, and Ian Thomas, Newcastle University, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences Cassie Building, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU GBR, Tel: +44(0)191 2226739, email: Ian.thomas@ncl.ac.uk, and John Braun, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303.497.8018, Fax: 303.497.2610, email: braunj@ucar.edu

G12 Ground Based Geodetic Techniques and Science Applications
Ground-based geodesy is a rapidly expanding field. Because of their portability, relative ease of use, long acquisition ranges, and sub-cm spatial resolution, tools such as terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) and/or ground-based radars (GBR) promise to expand our detailed understanding of the fundamental processes that drive a broad range of spatial (3D) and temporal (4D) science applications. controlling deformation and topographic evolution. This special session invites contributions that discuss both the technical aspects of the technology and process-based geoscience studies using ground-based geodetic tools such as, but not limited to, TLS and GBR. What are the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of the technologies? How is the technology being used to address static and/or dynamic scientific problems? We envision contributions from many disciplines such as geomorphology, structural geology, glaciology, hydrology, snow science, biological science, tectonic, and volcanology.
Conveners: Ben Brooks, SOEST, University of Hawaii, 1680 East-West Rd., Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, Tel: 808-956-7864, email: bbrooks@soest.hawaii.edu, and Gerald Bawden, USGS - Southwest Area, , , USA, email: gbawden@usgs.gov, and David Phillips, UNAVCO, , , USA, email: dap@unavco.org

G13 Ever Faster: Low-Latency Data Collection and Applications Across the Earth Sciences
Rapid access to data from a variety of geophysical instruments is increasingly important for a wide range of Earth science applications. These include earthquake early warning and rapid finite-fault earthquake source models; tsunami and volcano warning; flood warning and hydrologic modeling; improved short-term weather models; landslides, debris flows, and other problems in geomorphology; global environmental change monitoring; and space and atmospheric physics. As a result, it is increasingly common for terrestrial networks, and now even Earth observing satellite missions, to provide low-latency data products, despite significant technical challenges and restricted funding environments. We intend this session to bring together network and data managers, technologists, and researchers with an interest in low-latency data across the Earth sciences. We particularly welcome those presentations that define scientific needs or new solutions that can foster further growth in this exciting area.
Conveners: Greg Anderson, Swiss Seismological Service, ETH-Zurich, , , CHE, email: greg.anderson@sed.ethz.ch, and Sergio Barrientos, University of Chile, , , CHL, email: sbarrien@dgf.uchile.cl, and Gerald Bawden, US Geological Survey, , , USA, email: gbawden@usgs.gov, and Michael Jackson, UNAVCO, , , USA, email: jackson@unavco.org

G14 Hydro-geodesy: Space Geodetic Applications for Hydrology
Space-based geodetic techniques provide highly accurate measurements of the Earth’s solid and aquatic surfaces and their changes over time. Such measurements have revolutionized certain disciplines in solid-earth and ocean sciences and recently have begun to have an increasing impact in hydrology. Technologies such as Radar Altimetry, LIDAR and InSAR provide direct observations of surface water levels and their changes in rivers, lakes, and wetlands. InSAR and GPS also provide indirect observations of groundwater flow and storage by monitoring cm-level land subsidance above alluvial aquifer systems. Reflections from GPS are beginning to be used to infer soil moisture changes. The main advantages for utilizing space geodetic techniques for hydrological applications are: (1) obtaining very reliable data with low logistical difficulties, (2) ability to obtain data in remote regions, (3) low-cost observations, and (4) very high spatial resolution observations (only InSAR and LIDAR) that cannot be obtained by any terrestrial method. The space-based observations provide very valuable constraints for surface and groundwater flow models and for constraining important geophysical parameters, such as flow diffusivity or aquifer transmissivity. Beyond the scientific contributions, some space-based observations can be utilized for improved management of our shrinking water resources. In this session we solicit contributions that cover all aspects of obtaining, modeling and developing management applications of hydrological-related space-geodetic observations. We also would like to address the question “How can we bridge the gaps between remote sensing products and science requirements?” Contributions of airborne-base geodetic studies, i.e. LIDAR and SAR, with hydrological applications are also welcomed.
Conveners: Shimon Wdowinski, University of Miami, , , USA, email: shimonw@rsmas.miami.edu, and Kristine Larson, University of Colorado, , , USA, email: kristinem.larson@gmail.com, and Philippa Berry, De Montfort University, , , GBR, email: pamb@dmu.ac.uk, and Peter Bauer-Gottwein, Technical University of Denmark, , , DNK, email: pbg@env.dtu.dk

G15 Ionospheric Effects on GNSS Positioning and Navigation
This Session will focus on ionospheric effects on GNSS signals, as well as on current techniques to model, monitor, forecast and mitigate such effects, and in particular their importance and impact for end users, from safety critical to carrier phase based high accuracy applications such as RTK networks. We expect contributions relating to TEC monitoring and imaging techniques to describe the upper atmosphere plasma, as well as work in the area of mitigation of ionospheric perturbation phenomena such as Ionospheric scintillation, traveling ionospheric disturbances, steep TEC gradients, rapid TEC variations and TEC depletions. Studies on synergies between space weather and these ionospheric perturbations are also of relevance for this session. Existing or new models, services and receiver tracking technology to aid users in the face of the forthcoming solar maximum are of special interest. Contributions relating to user experience in this field are also encouraged. Presentations on studies related to high order ionosphere errors affecting high accuracy and real-time GNSS techniques, as well as their effects on reference frame for applications in geodetic positioning and navigation are also welcome.
Conveners: Marcio Aquino, University of Nottingham, , Nottingham, Not NG7 2RD GBR, Tel: 0044 115 9513878, email: marcio.aquino@nottingham.ac.uk, and Joao Galera Monico, Sao Paulo State University P. Prudente, , , BRA, email: galera@fct.unesp.br, and Eurico de Paule, National Institute for Space Research, , , BRA, email: eurico@dae.inpe.br

G16 GRACE and Gravity Missions - Interdisciplinary Science and Analysis Techniques
This session is intended to highlight recent science results from GRACE and other missions that do not fit easily into other focused sessions due to their multidisciplinary nature, and to highlight interesting and innovative analysis issues associated with GRACE and general gravity data. We also welcome any discussion of GOCE and GRACE/GOCE synergy or combination
Conveners: Michael M. Watkins, California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, email: michael.watkins@jpl.nasa.gov, and R. Steven Nerem, CCAR/University of Colorado, Campus Box 431, Boulder, CO 80309 USA, email: nerem@colorado.edu, and Mark E. Tamisiea, Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, , , GBR, email: mtam@pol.ac.uk

G17 Understanding Geosphere and Cryosphere Processes Using Spaceborne Measurements of Deformation, Altimetry, and Topography
Spaceborne measurements of deformation provide a synoptic view of solid earth and cryosphere processes, including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, subsidence, ice sheet mass balance, and sea ice motions and thinning or thickening. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar and GPS data provide precise measurement of surface deformation, providing insight into crustal motions at depth and ice motions and velocities. Precise measurement of surface height and change complements the kinematic data by adding additional parameters such as sea ice freeboard, ice sheet thickness change, and large vertical changes that may result in decorrelation of the InSAR signal. Fusion of the kinematic and height data will improve our understanding of ice sheet flux and mass balance, post glacial rebound, sea ice interactions with the ocean and atmosphere, landslide extent, subsidence, and earthquake and volcanic processes. We solicit talks discussing results from existing InSAR, GPS, and altimetric data, and for understanding potential data fusion from future mission implementations such as DESDynI’s InSAR and Lidar, ICESat’s Lidar, and Tandem L-band InSAR.
Conveners: Andrea Donnellan, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Mail Stop 300-331 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 USA, Tel: 818-354-4737, Fax: 818-393-7298, email: andrea.donnellan@jpl.nasa.gov, and Irena Hajnsek, Microwaves and Radar Institute, German Aerospace Center, P.O. Box 1116, Wessling, 82234 DEU, Tel: 49-8153-28-2363, Fax: 49-8153-28-1135, email: Irena.Hajnsek@dlr.de, and Isabella Velicogna, Department of Earth System Science, UC Irvine, 3226 Croul Hall , Irvine, CA 92697-3100 USA, Tel: 949-824-5419, Fax: 949-824-3874, email: Isabella.Velicogna@gmail.com, and Rowena Lohman, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Snee Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA, Tel: 607-255-6929, Fax: 607-254-4780, email: rolohman@gmail.com

G18 Geodetic-Quality GNSS Stations: Location, Equipment, and Monumentation
When interpreting GNSS site coordinates, geodesists and geophysists focus their efforts on minimizing GNSS signal distortions (noise, measurement error, and modeling error) while maximizing the precision and accuracy of calculated positions. Recent studies have advanced the characterization and removal of sources of noise and error in GNSS a priori models, thereby improving the physical models used when computing position from the observed signals and allowing refined analysis such as the IGS reprocessing effort that is currently underway. Yet we recognize that mitigating these signal distortion effects can be much more challenging than avoiding the problems in the first place. Thus an additional area that has begun getting attention is the more basic one of a site’s physical location, choice of monument type, and GNSS equipment (receiver, antenna, mount, radome, etc.). In the upcoming years, new GNSS systems are coming online and an increasing number of permanent geodetic GNSS sites are being installed (by both private and public institutions). At the same time some users are moving away from analyzing 24-hour long data sets to shorter ones, and are increasingly at the mercy of site-dependent errors. Thus, it is time for the geodetic community to renew discussion on choices of GNSS sites, equipment, and monuments to properly leverage data analysis advances at a time of GNSS network expansion and changes in analysis methods. We solicit papers on factors which affect the quality of geodetic GNSS sites and the data collected at these stations. Topics include but are not limited to site-dependent effects such as multipath (environmental and equipment), sky visibility, and radio interference; time-varying environmental effects (e.g. vegetation, rainfall, snow); and monument type, stability, and location. Papers which discuss the characterization and reduction of GNSS signal propagation errors in terms of site design and choice of equipment are especially encouraged.
Conveners: Giovanni Sella, National Geodetic Survey, 1315 E West Hwy, SSMC3-8716, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA, Tel: 301-713-3198 x126, email: giovanni.sella@noaa.gov, and Andria Bilich, National Geodetic Survey, 325 Broadway St. E/GC2, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303-397-5095, email: andria.bilich@noaa.gov, and Emma Hill, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Space Geodesy Group 60 Garden Street, MS 42, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, Tel: 617-495-7075, Fax: 617-495-7345, email: ehill@cfa.harvard.edu, and Chuck Meertens, UNAVCO, UNAVCO Facility Director 6350 Nautilus Drive , Boulder, CO 80301-5554 USA, Tel: 303-381-7465, email: chuckm@unavco.org

G19 Borehole Geodetic and Seismic Networks: Techniques and Results
As the Earthscope/PBO integrated borehole seismic and geodetic network nears completion and matures, new opportunities and challenges are presented for the solid earth sciences. Exciting new possibilities are evident: temporal and spatial resolution of slow slip events, scaling relationships between small and large earthquakes, and detection and modeling of deformation transients associated with seismic and magmatic processes are all improved through the integrated use of borehole and surface techniques. It is also evident that current modeling techniques may need to be broadened to take full advantage of these data along with those from surface networks. This session will discuss all aspects of such networks including data access, formats, analysis, calibration methods, research using borehole data, and comparative studies with similar networks in Japan (HiNET) and Taiwan. We welcome contributions on any of the above and related topics, especially those that integrate data from multiple instrument platforms.
Conveners: David Mencin, UNAVCO, 6350 Nautilus Dr., Boulder, CO 80301 USA, email: mencin@unavco.org, and Evelyn Roeloffs, USGS-CVO, , , USA, email: evelynr@usgs.gov, and Greg Beroza, Stanford University, , , USA, email: beroza@stanford.edu, and Roland Burgmann, UC Berkeley, , , USA, email: burgmann@seismo.berkeley.edu

G20 Coseismic and Postseismic Deformation From the M8.0 Sichuan, China Earthquake
Shaking from the 320 km long rupture of faults in the Longmenshan destroyed thousands of structures killing nearly 70,000 people and leaving more than 4.8 million homeless. Understanding the time variations in the crustal stresses associated with the co- and post-seismic deformation from this earthquake will be important for seismic hazard analysis in the region. This session will focus on the use of radar interferometry, GPS, satellite optical, and field mapping to measure and monitor the crustal deformation for this event. The rupture occurred in an area of extreme topography, moderate vegetation, and high rainfall which necessitate the use of longer wavelength L-band radar to retain phase coherence. The InSAR coverage from ALOS and Envisat is excellent but will require new multipass strip mode combination methods as well as pixel offset measurements and ScanSAR interferometry to understand the spatial and temporal variations in crustal deformation over such a large area. GPS measurements will be needed to monitor the regional variations in interseismic and postseismic deformation. The low rates of interseismic deformation measured by GPS contrast with the coseismic and expected postseismic strain. Models of postseismic deformation, driven by the co-seismic stress perturbation, will provide important information on hazards from future earthquakes and aftershocks.
Conveners: Masanobu Shimada, JAXA/EORC, , , JPN, email: shimada.masanobu@jaxa.jp, and Eric Fielding, JPL, , , USA, email: Eric.J.Fielding@jpl.nasa.gov, and David Sandwell, Scripps Inst. of Oceano., , , USA, email: dsandwell@ucsd.edu, and Linlin Ge, Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information, , , AUS, email: l.ge@unsw.edu.au

G21 Bowie Lecture
Bowie lecture for Geodesy
Conveners: Jim Davis, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, , , USA, email: jdavis@cfa.harvard.edu, and Pascal Willis, Institut Geographique National, Direction Technique 2, avenue Pasteur, Saint-Mande, 94160 FRA, email: willis@ipgp.jussieu.fr

Geodesy also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
S08 Rotational Motions in Seismology and Engineering: Progress in Instruments, Theory, Observations, and Applications
V27 “Failed” Magmatic Eruptions: When Unrest Leads to Quiescence
T26 Microplate Geodynamics
C23 Satellite Geodesy of the Polar Oceans
S17 Observations and Phenomenology of Non-Volcanic Earthquake Swarms
ED19 Solid Earth Geovisualizations
GP05 Realizing the Potential of Potential-Fields
IN07 Making Earth Science Data Records
IN09 EarthScope and CyberInfrastructure
T19 Tectonic Structure of the Middle East
T14 Earthquake Geology and Active Tectonics in South and East Asia
T28 Characterizing Recent Deformation Across Active Faults
S15 Seismological Investigations of the 2008/05/12 Ms8.0 Wenchuan Earthquake
DI13 Linking Earth's Deep Interior to the Surface: The Present Mantle
T03 Integrating the Effects of Exhumation, Erosion, and Tectonics Over Space and Time at Convergent Margins
T11 Deformation in the Shallow Part of Subduction Zones Based on Field Studies, Numerical Simulations, and Analogue Experiments
T23 Retro-Plate Deformation at Retreating and Advancing Subduction Zones
T24 Recent Advances in Understanding the Gulf of California – Salton Trough Plate Boundary System: Along Strike and Through Time
T17 Putting the M7.9 Sichuan Earthquake in Context – The Evolution of the Longmen Shan and Eastern Margin of Tibet
T29 Understanding Strike-Slip Fault Systems
S02 The M7.1 Messina, Italy, Earthquake and Tsunami of 28 December 1908: 100 Years of Research on an Important Destructive Earthquake
S04 Mechanics of Slow and Fast Slip in Active Faults
S09 Dynamic Rupturing of Earthquake at Various Scales
S06 Monitoring Temporal Changes of Earth's Properties with Seismic Waves
S13 Investigation and Public Awareness of Earthquake Hazard in Northern California
A53 The 2008 Eruptions of Okmok and Kasatochi Volcanoes, Alaska

Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism

GP01 Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism.
Conveners: Kenneth P. Kodama, Lehigh University, , Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA, email: kpk0@lehigh.edu

GP02 Mapping the Internal Architecture of Igneous Systems: Applications of Geophysical and Structural Techniques
This session will focus on recent advances in the application of geophysical and structural techniques to visualise the geometry and internal architecture of igneous systems. We invite contributions that have made significant insights into the physical emplacement processes involved in the construction of igneous and volcanic bodies through the application of techniques including anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), paleomagnetism, rock magnetism, 2D-3D seismic analysis, gravity-magnetic modelling, remote sensing or tectonic/structural analysis. We are particularly interested in how physical emplacement models can reveal links between igneous systems at various scales from the crustal plutonic-volcanic link to the sub volcanic plumbing of large igneous provinces and individual centres. The use of AMS as a fabric analysis technique is a notable example where very subtle igneous fabrics can be constrained, revealing information about magma flow, accommodation related deformation, source area recognition for extrusive deposits, and the pulsed nature of magma emplacement. This session should provide a common forum for structural geologists, geophysicists, volcanologists and igneous petrologists to discuss the issues related to the physical nature and evolution of igneous systems. It is hoped that through bringing together this diverse mix of geoscientists to discuss physical emplacement models of igneous rocks, there will be a greater appreciation of the importance of physical/structural techniques in understanding igneous systems.
Conveners: Michael S. Petronis, New Mexico Highlands University, Environmental Geology, Department of Natural Sciences, Las Vegas, NM 87701 USA, email: mspetro@nmhu.edu, and Carl Stevenson, University of Birmingham, School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Birmingham, B15 2TT GBR, email: c.t.stevenson@bham.ac.uk, and Travis Niabert, University of New Mexico, Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA, email: tjn@unm.edu, and John Geissman, University of New Mexico, Earth and Planetary Sciences Department, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA, email: jgeiss@unm.edu

GP03 Superchrons to Cryptochrons
Temporal fluctuations in the geomagnetic field provide a window into the behaviour of the Earth's deep interior. The rich spectrum involved spans timescales ranging from tens of millions of years down to centuries, or even less. Emerging data constrain the strength and stability of the dipole momentduring long periods (>107 years) devoid of polarity reversals, but the suggestion that an underlying connection exists between dipole moment and reversal frequency remains an open question. At time scales between 105 and 104 years, the occurrence of cryptochrons are revealed by 'micro-anomalies' in marine magnetic profiles, but debate continues as to whether these reflect fluctuations of the dipole moment or true polarity reversals. This session will provide a forum for the discussion of observations and computer simulations. Relevant observations include land-based sedimentary and volcanic sections, marine magnetic profiles, and oceanic sediments. Computer simulations include both geomagnetic field behaviour and geological processes at accreting margins.
Conveners: Michael Edwin Evans, University of Alberta, , Edmonton, CAN, email: evans@phys.ualberta.ca, and Cor Langereis, University of Utrecht, , Utrecht, NLD, email: langer@geo.uu.nl, and Valerian Bachtadse, LMU, , Munich, DEU, email: valerian@geophysik.uni-muenchen.de

GP04 Recent Progress in EM Studies of Crust and Mantle from Ground and Space
Both global and regional electromagnetic (EM) studies of the conducting Earth have advanced significantly over the past few years. This progress was driven by the new developments in the methods of processing, modelling and inversion of EM data, as well as by the increased accuracy, coverage and variety of the newly available data sets (e.g., magnetic measurements from Oersted, CHAMP, SAC-C satellites, transoceanic voltage observations, long period MT array measurements, etc.). We seek contributions illustrating the current state of knowledge and new opportunities in this field. Works related to three-dimensional (3-D) modelling and inversion are particularly welcome. We invite both theoretical developments and real-world examples, in which new modelling, inversion or data processing algorithms are applied to real EM data.
Conveners: Alexey Kuvshinov, Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich, Schafmattstrasse 30, Zurich, 8093 CHE, Tel: 410446333619, email: kuvshinov@erdw.ethz.ch, and Anna Kelbert, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, 104 Ocean Admin Building , Corvallis, OR 97331-550 USA, Tel: 541-737-4113, email: anya@coas.oregonstate.edu

GP05 Realizing the Potential of Potential-Fields
Potential-fields, particularly gravity and magnetic fields, have long had an important role in studying the earth. In recent decades – in part driven by Thomas G. Hildenbrand – these methods have taken on new significance with the advent of greater computational power, improved collateral data sets, advanced instrumentation and observational platforms, theoretical advances, and better forms of illustrating results. Ongoing advances in inversion theory, 3-D analysis, data sets and their integration, and knowledge of physical properties are improving our understanding of the lithospheric architecture and processes. This session welcomes papers that show how theoretical and technological advances in potential-field geophysics are improving the application of gravity and magnetic methods to answering questions regarding earthquake science, hazard assessment, hydrology, energy and mineral resources, and the nature and geodynamics of the earth and other planets.
Conveners: Victoria Langenheim, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road MS989, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650-329-5313, email: zulanger@usgs.gov, and Victor Labson, U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046 Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225 USA, Tel: 303-236-13, email: vlabson@usgs.gov, and William Hinze, Purdue University, 30 Brook Hollow Lane, West Lafayette, IN 47906 USA, Tel: 765-583-2530, email: wjh730@comcast.net

GP06 Testing Magnetic Proxies: Models, Experiments, Comparisons With Other Techniques
Rock-magnetic techniques can provide powerful proxies to reconstruct past environmental conditions but relatively few studies address the reliability of such reconstructions. For this session we invite contributions that critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of magnetic techniques or suggest ways to improve the quality and robustness of rock-magnetic reconstructions. Contributions could, for example, discuss the results of multidisciplinary studies, compare multiple sites, carefully characterize the magnetic signal of certain environmental processes or the tell-tale signals of potential disturbances. Contributions could also compare models and/or laboratory experiments with natural environments, which can include synthetic analogons, laboratory experiments on specific processes, e.g. oxidation, growth/dissolution, specific model testing on sections and/or sample collections from around the world.
Conveners: Christoph E. Geiss, Trinity College, 300 Summit St., Hartford, CT 06106 USA, Tel: (860) 297 4191, Fax: (860) 987 6239, email: christoph.geiss@trincoll.edu, and Beatriz Ortega, Universidad Nacional A. Mexico, Instituto de Geofisica Cd. Universitaria , Coyoacan, FDM 04510 MEX, Tel: 55-555-09305, Fax: 55-562-24232, email: bortega@geofisica.unam.mx, and Ramon Egli, Ludwig Maximilians Universitaet, Theresien Str. 41, Muenchen, 80333 DEU, email: ramon.egli@geophysik.uni-muenchen.de

GP07 Paleo-Geomagnetism From Marine and Continental Drilling
In many cases seafloor and continental drilling provides the best or even only opportunity to obtain a complete and continuous record of Earth’s history at a particular location or time. Here we seek contributions to our understanding of the geomagnetic field from paleomagnetic studies derived from oceanic and continental drilling experiments. Papers presenting new datasets, integration and synthesis of previously derived data sets, as well as statistical and/or other data assimilation efforts employed to characterize the geomagnetic field from drilling derived data over all timescales are welcome. We invite contributions on directional variability, estimates of field strength, rock magnetic properties controlling these estimates, records of excursions, polarity transitions and magnetic stratigraphy as obtained from oceanic (DSDP, ODP, IODP) and continental drilling of rocks and sediments.
Conveners: Emilio Herrero-Bervera, SOEST-HIGP University of Hawaii at Manoa, Paleomagnetics and Petrofabrics Laboratory 1680 East West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, Tel: 808-956-6192, Fax: 808-956-3188, email: herrero@soest.hawaii.edu, and David Krasa, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW GBR, Tel: 44-0-131-650-4838, Fax: 44-0-131-668-3184, email: david.krasa@ed.ac.uk, and Joseph Stoner, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State UIniversity, 104 COAS Admin Building, Corvallis, Ore 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-9002, Fax: 541-737-3504, email: jstoner@coas.oregonstate.edu

GP08 Analog Modeling of Deep Planetary Interiors
Laboratory fluid dynamics and mineral physics experiments have long provided researchers with a means of investigating diverse and complex processes relevant to the dynamics and evolution of deep planetary interiors. This integrated, deep Earth session will provide an interdisciplinary forum in which recent laboratory studies from the geodynamics, planetary science and mineral physics communities are discussed and compared. In particular, we invite contributions related to core-mantle coupling; thermochemical and non-Newtonian mantle convection; flow in the outer core; inner core-outer core coupling; and the physical properties of the lowermost mantle and core.
Conveners: Jonathan Aurnou, UCLA, Earth and Space Sciences, 3806 Geology Bldg., UCLA , Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567 USA, Tel: 310.825.2054, Fax: 310.825.2779, email: aurnou@ucla.edu, and Mark Jellinek, UBC, Earth and Ocean Sciences, 6339 Stores Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 USA, Tel: 604.822.9338, Fax: 604.822.6088, email: mjellinek@eos.ubc.ca

GP09 Testing the Fidelity of the Field Records
The degree of uncertainty linked to our knowledge of the past geomagnetic field is frequently given by error bars derived from statistical treatments. Other sources of errors are linked to the signal itself which are delicate to determine. This session will be devoted to on-going research involving all possible sources of errors, technical advances and new techniques in studies of field behavior. We thus welcome contributions aimed at improving our knowledge of the magnetization processes, at reducing the uncertainties (particularly for data and models of paleosecular variation, records of absolute and relative paleointensity and reversal studies) as well as comparisons between multiple records of the same geomagnetic features.
Conveners: Jean-Pierre Michel Valet, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, 4, Place Jussieu, Paris, 75252 FRA, Tel: 33144273566, Fax: 33144277463, email: valet@ipgp.jussieu.fr, and Emilio Herrero-Bervera, Hawai`i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, 1680 East-West Road, POST 602, Honolulu, HI HI 96822 USA, Tel: (808) 956-6192, Fax: (808) 956-3188, email: herrero@soest.hawaii.edu, and Andrew Jackson, ETH Zurich, Institut fur Geophysik, Zurich, 8093 CHE, Tel: +41 44 633 73 49, email: andrew.jackson@erdw.ethz.ch

GP10 Magnetism of Shock in Impact Craters and Planetary Magnetic Anomalies – New Developments
This special session will provide a forum for presentation and discussion on recent developments in studies of impact craters, paleomagnetic record of shocked lithologies, impact related rock magnetic properties, magnetic anomalies of impact craters and magnetic field generation in impacts. Effects of impact related shock on magnetic properties and magnetizations have been long investigated. Recently, new data and observations in terrestrial impact structures and in other planetary bodies, including the Mars Global Surveyor mission, high resolution multi-disciplinary observations on terrestrial craters and laboratory experiments have increased interest on impact and shock effects. We welcome presentations on a wide range of aspects related to impact craters and lithologies, laboratory experiments on natural and artificial materials, theoretical studies, magnetic fields generated by impacts and magnetic anomalies on impact craters.
Conveners: Jaime Urrutia Fucugauchi, National University of Mexico, Instituto de Geofisica, UNAM Cd Universitaria Coyoacan, Mexico, 04510 MEX, Tel: 52-55-56224227, email: juf@geofisica.unam.mx, and Laurent Carporzen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, EAPS Department Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue , Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 USA, Tel: +1 (617) 324-2829, email: lcarpo@mit.edu, and Jérôme Gattaceca, CNRS / University of Aix-Marseille, Geophysics and Planetology CEREGE, CNRS / University of Aix-Marseille BP 80, Cedex 4, Aix-en-Provence, 13545 FRA, Tel: +33 (0)4 42 97 15 08, Fax: +33 (0)4 42 97 15 95, email: gattacceca@cerege.fr, and Michael D Fuller, University of Hawai`i at Manoa, University of Hawai`i at Manoa Hawai`i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology 1618 East-West Road, POST Bldg., room 716A, Hawai`i , Honolulu, 96822 USA, Tel: (808) 956-4038, Fax: (808) 956-3188, email: mfuller@soest.hawaii.edu

GP11 Magnetic Properties and Behavior of Single Crystals and Their Inclusions
Understanding the magnetic properties of single crystals is necessary for the interpretation of rock magnetism and its ever growing applications to Geosciences. From paleomagnetism, paleointensity studies, planetary geology, deformation studies to environmental magnetism, all these disciplines critically rely on the knowledge of single crystal properties. Yet, for several decades applications have been developed faster than fundamental studies on minerals. Improvements in the sensitivity of instrumentation have permitted, in the last five years, significant progress on diamagnetic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic minerals. At the same time, advances made at the microscopic scale have highlighted the role played by ferromagnetic inclusions in other minerals. The session will provide an opportunity to measure how much progress has been made and to define the outstanding challenges. The session will also be a showcase and forum for new methodologies and instrumentation.
Conveners: Fatima Martin Hernandez, Universidad Complu tense, Department of Geophysics Faculty of Physics, Madrid, ESP, email: fatima@fis.ucm.es, and Eric C. Ferre, Southern Illinois University, Department of Geology, Carbondale, IL 62901 USA, Tel: 618-453-7368, Fax: 618-453-7393, email: eferre@geo.siu.edu, and Joshua Feinberg, University of Minnesota, Department of Geology, Minneapolis, MN USA, email: feinberg@umn.edu

GP12 Fine Particle Rock-Magnetism
The major carriers of magnetic remanence in rocks are fine magnetic particles containing single domain (SD) or pseudo-single-domain (PSD) magnetic structures. The process by which they record the Earth's field is not fully understood when the particles are close enough to interact, or when they contain non-uniform magnetic structures. In recent years, however, a great deal of progress has been made in understanding these complex systems using new numerical or analytic models and new experimental observations. This session welcomes papers on all aspects of fine particle rock magnetism that demonstrate a new understanding of the fidelity of magnetic recording. This will include micromagnetic modeling of single particles and particle arrays, analytic models of magnetic behavior in fine particles, examining both field dependence and the role of thermal fluctuations over laboratory and geological time-scales. We also welcome papers on experimental studies of fine particle systems, for example, synthesis of magnetic minerals, advances in mineralogical characterization and quantification of magnetic stability.
Conveners: Wyn Williams, Edinburgh Univeristy, Grant Institute West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW GBR, email: wyn.williams@ed.ac.uk, and Adrian Muxworthy, Imperial College, South Kensington Camupus , London, SW7 2AZ GBR, email: adrian.muxworthy@imperial.ac.uk, and Andrew Newell, North Carolina State University, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Box 8208, Raleigh, NC 27695-8208 USA, Tel: 1-919-834-7998, email: andrew_newell@ncsu.edu, and Joshua Feinberg, University of Minnesota, Department of Geology, Minneapolis, MN USA, email: feinberg@umn.edu

GP13 Geomagnetic Field Modeling and Interpretation of Satellite, Observatory, Marine and Aeromagnetic Data
The LEO satellite missions CHAMP and Oersted continue to provide high-quality magnetic measurements at solar minimum conditions, resolving the geomagnetic field with unprecedented spatial and temporal accuracy. Exciting new opportunities arise from the upcoming Swarm mission and from combining satellite observations with observatory, marine and aeromagnetic data. We solicit contributions on new modeling approaches, as well as the analysis and interpretation of the data and models in terms of core dynamics, mantle conductivity, crustal magnetization, ocean induction, external current systems and related effects.
Conveners: Stefan Maus, NOAA, , , USA, email: stefan.maus@noaa.gov, and Roger Haagmans, ESA, , , USA, email: Roger.Haagmans@esa.int

GP14 Paleomagnetism Applied to Tectonics
Paleomagnetism has been a major and important tool for solving and elucidating tectonic problems in the geosciences. Paleomagnetic directions provide evidence for intracratonic vertical axis rotations, for terrane translation, for paleogeographic reconstructions, and for supercontinent assembly and dispersal. This session welcomes papers that demonstrate the important contributions paleomagnetism has made to understanding tectonics, both global and regional.
Conveners: Kenneth P. Kodama, Lehigh University, 31 Williams Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA, Tel: 610-758-3663, Fax: 610-758-3677, email: kpk0@lehigh.edu, and Jonathan M Glen, US Geological Survey, , Menlo Park, CA USA, email: jglen@usgs.gov

GP15 Bullard Lecture

Conveners: Cathy Constable, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, , , USA, email: cconstable@ucsd.edu

Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
G02 Plate Motion and Its Relation to Deforming Zones
T15 Paleo- and Neotethyan Closure: Geological Consequences and Geodynamic and Paleoclimatological Inferences
T26 Microplate Geodynamics
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
GC06 Deccan Volcanism, Chixculub Impact, Global Environmental Change, the KTB and Other Mass Extinctions
PP03 Loess 2.0 – Renaissance in the Study of the Terrestrial Dust Record
B45 Fires in the Earth System
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
S12 Search for Large Earthquake Precursors from Space and Ground Observations
DI13 Linking Earth's Deep Interior to the Surface: The Present Mantle
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
T18 Transforming the View of Cascadia Through Interpretation of Multidisciplinary Data Sets
DI06 The Ins and Outs of the Earth’s Core

Global Environmental Change

GC01 Global Environmental Change: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Global Environmental Change.
Conveners: Steven Lloyd, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, , , USA, email: steven.a.lloyd@nasa.gov, and Ana I. Prados, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (JCET) NASA/GSFC, Code 610.2, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-614-5494, email: Ana.I.Prados@nasa.gov

GC02 Land-Atmosphere-Cryosphere Interactions in Northern Eurasia
Northern Eurasia is undergoing significant changes associated with warming climate and with socio-economic changes during the entire 20th century. Climatic changes over this vast landmass interact and affect the rate of global change through atmosphere-terrestrial-cryosphere feedbacks and through strong biogeophysical and biogeochemical couplings. Current and future interactions and feedbacks to the global system of this carbon-rich, cold region component of the Earth system remain to a large extent unknown. There are still large uncertainties in model representation of both precipitation and underlying processes that drive the carbon, hydrology and energy cycles of the northern high latitudes. Model representation of snow, snow redistribution, permafrost, effects of lakes and wetlands are marginal, a problem that is compounded by large uncertainties in observations. Many of the global modeling groups are developing Earth system model components that represent processes specific to the high-latitudes, including organic soils, permafrost, wetlands, ice sheet dynamics and/or biogeography; however, there is no robust or rigorous methodology for testing and evaluating model implementation. We invite presentations on this topic, as well as presentations linking observations at the surface, remote sensing and modeling, essential for model validation. The Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative (NEESPI) is an interdisciplinary program of internationally-supported Earth systems and science research that addresses large-scale and long-term manifestations of climate and environmental change focusing on Northern Eurasia (http://neespi.org). The major NEESPI science question is: How do Northern Eurasia's terrestrial ecosystems dynamics interact with and alter the biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the Earth? We invite papers on all areas of NEESPI science, including biogeochemical cycles in Northern Eurasia, the surface energy budget and water cycle in Northern Eurasia, climate and terrestrial ecosystems interactions in Northern Eurasia (land cover and land use, atmospheric aerosols, soil, and, in particular, permafrost changes that affect and are being affected by climate and ecosystems changes), “human dimension” that includes, in addition to regional impact studies of environmental changes, the feedback studies of societal and land use changes on regional and global environment and climate, and tools to address the Northern Eurasia studies (paleoclimatic reconstructions, present and past field campaigns, remote sensing, and modeling).
Conveners: Pavel Groisman, UCAR Project Scientist at NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Federal Building 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 USA, Tel: +1 828 271-4347, Fax: +1 828 271-4328, email: pasha.groisman@noaa.gov, and Irina Sokolik, Georgia Institute for Technology, , Atlanta, GA USA, email: isokolik@eas.gatech.edu, and Vladimir Romanovsky, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, , Fairbanks, AK USA, email: ffver@uaf.edu, and Herman Henry Shugart, University of Virginia, , Charlottesville, VA 22904-4123 USA, email: hhs@virginia.edu

GC03 Urban Impact on the Weather, Climate, and Hydrology: Field Experiments, Modeling, Remote Sensing, and Societal Implications
Urbanization is a well-known manifestation of how human activities affect the natural climate system. Remote sensing measurements (in particular, urban surface temperature, albedo, emissivity, vegetation, precipitation, soil moisture, and others) have been used to understand the urban climate system. Hydrometeorological and climate modeling has vastly improved by implementing such remotely sensed data to characterize the heterogeneity of urban and non-urban landscapes. Field experiments are still critical for evaluating both model output and remotely sensed data. The study of urban-climate interactions is very effective when researchers use combined approaches of field experiments, modeling, and remote sensing. In 2003, an AGU union session was organized to stimulate knowledge exchange between scientists and stakeholders studying urban-weather-climate interactions from the aforementioned perspectives (Jin and Shepherd 2005; Shepherd and Jin 2004). This session will continue that dialogue and assess recent advances. This session also seeks to engage scientists and stakeholders that are concerned about the social, economic, and political implications of weather, climate, and hydrological variability caused by the urban environment. The 2008 AGU meeting is an appropriate time for the remote sensing, modeling, boundary layer, and societal impacts communities to gather on the issues below. Specifically, we welcome all presentations that address the following questions: 1. What have we learned about the urban heat island (UHI) and associated effects from observation and modeling perspectives? 2. How do anthropogenic aerosols affect surface radiative and cloud-rainfall microphysical processes? 3. What synergistic or individual role does urban land cover, morphology, and pollution play in convective processes? 4. How can field experiment and remotely sensed data improve hydrometeorological and climate modeling of the urban environment? 5. What is the current status of scaling urban modeling into regional and global climate model frameworks? 6. Beyond UHIs and cloud-rainfall issues, what other interesting climate variables are affected by urban environments (e.g. water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle)? 7. What are the driving socioeconomic and policy concerns related to urban climate change? 8. What are effective practices for bridging the research and policy communities on these issues?
Conveners: Menglin S. Jin, San Jose State University, , Sa Jose, CA USA, email: jin@met.sjsu.edu, and Marshall J. Shepherd, University of Georgia, , , USA, email: marshgeo@uga.edu

GC04 Has Solar Variability Been the Dominant Forcing of Climate Change During the Industrial Era?
Variations of solar magnetic activity produce changes in solar luminosity, the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field, all of which can affect the Earth's climate in different ways. Variations of the total solar irradiance of the Earth on every timescale have been detected during three decades of satellite monitoring. Variations of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field have been monitored by satellites for even longer. These observations, together with proxy data, have facilitated modeling an extension of the database of climatologically significant features of solar variability to the 19th century dawn of the industrial era. Phenomenological analysis of this database indicates a major and perhaps dominant role for solar variability in the climate changes known to have occurred during this period.
Conveners: Nicola Scafetta, Duke University, , Durham, NC 27708 USA, Tel: (919) 660-2643, email: ns2002@duke.edu, and Richard Willson, Columbia University, , Coronado, CA 92118 USA, Tel: 619-407-7716, email: rwillson@acrim.com

GC05 Climate Change Impacts: Estimating Probabilities and Risks
In the last few years the methodological development of probabilistic projections of climate change has seen an explosion of interest and contributions. The main motivation and most natural outlet for probabilistic projections of climate change is without doubt the use of that information in risk assessment of climate change impacts. From water resources to food security, from extreme weather damages to infrastructure adaptation, in most cases decision makers will be better served by a probability distribution of possible changes rather than a handful of alternative scenarios. How to use this information opens up an entirely different range of questions, and methodological challenges, however, which the community of impacts assessment is starting to reckon with. This session invites papers that examine the impacts of climate change in a probabilistic manner. We invite both perspectives on the theory and methodology of probabilistic impact assessments, as well as applications across a range of sectors, including water resources, agriculture, health, and energy.
Conveners: David Lobell, Stanford University, , , USA, email: dlobell@stanford.edu, and Claudia Tebaldi, Climate Central, , , USA, email: claudia.tebaldi@gmail.com

GC06 Deccan Volcanism, Chixculub Impact, Global Environmental Change, the KTB and Other Mass Extinctions
Since publication of the milestone paper by Alvarez et al in 1980, the Cretaceous – Tertiary boundary (KTB) mass extinction has generally been considered the result of the Chicxulub impact and its attending environmental effects. The main alternative hypothesis, Deccan volcanism, has been regarded with more skepticism. Both hypotheses required better resolved estimates of the timing, duration, volume, and gas production of either impact or lava eruptions with respect to the KTB. Considerable recent research effort has been directed toward understanding the nature of environmental changes that occurred immediately prior to, at, and after the KTB. This effort has relied in particular on new data and observations from the fields of paleontology, paleomagnetism and physical volcanology. Climate modeling is now bringing its own contributions. Accordingly, the body of scientific evidence, analytical techniques, and the understanding of key sections of the rock record in and around the Deccan and elsewhere in the world (both volcanic and sedimentary) are now sufficiently mature to allow renewed debate concerning the causes and origin of the KTB mass extinction. The question is no longer whether there was a single or multiple causes, but to determine the respective contributions of the two main causes, impacts and volcanism, to the overall extinction events through Earth’s history. This session will investigate how the roles of volcanism, meteorite impact(s), a combination of these, or alternative complex Earth system feedback mechanisms, might explain the documented phenomena at the KTB and other mass extinctions. The aim is to explore the forcing factors underlying environmental change and mass extinctions during the Late Maastrictian and across the KTB. Submissions are encouraged that evaluate the evidence for linkages between volcanism, meteorite impacts, or alternative Earth system processes, KTB stratigraphy and environmental effects. We also welcome contributions dealing with these factors at other mass extinction events that help form a more general frame of understanding. We strongly encourage participation from both the impact and volcanological research communities, as well as from isotope geochemists, geochronologists, palaeontologists, paleomagnetists, paleobotanists, palaeo-climate modelers and Earth systems scientists.
Conveners: Gerta Keller, Geosciences, Princeton University, Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA, Tel: 609 258-4117, email: gkeller@princeton.edu, and Vincent Courtillot, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Université Paris 7 4 Place Jussieu, Paris cedex 05, 75252 FRA, Tel: 0033(0)14427-3908, email: courtil@ipgp.jussieu.fr, and Michael Widdowson, Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, , Milton Keynes, UK MK7 6AA GBR, Tel: 01908 652986, email: m.widdowson@open.ac.uk, and Jaime Urrutia Fucugauchi, Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, CP 04510 MEX, Tel: 52 55-5622 4227, email: juf@geofisica.unam.mx

GC07 Regional Climate Modeling
Dynamical regional climate models (RCMs) have become widely used for studying climate processes on small scales and for downscaling global climate model (GCM) results to finer spatial resolution. We seek presentations for this session which will provide an overview of the current state of the art in dynamical RCMs and will discuss outstanding issues in the development and application of RCMs. Contributions are solicited on topics including but not limited to regional downscaling of climate change scenarios and seasonal predictions; RCM intercomparison projects; applications of RCM results in climate change impacts assessments; effects of numerical methods and physical parameterizations on RCM accuracy; sensitivity of RCM results to large-scale boundary data; skill of RCMs when applied to different regions; and coupling of RCMs with other earth system models.
Conveners: Raymond W. Arritt, Iowa State University, 3010 Agronomy Hall, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Tel: 5152949870, email: rwarritt@bruce.agron.iastate.edu, and Lai-Yung Ruby Leung, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352 USA, email: Ruby.Leung@pnl.gov

GC08 Dynamic and Thermodynamic Controls of the Global Water Cycle in the 20th and 21st Centuries
The goal of this session is to better understand changes and variability in the water cycle on large spatial and multidecadal time scales in models and observations. Increased availability of global hydrologic datasets has highlighted the uncertainties in and discrepancies between observed and GCM simulated changes in the global water cycle of the 20th century. In particular discrepancies in precipitation and evaporation are in contrast to the well-simulated temperature records of the 20th century. Improved observational data alone may not be sufficient to resolve these discrepancies. Rather it is critical that we work to obtain a more complete understanding of the different dynamic and thermodynamic factors that control water cycle changes, such as changes in the large-scale atmospheric circulation or in the atmospheric and surface energy budgets. Therefore modeling and observational papers that address the following broadly defined questions are solicited: What are the important forcings of changes in global-mean precipitation and evaporation during the 20th and 21st centuries? How do the global patterns of precipitation, evaporation and other hydrologic parameters change in the 20th and 21st centuries and what are the causes of these changes?
Conveners: Beate G. Liepert, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, email: liepert@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Michael Previdi, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, email: liepert@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Richard P. Allan, Environmental Systems Science Centre University of Reading, , , GBR, email: rpa@mail.nerc-essc.ac.uk

GC09 Complex Mountain Climates Create Complex Ecosystem Responses and Require Complex Management Strategies
Mountain ranges of western North America are by nature heterogeneous physical environments, defined by great topographic, altitudinal, and substrate variations. These qualities contribute to meteorological and climatic complexity that is increasingly recognized as distinct from lowland counterparts. In paleohistoric contexts as well as under current global change, mountain systems show unique responses to global as well as regional and local climate perturbations. Complex as mountain climate variabilities are, they create and catalyze equally or more complex responses in mountain landscape systems, including hydrologic, atmospheric, soil, and ecologic structure, composition, and functioning. Under the influence of even minor changes in climate, landscape elements can exhibit episodic, reversible, opposing, threshold, gradual, or non-equilibrium responses. Completing a triad of associations, complexities in climate change and landscape response require sophisticated, case-by-case strategic and tactical approaches to resource management. The relationships of climatic, landscape, and resource-management complexities in mountain systems are not yet well understood or characterized. To the contrary, many model projections and scenario exercises assume gradual and linear changes with directional shifts in management: e.g., warming temperatures are often assumed to translate directly into upward migration of species and a shift in management frameworks. While linear responses may (or may not) result in the long term, in the short (decadal) term, highly non-linear responses are likely to occur. In this session, we invite studies that investigate complexities in modern as well as paleohistoric mountain climates and landscapes, and/or that expand the toolbox of management strategies used to address mountain landscape management in the climate-change context.
Conveners: Lisa J. Graumlich, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, 325 Bioscience East, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: 520-621-7257, email: lisag@cals.arizona.edu, and Henry F. Diaz, NOAA, Earth System Research Lab, 325 Broadway, Boulder, 80305 USA, Tel: 303-497-6649, email: henry.f.diaz@noaa.gov, and Michael D. Dettinger, USGS, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA, Tel: 858-822-1507, email: mddettin@usgs.gov, and Constance I. Millar, USDA Forest Service, Sierra Nevada Research Center, 800 Buchanan St., WAB, Albany, CA 94710 USA, Tel: 510-559-6435, email: cmillar@fs.fed.us

GC10 Air-Sea interactions and Their Impacts on Climate Changes
The interactions between the atmosphere and oceans play an important role in the earth’s climate change. In recent years the new observations have revealed the significant coupling between the marine atmospheric boundary layer and the sea surface temperature (SST), particularly in the areas with strong SST fronts. This ocean-atmosphere coupling involves two processes: SST modification of the dynamics and physical process in the atmospheric boundary layer and feedback of this modification on the ocean states including SST. Understanding the mechanisms of this coupling and its impacts on climate changes is full of challenges. It needs to combine multiple observations and high-resolution models. It also needs to review what we have known and to seek new concepts from new results. This session seeks presentations that will provide an overview of the current state of the art on modeling, observational, and theoretical studies. Contributions are solicited on topics including but not limited to: Observations of meso-scale SST and wind coupling, empirical relationships and their implementations in numerical models; Model studies to understand the coupling including both high resolution regional coupled models and GCM coupled models; The potential impacts of this interaction on climate changes over various time scales (from interannual to decadal or even longer) and spatial scales, e.g., coastal upwelling systems, ENSO, etc. We anticipate new strategies and possible collaborations for further research in this field.
Conveners: Xin Jin, Joint Institute for Regional Earth System Science and Engineering (JIFRESSE) / UCLA, , , USA, email: xjin@ucla.edu, and Xuebin Zhang, Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean / University of Washington, NOAA/PMEL 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 USA, Tel: 206-526-4810, Fax: 206-526-6744, email: xbzhang@u.washington.edu

GC11 The Anthropocene: A New Epoch of Geological Time Caused by Humans
In 2000 the chemist Paul Crutzen suggested that we are now living in a new geological interval of time that is dominated by human activities. He termed this the Anthropocene. Since then the term (currently informal) has been widely quoted by a range of earth and environmental scientists, has attracted much public attention, and has been the focus of suggestions that it be formally incorporated into the Geological Time Scale. This session is aimed at examining the nature, scale and status of the Anthropocene as a potential new geological Epoch. Key themes to be addressed are the effects of anthropogenic influence on global change (e.g. sea level rise, ice sheet stability, ocean acidification, biodiversity, landscape modification) and how this will be reflected in a distinctive geological record. We also wish to compare the current degree and rate of environmental change, caused by anthropogenic processes, with some of the great environmental perturbations of the geological past. Can meaningful comparisons of this type be made, and can the scale and rate of past and current global change – biological, physical, chemical, be quantified? Would more precise definition and formalization of the term ‘Anthropocene’ serve a useful purpose for earth scientists? And how could this be defined: within a sedimentary sequence or ice core record; by choosing a date such as the year 1800 near the start of the Industrial Revolution; or perhaps 1815, the year of the great Tambora eruption that left a widespread stratigraphic marker? We seek submissions to this session from the earth sciences community, including those modeling earth climates of the past or future, those researching the effects of rapid global warming, and those interested in the definition of major geological time boundaries and their sedimentological, biological and chemical signature in the rock record.
Conveners: Jan Zalasiewicz, University of Leicester, University Road , Leicester, LE1 7RH GBR, Tel: +44(0)116 2523928, email: jaz1@le.ac.uk, and Mark Williams, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH GBR, Tel: +44(0)116 2523642, email: mri@le.ac.uk, and Alan Haywood, University of Leeds, , Leeds, LS2 9JT GBR, Tel: +44(0)113 3438657, email: a.haywood@see.leeds.ac.uk, and Andrew C. Kerr, Cardiff University, , Cardiff, CF10 3YE GBR, Tel: +44(0)2920 874578, email: kerra@cf.ac.uk

GC12 Climate Change Impacts on Regional-Scale Hydrology and Implications for Sustainability of Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems
Despite considerable progress in understanding climate change dynamics at global and continental scales, significant uncertainties remain in quantifying regional-scale impacts of these changes. Better understanding of regional-scale impacts of climate change is crucial for developing adaptive management strategies to mitigate potential impacts. This session aims to bring together case studies that evaluate climate change impacts on regional-scale hydrology, and resulting implications for the sustainability of agricultural and natural ecosystems. Examples include potential effects on water and chemical balances in surface and groundwater systems (e.g., changes in snow pack, surface water supply, groundwater recharge, nutrient cycling), and resulting effects on agricultural and natural ecosystems (e.g., effects on crop production and biodiversity). Focus is on integrated approaches that (i) consider downscaling of General Circulation Model (GCM) output, and (ii) evaluate resulting regional-scale impacts on physical and biological systems. Contributions that highlight linkages and feedbacks between systems (physical-biological, land-air-water) are particularly welcome.
Conveners: Gerrit Schoups, Delft University of Technology, , , NLD, email: g.h.w.schoups@tudelft.nl, and Jan Hopmans, University of California, Davis, , , USA, email: jwhopmans@ucdavis.edu, and Edwin Maurer, Santa Clara University, , , CA USA, email: emaurer@engr.scu.edu

GC13 Regional-Scale Forcing of Climate
Considerable effort has been devoted towards understanding and quantifying global climate forcings, including orbital variations, greenhouse gases, aerosols, and ice-albedo feedbacks. However, these studies often lack the fine-scale spatial and temporal detail needed to quantify the forcings that drive local and regional climate variability and change. Past research indicates that fine-scale processes such as land cover change and aerosol-cloud interactions can influence the surface energy balance, convective clouds, and precipitation, yet significant uncertainties in these regional forcings still exist. Short-lived atmospheric constituents also likely alter the local and regional scale climate, yet these are largely unexplored or poorly constrained. In this session, we will investigate regional climate forcings and feedbacks, including but not limited to: short-lived greenhouse gases and atmospheric aerosols, land cover change, biogeochemical feedbacks, and local and synoptic meteorological forcings. We encourage submissions that focus on regional forcings using measurement and/or modeling techniques.
Conveners: Allison L. Steiner, University of Michigan, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences 2455 Hayward , Ann Arbor, Mi 48109-2143 USA, Tel: 734.764.5150, email: alsteiner@umich.edu, and Noah S. Diffenbaugh, Purdue University, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences 550 Stadium Mall Dr , West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA, Tel: 765.494.3258, email: diffenbaugh@purdue.edu, and Athanasios Nenes, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences & Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 311 Ferst Drive , Atlanta, GA 30332-0340 USA, Tel: 404.894.9225, email: nenes@eas.gatech.edu

GC14 *WITHDRAWN* - Climate Change Assessments for the United States: Outcomes and Next Steps
You may search here http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm08/index.php/Program/SessionSearch for another session within your area of interest.
Conveners: AGU HELP, AGU, , , USA, email: fm-help@agu.org

GC15 Late Holocene High-Resolution Sea-Level Records: A Context for Future Sea-Level Change
Understanding future cryosphere-ocean interactions and resulting sea-level change is one of the most critical challenges in global climate change research. However, both the rate and causes of 20th century sea-level rise have been controversial. Recent estimates from tide gauges indicate a value near two mm/yr. In contrast, estimates based on the processes mostly responsible for global sea-level rise – mass increase (from mountain glaciers and ice sheets) and volume increase (thermal expansion) – fall below this value. The rapidly increasing observational records of the present-day (annual to decadal) dynamics of ice sheets, glaciers, and sea-level change can only be fully understood within the context of longer (centennial to millennial) records that document, among others, glacio-isostatic adjustments and subtle sea-level – climate connections. This session aims to bring together a multidisciplinary community of field scientists and modelers who focus their efforts on improving records of sea-level change during the past few centuries or millennia. This includes the application of new methodological advances that have led to considerably better resolution of such records than previously available.
Conveners: Benjamin P. Horton, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, 240 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA, Tel: (215) 573-5388, email: bphorton@sas.upenn.edu, and Antony J. Long, Department of Geography, Durham University, , Durham, DH1 3LE GBR, Tel: +44 191 334 1913, email: a.j.long@durham.ac.uk, and Glenn A. Milne, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, , Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 CAN, Tel: (613) 562-5800, email: gamilne@uottawa.ca, and Torbjörn E. Törnqvist, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tulane University, 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118-5698 USA, Tel: (504) 314-2221, email: tor@tulane.edu

GC16 Environmental Change on the Tibetan Plateau
The Tibetan Plateau is also one of the most sensitive areas responding to global climate change due to its extremely high altitude and the presence of permafrost and glaciers. The cryosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere of the plateau have been undergoing significant changes on the plateau. Owing to low human population densities, most changes on the plateau are driven by natural processes rather than direct human impacts, and therefore serve as an objective indicator of global change. The plateau provides a unique and comprehensive site for global change studies. We propose a session to address Tibetan environmental changes. We invite a wide spectrum of presentations to address climate change, permafrost degradation, glacier/snow/ice dynamics, lake dynamics, vegetation dynamics, land-cover/land-use changes, and their interactions on the Tibetan Plateau. The session will present recent advancements of both paleo and recent environmental changes on the plateau.
Conveners: Yongwei Sheng, UCLA Geography, 1255 Bunch Hall University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Tel: 310-825-1415, email: ysheng@geog.ucla.edu, and Tandong Yao, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, No.18, Shuangqing Rd., Beijing, 100085 CHN, Tel: 86-10-6284 9309, email: tdyao@itpcas.ac.cn

GC17 The Landsat Legacy in Understanding a Changing Earth
Landsat data have been acquired continuously over the global land surface since July 1972 creating an unprecedented comprehensive record of landscape dynamics. Plans to extend this record are being made by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey and efforts are underway to make the entire 36-year long Landsat archive available to researchers at no cost. The proposed session will explore the scientific advances made in understanding global land changes, the opportunities for significant new innovations associated with free access to millions of Landsat images, and the scientific and technical challenges ahead scientific uses of Landsat data. The specific topics may include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) extending the length, quality, and value of the Landsat record, including the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, access to the full Landsat global archive, improving image processing approaches, establishing consistency in the Landsat historical record, and future perspectives and opportunities; and (2) Landsat for global environmental monitoring, including water use and water management challenges, biogeochemical assessments, forest health evaluation, cryosphere changes, and global land cover changes. The session will include presentations by members of the U.S. Geological Survey and NASA Landsat Science Team, a group of 18 scientists that are national and international leaders in the topics identified above.
Conveners: Thomas Loveland, U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Resources Observation and Science EROS) Center 47914 252nd Street , Sioux Falls, SD 57198 USA, Tel: 605-594-6066, email: loveland@usgs.gov, and James Irons, NASA, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Code 613 / Laboratory for Atmospheres , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: (301) 614-6657, email: James.R.Irons@nasa.gov, and Curtis Woodcock, Boston University, Department of Geography 675 Commonwealth Avenue, 4th Floor , Boston, MA 02215 USA, Tel: 617-353-5746, email: curtis@bu.edu

GC18 Tropical Mountain Glaciers: Past and Present
The widespread, dramatic loss of tropical glaciers in South America, Asia, and Africa reflects major changes in tropical climate in response to anthropogenic greenhouse gases and has enormous implications for water resources. However, resolving the precise climate signals embodied by tropical glacier retreat is problematic due to the sensitivity of tropical glacier mass balance to precipitation, humidity, air temperature, and other climate variables. A variety of geological evidence, including lacustrine and marine sediments, dated glacial landforms, and ice cores, document substantial changes in tropical glacier extent and alpine climate in the past. Unraveling the history of tropical glaciers is thus enormously important to our understanding of their stability and climate sensitivity and will provide insight into their current and future status. This session seeks to bring together paleoclimatologists, glaciologists, and climatologists working to understand past and present variations in alpine tropical climate and tropical glaciers and their large-scale controls.
Conveners: Mark Abbott, University of Pittsburgh, Geology and Planetary Science 4107 O''Hara Street Room 200 SRCC Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA, Tel: 412-624-1408, email: mabbott1@pitt.edu, and James Russell, Brown University, Dept. of Geological Sciences BOX 1846, Providence, RI 02912 USA, Tel: 401-863-6330, email: James_Russell@Brown.edu, and Mathias Vuille, University at Albany, State University of New York, Dept. of Earth and Atmospheric Science 1400 Washington Avenue , Albany, NY 12222 USA, Tel: 518-442-4472, email: mathias@atmos.albany.edu

GC19 SI-Traceable Climate Measurements From Space: Requirements, Methods, and Accuracies
The NRC Decadal Survey calls for long-term climate records, which are “of high accuracy, tested for systematic errors on-orbit, and tied to irrefutable standards such as those maintained in the U.S. by NIST.” The data sets that result will be considered "climate benchmarks" because their measurements can be traced to international standards and thus compared to independent future measurements. This session includes discussions of estimated radiometric sensitivities to climate change based on current climate models, measurement requirements for establishing climate benchmarks, and instrument and metrology concepts for obtaining radiometric climate measurements of the high absolute accuracies needed for future climate missions such as CLARREO. Presentations on climate data records or climate model sensitivities utilizing incoming solar irradiances, outgoing short- and long-wave radiation, or Global Navigation Satellite System radio occultation refractivity are solicited.
Conveners: David Young, NASA Langley Research Center, , , USA, email: David.F.Young@nasa.gov, and Gregory Kopp, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, , , USA, email: greg.kopp@lasp.colorado.edu, and John Dykema, Harvard University, , , USA, email: dykema@huarp.harvard.edu, and William Collins, UC Berkeley, , , USA, email: wdcollins@berkeley.edu

GC20 Earth System Science and Education in an Anthropogenic Biosphere
Humans have now irreversibly reshaped global patterns of ecosystem structure and functioning across most of the terrestrial biosphere. Yet many scientists and educators continue to represent biospheric patterns using biome classifications and other systems that either ignore humans altogether or that simplify human influence into a single dimension of human disturbance, impact or domination. Earth system science would benefit greatly by adopting a more robust model of the terrestrial biosphere that incorporates humans as essential shapers, caretakers and components of ecosystems within an anthropogenic biosphere. This symposium will describe the rich global diversity of anthropogenic ecosystem pattern and process and will describe current efforts to develop improved data, models and investigations of anthropogenic ecosystem processes and their changes at global and regional scales, toward the goal of encouraging scientists and educators to embrace human interaction with ecosystems as an essential and permanent part of the terrestrial biosphere.
Conveners: Navin Ramankutty, McGill University, , , CAN, email: navin.ramankutty@mcgill.ca, and Erle Ellis, University of Maryland - Baltimore County, , , USA, email: ece@umbc.edu

GC21 Climate Stabilization: Prospects, Trajectories and Uncertainties
Stabilizing anthropogenic climate change is one of the central challenges of the coming century. This session invites contributions on all facets of this challenge, from the technological and economic feasibility of emission reductions, to the integrated assessment of emissions trajectories for stabilization, to Earth system modeling studies of the climate response to stabilization scenarios. Contributions addressing current uncertainties surrounding sources and sinks of greenhouse gases and the climate system response to anthropogenic emissions and forcing are particularly encouraged.
Conveners: Damon Matthews, Concordia University, Department of Geography, Planning and Environment 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. , Montreal, QC H3G1M8 CAN, Tel: (514) 848-2424 ext 2064, email: dmatthew@alcor.concordia.ca, and Kirsten Zickfeld, University of Victoria, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences PO Box 3055 STN CSC , Victoria, BC V8W3P6 CAN, Tel: (250) 472-4008, email: zickfeld@ocean.seos.uvic.ca

GC22 Communicating Climate Change: Eradicating Common Misconceptions in Climate Science in the Media and General Public
Global warming has become a household term and yet there are many prevailing misconceptions about fundamentals of ocean, atmosphere and climate sciences among the lay public and even science students. Science blogging is one effective way of public outreach, as is scientists interacting with the media. But how can we, as the geophysical sciences community, reach out to an even broader audience? What new strategies can we use to effectively correct common misconceptions about climate change? What are the lessons learned after decades of various outreach activities like blogging, popular science literature and organizing camps and other educational activities for pre-college students? What new strategies can we employ individually, as a community of scientists and/or in the classroom? All contributions are welcome relating to educating the public on climate change, detailing methods that worked or did not in public outreach, strategies for broader and more effective outreach activities, and innocuous-seeming misconceptions which may lead to misleading of the media and general public.
Conveners: Figen Mekik, Grand Valley State University, , , USA, email: mekikf@gvsu.edu

GC23 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Needs in California: New Science – Growing Challenges
In 2005, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Executive Order S-03-05, which laid the foundation for California’s ambitious greenhouse gas mitigation reduction efforts (now codified in Assembly Bill 32) and requests biannual updates on the latest climate change science, potential impacts, and assessment of the state’s efforts to manage its climate change risks through various adaptation options. In 2006, the first of these mandated scientific assessments (The Governor’s Scenarios Report) was released. Based on new scientific studies conducted in the interim, the next assessment, the “2008 Governor’s Scenarios Report” is currently in preparation. It has three principal goals: (1) to improve the assessment of climate changes for California and associated impacts on key physical and biological indicators; (2) to begin to translate these physical and biological impacts into sectoral economic impacts; and (3) to begin to develop and evaluate strategies for key sectors or regions for adapting to climate changes already underway. Contributors to this session will present some of this new research to the scientific community. Among the most exciting new insights are impacts assessments for the all-important water and agricultural sectors, coastal areas, public health and related air quality and environmental justice issues, the forestry and energy sectors. We anticipate a brief introductory paper explaining the context of this collective endeavor (presented by co-convener G. Franco), several scientific presentations highlighting the most interesting findings from the impacts analyses (authors to be selected/invited upon acceptance of session), and a concluding chapter on the resulting adaptation challenges and emerging efforts in adaptation planning in the state (presented by co-convener S. Moser).
Conveners: Guido Franco, California Energy Commission, PIER Research Program on Climate Change and California 1516 Ninth Street, MS-29 , Sacramento, CA 95814 USA, email: gfranco@energy.state.ca.us, and Susanne Moser, Susanne Moser Research & Consulting, 134 Shelter Lagoon Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA, email: promundi@susannemoser.com

GC24 Progress and Challenges in Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision Making
The connection between scientific research and findings, and applications to management and policy is of growing importance as decision makers face ever-increasing challenges related to growing populations, limited resources, and the prospects of anthropogenic climate change. A number of efforts have been directed at bridging the gap between science and decision making, some of which have been ongoing for almost a decade now. Results from these efforts indicate successful outcomes from many of these programs, though many challenges in making science relevant for decision-making still exist. In this session we will explore efforts to bring scientific knowledge into the decision-making realm, including: • What makes science translation programs effective? • Are there lessons to be learned from existing efforts that would provide a foundation for moving ahead in the translation of science to decision making? • What progress has been made in science for decision-making and management? • What are current best practices for evaluating whether we are meeting user needs, encouraging the use of new information, improving scientific literacy (relevance?) among decision-makers, and ultimately raising capacity/raising resilience/reducing vulnerability? The purpose of this session is to create a forum to learn about and discuss assessment and evaluation efforts concerning the applications of scientific information in decision making and planning. Both scientists and management professionals are invited to submit abstracts on work that concerns progress toward linking science with applications in the “real world.”
Conveners: Connie Woodhouse, University of Arizona, Department of Geography and Regional Development, Harvill 409, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, email: conniew1@email.arizona.edu, and Jennifer Rice, University of Arizona, , , USA, email: jlrice@email.arizona.edu, and Andrea Ray, NOAA Earth Systems Research Laboratory, , , USA, email: Andrea.Ray@noaa.gov, and Dan Ferguson, University of Arizona, , , USA, email: dferg@email.arizona.edu

GC25 Adaptation Challenges for Water Resources in a Changing Climate: Lessons Learned in the Western United States
Historically hydrologic conditions in the Western United States have been highly variable both seasonally (wetter winters and drier summers) and from year to year. Managing these water resources for diverse needs has always required flexibility and adaptive approaches. This experience has served the Western U.S. well in adapting to the additional challenge of addressing potential climate change impacts on water resources. Water supply and flood management concerns include modified precipitation patterns and changes in snow levels and runoff patterns due to increased air temperatures. Sea level rise provides challenges for coastal erosion, salt water intrusion in both surface and ground waters, and increased stresses on levees in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Concurrent population, land use, policy, technology and economic changes add to the challenge in developing adaptation strategies for water resources. Furthermore, there are substantial differences in the nature and sensitivities to climate change over the region. For instance, climate projections have a strong consensus as to the direction of future temperature change (warmer), and the resulting shift in the seasonal patterns of runoff will pose challenges to reservoir operations in parts of the West (e.g., Pacific Northwest and California) where reservoir storage is small relative to the mean annual inflows. However, projected changes in precipitation, which control annual runoff, are less certain, and pose a different set of challenges for water management in the interior of the West (e.g., Colorado River basin), where reservoir operations are more sensitive to annual streamflows than to their seasonal distribution. This session will provide examples of scientific approaches and adaptation strategies for addressing uncertainties related to climate change and water resources relevant to the Western United States.
Conveners: Francis Chung, CA Dept. of Water Resources, Modeling Support Branch, Bay Delta-Office California Dept. of Water Resources 1416 Ninth St. room 252-6 , Sacramento, CA 95814 USA, Tel: 916-653-5924, email: chung@water.ca.gov, and Dan Cayan, Scripps Institution of Oceanography/U.S. Geological Survey, Climate Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD And Water Resources Division, US Geological Survey 201 Nierenberg Hall , La Jolla, CA 92093-0224 USA, Tel: (858) 534 4507, email: dcayan@ucsd.edu

Global Environmental Change also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
C02 Cenozoic Antarctic Glacial History
V03 Large Igneous Province Development and Environmental Impacts
C09 Large Scale Cryosphere – Climate Connectivity
PP08 The State of the Ocean Carbonate System and the Concentration of Atmospheric CO2 in the Past
IN10 Data Fusion: Issues, Barriers and Approaches
IN12 Strategies for Improved Marine and Synergistic Data Access and Interoperability
C14 Climate Change and Mountain Snowpacks: Observations, Future Projections, and Potential Impacts
B24 Data Assimilation in Biogeochemical Models
IN05 Frontiers in Advanced Information Systems and Earth Observation Technology
A25 Space Observations of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide: Retrieval, Validation, Modeling, and Assimilation
ED11 Climate Literacy and Communication Strategies
B29 Linking Land Use and Land Management to Models of the Earth System
H16 Evaporation and Water Transport Dynamics in the ABL
B36 The Role of Climate, Carbon and Limiting Nutrient Cycles and Human Activities in Terrestrial Ecosystems
G13 Ever Faster: Low-Latency Data Collection and Applications Across the Earth Sciences
H73 Advanced Approaches to Snow Modeling for Hydrologic Prediction
PP21 Interhemispheric Teleconnections and Quaternary Marine and Continental Climate Records
G16 GRACE and Gravity Missions - Interdisciplinary Science and Analysis Techniques
A11 ENSO and Global Change: The Past, Present, and Future
B27 Integrated Studies of Regional Carbon Exchange
C25 Glaciers and Human Vulnerability in Changing Mountain Environments
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
ED18 IYA Dark Skies Awareness Programs, Citizen Science and You
IN20 Sustained, Interoperable Data Systems for Observing Networks—Building the IPY Legacy for Earth System Science.
PP03 Loess 2.0 – Renaissance in the Study of the Terrestrial Dust Record
C03 Subglacial Processes and Environments
PP02 Change in the Ocean Circulation - Are There Lessons from the Past
PP05 Transitioning Out of the Mid-Holocene Climate: An Evaluation of Land-Ocean Proxy Records and Model Simulations
PP15 Radiocarbon Evidence for Past Changes in the Global Carbon Cycle and Ocean Circulation
PP16 High to Ultra-High Resolution Sedimentary Records of Climate
PP22 Chemical and Isotopic Composition of Carbonate Skeletons: Seasonal Environmental and Climate Records
PP24 Advancing Process Understanding in Proxy Climate Records
PP26 Paleoclimate and Modern Perspectives of the Southern Hemisphere Westerlies and Polar Frontal Zone
C06 Polar Regions: Local Change, Global Impacts and Future Challenges - Outcomes of the International Polar Year 2007-2008
B45 Fires in the Earth System
PP11 The Role of Coccolithophores on a Changing Planet
IN07 Making Earth Science Data Records
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
B49 Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere: New Science and Comprehensive Analyses
IN14 Advancing Digital Watersheds and Virtual Environmental Observatories
IN21 Building Interoperability Across the Geosciences
ED01 Education and Human Resources: General Contributions
A44 Possible Links Among Vegetation, Aerosols and Climate
A50 Arctic Chemistry and Climate
A13 Climate Change in the Coastal Zone: Observed Trends and Future Predictions
A30 The Role of Atmospheric Wind Measurements in Weather and Climate Forecasting
A29 Linking Past and Present Hydrological Cycles to Climate with Water Vapor and Precipitation Isotopes
A39 Diagnosing Climate Feedbacks and Climate Sensitivity
OS14 Decadal Trends in the Ocean Carbon Cycle
H64 Ecosystem Resilience to Changing Climate Patterns: The Role of Hydrology
H32 Spatial and Temporal Trends in Hydrometeorological Records as Indicators of Climate Variability and Change
H72 Linking Isotope Geochemistry to Environmental and Forensic Science: Analytical Approaches, Novel Applications, Policy Implications
PP29 Novel Insights in Historical Geobiology
PP06 Tracking the Last Glacial Cycle’s Indo-pacific Abrupt Climate Variability
PP18 Past Changes in the Biological Pump: Integrating Theory with Observations
OS21 Advances in Operational Oceanography and Scientific Drilling
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN24 Open Source Remote Sensing for Environmental Mapping and Analysis
IN16 Challenges for Earth Science Software Reuse
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
B07 Shifts in Phenology and Seasonality? Recent Evidence from Multiple Taxa, Ecoregions, and Models
B39 The Bio-atmospheric N Cycle: N Emissions, Transformations, Deposition, and Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts
B41 The World Is Not Flat: Isotopic Tools for Understanding Mountainous Terrain
H11 Historic Hydrologic Synthesis: Quantifying the Past to Understand the Future
H75 Decision-Appropriate Modeling Throughout the Lifecycle of Restoration, and other, Environmental Projects
PP17 Green Sahara: Evidence From Climate Models and Proxy Records
A52 Bjerknes Lecture
PP14 North Atlantic Freshwater Forcing: History, Consequences, and Implications for Future Climate Change
A41 Inter-comparison Study of Global Emission Inventories in Support of Climate Change and Air Quality Interaction Modeling
A05 Long-Term Trends in the General Circulation of the Atmosphere: Observations, Simulations, Mechanisms, and Impacts
B13 Incorporating Process Level Measurements of N Cycling Into Global Scale Models of Terrestrial C Storage in Response to Climate Change
OS34 Research Experiences of Undergraduates in Ocean Sciences
C29 International Collaboration to Build Understanding of Climate Change in Polar Regions
C04 Snow and Ice Impurities as Climate Forcing Agents and Records
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Hydrology

H01 Hydrology: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Hydrology.
Conveners: Tim Ginn, University of California, Davis, , , USA, email: trginn@ucdavis.edu, and Tissa Illangasekare, Colorado School of Mines, , , USA, Tel: +1-303-384-2126, email: tissa@mines.edu, and Tom Meixner, University of Arizona, , , USA, Tel: +1+520-626-1532, email: tmeixner@hwr.arizona.edu

H02 Use of Rain Gage-Radar (NEXRAD) Rainfall Data Relationships for Hydrologic Modeling and Water Resources Management: Emerging Issues, Concepts and Applications
The use of radar (NEXRAD) based rainfall data in conjunction with rain gage data for hydrologic modeling is under investigation in recent years. However, several issues related to radar rainfall data quality, understanding the rain gage–radar relationships, functional forms those capture these relationships, rain gage based radar data adjustments and uncertainty associated with both rain gage measurements and radar based rain measurements still need to be addressed. These issues are not only important from a hydrologic modeling perspective but also essential for real-time and short-term management of water resources systems. Paradigms that rely on a combination of traditional statistical and geo-statistical methods and emerging inductive modeling techniques are increasingly used to address these issues. This session will invite presentations that will focus on development of new methodologies for improvement of radar rainfall data and applications of emerging computational techniques and methods to deal with a variety of issues that relate to the use of radar rainfall data for hydrological modeling and water resources management.
Conveners: Chandra Pathak, South Florida Water Management District, Operations and Hydro Data Management Division 3301 Gun Club Road , West Palm Beach, FL 33406 USA, Tel: (561) 682-2567, email: cpathak@sfwmd.gov, and Ramesh S. V. Teegavarapu, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Civil Engineering, 777 Glades Road, Bldg # 36, 217, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA, Tel: 561 477 5225, Fax: 561 477 0493, email: ramesh@civil.fau.edu, and Baxter E. Vieux, University of Oklahoma, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science Director, Center for Natural Hazards and Disaster Research 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 3630 , Norman, OK 73072 USA, Tel: 405 325-3600, Fax: 405 325-4217, email: bvieux@ou.edu

H03 Advances in Land Data Assimilation Systems and Estimation of Large-Scale Surface Turbulent Fluxes
Land data assimilation systems merge land surface observations with estimates from land surface models (which may be coupled to atmospheric models or driven "off-line" with surface meteorological forcing data). Assimilated observations include (but are not limited to) remotely sensed or ground-based measurements of soil moisture, snow, land surface temperature, terrestrial water storage, water surface elevation, or surface turbulent fluxes. The latter are at the heart of land-atmosphere interactions and are of particular interest. Scintillometry is a novel remote sensing method that measures fluctuations in the intensity of electromagnetic radiation propagating along a path, from which the turbulent surface fluxes representative for an area of several square kilometers can be derived. Land data assimilation can improve estimates of land surface states and surface fluxes. Such estimates can then be used to initialize weather and seasonal climate forecasts, provide improved background information for atmospheric data assimilation, or support investigations into land surface processes that lead to enhanced understanding of terrestrial and atmospheric processes and interactions. The goal of this session is to report broadly on advances in development and applications of land data assimilation and in estimation of large-scale surface turbulent fluxes. Contributions may include studies that evaluate land data assimilation methods, assess the impact of land data assimilation on estimates of land surface and atmospheric states, or use land data assimilation to investigate associated predictability and forecasts. We particularly encourage contributions addressing the simultaneous assimilation of multiple observation types, as well as contributions related to current and planned hydrology satellite missions (such as those recommended by the National Research Council's 2007 Earth Science decadal survey , including SMAP, SWOT, and SCLP). Examples include Observing System Simulation Experiments or the development of satellite mission products that are based on land data assimilation. Moreover, contributions are encouraged that focus on the estimation of large-scale land surface fluxes, including new technical and theoretical developments such as scintillometry, flux measurements over different types of terrain, comparison of scintillometer data with other measurements, use of scintillometry for validation of model and satellite data, scaling aspects of surface turbulent fluxes, and operational aspects of scintillometer measurements for water and irrigation management. Contributions on other methods to determine area-averaged surface fluxes are also encouraged.
Conveners: Rolf Reichle, NASA/GSFC, , , USA, email: rolf.reichle@nasa.gov, and Michael Durand, Ohio State University, , , USA, email: durand.8@osu.edu, and Prasanna H. Gowda, USDA-ARS Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, P.O. Drawer 10, Bushland, TX 79012 USA, Tel: 806-356-5730, Fax: 806-356-5750, email: prasanna.gowda@ars.usda.gov, and Jan M. H. Hendrickx, New Mexico Tech, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, 801 LeRoy Place, MSEC 240, Socorro, NM 87801 USA, Tel: 505-838-5892, email: hendrick@nmt.edu

H04 Enhancing Hydrologic Predictions and Water Resources Sustainability through Interdisciplinary Synthesis
Hydrologic processes produce complex and multi-scale patterns that are difficult to reproduce with current predictive frameworks. As a result, there has been increased focus on interactions of geology, soils, drainage networks, vegetation, climate, and sometimes human activity to explain hydrologic system behavior. The next generation of models needs to integrate this new understanding of natural system behavior and is likely to place more emphasis on emergent patterns and pattern drivers due to humans. Therefore, development of new frameworks (i.e., a map of hydrologically functioning units) will require broad interdisciplinary synthesis, integrating perspectives and tools from hydrology, geomorphology, biogeochemistry, ecology, geography and other disciplines traditionally outside the hydrologic sciences. Such frameworks, including those that explicitly recognize human roles in hydrologic system dynamics, will enhance predictive accuracy when reconstructing and forecasting system behavior. A synthetic conceptual map of functional hydrologic units (soil pedons, stream reaches, hillslopes, catchments, aquifers, etc.) and their complex interactions will enhance hydrologic predictability and the ability to prescribe sustainable water resource management. This session encompasses four questions. First, what are the fundamental hydrologic, geomorphological, and biogeochemical patterns that we see emerge from hydrologic systems across various spatial and temporal scales, and what tools are used to identify those patterns? Second, how have we used or how can we use those patterns to predict spatial and temporal system dynamics? Third, can we distinguish basic human signals embedded within hydrologic system patterns and dynamics? Fourth, how can these predictive tools be applied to quantify water resource sustainability at multiple scales? This session will highlight research that addresses one or more of these questions with synthetic approaches.
Conveners: John L. Nieber, Universtiy of Minnesota, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering 1390 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA, Tel: (612)-625-6724, Fax: (612)-624-3005, email: nieber@umn.edu, and Peter Troch, University of Arizona, John W. Harshbarger Building 1133 E James E. Rogers Way, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: 520-626-1277, Fax: 520-621-1422, email: patroch@hwr.arizona.edu, and Rina Schumer, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway , Reno, NV 89512 USA, Tel: 775-673-7414, Fax: 775-673-7373, email: rina@dri.edu, and Roman Kanivetsky, University of Minnesota, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering 1390 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 USA, Tel: (612)-625-9799, Fax: (612)-624-3005, email: Kaniv001@umn.edu

H05 Optimality Principles for Understanding Hydrological, Biological, and Geomorphological Patterns and Processes
At the land surface, hydrological and biological processes such as stream flow, transpiration, carbon uptake or infiltration strongly interact and affect the overall exchange of water, nutrients, sediments, and carbon. Often these interactive processes have left non-trivial patterns across diverse spatio-temporal scales, ranging from geomorphological signatures such as self-similar tree river networks or vegetation patchiness. Several optimality approaches have been suggested in the past to explain the emergent behavior of the coupled system. In this session, we seek both observational and modeling studies that investigate the coupled, emergent behavior from a perspective of optimality. Studies can range from the microscopic scale of water transport in soils and plants to the continental scale. Suitable contributions also include discussions of the theoretical foundations of optimality approaches related to conceptual studies such as Daisyworld, thermodynamic principles such as Maximum Entropy Production or sound philosophical questions on the overall optimality approach, which can stimulate a healthy debate.
Conveners: Kyungrock Paik, The University of Western Australia, School of Environmental Systems Engineering M015, 35 Stirling Highway , Crawley, WA 6009 AUS, Tel: 61-8-6488-1698, Fax: 61-8-6488-1015, email: Kyungrock.Paik@uwa.edu.au, and Axel Kleidon, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Biospheric Theory and Modelling Group PO Box 10 01 64, Jena, 07701 DEU, Tel: 49-3641-576217, Fax: 49-3641-577217, email: akleidon@bgc-jena.mpg.de, and Stan Schymanski, Max Planck Institute for Biogechemistry, Postfach 10 01 64, Jena, D-07701 DEU, Tel: 49.3641.576264, Fax: 49.3641.577274, email: sschym@bgc-jena.mpg.de

H06 Particle Tracking Simulation of Fluid Flow and Mass Transport
Particle tracking approaches are receiving renewed attention for their efficiency and accuracy in simulating fluid flow and mass transport problems in a variety of physical science disciplines. Here, we seek presentations that highlight advances in the development and application of particle-based models as used in the hydrologic sciences. Interests include but are not limited to: 1) Theory and applications of particle-based models in the general areas of hydrology; 2) Particle-based simulation of multiphase flow, reactive transport, and/or biological processes; 3) Combined Lagrangian and Eulerian solvers to capture transport through multi-scale heterogeneous media; 4) Fully Lagrangian methods to simulate spatio-temporal local/nonlocal transport through continuous/discrete geological formations; 5) Non-Markovian and/or coupled random walk schemes to capture the spatio-temporal dependence of mass transport; 6) Particle-based computational methods for simulating fluid flow or mass transport, such as the continuous time random walk (CTRW) framework, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), material point method (MPM), discrete element method (DEM), dissipative particle dynamics (DPD), time domain particle tracking algorithm, and Lattice Boltzmann (LB) methods. We anticipate contribution in both oral and poster formats.
Conveners: Yong Zhang, Desert Research Institute, , Las Vegas, NV 89119 USA, Tel: (702)-862-5314, Fax: (702)-862-5427, email: Yong.Zhang@dri.edu, and Eric M. LaBolle, University of California, Davis, , Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: (530)-753-8999, Fax: (530)-753-5185, email: emlabolle@ucdavis.edu, and Andrew F. B. Tompson, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, , Livermore, CA 94551 USA, Tel: (925) 422-6348, Fax: (925) 422-3925, email: afbt@llnl.gov

H07 Hydro-Economic Models and Collaborative Decision Support: Joining Forces For Better Water Resource Planning And Management
Until recently water resource planning and management decision support systems rarely considered economic criteria for allocation decisions or evaluation of alternatives. In parallel, economic models were often far removed from practical management of real systems. Increasingly economic engineering is acknowledged as a practical approach for integrated management of water resources. This session will focus on efforts to embed economic criteria and drivers into water management models and DSS tools. Research questions to be addressed in this session include: given new computer and algorithm technologies, what combinations of simulation and optimization methods achieve practical results? Should economic criteria be used to drive or evaluate allocation strategies? Do economic criteria enable or hamper collaborative planning and conflict resolution? Should classical optimization techniques like mathematical and dynamic programming be replaced by or combined with heuristic global search methods? Can screening models be combined with operating rule development? How can optimization models reflect uncertainty – for example due to climate change? Is detailed physically-based modeling necessary? Are generalized modeling platforms needed or possible for idiosyncratic practical problems? Is there a role for open-source? and more … The session’s invited talks will be selected from among the most innovative and successful water resource management modeling efforts worldwide. Given population growth, economic development in emerging countries, climate change, the global cost of food crisis, competition over natural resources, and other profound and simultaneous changes, the practical implementation of economic engineering approaches in water resources is increasingly relevant. We hope this session will advance towards answering these questions and perhaps pose some new ones.
Conveners: Julien J. Harou, UCL Environment Institute and Dept. Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London Pearson Building, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT GBR, Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 0536, email: j.harou@ucl.ac.uk, and David E. Rosenberg, Dept. of Civil & Env. Engineering and Utah Water Research Laboratory, 4110 Old Main Hill Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-4110 USA, Tel: 435.797.8689, Fax: 435.797.1185, email: david.rosenberg@usu.edu, and Brett W. Gracely, Water Supply Department, Colorado Springs Utilities, 121 S. Tejon St (80903) Plaza of the Rockies, S. Tower, 3rd Floor P.O. Box 1103, MC 930, Colorado Springs, CO 80947-0930 USA, Tel: 719.668.4052, email: bgracely@csu.org, and Jay R. Lund, UC Davis, Dept. Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering University of California at Davis One Shields Ave. Davis, CA 95616, Davis, CA 95616 USA, email: jrlund@ucdavis.edu, and Greg W. Characklis, University of North Carolina, Dept. of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Dept. of Environmental Sciences & Engineering University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Rosenau Hall CB# 7431, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7431 USA, email: charack@email.unc.edu

H08 Prediction in Ungauged Basins (PUB) to Solve Real-World Problems
Prediction in Ungauged Basins (PUB) is a 10-year initiative of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences over the decade 2003-2012. The goal of PUB is to reduce the uncertainty of hydrological predictions, particularly as applied to ungauged basins. Achieving this requires both the improvement of current modelling techniques, as well as the development of new innovative models and approaches which make use of recent rapid advances in computing power, remote sensing and data collection techniques. We invite presentations which show how the outputs from PUB have been or may potentially be used in real-world applications. Presentations showing how the application of new techniques developed through the PUB initiative have allowed real-world problems to be solved and associated uncertainties to be reduced are particularly welcomed. Examples include (but are not limited to) the prediction of daily streamflow in ungauged basins for water resources assessment or impacts of climate change, peak flows for flood studies, or low flows/water quality for aquatic ecology studies.
Conveners: David A. Post, CSIRO Land and Water, GPO Box 1666, Canberra, ACT 2601 AUS, Tel: +61-2-6246-5751, email: david.post@csiro.au, and Barry Croke, Australian National University, Acton, Canberra, ACT 0200 AUS, Tel: +61-2-6125-0666, email: barry.croke@anu.edu.au, and Jeffrey McDonnell, Oregon State University, SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-8720, email: Jeffrey.McDonnell@orst.edu, and Murugesu Sivapalan, University of Illinois, 220 Davenport Hall, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801 USA, Tel: 217-333-2675, email: sivapala@uiuc.edu

H09 Timescales and Feedbacks in Ecogeomorphology
Recent work in the hydrologic sciences has confirmed that understanding landscapes requires reaching across traditional disciplinary boundaries. For example, it is known that riparian vegetation significantly impacts flow, sedimentation, erosion, and channel morphology in varied and complex ways. However, an integrated approach combining ecological and geomorphological principles has not yet been adopted. For instance, while the timescales of the dominant or competing processes have often been used to characterize first-order system behaviour, dimensional analysis rather than ecological understanding has guided the choice of timescales. Work is still needed to clarify the role of timescales of ecological and geomorphological processes in controlling system behaviour. This session aims to bring together a wide range of researchers at the boundaries of ecology and geomorphology to explore different geomorphic process domains and thus as wide a range timescales of ecological-landscape interactions as possible. We hope this session will illuminate a variety of approaches to catalyze the development of generalized frameworks for their use in bio- and ecogeomorphic systems. Contributions of a more conceptual or theoretical nature are also encouraged.
Conveners: Brandon McElroy, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas, , Austin, TX USA, email: bmcelroy@geo.utexas.edu, and John Wainwright, University of Sheffield, Department of Geography, Winter Street, Sheffield, S10 2TN GBR, Tel: +44 144 222 7951, Fax: +44 114 279 7912, email: J.Wainwright@sheffield.ac.uk, and Anne Lightbody, University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, 2 Third Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA, Tel: 612-624-4679, Fax: 612-624-4398, email: annel@umn.edu, and Anthony Parsons, University of Sheffield, Department of Geography, Winter Street, Sheffield, S10 2TN GBR, email: a.j.parsons@sheffield.ac.uk

H10 Hydrogeological Research Sites and Observatories
Long-term hydrogeological research sites have been developed over the last three decades to address topics such as characterization and modeling of flow and transport in heterogeneous and fractured media, biogeochemical process understanding, remediation, and waste disposal. These sites also are important testing grounds for new measurement and monitoring technologies. For example, at sites such as Borden, Cape Cod, MADE, Mirror Lake, and Stripa, multidisciplinary investigations have allowed significant advances in hydrogeological research. The datasets obtained include detailed characterization of the geological heterogeneity; system-state observations; and measurements from aquifer tests, tracer tests, and pilot scale remediation efforts. These datasets have been valuable for testing conceptual models and experimental methodologies, as shown by the numerous publications that they have generated. This session will highlight the present state-of-the-art of broad topics relevant to hydrogeological research sites, from their development and management to the synthesis and application of data and results. We welcome contributions from both existing and planned hydrogeological field experiments or projects. We especially encourage contributions that examine the following questions: What approaches at existing sites have been successful? What do we learn from experimental sites? How can we couple measurements, models and theory? How can we build databases that include long term observations, experiments and detailed information about heterogeneity? How can the data be used by the scientific community? How can the results be transferred to address societal issues? Prospective talks about the new scientific questions that need to be addressed by experimental sites and the data that are critically missing are also welcome. This session represents an opportunity for fostering collaborations among scientists who develop, manage, and conduct investigations at hydrogeologic research sites; and among researchers who seek data and/or sites for testing methods, models and theories.
Conveners: Tanguy Le Borgne, Géosciences Rennes UMR 6118 CNRS Université de Rennes 1, , , FRA, email: tanguy.le-borgne@univ-rennes1.fr, and Claire R. Tiedeman, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road MS496, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650-329-4583, email: tiedeman@usgs.gov, and Harry Vereecken, Research center Jülich, , , DEU, email: h.vereecken@fz-juelich.de

H11 Historic Hydrologic Synthesis: Quantifying the Past to Understand the Future
Quantifying and evaluating future hydrologic change requires an integration of process across a range of time scales. In the present and recent past, our understanding of hydrology has been advanced by the ability to measure hydrologic variables at high frequencies, but our ability to understand hydrologic changes and longer-term (i.e. intergenerational) processes over the past several hundred years is rudimentary at best. While construction of hydrologic models for historic periods challenges our conventional thinking due to a lack of data for calibration, these periods remain our best repository of information on slower oscillations in our hydrologic systems and deserve further attention. Quantification of historical hydrologic, sediment, and biogeochemical cycling relies on proxies and synthetic bodies of evidence, rather than controlled experimental systems. This session will focus on emerging work synthesizing historic hydrologic information within the late-Holocene and across spatial scales. In particular, we invite presentations addressing or raising the important questions arising from synthetic work, such as: Are pre-European settlement conditions in the United States appropriate or desirable design criteria for contemporary hydrologic management?; How are historical decisions producing system legacies that may hinder hydrologic management?; Are our measures of hydrologic resilience effective and meaningful when viewed with historical context?
Conveners: Jennifer Arrigo, Eastern Carolina University, , , USA, email: ARRIGOJ@ecu.edu, and Daniel Bain, University of Pittsburgh, , , USA, email: dbain@pitt.edu, and Mark Green, University of New Hampshire, , , USA, email: mark.green@unh.edu, and Brian Pellerin, US Geological Survey, , , USA, email: bpeller@usgs.gov

H12 Flow and Reactive Transport in Heterogeneous Media: New Insights Obtained From the Interaction Between Experiment and Theory
Flow and transport in the subsurface are known to be governed by physical, chemical and biological heterogeneity of the subsurface, and the temporal variability of boundary conditions. These spatio-temporal heterogeneities appear to be inherent to different scales ranging from pore to reservoir scales and a key to understand diverse applications in hydrological sciences. The behavior of such systems can only be understood and quantified through the interaction of experimental, theoretical and modeling developments. This session aims at shedding new light on the relationship between the heterogeneity organization and effective flow and transport behavior. This includes the identification of the causes of anomalous flow and transport patterns in heterogeneous media and their understanding and quantification using new experimental and modeling approaches. This can be achieved by the use of new experimental techniques inspired by theoretical developments, and the development of new models stimulated by experimental findings and insights. We invite experimentalists, theorists and modelers to bring forward our understanding on these issues. Keywords of this session include: Characterization of heterogeneity (hydraulic and tracer tomography, particle imaging velocimetry, quantification of connectivity), effective flow modeling, inert and reactive transport modeling in physico-chemically heterogeneous media, mixing, stochastic averaging and uncertainty quantification, PDF methods, upscaling, continuous time random walks, multirate mass transfer and fractional transport equations, biofilms, Lagrangian and Eulerian methods.
Conveners: Branko Bijeljic, Imperial College, , London, GBR, email: b.bijeljic@imperial.ac.uk, and Marco Dentz, Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), , Barcelona, ESP, email: marco.dentz@upc.edu, and Andreas Englert, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, , Berkeley, USA, email: alenglert@lbl.gov, and Tanguy Le Borgne, Geosciences Rennes, , Rennes, FRA, email: tanguy.le-borgne@univ-rennes1.fr

H13 Understanding Hydrologic Modeling Error: Pathways Toward Improved Model Diagnosis, Correction and Practical Application
Hydrologic modeling commonly exhibits both systematic and random errors, both of which may vary in time (e.g., seasonally) and space. We seek presentations on frameworks, tools or applications in which an understanding of these errors is used either for improving model applications or for model diagnosis and development (including calibration). Understanding model errors is a prerequisite for the use of data assimilation techniques, and also for application of post-processing procedures to correct model biases so that model outputs can be used in follow-on applications. The practice of combining hydrologic modeling with such statistical techniques is becoming widespread for applications such as streamflow forecasting for water and energy management. For example, bias correction of modeled streamflow can greatly improve the simulation of inputs to reservoir system operations and management models. Findings in a number of areas are of interest: How can measured error characteristics in commonly observed variables such as streamflow be used to infer error characteristics in unobserved variables, such as soil moisture or evaporation? Is the separation of systematic error from random error useful? Does statistical adjustment of model outputs compromise the contribution of physical realism from model algorithms? Do ensemble techniques adequately reflect uncertainty? Discussions of theoretical as well as applied work are welcome.
Conveners: Andrew W. Wood, 3TIER™, Inc., 2001 6th Ave Suite 2100, Seattle, WA 98121 USA, Tel: 206-708-8540, email: awood@3tiergroup.com, and John C. Schaake, National Weather Service, , , USA, email: John.Schaake@noaa.gov, and Hoshin V. Gupta, University of Arizona, , , USA, email: hoshin.gupta@hwr.arizona.edu

H14 Verification of Hydrologic, Hydrometeorological, and Hydroclimatological Forecasts
This special session seeks contributions from the research, operational and user communities on recent advances in science and practice of forecast verification for hydrologic, hydrometeorological and hydroclimatological forecasts for both single-valued and probabilistic forecasts given at forecast points or grids. It will include methods and studies for post-event verification, diagnostic verification, and real-time (prognostic) verification for weather, climate, and water forecasts across a range of space and time scales. Such forecast verification will help quantify the marginal value of improvement in newly developed hydrometeorological, hydroclimatological and hydrologic observations and forecasting techniques for hydrology and water resources applications. It will also help advance our understanding of the hydrologic forecasting process based on rigorous forecast verification, and maximize the utility of water forecasts for diverse users. The specific areas of contributions sought are (but not limited to): new verification metrics for single-valued and probabilistic forecasts, reference forecasts for skill scores, verification of forecast services efficiency and forecast usability, evaluation of amplitude vs. phase errors, spatial verification methods, verification of real-time forecasts, verification of extreme or rare events, sampling uncertainty (including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing), observational uncertainty, analysis of sources of uncertainty, integration of hydrologic verification information in risk-based decision system.
Conveners: Julie Demargne, NOAA/NWS/OHD/Hydrology Laboratory & UCAR, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA, Tel: 301-713-0640 ext. 162, email: Julie.Demargne@noaa.gov, and Allen Bradley, University of Iowa & IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, , Iowa City, IA USA, email: allen-bradley@uiowa.edu, and Kristie Franz, Iowa State University, Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, , Ames, IA USA, email: kfranz@iastate.edu, and Barbara Brown, National Center for Atmospheric Research, , Boulder, CO USA, email: bgb@ucar.edu

H15 Recent Innovations in Environmental Sensing, Cyberinfrastructure and Observatories
Multiscale/multiprocess coupling combined with the establishment of evironmental terrestrial observations and the development of novel sensor and hydrogeophysical methods is important for improved predictability of the terrestrial water cycle, identifying pathways, and closing water, energy and solute budgets. With the advancement of wireless communication, high performance scientific computing, data management approaches, the efficient integration of existing and novel sensors technologies, simulation and analysis tools present new areas of research. Distributed “intelligent” sensor networks collect long term data from remote locations at scales and resolutions that were previously attainable through numerical simulations only. High resolution, large scale simulations to analyze and understand land-subsurface-atmosphere interactions will further require efficient numerical methods and novel data assimilation. In this session we invite studies from the fields of hydrology, remote sensing, geophysics and land surface atmosphere interactions that deal with a) the development of low-cost, energy-efficient and adaptive sensor networks and novel observation technologies (e.g. remote sensing platforms and hydrogeopyhsics) that can provide a multi-scale view of ecohydrologic states, b) design of data-models and inverse modelling approaches that tightly couple high resolution spatial and temporal systems, numerical models, and processing and visualization tools (GIS), c) implementation of large scale numerical-modeling and data-management tools using super-computers, d) “new” scientific predictions evolving from integrated modeling or measurements and e) experimental network design for test beds and environmental observatories
Conveners: Barbara S. Minsker, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 3230d NCEL, MC-250 205 N Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801 USA, Tel: 217-265-5293, email: minsker@illinois.edu, and Jeff Dozier, University of California Santa Barbara, , , USA, email: dozier@bren.ucsb.edu, and Harry Vereecken, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Leo Brand Straße, Jülich, NRW 52425 DEU, Tel: +49 2461 61 6392, email: h.vereecken@fz-juelich.de, and Karsten Hogh Jensen, University of Kopenhagen, , Kopenhagen, DNK, Tel: +45 35 52 24 84, email: khj@geol.ku.dk

H16 Evaporation and Water Transport Dynamics in the ABL
Evaporation is a major component of the hydrologic cycle and links diverse disciplines such as those involved in water resource planning with agriculture, ecology and climate science. Understanding how evaporation and transpiration at the surface respond to and impact atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) dynamics represents one of the key challenges in the hydrologic and atmospheric sciences. This session will explore those linkages from theoretical and empirical viewpoints. Studies of all aspects of these linkages are welcome including: long term studies of basin or regional scale water balance with a special focus on evapotranspiration, investigations of evaporation and ABL dynamics over heterogeneous and complex terrain, novel numerical and experimental tools for land-atmosphere coupling research, and global scale syntheses on the changing evaporative environment.
Conveners: Michael L. Roderick, The Australian National University, Research School of Biological Sciences The Australian National University , Canberra, ACT 0200 AUS, Tel: +61 2 61255589, email: Michael.Roderick@anu.edu.au, and Marc Parlange, Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne, Bâtiment GR, Station 2, Lausanne, CH-1015 CHE, Tel: +41 21 693 63 91, email: Marc.Parlange@epfl.ch, and Elie Bou-Zeid, Princeton University, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering Princeton University C326, EQuad , Princeton, NJ 08544 USA, Tel: +1-609-258-5429, email: ebouzeid@princeton.edu

H17 Python Application in Hydrology
Python is rapidly becoming one of the main tools in the toolbox of many hydrologists. Python is used for linking models, visualization, data analysis, pre and post processing of model data, computational mathematics, time series analysis, and many other tasks. In addition, it is very attractive for educational purposes. Python is a free and open-source computer language. Some of its main features include a clear and powerful syntax, a large collection of packages (libraries) and an active, helpful, open-source community. In this session, we seek to provide a representative overview of existing applications of Python in the hydrological sciences, to form a hydrological community of Python aficionados, and to demonstrate a critical mass. Above all, we want to show that Python is an excellent choice for the development of software for the solution of both small and large scale hydrological problems.
Conveners: Mark Bakker, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Stevingweg 1, Delft, 2628CN NLD, email: mark.bakker@tudelft.nl, and Vincent Post, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV NLD, email: vincent.post@falw.vu.nl

H18 Deciphering the Role of Surface and Subsurface Processes on Solute Dynamics at the Catchment Scale
We seek holistic views of the factors that control solute dynamics in streams, rivers, and catchments. This session will highlight research on source area dynamics and stream processes that cumulatively affect stream biological structure and chemistry. Which processes and landscape attributes most influence surface water chemistry? When and where in the terrestrial and aquatic landscape do biogeochemical transformations reset the chemical signatures that affect downstream solute fluxes and biological communities? In upland, riparian, aquifer, and hyporheic source areas, how do chemical and physical gradients that drive biogeochemical processes and solute fluxes vary over space and time? Do the dominant processes predictably scale over space? We encourage interdisciplinary contributions to advance our understanding of the complex interactions that link nutrient cycles, material transport, and biological communities across temporal and spatial scales.
Conveners: Alberto Bellin, University of Trento, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale Universita'' di Trento via Mesiano, 77, Trento, 38050 ITA, Tel: 39-0461-882620, Fax: 39-0461-882672, email: alberto.bellin@ing.unitn.it, and Michael Gooseff, Penn State University, Civil & Environmental Engineering Department Penn State University 212 Sackett Bldg. , University Park,, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 1-814-867-0044, Fax: +1-814-863-7304, email: mgooseff@engr.psu.edu, and Daniele Tonina, University of Trento, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale Università di Trento via Mesiano, 77 , Trento, 38050 ITA, Tel: +39-0461-882603, Fax: +39-0461-882672, email: daniele.tonina@ing.unitn.it, and Stephen D. Sebestyen, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Grand Rapids, MN 55744-3399 USA, Tel: 218.326.7108, email: ssebestyen@fs.fed.us, and Nobuhito Ohte, University of Tokyo, , Tokyo, JPN, email: nobu@fr.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp, and Patrick J. Mulholland, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, , Oak Ridge, TN USA, email: mulhollandpj@ornl.gov

H19 Hydrogeophysics: Methods, Models, and Applications
There is growing recognition of the value of hydrogeophysical measurement methods for subsurface hydrogeologic characterization and monitoring. These geophysical methods offer improved spatial coverage and resolution, often at lower cost than traditional direct sampling. However, as the use of geophysics in hydrologic science increases, we are placing increased demands on geophysical methods. Some of these demands seek to expand the hydrologic states and parameters that can be measured, others aim at providing measurements at new spatial and temporal scales or at greater sensitivity to the hydrological states, and others seek to improve the interpretation of instrument responses for hydrologic analyses or the way in which hydrogeophysical datasets are used. We invite contributions that discuss: (i) new observations and interpretations of hydrological-geophysical property relationships; (ii) new measurement techniques; (iii) new applications of existing techniques; (iv) new methods of interpreting the responses of geophysical measurements for hydrologic applications. We anticipate that applications will range from laboratory, to plot, to basin scale and will include theoretical and applied studies. Topical examples include, but are not limited to: monitoring recharge, quantifying groundwater/surface-water interaction, mapping aquifer contamination, or characterizing root zone processes. Method examples include, but are not limited to: microgravity, magnetic resonance imaging, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic induction.
Conveners: Ty P. A. Ferre, University of Arizona, , , USA, email: ty@hwr.arizona.edu, and Roger Beckie, University of British Columbia, , , CAN, email: rbeckie@eos.ubc.ca>, and Dale Rucker, HydroGeophysics, Inc., , , USA, email: drucker@hgiworld.com, and Sander Huisman, Forschungszentrum Jülich, , , DEU, email: s.huisman@fz-juelich.de

H20 Artificial Intelligence for Hydrological Modeling and Hydrosystems Management
Optimal allocation of limited water resources to agricultural, municipal, and environmental needs requires better understanding the processes and the spatial and temporal variability of water supply and demands. This involves modeling the hydrologic process and forecasting of hydrologic and environmental variables under uncertainty. Recent progress in artificial intelligent and machine learning techniques has been generating great interests in applying those innovative techniques in solving water related issues. This session welcomes scientists to present their works using techniques such as dynamic data assimilation techniques, artificial neural networks, fuzzy rule-based modeling, genetic algorithms, evolutionary approaches, support vector machines, kernel modeling methods, expert systems, case-based reasoning, and other AI and data mining techniques to solve water issues. Special emphasizing will be in applying above techniques in hydro-environmental modeling and water resources systems management. Application areas may be related but not limited to the prediction and management of hydrological and environmental variables, flood forecasting, flood control, reservoir operation, water supply, draught analysis, ground water hydrology, and hydrologic data management and mining.
Conveners: Kuo-lin Hsu, University of California, Irvine, , , USA, email: kuolinh@uci.edu, and Fi-John Chang, National Taiwan University, , , TWN, email: changfj@ntu.edu.tw, and Soroosh Sorooshian, University of California, Irvine, , , USA, email: soroosh@uci.edu, and Lindell Ormsbee, University of Kentucky, , , USA, email: lindell.ormsbee@uky.edu, and Ramesh S. V. Teegavarapu, Florida Atlantic University, , , USA, email: ramesh@civil.fau.edu

H21 Microbial Transport in Aqueous Environments
Transport and deposition of microorganisms control contaminant bioremediation and pathogen removal in aqueous subsurface environments and surface water. We seek presentations that highlight advances in theoretical, modeling, and/or experimental studies at all scales. Areas of interest are but not limited to: 1) transport and deposition behavior of bacteria, protozoans, and viruses; 2) chemotaxis; 3) biofilms in dynamic soil systems; 4) gene expression and gene transfer under dynamic conditions; and 5) predictive modeling studies for pathogen transport. We anticipate contribution in both oral and poster formats.
Conveners: Helen Nguyen, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 205 N. Mathews ave 3230 Newmark Lab , Urbana, IL 61801 USA, Tel: 217-244-6595, email: thn@uiuc.edu, and Markus Hilpert, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street Ames Hall 313, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA, Tel: (410) 516-5127, email: markus_hilpert @jhu.edu, and Prasanta Kalita, University of Illinois, Agricultural Engineering Sciences Building 332L AESB, MC-644 1304 W. Pennsylvania Avenue , urbana, IL 61801 USA, Tel: (217) 333-0945, email: pkalita@uiuc.edu

H22 Landslides, Debris Flows, and Avalanches
A wide range of landslides, debris flows, and avalanches sculpt steep terrain on Earth, under its oceans, and on other rocky planets. Such mass failures can pose tremendous hazards, yet precise prediction of their behavior remains elusive. Rapid, catastrophic slides can be triggered by intense bursts of rainfall whereas slow-moving slides may only respond to prolonged wet periods. A debris flow may lose mass and stop, or it may entrain sediment and enlarge into a more threatening flow. Under water it can transform into a turbidity current. Despite the complexity of mass movements, recent scientific advancements in numerical modeling, monitoring techniques, and field documentation have greatly enhanced our understanding of these phenomena. This session seeks contributions covering all aspects of landslide, debris-flow and avalanche research, including: - recent developments in imaging slides and detecting and monitoring slide activity, both remotely (e.g. LiDAR, multibeam bathymetry, and InSAR) or on-site (e.g. GPS), - modeling of mass-movement dynamics, including analytical and numerical studies of initiation and runout and generation of tsunamis from underwater slides, - experimental and field assessment of physical controls on slide occurrence, such as material properties, hydrologic conditions, or strong ground shaking, - case-studies of recent exceptional mass-movement events, - field or lab documentation of precursory activity, such as pre-collapse deformation, and - forecasting of failure location, timing, and inundation areas.
Conveners: Mark E. Reid, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, MS 910, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 1-650-329-4891, Fax: 1-650-329-5203, email: mreid@usgs.gov, and Brian McArdell, WSL, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, Zuercherstrasse 111, Birmensdorf, CH8903 CHE, Tel: 0041-44-739-2442, email: brian.mcardell@wsl.ch, and Richard M. Iverson, U.S. Geological Survey, 1300 SE Cardinal Court, Bldg. 10, Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98683 USA, Tel: 1-360-993-8920, email: riverson@usgs.gov, and Homa J. Lee, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, MS 999, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 1-650-329-5485, email: hjlee@usgs.gov

H23 Catchment Processes and Heterogeneity at Multiple Scales – Benchmarking Observations, Conceptualisation and Prediction
Process conceptualization is fundamentally important to both process understanding and prediction in catchment hydrology. Given the importance of heterogeneity at all scales, it requires the development of diagnostic classification tools that integrate measurement and consider factors such as topography, topology and typology to develop indices of similarity for prediction in ungauged or sparsely gauged basins. For example, transit time distributions describe how spatially distributed inputs (most often natural conservative tracers applied during precipitation) translate to an integrated output signal (composition in stream flow) making it possible to probe the internal workings of hillslopes and catchments. This session invites papers aiming to improve the understanding of process heterogeneity and approaches to conceptualise the structure, function and behaviour of catchment systems in different climatic and geomorphic provinces. This includes methodologies of (i) multi-scale catchment monitoring, (ii) encapsulating spatial scale issues, (iii) exploring the link between landscape properties and transit time distributions (looking at the influence of geological, topographic, hydraulic, pedologic and ecological properties on the transit time distribution of water in hillslopes and catchments) (iv) describing non-linearities and emergence of processes, (v) developing and establishing geographically and climatically transferable approaches of conceptualization. This session aims to assess current approaches to observe structures (form) and responses (function, behaviour) in catchments and how both evolve over time. Studies considering conceptualization approaches ranging from simple conceptual diagrams and mapping tools to increasingly complex numerical approaches in physical models are invited. Additionally, natural isotopic and geochemical tracers provide insight into the hydrological functioning of catchments and are particularly useful in upscaling studies as their dynamics in natural waters reflect the integration of process interactions at spatial and temporal scales. The session is organized as part of the scientific activities of the Theme 2 “Conceptualization of process heterogeneity” Initiative in Prediction in Ungauged Basins (PUB), International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS).
Conveners: Doerthe Tetzlaff, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, School of Geosciences, Aberdeen, GBR, email: d.tetzlaff@abdn.ac.uk, and Sean Carey, Carleton University, , Ottawa, CAN, email: sean_carey@carleton.ca, and Kevin McGuire, Plymouth State University, , , NH USA, email: kmcguire1@plymouth.edu, and Steve Lyon, Stockholm University, , Stockholm, 10691 SWE SWE, Tel: +46 (0)8 164888, email: steve.lyon@natgeo.su.se, and James P. McNamara, Boise State University, , Boise, ID USA, Tel: 208-426-1354, email: jmcnamar@boisestate.edu, and Hjalmar Laudon, Umea University, , , SWE, email: hjalmar.laudon@emg.umu.se

H24 Hydrologic Controls On Ecosystem Function
The feedbacks between surface hydrology and ecosystem function are of critical importance for both the water and nutrient cycles, yet the interactions among these concurrent processes remain poorly understood. Episodic hydrologic events such as moisture pulses, or conversely, periods of water stress, make many ecosystems particularly sensitive to hydrological change, as seasonal and inter-annual variability of plant and ecosystem function can be especially dependent on the magnitude and timing of moisture inputs. This session invites papers from the hydrological, physiological, and biogeochemical communities to bridge traditional scientific disciplines in order to further our holistic understanding of how moisture inputs propagate into eco(hydro)systems. Topics of interest include investigations of the role that topography, complex terrain and moisture inputs (e.g., rainy season, snowmelt, intermittent water table) play in the interaction between surface hydrology and the exchange of mass, energy and momentum across the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. Studies employing field-based data collection and innovative methods of analysis and modeling, and papers that consider the complications of working across a range of spatial and temporal scales are encouraged. We seek contributions that take an integrative approach to exploring coupled ecological-hydrological processes from hillslope to basin scales. This session is intended to stimulate discussion, comparison, and context of hydrologic controls on ecosystem function across moisture-controlled ecosystems.
Conveners: Diego A. Riveros-Iregui, University of Colorado-Boulder, Ramaley N122, Boulder, CO 80309 USA, email: diego.riverosiregui@myportal.montana.edu, and Holly R. Barnard, Oregon State University, 321 Richardson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, email: Holly.Barnard@oregonstate.edu, and Kelly K. Caylor, Princeton University, E-Quad C319B, Princeton, NJ USA, email: kcaylor@princeton.edu, and Ryan E. Emanuel, Appalachian State University, ASU Box 32067, Boone, NC 28608 USA, Tel: 8282622749, email: emanuelre@appstate.edu

H25 Hydrogeomorphic and Biologic Responses to Human Impacts and Mitigation Measures on Alluvial Channels
Humans have significantly altered many alluvial channels in a variety of environments. Over the past several years, various activities—such as dam removals and channel restorations—have been aimed at reversing or mitigating the effects of channel manipulations. In this session we seek contributions that examine the multifaceted consequences of efforts aimed at reconnecting or restoring alluvial channels. We encourage contributions documenting the physical and biological adjustments of channels and floodplains to human impacts at a variety of spatial and temporal scales through field investigations and numerical modeling. We especially encourage contributions that study sediment erosion and deposition induced by human impacts and mitigation measures, and contributions that include pre- and post-mitigation studies capable of testing numerical and physical modeling efforts that predict the consequences of mitigation efforts.
Conveners: Jon Major, US Geological Survey, 1300 SE Cardinal Court, Vancouver, WA 98683 USA, email: jjmajor@usgs.gov, and Jim O'Connor, US Geological Survey, , , USA, email: oconnor@usgs.gov, and Laura Keefer, Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, Champaign, IL 61820 USA, email: lkeefer@uiuc.edu, and Andrew Simon, USDA/ARS-National Sedimentation Laboratory, , Oxford, MS 38655 USA, email: andrew.simon@ars.usda.gov

H26 Quantifying Hillslope Processes and Rates of Landscape Evolution
Much recent interdisciplinary research has been devoted to resolve the interaction between tectonics, climate, and surface processes across diverse landscapes. Significant advancement in understanding these interactions is occurring by applying a variety of new tools used in quantifying rates of surface processes. This session explores how methods such as cosmogenic nuclides, apatite (U-Th)/He thermochronometry, U-series geochemistry, luminescence, and chemical mass balances quantify relationships between climate, tectonics, and erosion. It also aims to explore links to recent developments in mechanistic models of hillslope processes and their role on landscape evolution such as how sediment is being produced on hillslopes and routed into river channels and sedimentary sinks. This session includes, but is not limited to studies on: Tectonic and climatic forcing Examples: landslide triggering episodes, thresholds in hillslope transport laws and long-term evolution, vegetation and land-use effects, rock-slope debuttressing following deglaciation, permafrost decay and slope stability, infilling and evacuation of colluvial hollows, or fossilization of hillslope processes through aridification; Hillslope-channel coupling Examples: the role of debris flows in shaping zero-order basins and headwater catchments, hillslope-channel sediment routing and process feedbacks in the riparian zone, formation of inner gorges, influence of hillslope sediment input on fluvial particle-size distributions, knickpoint migration and stability; and Sediment budgets that use novel or promising techniques to quantify weathering, erosion, transport and deposition over multiple timescales.
Conveners: Arjun M. Heimsath, School of Earth and Space Exploration, ASU, Physical Sciences F-wing, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA, email: Arjun.Heimsath@asu.edu, and Oliver Korup, Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research, , Davos, CHE, email: korup@slf.ch, and Josh J. Roering, University of Oregon, , Eugene, OR USA, email: jroering@uoregon.edu

H27 Novel Approaches to Characterization and Modeling of Porous and Fractured Aquifers
Analyzing subsurface flow and transport continues to provide challenges at all stages of site assessment, from site characterization and parameter inference to predictive simulation. These challenges are particularly daunting in fractured media and in highly heterogeneous porous media, where the conceptual models and scales of field tests often differ from those of the predictive model, reducing confidence in the analysis of the problem of interest. The growing diversity of approaches to subsurface testing and modeling prompts a session on novel approaches to site characterization and the integration of the resulting data and information into models of flow and transport in fractured media or in highly heterogeneous media. This session invites presentations and posters on all aspects of site characterization and modeling in these challenging environments, including: geophysical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and tracer techniques for site characterization; upscaling, calibration, and validation of conceptual and numerical models; and the integration of evidence from multiple approaches to resolve issues of the uniqueness of interpretations. Presentations on case histories, novel characterization methods, and integration of field data and simulation will assure a lively and informative session.
Conveners: Geoffrey C. Bohling, Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas, 1930 Constant Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66047 USA, Tel: (785) 864-2093, email: geoff@kgs.ku.edu, and Walter Illman, Dept. of Earth & Env. Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 CAN, Tel: (519) 888-4567, email: willman@uwaterloo.ca, and Richard Beauheim, Sandia National Laboratories, 4100 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220 USA, Tel: 505-845-0288, email: rlbeauh@sandia.gov, and Thomas W. Doe, Golder Associates, Inc., 18300 NE Union Hill Road, Suite 200, Redmond, WA 98052 USA, Tel: (425) 883-0777, email: tdoe@golder.com, and Douglas D. Walker, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois, 2204 Griffith Dr., Champaign, IL 61820 USA, Tel: 217-333-1724, email: ddwalker@uiuc.edu

H28 Joint Inversion Methods in Hydrogeophysics
Hydrogeophysical methods for characterizing the spatiotemporal dynamics of water and chemicals in the subsurface are essential tools to address a wide range of societal issues, including the management of water and land resources, monitoring of vulnerable ecosystems, risk assessment, and remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater. Recent studies have shown that joint interpretation of geophysical and hydrological information can make inverse problems better posed, thereby leading to improved estimates of both geophysical and hydrological quantities. The theme of this session is the latest advances in integrated inversion methods and applications for geophysical and hydrological data and process knowledge fusion. We encourage contributions (but not limited to) on coupled models, Bayesian approaches, data assimilation using Kalman filtering, geostatistical regularization techniques, and multi-sensor fusion (electric resistivity tomography, ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic induction, near-surface seismic, radar remote sensing, etc.). We particularly welcome applications dealing with time-lapse analyzes for non-invasively monitoring subsurface conditions such as water content, water chemistry (e.g., salinity and redox potential), microbial activity, preferential flow pathways, and root water uptake, and for estimating the governing soil hydraulic and transport properties.
Conveners: Sebastien Lambot, Universite catholique de Louvain, , , BEL, email: sebastien.lambot@uclouvain.be, and Jasper A. Vrugt, Los Alamos National Laboratory, , , NM USA, email: vrugt@lanl.gov, and Jim Yeh, The University of Arizona, , , AZ USA, email: yeh@hwr.arizona.edu, and Jinsong Chen, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, , , CA USA, email: JChen@lbl.gov

H29 Stochastic Transport and Emergent Scaling on the Earth’s Surface
This session is intended to bring together new ideas and theories for the transport of water, sediment, pollutants, and biota on the earth’s surface acknowledging the presence of heterogeneities over a broad range of scales. Of special interest is transport on hillslopes, rivers, and channel networks and topics include: methods by which the spatial organization of channel networks can be exploited to improve environmental prediction, the effect of connectivity on transport processes, non-local transport theories to accommodate heavy-tailed distributions of velocities and/or residence times, generalized random walk constructs for sediment transport in channels and channel networks, new theories for transport on fractal trees, scale-dependence and scale-invariance in parameterization of transport laws, emergent scaling in landscape evolution models, and other theories for treating nonlinear transport and complexity in landscape evolution. Contributions from experimental and field work that challenge existing theories and/or provide data for model development as well as from participants in the 2008 GSA channel networks session are especially encouraged.
Conveners: Frank J. Pazzaglia, Lehigh University, 31 Williams , Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA, Tel: 610-758-3667, Fax: 610-758-3677, email: fjp3@lehigh.edu, and Rina Schumer, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, N V 89519 USA, Tel: 775-673-7414, Fax: 775-673-7373, email: rina@dri.edu, and Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, University of Minnesota, 2 3rd Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA, Tel: 612-626-0369, Fax: 612-6244398, email: efi@umn.edu, and David Mohrig, University of Texis at Austin, 1 University Station C1100, Austin, TX 78712 USA, Tel: 512-471-2282, Fax: 512-471-9425, email: mohrig@mail.utexas.edu

H30 Innovative Methods for Integrating Hydrological, Geophysical, and Biochemical Methods for Subsurface Characterization and Remediation
In recent decades, it has become clear that standard methods of aquifer or vadose zone characterization do not provide sufficient information to fully understand the subsurface aqueous environment. Similarly, many single-discipline characterization and remedial techniques have not been successful. Integrating techniques for characterization and remediation across disciplines is necessary to make advances in subsurface characterization and remediation. For example, accurate representation of reactive mass transport is required for predicting contaminant migration, monitoring remediation progress, calibrating flow and reactive transport models, among other applications. Geochemical variations in space or time, either natural or as a consequence of the introduction of chemicals or tracers, can cause contrasts in subsurface petrophysical properties that are detectable with geophysical methods. Geophysical responses are non-unique and correct interpretation of data requires an understanding of the geophysical properties of both the system under investigation and the target. Combining detailed hydrologic and geophysical models has the potential to improve characterization through better understanding of the geophysical response. We invite papers that examine the integration of two or more techniques to improve subsurface characterization and remediation. Topics of interest include but are not limited to approaches for integrating geophysical measurements with hydrogeochemical data, optimal combinations of geochemical and geophysical measurements, auxiliary monitoring and measurement requirements, appropriate geophysical measurements, spatial and temporal resolution of geophysical results, issues of integrating measurements of different sample support, scale and uncertainty, reduction of nonuniqueness in geophysical interpretations with chemical measurements and models, reduction of the uncertainty in geochemical interpretations using geophysical methods, implementation of petrophysical models and linking geophysical modeling with chemical and transport models.
Conveners: John H. Bradford, Boise State University, CGISS MG-206 1910 University Dr , Boise, ID 83725 USA, Tel: 208-426-3898, Fax: 208-426-3888, email: johnb@cgiss.boisestate.edu, and Lawrence Bentley, University of Calgary, Department of Geoscience , Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 CAN, Tel: 403 220-4512, email: lbentley@ucalgary.ca, and Megan M. Smith, Colorado School of Mines, , , USA, email: megsmith@mines.edu

H31 Uncertainty Analysis in Groundwater Modeling
There has been a growing awareness among hydrologists and water resources analysts of the need to quantify the uncertainty associated with outcomes produced by models. A similar awareness is growing among regulatory agencies, decision makers, stakeholders and informed segments of the general public. Sources of uncertainty recognized as being important include the underlying conceptual framework and its mathematical-numerical representation, measurement and interpretive data errors and support scales, natural variability and scale dependence, stochasticity of forcing terms, and difficulties in predicting future system operating scenarios. Current ways of assessing these uncertainties and their propagation through models include (among others) multimodel analyses within information-theoretic or Bayesian contexts, reliance on geostatistical and stochastic models, sensitivity analysis, and probabilistic risk assessment. Reduction of uncertainty is accomplished through data assimilation techniques including parameter estimation and optimal design of experimental, observational, and monitoring systems. This session is focused on the quantification and reduction of uncertainties impacting hydrologic models of processes occurring wholly or in part in the subsurface. We invite colleagues to present new ideas and methods concerning (1) sources of uncertainty impacting subsurface flow and transport models, (2) uncertainty quantification and reduction, (3) impact of uncertainty on our understanding of hydrogeologic processes, (4) communication of uncertainty related issues to decision makers and the public, (5) evaluation and comparison of available uncertainty assessment/reduction tools and techniques, (6) introduction of recent software and user interfaces, and (7) design of optimal data collection schemes in the face of uncertainty. Theoretical and numerical developments and case studies of these and related issues will be considered for oral and poster presentations.
Conveners: Ming Ye, Florida State University, School of Computational Science and Department of Geological Sciences, Tallahassee, FL 32306 USA, Tel: 850.644.4587, email: mingye@scs.fsu.edu, and Philip D. Meyer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 620 SW 5th Ave. Suite 810, Portland, OR 97204 USA, Tel: 503-417-7552, email: Philip.Meyer@pnl.gov, and Shlomo P. Neuman, University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: 520-621-7114, email: neuman@hwr.arizona.edu, and Yu-Feng Lin, Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Drive, MC-674, Champaign, IL 61820 USA, Tel: 217-333-0235, email: yflin@sws.uiuc.edu

H32 Spatial and Temporal Trends in Hydrometeorological Records as Indicators of Climate Variability and Change
Detecting climate variability and trends in hydrometeorological records is a challenge for several reasons. Precipitation varies greatly in time and space, both in intensity and frequency, and is controlled by both local and large-scale atmospheric dynamics. Precipitation estimates from gaging stations, radar, or satellites are also subject to measurement error, and the records are often incomplete. Streamflow records from gaging stations have been used in several regions of the United States to explore indicators of climate change. Streamflow records can provide integrated climate signals for a region and long-term records are of particular value. In turn, forecasts of streamflow response to climate change are important in the management of watersheds, reservoirs, water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and water-supply systems. The challenge lies in identifying the climate signal within the noise of other factors such as: diversions, reservoir controls, land use changes, groundwater interactions, and associated changes in sediment transport and channel form. Hydrometeorological data from satellites have been helpful, but the short duration and resolution of satellite products make detecting long-term variations and trends problematic. An additional challenge lies in the development of forecast models that incorporate nonstationary parameters that represent the response of precipitation and streamflow to external forcings, such as climate change and anthropogenic impacts, not captured by the historic record. This session provides a forum for discussions of novel methods to extract meaningful signals from imperfect observational data records. Topics may include (but are not limited to) identified regional climate trends, paleoclimate records of trends, forcings on regional hydrometeorological trends (irrigation, land use), streamflow metrics of climate change (such as changes in mean annual discharge, baseflow, time to freshet, etc.), parametric and non-parametric methods for analysis, nonstationary probabilistic models, teleconnections (i.e. the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and El Niño Southern Oscillation), remote sensing tools (e.g. GRACE), and climate-runoff forecast models.
Conveners: Scott Curtis, East Carolina University, Department of Geography Brewster A232, Greenville, NC 27858 USA, Tel: 252-328-2088, Fax: 252-328-6054, email: curtisw@ecu.edu, and Yang Hong, University of Oklahoma, National Weather Center 120 David L. Boren Blvd. Suite 3630, Norman, OK 73072 USA, Tel: 405-325-3644, email: yanghong@ou.edu, and John Stamm, USGS, South Dakota Water Science Center, 1608 Mountain View Road, Rapid City, SD 57702 USA, Tel: (605) 394-3222, email: jstamm@usgs.gov, and Mark T. Anderson, USGS, South Dakota Water Science Center, 1608 Mountain View Rd., Rapid City, SD 57702 USA, Tel: (605) 394-3220, email: manders@usgs.gov

H33 Earth Surface: Processes and Landscapes Posters
This is a general poster session on processes that affect the form and function of the surface of the Earth. These processes, in which physics, chemistry and biology have roles, occur over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales, and include fluvial, aeolian, and coastal sediment transport and the resulting erosion and sedimentation; hillslope mass movements; glacial and periglacial activity; weathering and pedogenesis; surface manifestations of volcanism and tectonism; and human activities that modify the surface of the Earth. We welcome contributions on field or lab experiments, field monitoring, theoretical or numerical modeling, application of surface dating techniques, and development of new methods.
Conveners: Daniel V. Malmon, Western Earth Surface Processes Team, USGS, , Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: (650) 329-4934, Fax: (650) 329-5490 (fax), email: dmalmon@usgs.gov, and Elizabeth B. Safran, Environmental Studies Program, Lewis & Clark College, , Portland, OR 97219 USA, Tel: (503) 768-7690, Fax: (503) 76807369, email: safran@lclark.edu, and Daniel M. Hanes, Pacific Science Center, USGS, 400 Natural Bridges Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA, Tel: (831) 427-4718, Fax: (831) 427-4748, email: dhanes@usgs.gov, and Thanos Papanicolaou, Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Iowa, 323B C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA, Tel: (319) 335-6448, email: apapanic@engineering.uiowa.edu

H34 Flow and Transport in Complex Porous Media
Porous media are encountered in many man-made as well as natural systems. Many industrial processes involve porous media flows. Some examples are processes in fuel cells, paper pulp drying, food production and safety, filtration, concrete, ceramics, moisture absorbents, textiles, paint drying, polymer composites, and detergent tablets. The most well-known natural porous media involving multiphase flow and transport are soils, aquifers, and reservoirs. But, such processes also occur in biological tissues and plants. Recently, there has been growing interest in biomechanics of porous tissues, engineering tissues, and in-tissue drug delivery. The common practice in modelling flow and transport in biological and industrial complex porous media has been to employ the concepts, models, and algorithms developed in geosciences. However, biological and industrial porous media have different characteristics and flow and transport processes occur in completely different regimes. Challenges include fast (non-equilibrium) flow, wettability changes, fast reactions, large deformations, a very wide range of porosity values (1 to 90%), and highly complex structures of the porous material. This session is meant to bring together researchers dealing with flow and transport in classical and complex porous media and to provide an interdisciplinary platform both for transferring knowledge from geosciences to complex porous media and to highlight and exchange ideas about new challenges.
Conveners: Majid Hassanizadeh, Utrecht University, Department of Earth Sciences Faculty of Geosciences Utrecht University P.O. Box 80021, Utrecht, 3508 TA NLD, Tel: +31 (0)30 2537464, Fax: +31 (0)30 2534900, email: hassanizadeh@geo.uu.nl, and Jennifer Niessner, University of Stuttgart, Department of Hydomechanics and Modeling of Hydrosystems Institute of Hydraulic Engineering University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, 70550 DEU, Tel: +49 (0)711 68567015, Fax: +49 (0)711 68560430, email: jennifer.niessner@iws.uni-stuttgart.de, and Rainer Helmig, University of Stuttgart, Department of Hydomechanics and Modeling of Hydrosystems Institute of Hydraulic Engineering University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, 70550 DEU, Tel: +49 (0)711 68564741, Fax: +49 (0)711 68560430, email: rainer.helmig@iws.uni-stuttgart.de

H35 Feedbacks Between Ecological, Geomorphic, and Hydrologic Systems Across Multiple Scales
Feedback is a stimulus-response process, whereby the response affects the original stimulus. Positive feedback is a signal amplification process in which the system responds to perturbation in the same direction as the perturbation. In contrast, negative feedback is a signal attenuation process in which the system responds in the opposite direction as the perturbation. Whereas positive feedback often causes system instability, negative feedback tends to result in system stability. Both types of feedback are present in nature and lead to nonlinear behavior that make understanding and/or predicting system response to change highly challenging. In this session, we are interested in physical-biological feedbacks that govern the form and function of fluvial, estuarine and wetland landscapes across different spatial and temporal scales. In particular, those biological and physical feedbacks which involve geomorphic processes are of interest. How do the existences of feedbacks affect trajectories of ecosystem evolution and the reversibility of those trajectories? How do flora and fauna alter boundary roughness, in-turn altering hydraulics, changing scour and depositional processes and influence the suitability of habitat for the same flora and fauna? What sort of feedbacks exist which influence habitat heterogeneity and biodiversity? How universal or transferable are the feedback processes governing different ecosystems? How should restoration projects account for such feedbacks? The aim of this session is to bring together contrasting perspectives on biological and physical feedbacks in fluvial and estuarine landscapes. It is expected these perspectives will be drawn from the overlapping and variably defined fields of ecohydraulics, hydroecology, ecohydrology, ecomorphology, biogeochemistry and biogeography, as well as the more traditional perspectives from geomorphology, hydrology, ecology and biology. Contributions are welcome from theoretical, empirical, modeling and/or applied (e.g. restoration) studies that seek to demonstrate, identify or explain examples of feedbacks between the triad of ecology, geomorphology and hydrology.
Conveners: Joe Wheaton, Aberystwyth University, Institute of Geography & Earth Sciences Aberystwyth University Llandinam Building, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB GBR, Tel: 44 1970 622646, email: joe.wheaton@aber.ac.uk, and Chris Gibbins, University of Aberdeen, Geography & Environment School of Geosciences University of Aberdeen Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen, AB24 3UF GBR, email: c.gibbins@abdn.ac.uk, and Laurel Larsen, USGS, 430 National Center, Reston, VA 20192 USA, Tel: (303) 735-0404, email: Laurel.Griggs@colorado.edu, and Ellen Wohl, Colorado State University, Department of Geosciences, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1482 USA, Tel: 970-491-5298, email: ellenw@cnr.colostate.edu, and Thanos Papanicolaou, The Univeristy of Iowa, IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering, Iowa City, IA 52242-1585 USA, Tel: 319-335-6448, email: apapanic@engineering.uiowa.edu

H36 Multi-Scale Unsaturated Zone Flow and Contaminant Transport Processes
Unsaturated zone (UZ) hydrologic and contaminant processes are measured and modeled across multiple scales from laboratory to remote sensing. Although significant advances have been made in the areas of modeling and measurement techniques at various scales, we are often at a loss with respect to connecting between those scales because measured data frequently does not represent the scale inherent to the models themselves. Frequently, this necessitates "upscaling" when data measured at a smaller scale (pore to continuum to field) are used to define a larger scale and also, "downscaling" (watershed to remote sensing to subgrid and associated spatial variability), when large-scale data is used to define smaller scale/distributed properties. This session will address this lack of understanding by focusing on multi-scale processes and investigations of UZ flow and transport with suggested contributions from theoretical and applied research of upscaling/downscaling of UZ processes and parameters such as UZ flow, profile moisture dynamics, solute and gas transport, biogeochemical cycling, multi-phase flow, and soil-water-plant-atmosphere interactions. We are particularly interested in physical/theoretical experiments, noninvasive measurement techniques, and hi-resolution numerical modeling at multiple scales.
Conveners: Binayak Prasad Mohanty, Texas A&M University, 2117 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843 USA, Tel: 979-458-4421, email: bmohanty@tamu.edu, and Jianting Zhu, Desert Research Institute, 755 E. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89119 USA, Tel: 702-862-5416, email: jianting.zhu@dri.edu, and James A. Tindall, U.S. Geological Survey, PO Box 25046, MS 413 Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0046 USA, Tel: 303.236.5005, Fax: 303.236.5034, email: jtindall@usgs.gov, and Michael J. Friedel, U.S. Geological Survey, PO Box 25046, MS 964 Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0046 USA, Tel: 303.236.7790, Fax: 303.236.1425, email: mfriedel@usgs.gov

H37 Remote Sensing and Modeling of Land Surface Hydrological Processes
This session seeks contributions from the research, operational, and user communities that address various applications of remote sensing (RS) observations for development, improvement, validation, and use of hydrological models. Recent studies have demonstrated that combination of RS observations with land surface modeling, through initialization, parameterization, and data assimilation, can provide significant improvement in representation of hydrological processes. The goal of this session is to host a dialogue among the three communities, particularly between those involved in development of operational RS algorithms for retrieving hydrological variables and those involved in the use of RS observations in land surface models. Of particular interest are ongoing investigations that have developed models or have implemented applications in which RS observations are utilized, either as inputs (e.g. radiative energy fluxes, soil moisture, precipitation, discharge, evapotranspiration, snow depth, and snow water equivalent), or as parameters (e.g. land use/cover, vegetation fraction/water content, emissivity, and albedo). Contributions are also encouraged that address quantification of uncertainties in hydrological products due to errors in temporal sampling, sensor, and algorithm, magnitudes of which depend on the hydrological variable(s), sensor, and spatio-temporal scale of interest.
Conveners: Michael H. Cosh, USDA-ARS-HRSL, , , USA, email: Michael.Cosh@ars.usda.gov, and Jasmeet Judge, University of Florida, , , USA, email: jasmeet@ufl.edu, and Yang Hong, University of Oklahoma, School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Norman, OK USA, email: yanghong@ou.edu, and Craig Ferguson, Princeton University, Deparment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton, NJ USA, email: cferguso@princeton.edu, and Qiuhong Tang, University of Washington, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Box 352700, Seattle, WA 98195 USA, Tel: 206-685-3202, email: qiuhong@hydro.washington.edu

H38 Tracer and Timescale Methods for Understanding Complex Fluid Flows
Understanding advective-diffusive transport of trace constituents in natural fluid flows is an important challenge in Earth and environmental sciences with many diverse applications. An important approach that is becoming increasingly popular involves real or hypothetical tracers to tag fluid and estimate associated timescales such as age, residence time, and transit time. These timescales lead to very useful diagnostics that are increasingly applied in interdisciplinary environmental studies. This session welcomes papers presenting model studies, theoretical developments, field measurements or numerical methods on this topic. The diagnoses may concern air, water, passive/inert tracers, biogeochemical variables, or sediment particles. The scientific focus can be on the ocean (including estuaries and shallow seas), the atmosphere, lakes, groundwater, the vadose zone, or similar geophysical fluids.
Conveners: Thomas Haine, Johns Hopkins University, 329 Olin Hall, 3400 N. Charles St. , Baltimore, MD 21218 USA, Tel: 410 516 7048, email: Thomas.Haine@jhu.edu, and Eric Deleersnijder, Université Catholique de Louvain, , , BEL, email: ericd@uclouvain.be, and Fabien Cornaton, Université de Neuchâtel, , , CHE, email: fabien.cornaton@unine.ch, and Marnik Vanclooster, Université Catholique de Louvain, , , BEL, email: marnik.vanclooster@uclouvain.be, and Darryn Waugh, Johns Hopkins University, , , USA, email: waugh@jhu.edu

H39 Soil Moisture and Freeze/Thaw Science, Algorithms and Applications for the SMAP Mission
The Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) mission is one of four first-tier missions recommended by the U.S. National Research Council Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space in 2007. SMAP was selected by NASA as a directed mission in FY 2008, and is scheduled for launch in early 2013. The SMAP observatory is designed to make simultaneous active (radar) and passive (radiometer) measurements in the1.2-1.4 GHz range (L-band) from a sun-synchronous low-earth orbit. Measurements will be obtained across a wide swath (1000 km) using conical scanning at a constant incidence angle (40°). The radar resolution varies from 1-3 km over the outer 70% of the swath to about 30 km near the center of the swath. The radiometer resolution is 40 km across the entire swath. The SMAP mission will provide soil moisture data products at hydrometeorology (10 km) and hydroclimatology (40 km) scales with 3-day global revisit using combined information from both the radiometer and the radar measurements. Soil-vegetation freeze/thaw products in boreal latitudes will be provided at 3 km resolution with 1-2 day revisit. SMAP builds on concept development and risk-reduction studies carried out for the earlier Hydros ESSP mission. The primary science objectives of SMAP are to enhance understanding of land surface controls on the water, energy and carbon cycles, and to determine their linkages. This session will include contributions on SMAP science, retrieval algorithms, operational applications, and other topics related to the SMAP mission.
Conveners: Dara Entekhabi, MIT, 48-216G MIT, Cambridge, MA 02141 USA, email: darae@mit.edu, and Eni Njoku, Jet propulsion Laboratory, M/S 300-233, Jet Propulsion Laboratory 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, email: eni.g.njoku@jpl.nasa.gov, and Peggy O'Neill, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 614.3, Bldg 33, Rm. A312 NASA / GSFC Greenbelt, MD, GGreenbelt, MD 20771 USA, email: Peggy.E.ONeill@nasa.gov, and Jared Entin, NASA Headqaurters, , Washington, DC USA, email: jared.k.entin@nasa.gov

H40 Advanced Methods of Groundwater Resources Assessment Under the Pressures of Aridity, Humanity and Climate Change
Groundwater is an essential part of the hydrologic cycle and a valuable natural resource. More than 1.5 billion people worldwide rely on groundwater for their primary source of drinking water. In particular, most semi-arid and arid regions in the world are affected by an exponential population growth and increasingly face water shortage and degradation of water quality. Beneath the physiological need groundwater also is important for sustaining agriculture, industrial uses, streams, lakes, wetlands, and ecosystems. However, global groundwater resources are threatened by human activities such as land degradation, salinization of groundwater and the uncertain consequences of climate change. Even small changes in semi-arid and arid hydrological systems have important effects on water availability. In such areas with an increasing water demand, developing of advanced techniques to balance available (natural) water budgets and to predict the evolution of water quality is crucial. Moreover, the recent paradigm in groundwater-resources research has been a focus on the effects of direct human activities, such as groundwater mining and contamination. Less is known about the processes of natural groundwater recharge and effective methods of artificial recharge in semi-arid to arid regions and how groundwater will respond to coupled human activities and climate change. To addresses this urgent research need and concern, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Hydrological Programme (IHP) initiated the program Groundwater Resources Assessment under the Pressures of Humanity and Climate Change (GRAPHIC). GRAPHIC serves the global community by providing a platform for exchange of information, thematic working groups, scientific research, and communication. Toward that goal, this session invites a wide range of international researchers with the common vision of using research, collaboration, and education to reach sustainable groundwater resources under projected climate change and linked human effects. In particular, we solicit presentations about innovative research on the effects of groundwater quantity and quality, including real-time characterization of groundwater recharge; interdependencies of processes; geochemical and paleo-indicators of change; optimization of data acquisition in regions of low infrastructure, including remote monitoring and prediction using geophysical, remote sensing, and information systems methods; simulation and modeling approaches and issues; management approaches, including methods of artificial recharge such as rain harvesting,
 infiltration of stormwater/flash floods and treated wastewater; and policy implications and feedbacks related to adaptation strategies.
Conveners: Makoto Taniguchi, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, , , JPN, email: makoto@chikyu.ac.jp, and Stefan Geyer, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Theodor Lieser Str. 4, Halle, 06120 DEU, Tel: +49-3455585217, Fax: +49-3455585559, email: stefan.geyer@ufz.de, and Jason Gurdak, U.S. Geological Survey, , , USA, email: jjgurdak@usgs.gov, and Christian Siebert, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Theodor Lieser Str. 4, Halle, 06120 DEU, Tel: +493455585211, Fax: +493455585559, email: christian.siebert@ufz.de

H41 Physical, Chemical, and Biological Processes Controlling NAPL Source Zone Remediation
It is essential to gain a better understanding of the nature, mass-transfer dynamics, and mass-discharge behavior of contaminant source zones in order to accurately assess the risks posed to human health and to design effective remediation systems. Assessment of remediation technology performance in nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) source zones requires clearly defined objectives and metrics. Porous-medium and contaminant heterogeneity in the subsurface can greatly affect site remediation since mass-transfer and displacement processes can be limited by the hydraulic accessibility of the source zone. Recent research that suggests framing cleanup objectives in terms of reducing mass discharge may incorporate the benefits of partial mass removal. The link between mass removal and reduction in mass discharge, however, depends on NAPL architecture and how it is influenced by specific remediation technologies. This session will focus on mechanistic and phenomenological descriptions of physical, chemical, and biological processes controlling the remediation of NAPL source zones. Submissions are invited that explore the interaction of these processes with key subsurface properties (e.g., heterogeneity, ground water chemistry, multiphase fluid properties, microbial activity, etc.) as investigated through experiments at a variety of scales and/or analytical and numerical modeling. Submissions exploring the processes underlying relatively new remediation strategies and/or offering advantages via novel manipulation of properties/systems are encouraged. Related studies exploring the influence of remediation technologies on source-zone architecture, mass reduction, and mass discharge are also encouraged.
Conveners: Jason Gerhard, University of Western Ontario, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering The University of Western Ontario Spencer Engineering Building, Rm. 3029 , London, ON N6A 5B9 CAN, Tel: 519-661-4154, Fax: 519-551-3942, email: jgerhard@eng.uwo.ca, and Andrew Ramsburg, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue 113 Anderson Hall, Medford, MA 02155 USA, Tel: 617-627-3211, Fax: 617-627-3994, email: andrew.ramsburg@tufts.edu, and Russ Detwiler, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Atmospheric, Earth and Energy Division 7000 East Ave, L-201 , Livermore, CA 94551 USA, Tel: (925) 422-6229, email: detwiler1@llnl.gov, and Kenneth C. Carroll, The University of Arizona, Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences, Room 429 Shantz Bjuilding #38, PO Box 210038, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038 USA, Tel: 520.626.4191, Fax: 520.626.6782, email: kcc@hwr.arizona.edu, and Erica DiFilippo, The University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, Harshbarger Building #11, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038 USA, Tel: 520.626.4191, Fax: 520.626.6782, email: edifilip@hwr.arizona.edu, and Geoffrey R. Tick, University of Alabama, Department of Geological Sciences 202 Bevill Building, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0338 USA, Tel: 205.348.4293, Fax: 205.348.0818, email: gtick@geo.ua.edu

H42 Adaptation and Mitigation Under Climate Change and Uncertainty
Climate change produces variability, non-stationary mean states, and extremes in climatic and hydrologic processes, which require adaptive management and longer-term mitigation responses. Climatic processes such as the North American monsoon and East Pacific cyclones are important hydrologic drivers that influence the spatial and temporal availability of surface- and groundwater, with direct societal impacts. Social processes of urban growth, agricultural intensification, and industrialization occur often with inadequate management and policy attention to water availability, drought, and human dimensions of climate change. This session invites presentations to address: adaptation of water resources design and management to changing historical conditions, gaps in knowledge to support adaptive management and mitigation strategies applied to regional examples, social science studies of vulnerabilities and adaptive capacity, and the potential long-term forecasting offers for adaptive management.
Conveners: Christopher A. Scott, University of Arizona, Dept. Geography and Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, 803 E. 1st St., Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520-626-4393, Fax: 520-626-3664, email: cascott@email.arizona.edu, and Andrea Ray, NOAA Earth Systems Research Laboratory, 325 Broadway, NOAA Mail Code R/PSD1, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, email: andrea.ray@noaa.gov, and Eric Wood, Princeton University, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princton, NJ 08540 USA, email: efwood@princeton.edu, and Ronald Stewart, McGill University, , Montreal, CAN, email: ronald.stewart@mcgill.ca, and Peter J. van Oevelen, International GEWEX Project Office, Suite 1550, 8403 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910-6374 USA, Tel: 240-485-1855, Fax: 240-485-1818, email: gewex@gewex.org

H43 Multiscale Science of Geologic CO2 Sequestration
Geologic sequestration of CO2 is a promising technology currently being explored to mitigate anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Large-scale CO2 injection in geologic reservoirs will result in a system far from equilibrium leading to coupled physical and chemical interactions among CO2, resident fluids and geological reservoirs. Additionally, there is potential for leakage from the reservoirs. All aspects of these complex processes have to be understood and characterized at multiple scales, from micro- to macro-scale, in order to effectively predict long-term fate of large-scale geologic CO2 sequestration. Techniques will need to be developed to detect and monitor any escaped CO2. We seek presentations from all disciplines that highlight recent advances in the science of geologic carbon sequestration. Presentation topics include, but are not limited to, experimental studies of multi-phase fluid (CO2+H2O±SO2±H2S)-rock reactivity under sequestration conditions, characterization of potential sequestration formations, coupled process modeling across multiple length scales, experimental studies of relevant multi-phase flow, and detection or characterization of potential CO2 leakage into accessible environments.
Conveners: Alexis Navarre-Sitchler, University of Wyoming, , , USA, email: aksitchler@gmail.com, and John Kaszuba, University of Wyoming, , , USA, email: jkaszuba@lanl.gov, and Geoff Thyne, Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute, University of Wyoming, , , USA, email: gthyne@uwyo.edu, and Rajesh Pawar, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS T003, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA, Tel: 505-665-6929, Fax: 505-665-8737, email: rajesh@lanl.gov, and Jens Birkholzer, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, MS 90R1116, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 510-486-7134, Fax: 510-486-5686, email: JTBirkholzer@lbl.gov, and David DiCarlo, The University of Texas at Austin, Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, 1 University Station C0300, Austin, TX 78712 USA, Tel: 512-471-1283, Fax: 512-471-9605, email: dicarlo@mail.utexas.edu

H44 Recent Advances in Hydrologic Ensemble Prediction
This special session seeks contributions from the research, operational and user communities on recent advances in the science and practice of hydrologic ensemble prediction at all space-time scales. We seek contributions that address the quantification of uncertainty in hydrologic contexts such as the monitoring and prediction of soil moisture (including drought), flash flooding and river flow, water resources and/or other water-related variables or conditions. In particular we aim to focus this session on the understanding, characterization, quantification, modeling, and reduction of hydrologic uncertainties (constitutive or integrated, natural or man-made) toward improving end-to-end hydrologic ensemble forecasting from weather to climate scales. The specific areas of contributions being sought are (but not limited to): bias correction and downscaling of forcing ensembles; reduction of and accounting for parametric uncertainty in hydrologic, hydraulic, reservoir and water resources models; accounting for and reduction of initial condition uncertainty in these models through data assimilation and other techniques; post processing (statistical or otherwise) of streamflow and soil moisture ensembles for improved reliability across a range of space-time scales of aggregation; understanding and accounting for structural uncertainty in models; multi-model ensemble techniques; and modeling and accounting for flow regulation in the ensemble framework.
Conveners: Yuqiong Liu, NOAA/NWS/OHD/Hydrology Laboratory & RTi, , , USA, email: yuqiong.liu@noaa.gov, and Hoshin Vijai Gupta, The University of Arizona, , , USA, email: hoshin.gupta@sahra.arizona.edu, and Terri S. Hogue, University of California - Los Angeles, , , USA, email: thogue@seas.ucla.edu

H45 Modeling and Measurements of Root Water Uptake
In this special section we seek original contributions that advance theory and modeling of root-soil interactions, as determined by a wide number of environmental variables, including atmospheric forcing, moisture, nutrient and other stresses, and that include root water and nutrient uptake processes. We especially seek examples across a wide range of spatial scales, including the global scale, advances in numerical approaches that couple flow and transport in the presence of roots, and that include experimental data.
Conveners: Jan W. Hopmans, University of California Davis, 123 Veihmeyer Hall, Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: 530-752-3060, Fax: 530-752-5262, email: jwhopmans@ucdavis.edu, and Shmuel Assouline, ARO Volcani Center, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan, 50250 ISR, Tel: 972-3-9683432, email: vwshmuel@volcani.agri.gov.il, and Jirka Simunek, University of California Riverside, 2320 Geology, Riverside, CA 92521 USA, email: jiri.simunek@ucr.edu

H46 Who Knows How the River Flows? Understanding Sediment Movement Through Fluvial Networks
Understanding sediment flux through river networks is crucial for understanding the effects of land use change, dam removal, and mitigation of sediment pollution. Sediment dynamics are equally fundamental to development of theoretical models of landscape evolution, paleogeography, sedimentary basin filling, and climate-sediment feedbacks on all timescales. Our ability to identify sources of sediment, and to track sediment pathways and evolution of grain size distributions during transport, is critical. This session focuses on methods and applications for tracking sediment fluxes in both modern and ancient systems, determining sediment sources and modeling sediment routing. We welcome all theoretical and applied studies focused on sediment budgets, sediment provenance fingerprinting, grain-size dynamics, and channel-floodplain exchange. This session could highlight, among the many recent, exciting developments in this field, new theory for in-channel grain size evolution; the role of sediment in bedrock incision; new remote sensing techniques and applications of geochemical tracers; and the application of large isotopic datasets to analysis of regional sediment transport and provenance in both modern and ancient systems. Our goal is to bring together isotope geochemists, geochronologists, theoretical modelers, field geomorphologists, stream restoration practitioners, and others to share observations and results and discuss the state of the science for tracking fluvial sediments through river networks.
Conveners: Russell W. Mapes, University of North Carolina, Department of Geological Sciences CB #3315, Mitchell Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3315 USA, email: mapes@email.unc.edu, and Drew S. Coleman, University of North Carolina, Department of Geological Sciences 325 Mitchell Hall, CB#3315, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3315 USA, email: dcoleman@email.unc.edu, and Ronadh Cox, Williams College, Department of Geosciences 947 Main St. , Williamstown, MA 01267 USA, Tel: 413 597 2297, email: rcox@williams.edu, and Patrick Belmont, University of Minnesota, National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics, 2 Third Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55414 USA, Tel: 610-462-7029, email: belmont@umn.edu, and Matt O'Connor, O''''Connor Environmental, Inc., P.O. Box 794, Healdsburg, CA 95448 USA, email: matto@oe-i.com, and Leonard Sklar, San Francisco State University, , San Francisco, CA USA, email: leonard@sfsu.edu

H47 Spatio-temporal Patterns of Hydrological Processes in Forest Ecosystems
Many hydrological processes and parameters show a high spatio-temporal variability in forest ecosystems, which derives from the interactions between plants and their environment. During the passage of water through a forest, spatial patterns of varying and scale-dependent heterogeneity emerge; examples are the rainfall redistribution in the forest canopy, preferential flow in biogenic macropores, and soil moisture induced nutrient distributions. These spatial patterns themselves may vary in time depending on temporal patterns of rainfall characteristics. We seek contributions that focus on the quantification of deterministic and stochastic variation of hydrological processes in forest ecosystems in both space and time. These processes may include, but are not limited to, canopy storage, throughfall, infiltration, soil water movement, runoff generation, and evapotranspiration at different scales. Contributions that cross disciplines and provide new insights regarding implications of the observed variation for ecological processes and/or modeling applications are of particular interest. We also welcome comparisons among forest ecosystems with respect to spatial-temporal processes and studies that focus on the application of new methods in space-time analysis.
Conveners: Beate Zimmermann, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Roosvelt Ave. Tupper Building – 401 Balboa, Ancón, Panamá, PAN, Tel: +507 2128295, email: ZimmermannB@si.edu, and Helmut Elsenbeer, University of Potsdam, Institute of Geoecology, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, Potsdam, 14476 DEU, Tel: +493319772666, email: helsenb@uni-potsdam.de

H48 Geomorphology from Earth Orbit: New Techniques and Perspectives
The era of high spatial and spectral resolution orbital imaging at wavelengths from visible through thermal infrared to microwave, detailed stereophotogrammetric, radar, and lidar modeling of land surface topography, and relatively frequent temporal sampling is upon us. Now, earth orbital missions routinely allow detailed physical and chemical characterization of the earth’s surface at 10-100m scales, or better (e.g., ASTER, SRTM, EO-1, Radarsat, ICESAT, and others). In this session, we invite contributors to discuss how they employ such techniques to monitor and study the dynamics and history of earth surface processes, land use, and societal vulnerabilities at a variety of scales, and especially how remote sensing synergistically complements in situ field observations. This session intends to highlight the use of data and techniques in areas such as volcanology, glacial and periglacial processes, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology, mass wasting, coastal studies, eolian studies, and geomorphology related to climate change.
Conveners: David Pieri, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Caltech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory MS 183-501 4800 Oak Grove Drive , Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 USA, Tel: (818) 354-6299, Fax: (818)354-5148, email: dave.pieri@jpl.nasa.gov, and Michael Ramsey, University of Pittsburgh, Dept. of Geology & Planetary Science University of Pittsburgh 200 SRCC Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15260-3332 USA, Tel: (412) 624-8772, Fax: (412) 624-3914, email: ramsey@ivis.eps.pitt.edu, and Jeffrey Kargel, The University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology and Water Resources The University of Arizona PO Box 210011 Harshbarger Building, Tucson, AZ 85721-0011 USA, Tel: (928) 556-7034, Fax: (928) 556-7014, email: kargel@hwr.arizona.edu, and Alan Gillespie, University of Washington, University of Washington Earth and Space Sciences, Campus Box 351310, Seattle, WA 98195-1310 USA, Tel: (206) 685-8265, Fax: (206) 685-2379, email: alan@rad.ess.washington.edu

H49 Large-Scale Hydrologic-Atmospheric-Remote Sensing Field Experiments: Past, Present and Future
Over the past several decades a number of large-scale hydrologic-atmospheric-remote sensing field experiments have taken place world-wide. These experiments are aimed at improved parameterization of hydrologic and atmospheric processes, as well as improved retrieval and interpretation of remote sensing data. The study areas selected are often in ecosystems important to the Earth’s atmospheric circulation system and climate. Typically, these experiments focus on investigating a particular hydrometeorological process or state, such as precipitation fields, soil moisture distribution at various scales, cloud development, land-atmosphere interactions and boundary layer dynamics. Examples include FIFE, HAPEX-MOBILHY, Monsoon, HAPEX-Sahel, BOREAS, LAMBADA, SALSA, SMEX, NOPEX, CLAIRE, IHOP, CLASIC, and many others. This session presents a forum for discussion of the results of these projects as well as an opportunity to preview large-scale projects currently in the planning stage. Research results from many of these field experiments are still being reported 20 years after the actual field campaign (e.g., FIFE 1987), indicating the real value and impact the data from these projects have on the science. Participants from the international community who have contributed to these projects will have an opportunity to share their experiences with those planning future projects.
Conveners: Richard Cuenca, National Science Foundation, Division of Earth Sciences Hydrologic Sciences 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Rm. 785, Arlington, VA 22230 USA, Tel: 703-292-8549, email: rcuenca@nsf.gov, and Bill Kustas, USDA - Agricultural Research Service, 10300 Baltimore Ave. Bldg 007 BARC-West, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350 USA, Tel: 301-504-8498, email: Bill.Kustas@ARS.USDA.GOV

H50 The Rainfall Phenomenon and its Mathematical Representation
Despite its drop like (discrete) nature, the description of the rainfall phenomenon has been predominantly continuous: e.g., the most common type of rainfall data is a sequence of fluxes in a given interval of time. Much of the rainfall literature is dedicated to the study of "flux" like properties such as rain duration, rain intensity or, to the problem of scaling of the flux over time and/or space. Very few are the works dedicated to investigate the rainfall phenomenon in terms of its drop like properties: inter drop time intervals and drop diameters. However, the flux through a given area in a given interval of time is the results of an integration of the time series of inter drop time intervals and drop diameters. Thus, the properties of "flux" quantities are connected to the properties of the "drop" quantities. Yet no work is dedicated to explore this connection. All contributions dedicated to the parameterization of the rainfall phenomenon are welcome (whether they use "flux" or "drop" like quantities). However we hope for contributions exploring the connection between the "flux" and the "drop" vision of the phenomenon.
Conveners: Massimiliano Ignaccolo, FEL Lab., Physics Dept., Duke University, , Durham, NC USA, Tel: +1 919 6602643, email: mi8@phy.duke.edu, and Carlo De Michele, DIIAR, Politecnico di Milano, , Milano, ITA, Tel: +39 02 23996233, email: cdemiche@polimi.it

H51 Natural and Experimental Depositional Landscapes and Stratigraphic Architecture: Bridging the Gap Between the Surface and Subsurface
This session aims to characterize net-depositional landscapes from natural systems and numerical/physical experiments in an effort to link surface form and process with the depositional record. Given the wide array of remote sensing techniques and available data sets, such as 3D seismic-reflection surveys, a primary objective is to discuss landscape evolution in both a forward and inverse sense. Forward-based research will focus on landscape geometry and kinematics with special emphasis on the linkages between the channel network structure, channel migration, and sediment routing, which are critical components for predicting the spatial distribution of deposition and erosion. Inverse-based research will focus on extracting time-integrated landscape evolution via the preserved depositional record (from subsurface and/or outcrop). Our hope is that overlap between forward and inverse methods, when layered on the broad range of spatial and temporal scales comprising the session, will provide a first step towards linking surface evolution under net-depositional conditions with patterns observed in the stratigraphic record.
Conveners: Brian W. Romans, Chevron Energy Technology Company, 6001 Bollinger Canyon Rd., San Ramon, CA 94583 USA, Tel: 925-842-0379, email: brian.romans@chevron.com, and John Martin, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, , Houston, TX USA, Tel: 713-431-7702, email: john.m.martin@exxonmobil.com

H52 Precipitation Extremes and Their Economical Impacts
Extreme precipitation events, such as floods or flash-flood related hazards, can cause significant losses to human life and property. In order to reduce the losses resulting from these catastrophes, it is imperative to understand (1) the processes driving these extremes; (2) their teleconnection with atmospheric circulation patterns, such as those caused by ENSO; (3) variability in intensity, duration and frequency in the future using statistical distributions; and (4) trends in intensity, duration and frequency of extremes in a climate change environment. The economic impacts of these extremes are huge in developing nations because of exposure growth in high risk areas and because most of the properties are uninsured. In developed nations, precipitation extremes may severely impact the financial well being of companies in the insurance and reinsurance sectors, besides direct impact on critical infrastructural and key resources or on human lives. A better understanding of extremes combined with catastrophic risk modeling may help decision makers, disaster management agencies, and financial companies to assess, prepare for, and manage risks associated with catastrophic extremes. The goal of this session is to highlight the multidisciplinary aspect of research related to precipitation extremes and bring researchers from different fields, such as hydrology, meteorology, climate, statistics, and risk modeling, on a common platform for understanding extremes and risks associated with them. This session invites all research papers related to (1) understanding the relationships between hydrological processes and extremes; (2) teleconnection between extremes and atmospheric circulation patterns, such as those caused by ENSO; (3) future variability in intensity, duration, frequency using statistical distribution; (4) dependence among extremes using copulas; (5) trends in intensity, duration, and frequency under climate change environment; and (6) modeling economic risks associated with extremes.
Conveners: Shiraj Khan, AIR Worldwide Corporation, 131 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116 USA, Tel: 617-954-1975, email: skhan@air-worldwide.com, and Auroop Ganguly, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Computational Sciences and Engineering, 8611 Dalemere Drive, Knoxville, TN 37923 USA, Tel: 865-241-1305, email: gangulyar@ornl.gov, and Randall Gentry, University of Tennessee, Civil & Environmental Engineering, 311 Conference Center Bldg., Knoxville, TN 37996 USA, Tel: 865-974-1843, email: rgentry@utk.edu

H53 Environmental Vadose Zone Hydrology
The vadose zone serves many important environmental roles. It is an important link as well as a buffer between the land surface-atmosphere and groundwater. Poster presentations are invited on a broad range of topics in environmental vadose zone hydrology, including field investigations, laboratory studies, and modeling analyses. Topics may include unsaturated and multiphase flow and transport processes, plant-soil interactions, evaluation and modeling of heterogeneous systems, assessment of prediction uncertainty, biogeochemical and colloidal matter processes, measurement techniques, and monitoring of vadose zone systems.
Conveners: Michael Young, Desert Research Institute, Div. of Hydrologic Sciences 755 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119 USA, Tel: 702-862-5489, email: michael.young@dri.edu, and Karletta Chief, Desert Research Institute, Div. of Hydrologic Sciences 755 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119 USA, Tel: 702-862-5383, email: karletta.chief@dri.edu

H54 Quantifying Pore-Scale Processes in the Subsurface
Physical, chemical and biological processes in the vadose zone or multiphase flows are controlled fundamentally by pore-scale mechanisms that are often represented in continuum models by poorly constrained constitutive relationships. Recent developments in both experimental and computational techniques are leading to new quantitative insights into the interaction of pore-scale processes. We invite submissions describing pore-scale experimental and computational studies of physical, chemical and/or biological processes. We are particularly interested in efforts to relate improved understanding of pore-scale processes to constrain constitutive relationships that are applied at the continuum scale.
Conveners: Mark L. Porter, Oregon State University, 102 Gleeson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-517-2761, email: porterma@engr.orst.edu, and Russ Detwiler, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, , , USA, email: detwiler1@llnl.gov

H55 Rare Earth Elements (REE) as Tracers in Hydrologic and Biogeochemical Studies
Rare earth elements (REE, i.e., from lanthanum to lutetium) are useful environmental tracers. Their concentrations can illuminate source origins of water, minerals, and plants as well as improve our understanding of environmental processes. Some rare earth elements are intentionally introduced into the environment by human activities; in particular, gadolinium can indicate patterns of effluent influence in riverine ecosystems since its main source is from magnetic resonance imaging for medical purposes. This tracer capacity of gadolinium can apply in either surface or groundwater studies, for example, to document infiltration or clogging, to establish the extent of hyporheic zones, or to monitor dependence of terrestrial riparian ecosystems on effluent. This session will cover any and all uses of anthropogenic gadolinium and other REEs as tracers in hydrologic and biogeochemical research.
Conveners: Paul R. Sheppard, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona, 105 W. Stadium, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: (520) 621-6474, Fax: (520) 621-8229, email: sheppard@ltrr.arizona.edu, and Thomas Meixner, Department of Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, 202 Harshbarger, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: (520) 626-1532, Fax: (520) 621-1422, email: tmeixner@hwr.arizona.edu

H56 Water Quality of Hydrologic Systems
Surface water and groundwater quality are determined by complex interactions of hydrological, geochemical, and biological processes, throughout watershed and aquifer systems. Poster presentations are encouraged on all aspects of water quality, ranging from field and laboratory studies to modeling approaches. Possible topics include studies of naturally occurring chemical species or contaminants, chemical reactions and processes, tracers of water movement or solute transport, and novel techniques of analysis or investigation. Presentations may focus on surface or groundwater systems at any spatial or temporal scale.
Conveners: Megan Young, US Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, MS 434, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650-329-4544, email: mbyoung@usgs.gov, and Karen Prestegaard, University of Maryland, Dept. of Geology, College Park, MD 20742 USA, Tel: 301-405-6982, email: kpresto@geol.umd.edu

H57 Sources, Transport, and Cycling of Nutrients in Aquatic Systems
Anthropogenic and natural sources of dissolved and particulate nutrients have a profound impact on ecosystems and water quality. Spatial and temporal variations in nutrient loading can influence local water clarity, oxygen levels, community composition, trophic interactions, and contaminant bioaccumulation pathways within food webs. Eutrophication, algal blooms, and oxygen depletion are among the negative impacts of nutrient enrichment of surface waters. We seek presentations aimed at a fundamental understanding sources, transport, and transformations of nutrients in aquatic environments. The session will highlight work aimed at tracking sources of nutrients with hydrological, biogeochemical, and isotopic tracers. We also encourage applied work aimed at mitigating nutrient pollution problems, such as nutrient source controls, remediation efforts, and market-based strategies. All aquatic environments are of interest, including wetlands, groundwaters, rivers, lakes, streams, and estuaries.
Conveners: Elizabeth Boyer, Penn State University, 304 Forest Resources Bldg., University Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 814-865-8830, email: ewb100@psu.edu, and Hari Pant, Lehman College, 250 Bedfordpark Blvd W., Bronx, NY 94205 USA, Tel: 718-960-5859,, email: hari.pant@lehman.cuny.edu, and Jingyu Wang, City University of New York, 250 Bedford Park Blvd, Bronx, NY 10468 USA, Tel: 718-960-8768, email: jingyu.wang@lehman.cuny.edu,

H58 The Critical Role of Long-term Watershed and Ecosystem Experimental Networks in Advancing Science
Long-term data are important records for understanding how ecosystems are affected by natural disturbances such as fire, floods, hurricanes, drought, and debris flows, and also large scale biomass manipulations, atmospheric deposition, and climate change. This session will highlight findings about long-term ecosystem responses (stream runoff, water quality, plant-water relationships, biogeochemical processes, nutrient cycling, etc) and new, innovative studies that address fundamental science and management questions. We especially encourage contributions that examine ecosystem processes across multiple sites in experimental networks (ARS, Forest Service, LTER, NADP, USGS, among many others) that provide publicly available data and important records of climate, hydrology, and ecosystem productivity. This session will also feature findings from the US Forest Service Experimental Forest and Range sites during the centennial of this network which was established in 1908 at Fort Valley, Arizona and now includes 81 sites.
Conveners: Sherri L. Johnson, USDA Forest Service, Pacific NW Research Station 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: (541) 758-7771, email: Sherri.L.Johnson@orst.edu, and Kevin J. McGuire, Plymouth State University, MSC 63, 17 High Street, Plymouth, NH 03264 USA, Tel: 603-535-3250, email: kmcguire1@plymouth.edu, and Tom Lisle, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, , USA, email: tlisle@fs.fed.us, and Pete Wohlgemuth, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Riverside, CA USA, email: pwohlgemuth@fs.fed.us, and Stephen D. Sebestyen, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station 1831 HWY 169 E , Grand Rapids, MN 55744 USA, Tel: 218-326-7108, email: ssebestyen@fs.fed.us

H59 Mobility and Fate of Nanoparticles and Colloids in Porous Media
An improved understanding and ability to simulate the transport and fate of engineered and naturally derived nanoparticles, colloids, colloid-associated contaminants, and microorganisms in porous media is needed for a wide variety of applications. The transport of naturally derived nanoparticles, abiotic colloids, virus and bacteria in the subsurface is important for public health, risk assessment, water and wastewater treatment and well production. Understanding of the mobility of engineered nanoparticles could be important for both nanoparticle-based remediation technology design and evaluation of the potential effects of engineered nanoparticle on human and ecological health. We seek presentations on fundamental research related to these topics. Areas of special interest include, but are not limited to: 1) fate and transport of nanoparticles and colloids in porous media; 2) nanoparticle and colloid facilitated contaminant transport; 3) application of nanotechnology in groundwater and sediment remediation; and 4) assessment of the mobility of virus and bacteria in the subsurface. Theoretical & modeling studies as well as novel experimental approaches at the pore-, bench- and field scales are all encouraged.
Conveners: Denis M. O'Carroll, University of Western Ontario, Spencer Engineering Building, London, ON CAN, Tel: 519-661-2193, email: docarroll@eng.uwo.ca, and Yusong Li, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, , Lincoln, 68588-0531 USA, email: yusong.li@gmail.com, and Scott Bradford, US Salinity Laboratory, , , USA, email: Scott.Bradford@ars.usda.gov, and Tissa Illangasekare, Colorado School of Mines, , , USA, email: Tissa@mines.edu

H60 From Points to Pixels: Design and Implementation of Ground Measurement Campaigns for Calibration and Validation of Satellite-Derived Hydrological Variables
This session seeks contributions that address the observational gap between ground and satellite observations. Both case studies and methodological innovations are of interest. With respect to case studies, all hydrological variables that are directly or indirectly observed by satellites are of interest. This includes soil moisture, evaporation, temperature, subsidence, surface water storage, etc. New methods include statistical, observational, and modeling approaches. Statistical approaches could include Bayesian sampling schemes, bias estimation, and the design of field campaigns. For new observational methods, one could think of recently developed methods such as wireless mote networks, distributed temperature sensing, and large scale ground observations through radiometry, scintillometry, and the like. Up- and down scaling and improved data assimilation techniques are the focus where it comes to new modeling approaches.
Conveners: Nick Van de Giesen, Delft University of Techology, Stevinweg 1 , Delft, NLD, email: n.c.vandegiesen@tudelft.nl, and Mohsin Hafeez, Charles Sturt University / CSIRO, , , AUS, email: mhafeez@csu.edu.au, and Thomas Holmes, Free University of Amsterdam, , , NLD, email: thomas.holmes@falw.vu.nl, and David Gochis, National Center for Atmospheric Research, , Boulder, CO USA, email: gochis@ucar.edu

H61 Integration of Sensors, Models, and Computation: Multiscale/Multiprocess Strategy for Land-Vegetation-Atmosphere Interactions
Multiscale/multiprocess coupling is important for improved predictability of the terrestrial water cycle, identifying pathways, and closing water, energy and solute budgets. With the advancement of wireless communication, parallel processing architecture, data base, GIS and numerical algorithms, the efficient integration of sensors, simulation and analysis tools present new areas of research. Distributed “intelligent” sensor networks collect long term data from remote locations at scales and resolutions that were previously attainable through numerical simulations only. Parallel computing has made it possible to perform large scale simulations. High resolution, large scale simulations will further require efficient domain decomposition and partitioning algorithms. Design of data-models facilitates data access, storage and transfer between observation systems (sensor networks), management systems (GISs) and simulation systems (numerical models). In this session we invite studies that deal with the integration of sensors, models and computation from research areas such as: a) topologic design of low-cost, energy-efficient and adaptive sensor networks that can provide a multi-scale view of ecohydrologic states, b) design of data-models to tightly couple observation systems, numerical models, and processing and visualization tools (GIS), c) implementation of large scale numerical-modeling and data-management tools using super-computers, d) design of domain and numerical discretization algorithms to increase model performance, e) “new” scientific predictions evolving from integrated modeling or measurements and f) experimental network design for test beds and environmental observatories.
Conveners: Christopher Duffy, Penn State University, 212 Sackett Bldg.,, University Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 8148652342, email: cxd11@psu.edu, and Mukesh Kumar, Penn State University, 212 Sackett Bldg.,, University Park, PA 16803 USA, Tel: 8143601777, email: muk139@psu.edu, and John Selker, Oregon State University, 116 Gilmore Hall , Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541.737.6304, email: selkerj@engr.orst.edu

H62 The Cross-Cutting Impacts of Energy and Agricultural Demands on Water-Resources Sustainability
Power production and land-use change have individual and cross-linked impacts on water resources. Impacts of land-use change can be expressed directly and indirectly (by changing regional climate through evapotranspiration feedbacks, for example), while electrical-power generation and liquid-fuels refining require large supplies of water. Energy and land-use demands create linked impacts by way of biofuel production and climatic effects, for example. For this session we seek contributions that address the impacts of energy production and large scale land-use change on water resources, with respect to quantity and quality. Studies from a range of settings in which impacts past, present, or future are solicited. We especially encourage papers emphasizing sustainability. Solicited papers will apply a variety of approaches for quantifying the direct and linked effects of power production and land-use change, including field experiments, remote-sensing studies, time-series analyses, and numerical modeling.
Conveners: Vincent C. Tidwell, Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800 MS 0735, Albuquerque, NM 87185 USA, Tel: 505-844-6025, email: vctidwe@sandia.gov, and Geoffrey T. Klise, Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800 MS 1350, Albuquerque, NM 87185 USA, Tel: 505-284-2500, email: gklise@sandia.gov, and David Stonestrom, USGS Menlo Park, , Menlo Park, CA USA, Tel: (650) 329-4528, email: dastones@usgs.gov, and Bridget R. Scanlon, University of Texas at Austin, Jackson School of Geosciences, Austin, TX 78758 USA, Tel: 512 471 8241, email: bridget.scanlon@beg.utexas.edu

H63 Extreme Runoff Processes
Climate change leads to more pronounced water circulation in the hydrosphere and expected increased runoff in many areas of the Earth. Increased knowledge on runoff processes, particularly, extreme events are important for the safety of water diversion systems, like embankment dams, other infrastructures along rivers and management plans for water diversion systems, like hydropower. Runoff analyses are generally based on a conceptualisation of several hydromechanical and physical processes in terms of compartmental or distributed (network) models. However, limitation of calibration procedures and the physically based formulations to account for extreme flows can introduce significant errors in predictions of extreme runoff. Both timing and magnitude of peak discharge from subcatchment are completely altered when stream channels are flooded widely over its normal shores. This session welcome presentations of integrated research on extreme runoff processes including field measurements and modelling in terms of statistical analysis and physically based modelling.
Conveners: Anders Wörman, The Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 76, Stockholm, 10044 SWE, Tel: +46-70-5742033, email: worman@kth.se, and Thanos Papanicolaou, University of IOWA, , , USA, email: apapanic@engineering.uiowa.edu

H64 Ecosystem Resilience to Changing Climate Patterns: The Role of Hydrology
Accurately predicting climate change effects on the functioning of our ecosystems is contingent on understanding the tight coupling between terrestrial ecology and the hydrological cycle. The timing and amount of precipitation strongly shapes ecosystem properties, and ecosystems significantly alter the downstream moisture and heat budgets of the atmosphere. Therefore, ecosystem functioning plays a critical role in the vegetative control of moisture, heat, and momentum fluxes, introducing feedbacks capable of amplifying droughts or floods. Furthermore, the sensitivity of ecosystems to these strong precipitation fluctuations may put a strain on critical thresholds of resilience -- where beyond these thresholds, transitions into new system states are likely. Ecosystem transitions are expected in turn to modify local hydrology, further altering regional climate. The resilience of ecosystems to observed and anticipated changes in moisture supply, and their feedbacks to the hydrological cycle are not yet well understood. This session is intended to synthesize studies of ecosystem responses to climatic changes at plot to regional scales through examination of associated changes in ecohydrologic functioning. This session encourages innovative studies examining the potential for fundamental shifts in functioning beyond direct scaling of ecosystem responses to the amount of precipitation. We invite contributions from interdisciplinary fields, including but not limited to those with hydrological and ecological emphases. These contributions might use observational, experimental, synthesis, and/or modeling techniques. Through the interactions in this session, we expect to begin a synthesis of the diverse ecohydrologic studies into a coherent framework that will organize current understanding, identify key knowledge gaps, and provide critical information towards sustainable management of ecohydrologic systems in a changing climate.
Conveners: Shirley A. Kurc, University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources 1311 E 4th St. , Tucson, AZ 85719 USA, Tel: 520-621-3808, email: kurc@ag.arizona.edu, and Darrel Jenerette, University of California - Riverside, Department of Botany & Plant Sciences 2150 Batchelor Hall, Riverside, CA 92521-0124 USA, Tel: (951) 827-7113, email: darrel.jenerette@ucr.edu, and Adam Wolf, Carnegie Institution, 260 Panama Street, Stanford, CA 94305 USA, email: adamwolf@stanford.edu, and Maoyi Huang, SUNY Buffalo, 212 Ketter Hall, Department of Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, Buffalo, NY 14260 USA, email: mhuang3@buffalo.edu

H65 Integrated Modeling in Hydrology: Advances in Model Interoperability, Architectures, and Cyberinfrastructure
This session addresses recent advances in integrating hydrologic models across scales, disciplines, and media. Many approaches have been proposed for creating hydrologic modeling frameworks and for coupling domain-specific or discipline-specific hydrology models. We encourage presentations from such efforts that address the challenge, approach, and conclusions gained from integrating hydrologic models. Furthermore, our aim is to encourage dialog for moving hydrologic modeling from ad hoc coupling approaches to a generalized integrated modeling approach. In this generalized approach, the modeling system is designed to be able to include process representations from across disciplines, scales, and media, and these processes can be easily added or removed to test scientific hypotheses and better understand hydrologic function. Thus, we also encourage submissions addressing scientific and technical challenges in creating such next generation integrated modeling systems. These include but are not limited to semantic mediation between earth science disciplines, component-based modeling architectures, model coupling paradigms, and scaling between spatially and temporally mismatched models.
Conveners: Jon Goodall, University of South Carolina, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 300 Main Street , Columbia, SC 29208 USA, Tel: (803) 777-8184, email: goodall@engr.sc.edu, and Bert Jagers, Deltares | Delft Hydraulics, P.O. Box 177 2600 MH Delft , Delft, NLD, Tel: +31-15-2858864, email: bert.jagers@deltares.nl, and Scott Peckham, University of Colorado, CSDMS Facility Campus Box 545, Boulder, CO 80309-450 USA, Tel: (303) 492-6752, email: scott.peckham@colorado.edu, and Michael Piasecki, Drexel University, Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA, Tel: (215) 895-1721, email: michael.piasecki@drexel.edu, and Jay Famiglietti, University of California, Irvine, Earth Systems Science, Irvine, CA 92697 USA, Tel: 949-824-9434, email: jfamigli@uci.edu

H66 Underground Research Laboratories: Windows into Crustal Structure, Complex Coupled Thermal, Hydrological, Mechanical, Chemical and Biogeochemical/Isotopic Processes and Environments for Low Background Radiation Experiments
Current underground laboratories around the world comprise facilities of varying depth, space, infrastructure, ease of access, and focus. Those addressing the scientific issues of geological waste disposal are typically shallow (<500m) and mission oriented, with little opportunity to accommodate a broader scope of scientific enquiry over extended timeframes. Those dedicated to astrophysics research, which sometimes accommodate earth science experiments, are mostly in active mines, where science necessarily comes second to mining operations. These restrictions will be removed with the construction of the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at the former Homestake Mine in South Dakota. DUSEL will bring together in one dedicated facility unique multi-decadal experiments in particle physics, astrophysics, geoscience, geomicrobiology, rock mechanics and engineering on a multi-kilometer scale and at significant depth. In particular, this offers the potential to examine the complex interactions between coupled thermal, hydrological, mechanical, chemical and biological (THMCB) processes in rocks that are the focus of these separate but complementary disciplines. These complex interactions are heterogeneous at a wide range of spatial scales, ranging from nanometer-thick thin-films to kilometer-scale faults. The interactions are influenced greatly by the pervasive involvement of fluids (primarily water but also CO2, hydrocarbons, and volcanic gases) flowing through fractured heated rock under stress. This session will present the results of experiments that have been, or could be, performed at underground laboratories or in deep boreholes, as well as the new technologies that could be deployed in the initial suite of experiments at DUSEL. This will include, but not be limited to, key unanswered questions regarding coupled THMCB processes that have evolved from large scale field experiments, with an emphasis on the current state of-the-science in modeling, theoretical, and laboratory studies. The session will draw upon members in the fields of the hydrology, geophysics, geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, particle physics, astrophysics, microbiology, rock mechanics, petrology, radiation biology and rock engineering.
Conveners: Tullis Onstott, Princeton University, , Princeton, NJ 08544 USA, Tel: 609-258-7678, email: tullis@princeton.edu, and Larry Murdoch, Clemson, , Clemson, SC 29634 USA, Tel: 864-656-2597, email: lmurdoc@clemson.edu, and Derek Elsworth, Pennsylvania State University, , University Park, PA 16802-5000 USA, Tel: 814-865-2225, Fax: 814-865-3248, email: elsworth@psu.edu, and Bill Roggenthen, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, , Rapid City, SD 57701 USA, Tel: 605-394-2460, email: william.roggenthen@sdsmt.edu, and Eric Sonnenthal, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd, MS90-1116, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 510 486-5866, Fax: 510 486-5686, email: elsonnenthal@lbl.gov, and Leonid Germanovich, Georgia Institute of Technology, 790 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA, Tel: (404) 894-2284, email: leonid@ce.gatech.edu

H67 Predicting Precipitation
This special session seeks contributions from the research, operational and user communities that address a variety of issues related to predicting precipitation. The prediction of precipitation on daily to seasonal to centennial time scales remains a grand challenge for the hydrometeorological sciences. Progress in the prediction of precipitation in recent years has come from better model resolution and better access to data for model initialization along with some improvements in model physics. Most recently, new observational capabilities and insights on the predictability of precipitation are providing a basis for major improvements in the representation of the physics of precipitation processes in models. Although precipitation predictability is limited by the chaotic behavior of the atmosphere, there are distinct regions, seasons and surface conditions where the predictability of precipitation is enhanced. Understanding of the space-time characteristics of predictability and its causes can provide insights about ways to improve precipitation forecast systems. A particular focus of this session is the generation, post-processing, and application of ensemble/probabilistic Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) and Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPF) for uncertainty-based hydrologic monitoring and prediction of soil moisture, flash and river floods, water resources and other water-related variables. The session builds on the past ensemble prediction sessions held at recent AGU meetings to provide a continuing forum for advancing and expediting interdisciplinary research and research-to-operations in ensemble hydrometeorological and hydrologic prediction. An important aspect of any precipitation prediction system is validation/verification. Typical QPE/QPF validation/verification is performed using a point to grid method (e.g., rain gauge observations to a radar rainfall grid or forecast grid point). Use of standard validation/verification measures (mean error, bias, mean absolute error, and root mean squared error, etc.) often indicate poorer performance for higher-resolution predictions because, among other things, the methods are unable to account for small-scale noise or discriminate types of errors such as displacement in time and/or space (location, intensity, and orientation errors, etc.) in the precipitation estimates/forecasts. This issue has motivated recent research and development of many new diagnostic verification techniques such as, but not limited to, scale decomposition, fuzzy neighborhood, and object-based methods for evaluating spatial precipitation estimates and forecasts. These predictability and validation/verification studies are complemented by opportunities to use both passive and active sensor data from advanced satellites (e.g. TRMM, CloudSat, A-train, and GPM) that enable the prediction community to detect and quantify the characteristics of precipitation and to better understand precipitation processes. Papers that outline the use of these data to help modelers to help enhance the predictability of precipitation including in-cloud processes are welcome. Contributions that deal with methods for generating probabilistically unbiased precipitation forcing via real-time or retrospective post-processing of numerical weather prediction (NWP) model output, model output statistics (MOS), precipitation observations from rain gauges, radars, and/or satellites are also welcome. Finally, the session welcomes all contributions related to the validation/verification of quantitative precipitation estimation/forecasts. The conveners are especially interested in studies that focus on the development of new spatial validation/ verification techniques, applications of these methods, and studies that use combined spatial and point to grid or grid-to-grid techniques.
Conveners: Ana Nunes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0224, La Jolla, CA 92093-0224 USA, Tel: 858 822 1835, email: anunes@ucsd.edu, and Paul A. Kucera, National Center for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307 USA, Tel: 303-497-2807, Fax: 303-497-8401, email: pkucera@ucar.edu, and Dong-Jun Seo, NOAA/NWS/OHD Hydrology Laboratory & UCAR, 1325 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA, Tel: 301-713-0640, Fax: 301-713-0963, email: dongjun.seo@noaa.gov

H68 Strengths and Limitations of the Paired Watershed and Model Approaches to Detect Change in Hydrology and Water Quality Research
Detecting the impacts of land management on water quantity and quality is of major interest to land managers and regulators. The paired watershed study approach was initially used to detect change in water quantity and during the past decades was expanded to include many types of studies that include assessments of nonpoint sources of pollution and the effectiveness of Best Management Practices (BMPs). Recently, the usefulness of the paired watershed approach to detect change has been questioned. The use of alternative and complementary approaches that include statistical approaches and/or mechanistic models has been suggested. This session will explore the state-of-the-art in hydrologic change detection using paired watershed studies and/or watershed models to detect change following disturbance. We encourage contributions that critically review the paired watershed approach, which includes strengths, limitations, applicability, and statistical methods. We also encourage contributions that present alternatives to the paired watershed approach, such as mechanistic models of watershed hydrology, with their strengths, limitations, applicability, and methods. We especially welcome contributions that present combined approaches, statistical and mechanistic models, to detect change and compares these approaches. This session will provide critical evaluation of the paired watershed and mechanistic modeling approaches, offer insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the approaches to detect change, and describe situations where each approach might be most appropriate.
Conveners: Arne Skaugset, Dept. of Forest Engineering, Oregon State University, 215 Peavy Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-3283, email: arne.skaugset@oregonstate.edu, and Nicolas Zegre, Dept. of Forest Engineering, Oregon State University, 215 Peavy Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-5642, email: nicolas.zegre@oregonstate.edu, and Jeffrey McDonnell, Dept. of Forest Engineering, Oregon State University, 215 Peavy Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-8720, email: jeff.mcdonnell@oregonstate.edu, and Lisa Ganio, Dept. of Forest Sciences, Oregon State University, 321 Richardson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-6577, email: lisa.ganio@oregonstate.edu, and George Ice, National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc., 720 SW 4th St., PO Box 45, Corvallis, OR 97339-0458 USA, Tel: (541) 752-8801, Fax: (541) 752-8806, email: GIce@wcrc-ncasi.org, and Y. Jun Xu, Louisiana State University, 227 RNR Bldg School of Renewable Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA, Tel: 225-578-0897, Fax: 225-578-4227, email: yjxu@lsu.edu

H69 Defining Reference Conditions for Dynamic River Systems
Two critical questions in river restoration are (1) How do we determine whether a reach is “degraded” or not? and (2) What is the target condition for restoration efforts? The answers to both require definition of a reference condition – a concept which remains vague in the geomorphic literature. This session seeks papers that focus on defining reference condition for dynamic river systems, including identification of general principles for defining reference condition, presentation of specific analytical approaches (e.g., theoretical, analogue, or historical analyses), accounting for climate change in reference condition definitions, and examples of application of reference condition in restoration planning. Of particular interest are papers that address the definition of reference conditions or states in dynamic systems, focusing on identification of metrics that capture the dynamic nature of rivers, appropriate spatial scales of measurement, and selection of appropriate time periods as reference states.
Conveners: Tim Beechie, NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center 2725 Montlake Blvd. E., Seattle, WA 98112 USA, Tel: 206-860-3409, Fax: 206-860-3335, email: tim.beechie@noaa.gov, and David Sear, University of Southampton, , , GBR, email: d.sear@soton.ac.uk, and Hamish Moir, The Macaulay Institute, The Macualay Institute Craigiebuckler , Aberdeen, AB15 8QH GBR, email: h.moir@macaulay.ac.uk

H70 Recent Advances in Groundwater Hydrology
This session will highlight recent advances in the field of groundwater hydrology. Poster presentations are encouraged on all aspects of groundwater hydrology. Possible topics include advances in field measurement and site characterization, new strategies for modeling flow or transport in porous and fractured media, interpretation of micro- and macro-scale laboratory experiments, and field case studies highlighting advances in theory or practice. (Poster Only)
Conveners: Timothy Scheibe, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Boulevard, Richland, WA 99354 USA, Tel: 509-372-6065, email: tim.scheibe@pnl.gov, and Timothy Ginn, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: (530) 752-1707, email: trginn@ucdavis.edu

H71 Arsenic and Other Metals as Contaminants in Hydrologic Systems
Arsenic and other metals in the hydrologic systems have major implications on water quality, health of the ecosystems, and safe usage of water resources by humans. Role of modifiers of natural aquatic environments, mobilization and release of metals, microbial activities, anthropogenic factors, are among a number of critical variables that influence how metals migrate through the natural aquatic systems. Also, an integration of recent advances in equilibrium vs. non-equilibrium states, role of ORP, nano-states, kinetic mechanisms, isotopic geochemistry, statistical correlations, and detailed source characterizations lead to an improved understanding of patterns of distribution of metals in natural waters. We encourage oral, poster, or a combination of presentations on the broadest aspects of mobility of arsenic and other metals in the fresh water aquatic environments.
Conveners: Rudolph Hon, Boston College, Department of Geology & Geophysics 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 USA, Tel: 617-552-3656, Fax: 617-552-2462, email: hon@bc.edu, and Alison Keimowitz, Columbia University, Department of Earth and Environmental Science 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 845-365-8603, email: ark@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Bill Brandon, USEPA, Region 1, 1 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 USA, Tel: 617-918-1391, email: brandon.bill@epa.gov, and Steven Chillrud, LDEO, Columbia University, , Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 845 365-8893, email: chilli@ldeo.columbia.edu

H72 Linking Isotope Geochemistry to Environmental and Forensic Science: Analytical Approaches, Novel Applications, Policy Implications
The use of isotopes in environmental and forensic science has increased considerably over the past several years, largely due to constantly improving analytical capabilities for accurate measurement of isotope compositions in liquids, organic solids and minerals at low ”natural” concentrations. Both stable and radiogenic isotopes are powerful source tracers and process recorders that provide unique insight into the mechanisms controlling biogeochemical cycling over a range of spatial and temporal scales, and trace the origin and flux of materials in space and time. Isotopic approaches have found wide application in studies of hydrological systems for identification of sources, sinks, fluxes and residence times of water, solutes and atmospheric contributions, and in forensic studies for determination of food authenticity, geographical sources of illegal goods, doping practices and biomedical diagnosis. In addition, isotopic tracing techniques provide enhanced perspectives for development of regulatory policy and monitoring of remediation activities. For this session, we seek contributions that describe case studies of laboratory and field experiments and monitoring activities that link isotope geochemistry to environmental and forensic science and policy development. We particularly encourage contributions that focus on efforts to use the integrating power of isotopes to link natural and anthropogenic processes to effects having large-scale climatological, ecological and societal implications, work involving novel analytical approaches in both gas and metal isotope mass spectrometry, and studies demonstrating the increased diagnostic power obtained from effective application of “multi-tracer” approaches.
Conveners: Gabriel J. Bowen, Purdue University, , , USA, email: gabe@purdue.edu, and Greg Michalski, Purdue University, , , USA, email: gmichals@purdue.edu, and David Widory, BRGM (MMA/ISO), , , FRA, email: d.widory@brgm.fr, and Thomas Bullen, USGS/ Le STUDIUM, , , USA, email: tdbullen@usgs.gov

H73 Advanced Approaches to Snow Modeling for Hydrologic Prediction
Snow parameterizations within hydrologic models and prediction systems are vital to estimating snowpack processes and the influence of these processes on streamflow and subsequent soil moisture conditions. Changes in historical snow accumulation and melt patterns due to the warming climate have been well documented, particularly in the Western U.S. where snow is a critical component of the regional water supply. In other regions, snowmelt-related flooding is a concern. Uncertainty in future snow conditions, snowmelt timing, and volume may increase as climate change continues. New approaches to predicting snowpacks processes and quantifying the associated input, state and model uncertainty will be needed. We invite papers on the topics of snow modeling, snow model state estimation, use of advanced data products for snow modeling and prediction, uncertainty estimation in snow modeling, and hydrologic prediction during the snow season. We also encourage practitioners to present on the topic of snowpack estimation and water resource management from both flooding and water supply perspectives.
Conveners: Kristie J. Franz, Iowa State University, Geological and Atmospheric Sciences 3023 Agronomy Hall, Ames, IA 50011 USA, Tel: 515-294-7454, email: kfranz@iastate.edu, and Newsha K. Ajami, UC Berkeley, Berkeley Water Center 413 O''''Brien Hall #1766, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, email: newshaajami@berkeley.edu, and Terri S. Hogue, UCLA, Civil & Environmental Engineering 5731F Boelter Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, email: thogue@seas.ucla.edu

H74 Emerging Subsurface Monitoring Strategies – Sensors, Network Design, and Geophysical Tools
Monitoring capabilities are being pushed beyond traditional boundaries in several and diverse arenas, such as long-term monitoring of hydrologic processes for deep geologic disposal of waste, carbon sequestration, and ambient groundwater monitoring for drinking water protection and nonpoint source regulation. Challenges for designing monitoring networks, instruments, and programs include harsh environments, multiphase or unsaturated complexities, deep access, importance of fractures (and interaction with matrix) in the porous media, gaining information on a relevant scale for modeling and/or regulation, cost-effective monitoring at large scales, and the need for long-term monitoring with minimal maintenance. We solicit presentations addressing new sensor and monitoring network concepts for measurement of hydrologic variables (water content, matric potential, water quality, aqueous and gaseous fluxes) and thermodynamic variables (relative humidity, temperature, heat flux). Presentations may also address novel use of geophysical methods; sensor emplacement in fractured rock; communication and power management for deep subsurface monitoring networks; self-calibration or remote, in-situ calibration; or quality assurance and quality control. Other topics not mentioned here but related to fundamental or theoretical aspects of deployment and management of ambient monitoring networks and of deep subsurface monitoring networks are encouraged.
Conveners: Chandrika Manepally, CNWRA, Geosciences and Engineering Division, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road , San Antonio, TX 78238 USA, Tel: 210-522-5182, email: cmanepally@swri.org, and Thomas Harter, University of California Davis, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources University of California, , 95616-8628, Davis, CA 95616-8628 USA, Tel: 530- 752-2709, email: thharter@ucdavis.edu, and Randall W. Fedors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Executive Boulevard Building 6003 Executive Boulevard , Rockville, MD 20852 USA, Tel: 301-492-3152, email: rwf@nrc.gov, and John S. Selker, Oregon State University, Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering Oregon State University , Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541.737.6304, email: selkerj@engr.orst.edu

H75 Decision-Appropriate Modeling Throughout the Lifecycle of Restoration, and other, Environmental Projects
Environmental restoration projects proceed through stages that range from identification, investigation, analysis, decision, remedial design, remedial action, completion, and long-term monitoring and review. Computer models are often used throughout this process for a wide variety of purposes. Effective execution of restoration projects requires that the selection, design, and application of models be explicitly tied to project objectives. This requires that careful planning and specification of the types and roles of models over the lifecycle of the projects be conducted. Too often, this planning is not done. As a result, unrealistic expectations are established for how the model(s) will be used to support the decisions that must be made. In some instances - partially as a consequence of high expectations - the developed model(s) become unnecessarily complex such that, unfortunately, the models themselves become a source of contention that stands in the way of successful project implementation. This session will explore the role and use of models over the lifecycle of environmental restoration projects and focus on advancing their best practice applications. The session will not discuss specifics of the analysis (quantification) of uncertainty associated with model predictions: however, contributions that discuss how such uncertainty might be effectively communicated and managed will be encouraged. Though the session focuses on the role of modeling in environmental restoration, it is evident from recent publications such as “Useless Arithmetic” (Pilkey and Pilkey-Jarvis, 2006) that many environmental and engineering disciplines face similar challenges. Therefore, in addition to inviting restoration modelers, decision makers and regulators to contribute, the conveners of this session will invite and encourage contributions from other environmental and engineering disciplines in order to bring their experiences to the discussion. Keywords: Modeling, restoration, forecasting, remediation, prediction, uncertainty, decision-making
Conveners: Matt Tonkin, SS Papadopulos & Assoc, Inc., 7944 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA, Tel: 3017188900, email: matt@sspa.com, and Dave Miller, Fluor Hanford, 1200 Jadwin Avenue, Richland, WA 99352 USA, Tel: (509) 376-4998, email: David_S_Miller@RL.gov

H76 Recent Development of Statistical Tools for Hydrological Application
This session is sponsored by the Statistics in Hydrology Working Group (STAHY-WG) of International Association of Hydrological Science (IAHS) and it has two aims: the first one is to explore innovative statistical methods never applied before and the second one is to collect presentations describing the most recent theory, procedures and applications related to already known topics. The main attention is toward univariate and multivariate analysis (extreme value, inference procedure, copula function) and stochastic modelling (linear and non-linear models, space-time simulation procedures, time series analysis, long range dependence, non-stationarity detection, point processes). Presentations and poster contributions on theoretical innovative approaches, advanced statistical and mathematical methods, and hydrological applications of mentioned procedures are encouraged.
Conveners: Salvatore Grimaldi, University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo De Lellis, Viterbo, 01100 ITA, Tel: +39 0761 357326, email: salvatore.grimaldi@unitus.it, and Demetris Koutsoyiannis, National Technical University of Athens, , , GRC, email: dk@itia.ntua.gr, and Domenico Piccolo, University of Naples, , , ITA, email: domenico.piccolo@unina.it, and MeKonnen Gebremichael, University of Connecticut, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 61 Glenbrook Rd., UNIT-2037, Storrs, CT 06269-2037 USA, Tel: (860) 486-2771, Fax: (860) 486-2298, email: mekonnen@engr.uconn.edu

H77 GIS Terrain Analysis for Hydrologic Applications
Terrain analysis packages, largely distributed within geographic information systems (GIS), are a fundamental tool for hydrologic applications. Moreover, recent advances of digital elevation model (DEM) data gathering methods (e.g. SRTM, ASTER, LIDAR) are paving the way to the development of always more sophisticated and detailed hydrologic simulations. Nevertheless, GIS terrain analysis developers are challenged to update standard procedures to efficiently use new generation data with specific regard to the development of DEM preprocessing techniques for treating DEM artefacts (e.g. artificial depressions, flat areas) recognized as one of the main issues. This session seeks contributions describing recent researches in relation to the development of GIS tools for hydrologic applications starting from DEM preprocessing techniques to DEM-based hydrologic simulation with particular regard to the following topics: -Comparative performances of hydrologic models using different DEM data sources (e.g. ASTER, SRTM, NED, LIDAR) and new DEM development techniques (e.g. interpolation, resampling). -Terrain analysis pre-processing methods for DEM artefacts treatment (e.g. pits, peaks and flat areas removal methods) -DEM-based river basin landform characterization (floodplain, hillslope, saddles etc) -DEM-based automated extraction of river basin and network hydrogeomorphic properties (e.g. flow direction, upslope area, stream network, wetness index, hypsographic curves, width-function) -DEM-based rainfall-runoff modelling for ungauged basins (e.g. GIUH, WFIUH)
Conveners: Salvatore Grimaldi, University of Tuscia, , Viterbo, ITA, email: salvatore.grimaldi@unitus.it, and Fernando Nardi, Sapienza University of Rome, , , ITA, email: fernando.nardi@uniroma1.it, and Paolo Tarolli, University of Padova, , , ITA, email: paolo.tarolli@unipd.it, and Erkan Istanbulluoglu, University of Nebraska, , , USA, email: erkan2@unl.edu

H78 Langbein Lecture
Langbein Lecture
Conveners: John L. Wilson, New Mexico Inst. of Mining & Technology, Dept of Earth & Environmental Science, Socorro, NM 87801 USA, Tel: 575-835-5634, Fax: 575-835-6436, email: jwilson@nmt.edu

H79 Microbiological Quality of Urban Water Systems: What Matters and How to Measure it
This session aims at presenting new research in the area of water and health with strong potential for application to the management of urban waters (drinking, reclaimed, recreational) in developed and developing communities. Non-urban scenarios of particular interest to human health will also be considered. Specific topics of interest for the session include: occurrence and importance of pathogens in urban water systems, pathogen monitoring tools and strategies, field-scale health effect studies, field-scale intervention studies, mathematical tools for microbial risk assessment, and implications for policy and management. We aim to bring together researchers who investigate relationships between environmental microbiology of water systems and human health, to foster collaborations between disciplines, and to facilitate the translation of new scientific knowledge into policy strategies and technology decisions. Presenters for the session would be invited or selected according to the following criteria: 1) significance of the research and potential for water management applications; 2) potential for bringing together scientists that have not had significant chances to interact in the past; 3) balance between field/laboratory studies and studies yielding innovations in modeling methods; 4) balance between disciplines representation, and between academic and non-academic actors.
Conveners: Elisabetta Lambertini, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, EUIII, CEE Dept. 1 Shields Av., Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: +1-530-752-0240, email: elambertini@ucdavis.edu, and Frank J. Loge, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, EUIII, CEE Dept. 1 Shields Av., Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: +1-530-754-2297, email: fjloge@ucdavis.edu

H80 Subsurface Processes Influencing Remediation Technology Selection and Performance
Protecting ground-water resources and maintaining water quality are significant challenges into the foreseeable future. When contaminants (e.g., radionuclides, metals and organic chemicals) are detected in the subsurface, an important decision to be made is the need for and possible choices of remediation. This decision is dependent upon site-specific information on the hydrologic, geochemical, and microbial processes affecting the contaminant migration, and their affect on the efficacy of various remediation techniques (e.g., Monitored Natural Attenuation, In Situ Bioremediation, and In Situ Physical/Chemical Treatment) to reduce risk to the public and environment from the detected contaminants. New breakthroughs in geochemistry and biotechnology, as well as better understanding of intrinsic environmental processes, are improving remediation techniques and raising expectations that contaminant removal within unsaturated and saturated ground-water systems will continue to improve. However, demonstrating effective removal and/or treatment of subsurface contaminants depends on improved monitoring and sampling techniques and analysis of the hydrologic, geochemical and microbial processes. The session focuses on site-specific processes that influence remediation technology selection and performance. Presentations being sought include: the state-of-the-science for demonstrating remediation strategy effectiveness through monitoring and modeling; and illustrative analyses of remediation strategy performance that provide the technical bases for determining the need, and selection of remediation strategies and techniques. Examples would include presentations on monitoring and modeling treatment performance, contaminant source term origin and migration, and optimal sampling strategies relevant to remediation performance assessments.
Conveners: Thomas J. Nicholson, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research/ U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop T9-C34 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-2738 USA, Tel: 1-301-415-6268, Fax: 1-301-415-5389, email: Thomas.Nicholson@nrc.gov, and Robert G. Ford, Office of Research and Development/ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive Mail Stop 421, Cincinnati, OH 45268 USA, Tel: 1-513-569-7501, Fax: 1-513-569-7105, email: ford.robert@epa.gov, and Robert T. Anderson, Office of Biological and Environmental Research/ U.S. Department of Energy, SC-23.4 / Germantown Building 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20585-1290 USA, Tel: 1-301-903-5549, Fax: 1-301-903-4154, email: Todd.Anderson@science.doe.gov

H81 Fluid Dynamics in Soils and Porous Media: Recent Developments
We seek contributions to hydrology and soil science that develop from first principles of fluid mechanics and linearizations of governing equations such as convection in porous media, hillslope hydrology, unsaturated soil behavior, limnology and infiltration theory. These traditional tools continue to provide insight into complex hydrologic problems. This session will focus on both historical advances as well as emerging applications.
Conveners: Scott Woodman Tyler, University of Nevada Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557 USA, Tel: 775-784-6250, Fax: 775-784-1953, email: styler@unr.edu, and Ian White, Australian National University, , Canberra, ACT 0200 AUS, Tel: 61 2 6125 0660, Fax: 61 2 6125 0757, email: ian.white@anu.edu.au

H82 Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Water Quality
Climate variability and change are likely to alter water quality in a wide range of surface and groundwater systems. Although often overshadowed by concerns about changes in water quantity, degradation of water quality may significantly limit the utilization of scarce water resources by natural ecosystems and human populations. Water quality changes may arise directly from changes in the amount and timing of precipitation or indirectly due to increased energy availability resulting in greater of rates of evapotranspiration, changes in the ratio of rain vs snow, and earlier, faster snowmelt. This session will bring together researchers broadly interested in the relationship between climate and water quality at scales ranging from the small catchment to the river basin. Water quality topics of interest include, but are not limited to, salinization, heavy metal mobilization, emerging contaminants, carbon and nutrient biogeochemistry, and riparian ecosystem function.
Conveners: James Hogan, University of Arizona, , , USA, email: jhogan@hwr.arizona.edu, and Paul Brooks, University of Arizona, , , USA, email: brooks@hwr.arizona.edu

H83 Progress on Decadal Review Earth Science Satellite Sissions
Please note that this session has been withdrawn from the Fall Meeting program. Please use the Session Search Tool to find an alternate session in which to submit an abstract. This can be found at: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm08/?content=search
Conveners: AGU AGU, AGU, , , USA, email: fm-help@agu.org

Hydrology also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
GC05 Climate Change Impacts: Estimating Probabilities and Risks
GC02 Land-Atmosphere-Cryosphere Interactions in Northern Eurasia
OS12 Impact of Climate Variability and Change on Estuaries and Coastal Oceans
ED04 Bright STaRS: Bright Students Training as Research Scientists
B18 Surface Energy, Water and Carbon Fluxes in Northern Wetlands
IN10 Data Fusion: Issues, Barriers and Approaches
GC12 Climate Change Impacts on Regional-Scale Hydrology and Implications for Sustainability of Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems
C14 Climate Change and Mountain Snowpacks: Observations, Future Projections, and Potential Impacts
A03 Aerosol Indirect Effects: Measurements and Modeling
C19 Snow - Vegetation Interactions
OS26 Coupled Land-Ocean Biogeochemical Cycling in the Gulf of Mexico
GC23 Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Needs in California: New Science – Growing Challenges
V37 Puna Dacite Magma at Kilauea: Unexpected Drilling into an Active Magma
B37 Isotope Tracers of Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions: Advances in Measurements, Theory and Analysis
GC25 Adaptation Challenges for Water Resources in a Changing Climate: Lessons Learned in the Western United States
G13 Ever Faster: Low-Latency Data Collection and Applications Across the Earth Sciences
G16 GRACE and Gravity Missions - Interdisciplinary Science and Analysis Techniques
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
C03 Subglacial Processes and Environments
C06 Polar Regions: Local Change, Global Impacts and Future Challenges - Outcomes of the International Polar Year 2007-2008
B45 Fires in the Earth System
IN07 Making Earth Science Data Records
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
B49 Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere: New Science and Comprehensive Analyses
IN14 Advancing Digital Watersheds and Virtual Environmental Observatories
IN21 Building Interoperability Across the Geosciences
V32 Hydrology of Marine Hydrothermal Systems
A29 Linking Past and Present Hydrological Cycles to Climate with Water Vapor and Precipitation Isotopes
GC07 Regional Climate Modeling
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN24 Open Source Remote Sensing for Environmental Mapping and Analysis
V16 Oceanic Spreading Centers and Volcanic Rift Systems: Tracking Fluxes and the Interplay Between Processes from Mantle to Microbe
T04 Interactions Among Climate, Exhumation and Tectonics Through the Changing Climate of the Neogene and Quaternary
T32 Active and Reactivated Faults and Thrusts, Neo-Tectonic Feedback and Related Climate Change: Implications for Landscape Development in Young Orogens
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
IN11 Environmental Sensor Networks: Real World Examples
NS01 Near Surface Geophysics: General Contributions
NS02 Geoscientific Data for the Revitalization of Afghanistan
B02 Remote Characterization of Vegetation Structure
B07 Shifts in Phenology and Seasonality? Recent Evidence from Multiple Taxa, Ecoregions, and Models
B28 Biogeochemistry of Oxyanion-Forming Metals and Metalloids in the Environment
B39 The Bio-atmospheric N Cycle: N Emissions, Transformations, Deposition, and Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts
B41 The World Is Not Flat: Isotopic Tools for Understanding Mountainous Terrain
C07 Snow Stratigraphy and Microstructure
G07 Earth's Reference Frame and Geophysical Interpretation
G14 Hydro-geodesy: Space Geodetic Applications for Hydrology
GC08 Dynamic and Thermodynamic Controls of the Global Water Cycle in the 20th and 21st Centuries
IN06 The Science of Coupling with the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)
IN18 Complex, Interdisciplinary Ontologies and Automated Semantic Web Data Integration for Hydrology and Earth System Science
NG01 Nonlinear Geophysics: General Contributions
NG06 Scale, Scaling and Nonlinear Variability in Space-Time Precipitation: Data, Measurements, Models and Theories
NS03 Geophysical Characterization of Flow in Dual Porosity Media: From Fractures to Karst and Glaciers
NS04 Stratigraphic Applications of Near Surface Geophysics
NS05 Application of Joint Inverse Methods for Improved Characterization and Assessment of Ground-Water, Mineral, and Petroleum Resources
P11 New Developments in the Study of Fluvial Systems on Mars
PP17 Green Sahara: Evidence From Climate Models and Proxy Records
S11 Research and Development in Nuclear Explosion Monitoring
T20 The Co-evolution of River Systems and Orogens
V29 Quantifying Surface Processes Using Noble Gases
V10 Geological Fluid Dynamics
V12 Nature and Role of Colloids and Nanoparticles in the Environment
GC24 Progress and Challenges in Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision Making
ED05 Defining, Communicating and Protecting Authentic Science in Education, the Public and the Media: New and Expanding Roles for Scientists and Science Societies?
OS34 Research Experiences of Undergraduates in Ocean Sciences
C29 International Collaboration to Build Understanding of Climate Change in Polar Regions
C04 Snow and Ice Impurities as Climate Forcing Agents and Records
GC03 Urban Impact on the Weather, Climate, and Hydrology: Field Experiments, Modeling, Remote Sensing, and Societal Implications
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Mineral and Rock Physics

MR01 Mineral and Rock Physics: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Mineral and Rock Physics.
Conveners: Heather Watson, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, , , USA, email: watson40@llnl.gov

MR02 Computational Approaches and Applications in Earth Materials Studies
Our understanding of the physico-chemical properties of Earth materials at extreme conditions of the deep interior often poses tremendous challenges to both experiment and theory. This makes the development/application of multiple complimentary methods for their study particularly important. During the last several years, we have witnessed an increasing trend of computational study of these materials. The computational approach offers complementarity to experimental mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry, and can increasingly play a predictive role in exploring a wide range of geophysically relevant materials properties difficult to measure experimentally. This session covers all aspects of computational techniques for simulation/modeling/analysis of challenging problems relevant to mineral physics: applications, theoretical advances, software developments, etc. It brings together contributions related to the development and application of a wide variety of techniques, which range from first-principles to empirical approaches, from density-functional theory to quantum Monte Carlo, from static calculations to molecular dynamics, from atomistic to multi-scale models, etc. Multidisciplinary contributions from but not restricted to computational materials scientists, physicists, chemists, geoscientists, and/or computer scientists, who apply their domain-specific skills in the study of a variety of geo-materials and phenomena, are welcome.
Conveners: Bijaya B. Karki, Louisiana State University, 298 Coates Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA, Tel: 225-5783197, Fax: 225-5781465, email: karki@csc.lsu.edu, and Razvan Caracas, Laboratoire de Sciences de la Terre, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, , , FRA, email: razvan.caracas@ens-lyon.fr>, and Renata Wentzcovitch, University of Minnesota, , , USA, email: wentzcov@cems.umn.edu, and Taku Tsuchiya, Geodynamics Research Center, Ehime University, , , JPN, email: takut@sci.ehime-u.ac.jp

MR03 Composition and Evolution of Iron-Rich Cores in the Earth and Other Planets
An iron-rich core is common to Earth and other terrestrial-like planetary bodies in the solar system. Incorporation of light elements in iron-rich cores may have a profound impact on the thermal and chemical state and dynamics of the planets and satellites. This special session aims to provide an interdisciplinary forum for mineral physicists, geo- and cosmochemists, seismologists and planetary dynamicists to showcase their recent observational, experimental, and computational results and exchange ideas on the nature of light elements and their influences on the state and evolution of the iron-rich core of Earth and other terrestrial-like planetary objects. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to - chemical composition of iron-rich planetary cores and implications for their origin, evolution and dynamics; - core formation and core-mantle interaction in Earth and terrestrial-like planetary bodies; - Inner core growth in iron-rich planetary bodies and its chemical and dynamic consequences; - Innermost inner core and the role of light elements in the origin of the Earth's inner core anisotropy.
Conveners: Jie Li, University of Illinois, , Urbana, IL 61801 USA, Tel: 217 333 7008, Fax: 217 333 7008, email: jackieli@uiuc.edu, and James Van Orman, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106 USA, email: james.vanorman@case.edu

MR04 Planetary Ices - Cryo-mineralogy and Cryo-petrology
Minerals and rocks, in the broadest sense of Earth's materials, have been studied in detail in all forms for centuries. Whilst much work has been done upon ices, hydrates, clathrates and organic materials of relevance to the outer solar system, the same impetus to understand their behavior in a mineralogical or petrological context has not been present until relatively recently. This has been driven by the growth in observational data, and also by the needs of outer solar system Flagship mission studies. Catching up with the terrestrial rock- and mineral-physics communities, and addressing the gap in physical, chemical, mineralogical and petrological data for planetary ices requires a concerted interdisciplinary effort between diverse experimental and theoretical fields. This session focuses on the study of physical and chemical properties of planetary ices in particular and planetary materials in general, that are the main constituents of the objects populating the outer solar system. This session brings together experimental and computational mineral physicists, chemists and physicists, astronomers, astrophysicists and spectroscopists, geochemists and geophysicists, glaciologists and geomorphologists, etc. Contributions from all these fields and beyond are welcomed with an aim to create an exchange zone where interdisciplinarity is enhanced.
Conveners: Razvan Caracas, CNRS - Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Laboratoire de Sciences de la Terre CNRS UMR5570 Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon 46, allée d''Italie, Lyon, 69364 FRA, Tel: +33472728967, Fax: +33472728677, email: razvan.caracas@ens-lyon.fr, and Andrew Dominic Fortes, University College London, Centre for Planetary Sciences, Department of Earth Sciences, University College London Gower Street Kathleen Lonsdale Building, UCL , London, WC1E 6BT GBR, Tel: +44 (0)20 7679 2383, email: andrew.fortes@ucl.ac.uk

MR05 Life Under Pressure: Chemistry of Extreme Conditions
Recently, traditional mineral physics techniques have been expanded to include the study of organic materials and even microbes at high-pressure and temperature conditions. Particular emphasis has been placed on abiogenic hydrocarbon synthesis, pre-biotic chemistry, origins of life and survivability under extreme conditions. From the alteration of chrondritic organic material during planetary accretion to the ability of cells to survive impact, pressure is a key variable throughout the evolution of a planet. In this session, we hope to examine the effects of high pressure, both static and dynamic, on organic chemistry in a variety of terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments.
Conveners: Wren Montgomery, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building Queens Road , Bristol, BS8 1RJ GBR, Tel: 01179545235, email: wren.montgomery@bristol.ac.uk, and Henry Philip Scott, Indiana University South Bend, Department of Physics and Astronomy , South Bend, IN 46634 USA, Tel: 5745-520-5527, Fax: 574-520-5589, email: hpscott@iusb.edu

MR06 Diffusion and Related Transport Processes in Geomaterials
Chemical and thermal diffusion greatly affect the development and evolution of geosystems. Lattice diffusion and diffusion along extended defects, grain boundaries, and channel networks permit chemical and heat exchange at the grain scale, ultimately affecting transport at larger scales. Refinements and innovations in experimental techniques are expanding our ability to investigate these phenomena in geomaterials. Advances in analytical techniques are increasing the spatial resolution and sensitivity of detection in measuring the distribution of chemical components in rocks and minerals. Theoretical and computational breakthroughs have enabled the development of powerful new tools to examine these properties over a range of scales, from the atomic to the macroscopic. We invite submissions of findings from studies on diffusion, including the roles of grain boundaries and defects on transport phenomena, from theoretical, experimental and empirical perspectives. We also encourage submission of geodynamic and geochemical modeling studies of processes that depend substantially on diffusive transport.
Conveners: Jonathan D. Price, Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., 110 8th St., JSC 1W19, Troy, NY 12180 USA, Tel: 518 276-2372, email: pricej@rpi.edu, and Daniele J. Cherniak, Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., 110 8th St., JSC 1W19, Troy, NY 12180 USA, email: chernd@rpi.edu

MR07 Minerals in the Early Solar System – From First Condensates to Planetesimals
Mineralogy of the first solid objects in the solar system is quite different from that of terrestrial rocks, and it reflects processes which occurred only in the geologically brief time span between formation of first condensates in the solar nebula and accretion of planets. Over the last few years improved microscale probes of chemistry and structure of minerals produced a wealth of information on these important geological systems and the processes of their formation and evolution. This session aims to highlight recent advancements in our understanding of the early solar system based on the oldest existing minerals and rocks. This includes structural/spectroscopic studies on shock metamorphism in meteorites, alteration of minerals in the solar nebula, capture and conservation of organic matter (1), properties and structures of minerals from the first condensates, reports of new minerals which highlight processes in the solar nebula, experimental studies and numerical simulations which link mineralogical record to such processes, core formation in planetesimals, structural, spectroscopic, and microchemical evidence for zoning and element redistribution in pre-planetary materials.
Conveners: Oliver Tschauner, UNLV, Department of Physics, UNLV 4505 Maryland Parkway , Las Vegas, NV 89154 USA, Tel: 7028951716, Fax: 7028950804, email: olivert@physics.unlv.edu, and Sarah Stewart-Mukhopadhyay, Dept. of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, 20 Oxford Street , Cambrigde, MA 02138 USA, Tel: 6174966462, Fax: 6173848249, email: sstewart@eps.harvard.edu, and Thomas Sharp, School of Earth and Space Exploration, ASU, 300 E. University Dr., Suite 145, PO Box 871404 , Tempe, AZ 85287 USA, Tel: 480-965-3071, Fax: 480-965-8102, email: tom.sharp@asu.edu, and Przemyslaw Dera, GSECARS University of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis St., Chicago, IL 60637 USA, Tel: (630) 252-0419, Fax: (630) 252-0443, email: dera@cars.uchicago.edu

MR08 Spin Crossover Transitions in the Mantle
The discovery of the spin crossover transition in minerals of the Earth´s lower mantle has the potential to induce a paradigm shift in our understanding of the mantle. They are subtle and diffuse and their consequences are harder to grasp. They affect most physical properties of minerals, which should have dramatic, but still elusive, consequences for our understanding of the mantle. They must be investigated in the laboratory at relevant conditions or studied theoretically, and both approaches are still very challenging. From the outset of their discovery it was understood that iron partitioning between lower mantle phases and the optical properties responsible for radiative conductivity would be affected by the spin transition. These early laboratory measurements were conducted at room temperature and theoretical studies subsequently pointed out that temperature would broaden the transition across the entire lower mantle. More recently it has been realized that elastic anomalies are produced by the spin transition and they can alter profoundly our understanding of the composition, mineralogy, and temperature of the lower mantle. Variations in density and rheological properties associated with this transition can also affect spectacularly the dynamical evolution of the planet as captured by geodynamic modeling. This session aims to report progress on and promote further integration of these results advancing a description of the mantle that incorporates and is compatible with the spin transitions, their geodynamic consequences, and seismic observations. We invite contributions addressing a) any physical property of mantle minerals or analogs, in isolated or aggregated form, undergoing a spin transition, b) the potential consequences of these property changes for the mantle, and c) interpretations of mantle observations possibly related to spin transitions. Multi-disciplinary, integrative perspectives are highly desired.
Conveners: Renata Wentzcovitch, U of Minnesota, 421 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA, Tel: 612 625-6345, Fax: 612 626-7246, email: wentzcov@cems.umn.edu, and James Badro, Département de Minéralogie - IMPMC, CNRS - IPGP - UPMC, 140 rue de Lourmel, Paris, 75015 FRA, Tel: +33 1 44 27 52 22, Fax: +33 1 44 27 37 85, email: james.badro@impmc.jussieu.fr, and Adam M. Dziewonski, Harvard University, 20 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, Tel: 617-495-2510, Fax: 617-495-0635, email: dziewons@eps.harvard.edu, and Paul Tackley, ETH Zurich, Schafmattstrasse 30, Zurich, 8093 CHE, Tel: +41 44 633 26 05, Fax: +41 44 633 10 65, email: paul.tackley@erdw.ethz.ch

MR09 Melt and Melt Properties Under Pressure
This session is focused on the physical properties of melts and melt systems under high pressure. This includes dry and volatile-bearing silicates, metallic melts, and the influence of volatiles and fluids on crystalline mineral/rock assemblages. We encourage contributions from both experimental (piston-cylinder, multi-anvil, diamond-anvil, and others) and computational mineral physics focused on melting and the relationship of melt properties to structure under pressure. We also encourage contributions from petrological experiments and innovative field research related to the subject.
Conveners: Hans J. Mueller, GFZ Potsdam, Telegraphenberg, Potsdam, D-14473 DEU, Tel: +49-331-288-1443, email: hjmuel@gfz-potsdam.de, and Charles E. Lesher, UC Davis, , , USA, email: lesher@geology.ucdavis.edu, and Yanbin Wang, University of Chicago, , , USA, email: wang@cars.uchicago.edu, and Eiji Ohtani, Tohoku University, , Sendai, 980-8578 JPN, Tel: 81-22-795-6662, email: ohtani@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp

MR10 New Views on Discontinuities, Composition and Temperature of the Mantle
Recently, many advanced experimental and computational techniques have been developed and utilized in the study of Earth materials at high pressures and temperatures. New results of structural transitions in silicates, oxides and melts, behavior of Fe in mantle phases, as well as the associated elastic and anelastic/rheological properties are expected to bring important insights and up-to-date constraints on density and velocity structures in the upper mantle, transition zone, and the lower mantle. For instance, are the discontinuities at the top and the bottom of the transition zone isochemical? Can perovskite-to-post-perovskite transition explain the unusual changes in physical properties at D" revealed in seismic data? Is a spin transition in Fe visible in seismic velocities? Meanwhile, assimilation of these data for quantitative modeling serve critical roles for a unified understanding of the composition, temperature as well as the lateral heterogeneities of the mantle. In this session, we invite experimental and computational studies on new findings in phase equilibria, phase transitions, elasticity, rheology, and equation of state of mantle phases for an improved understanding of the structure, composition and temperature of the Earth's mantle. We also welcome interdisciplinary efforts to integrate new mineral physics results into seismic interpretations and/or geodynamical models of the mantle.
Conveners: Razvan Caracas, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, , , FRA, email: razvan.caracas@ens-lyon.fr, and Sung Keun Lee, Seoul National University, , , PRK, email: sungklee@snu.ac.kr, and Christine Thomas, University of Liverpool, , , GBR, email: tine@liv.ac.uk, and Tetsuo Irifune, Ehime University, , , JPN, email: irifune@dpc.ehime-u.ac.jp, and Baosheng Li, Stony Brook University, , , USA, email: Boasheng.Li@sunysb@edu

MR11 Toward Quantifying the Relationships Between Deformation, Rock and Mineral Microstructure, Geochemistry and Reaction
Recent advances in analytical, experimental and modeling techniques have permitted detailed examination of the relationships between chemical and physical processes that occur in rocks and minerals deep in the crust and mantle. The links between rock and mineral microstructure, their geochemistry and associated reactions have significant implications for the material properties of rocks, such as bulk rheology and strain localization, seismic and electrical properties, as well as for geological processes on a larger scale, such as fluid flow, shear zone development, trace element budgets, and defining the PTt evolution of rocks. This session aims to bring together a broad range of researchers to promote discussion on the current state of understanding of the interaction between micro-scale physical and chemical processes in rocks and minerals from the crust and mantle. Submissions are welcome from experimental, field-based, analytical and modeling approaches.
Conveners: Eric T. Goergen, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Dept of Geology and Geophysics 108 Pillsbury Hall 310 Pillsbury Dr SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA, Tel: 612-625-0119, email: goer0074@umn.edu, and Nicholas Seaton, University of Minnesota, Twin cities, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics 108 Pillsbury Hall 310 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA, Tel: 612-625-0119, email: seato008@umn.edu, and Nicholas Erick Timms, Curtin University of Technology, The Institution for Geoscience Research (TIGeR) Department of Applied Geology GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845 AUS, Tel: +61(0)892662446, email: n.timms@curtin.edu.au, and Chris Clark, Curtin University of Technology, The Institution for Geoscience Research (TIGeR) Department of Applied Geology GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845 AUS, Tel: +61(0)892664372, email: c.clark@curtin.edu.au

Mineral and Rock Physics also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
T06 Seismic Fault Zone Rocks
DI02 Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Dynamics - Observations and Modeling
DI05 The Deep Earth’s Mantle Above the CMB: Structure, Composition Dynamics and Evolution
T16 Fault Zone Evolution and Weakening Processes Throughout the Seismic Cycle
DI10 Multi-Disciplinary Insights Into the Earth’s Transition Zone
T25 Is Water Being Recyled into the Deep Mantle? If So, How?
GP08 Analog Modeling of Deep Planetary Interiors
DI07 The Future of Imaging and Interpretation of Earth’s Internal Structure
DI11 Interdisciplinary Implications of Recent Deep Earth Discoveries: From Mineral Physics to Seismology and Geodynamics
V07 Abyssal Mantle: Origin and Surface Exposure Processes of Ultramafic Rocks
DI08 Chemical Heterogeneities in the Earth’s Mantle: Their Roles in the Early Earth Differentiation, Mantle Dynamics and Geochemistry
S12 Search for Large Earthquake Precursors from Space and Ground Observations
DI12 Linking Earth’s Deep Interior to the Surface: Earth Evolution
DI13 Linking Earth's Deep Interior to the Surface: The Present Mantle
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
V08 Early Earth Evolution: Geodynamics, Geochemistry, Geobiology
V06 Subduction Zones: Geochemical Processes and Geophysical Constraints
V09 Thirty Years of Mantle Recycling
V31 Nanoscale Views on Geochemical Processes
V33 Advances in Analyzing Rock Textures and Microgeochemistry
DI03 Understanding the Nature of Earth's Ultralow-Velocity Zones
T33 Terrestrial Heat Flux and Geoneutrinos
S05 Advances in the Theory, Modeling, and Observation of Anelastic Seismic Wave Propagation - Recent Anelastic Models of the Earth
S06 Monitoring Temporal Changes of Earth's Properties with Seismic Waves
DI09 Models of the Mantle: Reconciling Mineral Physics, Geodynamics, Geochemistry and Seismology
NS03 Geophysical Characterization of Flow in Dual Porosity Media: From Fractures to Karst and Glaciers
V12 Nature and Role of Colloids and Nanoparticles in the Environment
S23 Mantle Transition Zone: New Observations, Insights, and Challenges
DI06 The Ins and Outs of the Earth’s Core

Near Surface Geophysics

NS01 Near Surface Geophysics: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Near Surface Geophysics, including those utilizing seismic, acoustic, radar, electrical, magnetic, and other methods. Studies may include land, marine, and airborne studies. Methods may involve data acquisition, processing, analysis, modeling, or interpretation. Case histories showing application of near-surface geophysical methods to other fields are welcome, including but not limited to groundwater, geologic hazard assessment, archeology, and polar studies.
Conveners: Sarah Kruse, University of South Florida, , , USA, email: skruse@cas.usf.edu, and Mitchell Craig, California State University East Bay, , , USA, email: mitchell.craig@csueastbay.edu

NS02 Geoscientific Data for the Revitalization of Afghanistan
This session will provide a multi-disciplinary forum for presentation of the results from recently completed geological, geophysical, and hydrologic studies in Afghanistan. Data from these studies will aid in resource and hazards assessments and are expected to play a major role in establishing the long term social and economic security of the Afghan people. Research from the private and public sectors in the areas of geophysics, hydrology, and tectonophysics, as well as field and laboratory investigations are welcome.
Conveners: Trude V. V. King, U.S. Geological Survey, PO Box 25046 MS964, Denver, CO 80225 USA, Tel: 303-236-1373, email: tking@usgs.gov, and Raymond F. Kokaly, U.S. Geological Survey, PO Box 25046 MS973, Denver, CO 80225 USA, Tel: 303-236-1359, email: raymond@usgs.gov, and Ingrid Verstraeten, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive MS420, Reston, VA 20192 USA, email: imverstr@usgs.gov

NS03 Geophysical Characterization of Flow in Dual Porosity Media: From Fractures to Karst and Glaciers
Predicting flow and transport in dual porosity media is a challenging problem. Fractured and karstic geologic media, as well as glaciers, exhibit heterogeneous hydraulic properties that are difficult to characterize using conventional hydraulic testing methods. Geophysical imaging offers the potential to monitor subsurface processes remotely and over a period of time. The purpose of this session is to present the latest scientific developments in the remote characterization of dual porosity using surface and borehole methods. We encourage theoretical and experimental contributions, at laboratory and field scales, for characterization of flow and contaminant transport through fractures, karst, and glaciers, and characterization of flow conduit properties (e.g. aperture, interconnectivity, roughness) using geophysical and remote sensing methods.
Conveners: Georgios Tsoflias, The University of Kansas, Department of Geology 1475 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045 USA, Tel: 785 864-4584, email: tsoflias@ku.edu, and Matthew Becker, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, 876 NSC, Buffalo, NY 14260 USA, email: mwbecker@geology.buffalo.edu

NS04 Stratigraphic Applications of Near Surface Geophysics
This session will focus on applications of ground-penetrating radar, seismic reflection, marine acoustic, borehole, and other near surface geophysical methods for stratigraphic imaging and interpretation. The detailed stratigraphic record in near-surface sediments provides a valuable indicator of global sea-level fluctuations and environmental changes during the Holocene and Pleistocene. It is also important in paleoseismology studies. Improved data acquisition systems and methods have led to larger surveys with higher temporal and spatial resolution. New techniques for processing and visualization of large data volumes have enabled more sophisticated stratigraphic interpretation. Case studies involving geophysically-enhanced stratigraphic analyses, from any discipline, are welcomed.
Conveners: Mitchell Craig, California State University, East Bay, Dept. of Earth & Environmental Sciences 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. , Hayward, CA 94542 USA, Tel: 510-885-3425, email: mitchell.craig@csueastbay.edu, and Michael O'Neal, Loyola College in Maryland, Education Dept. 4501 North Charles St. , Baltimore, MD 21210 USA, Tel: 410-617-5377, email: moneal@loyola.edu, and Christopher Juhlin, Uppsala University, Dept. of Earth Sciences Geophysics Villavagen 16, Uppsala, SE-75236 SWE, Tel: +46-18-4712392, email: christopher.juhlin@geo.uu.se

NS05 Application of Joint Inverse Methods for Improved Characterization and Assessment of Ground-Water, Mineral, and Petroleum Resources
In geophysical imaging and ground-water or petroleum reservoir model calibration, inverse methods typically use a single type of data sensitive to a single physical property. Combining several types of data collected over the same region can potentially reduce ambiguity and enhance inversion results. We welcome contributions demonstrating the application of joint inversions using data sets 1) sensitive to the same physical property, 2) responsive to different physical properties between which there is an analytic relationship, and 3) disparate data sets where there is no analytic relationship between the properties. This session encourages contributions that describe regularization strategies, challenges regarding parameterization, potential inconsistencies between the data sets, worth of combined data, relative weighting issues, and the introduction of an estimation bias due to increased systematic errors, and uncertainty.
Conveners: Michael J. Friedel, U.S. Geological Survey, , , USA, email: mfriedel@usgs.gov, and Burke Minsley, U.S. Geological Survey, , , USA, email: bminsley@usgs.gov, and Alyssa Dausman, U.S. Geological Survey, , , USA, email: adausman@usgs.gov

NS06 Monitoring Techniques and Interpretation Methods for Coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical Processes in the Earth Crust
Couplings of fluid flow with thermal and rock mechanical effects in seismically active faults, volcanoes, slope stability, reservoir dynamics and CO2 sequestration, deep underground mining and nuclear waste storage are key research topics in which Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) processes are involved. Major challenges include imaging and monitoring these coupled processes in-situ and in the laboratory, and developing the coupling relations between them. It is commonly recognized that there is a lack of in-situ data that could help understand the processes at the mesoscale (which is the tenth of meters scale of large fractures and fault zones). The main reason is that such data are difficult to obtain at depths exceeding 300 m due to technological difficulties and cost. Although laboratory experiments that have been conducted are bigger in number than field experiments, there are also many technological challenges especially when studying changes in elastic parameters while monitoring chemical reactions at high temperatures and pressures. This session will be an opportunity to present and discuss various industrial and fundamental researches that focus on THMC processes in the earth crust. Interpretation methods applied to the results from innovative monitoring systems for the understanding of these coupled processes will be presented. This session is at the interface between high technology industrial research and leading-edge scientific research on THMC processes in the earth crust. The session will emphasize on testing the feasibility and principles of a new generation of smart-material-based sensor systems for in-situ and laboratory monitoring and imaging of THMC processes. Smart materials like optical fiber, piezo-electric ceramics, electro-rheological fluids, magnetostrictive materials and shape memory alloys can alter their properties in response to specific stimulus inputs. They offer miniaturized, non-invasive multi-sensing units that allow highly reliable coupled pressure-deformation-waves-temperature-chemical measurements which are necessary to understand the complex processes linking rock rheology, fluids and deformations over a broad band of frequencies.
Conveners: Yves Guglielmi, University of Provence Aix-Marseille 1, Geologie des systèmes Carbonates University of Provence Aix-Marseille 1 Centre de Sédimentologie-Paléontologie, case 67 3 place Victor Hugo, Marseille cedex 3, 13331 FRA, Tel: 0952165218, email: yguglielmi@free.fr, and Tiziana Vanorio, Stanford Rock Physics and Borehole Laboratory, Mitchell Building, Room B65 397 Panama Mall, Stanford, CA 94305 USA, Tel: 650-723-6106, email: tvanorio@stanford.edu, and Jonny Rutqvist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 cyclotron road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 510 - 486 - 5782, email: JRutqvist@lbl.gov

Near Surface Geophysics also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
P10 The Dynamic Lunar Environment
S19 Active-Source Seismic Imaging - Characterizing the Subsurface
H30 Innovative Methods for Integrating Hydrological, Geophysical, and Biochemical Methods for Subsurface Characterization and Remediation
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN23 Uncertainty in Geophysical Data Interpretation: Implications and Developments
H28 Joint Inversion Methods in Hydrogeophysics
S05 Advances in the Theory, Modeling, and Observation of Anelastic Seismic Wave Propagation - Recent Anelastic Models of the Earth
S16 Crust and Upper Mantle Structural Models Beneath the Central US
H19 Hydrogeophysics: Methods, Models, and Applications
H15 Recent Innovations in Environmental Sensing, Cyberinfrastructure and Observatories
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Nonlinear Geophysics

NG01 Nonlinear Geophysics: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Nonlinear Geophysics.
Conveners: Jay Johnson, Princeton University, , , USA, email: jrj@pppl.gov

NG02 Active Monitoring in Solid Earth Geophysics
Active monitoring is a new developing branch of geophysics, which deals with controlled-source continuous or multi-repeated observation of geophysical data related to wave propagation processes, such as seismic, and electromagnetic. Such data allow achievement of very high signal to noise ratios and significantly extend bounds of data sensitivity and recording distances. The applications of active monitoring are multiscale varying from fluid flow monitoring to a regional crustal deformation dynamics. The proposed topics include : social demands of active monitoring, strategic considerations, case studies, data acquisition technologies, data processing and interpretation.
Conveners: Michael Zhdanov, Univercity of Utah, South 1460 East, Rm 719 , Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA, Tel: 801-581-7750, email: mzhdanov@mines.utah.edu, and Valeri Korneev, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Rd., Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 510-486 7214, email: vakorneev@lbl.gov

NG03 Nonlinear and Self Organization Processes in Driven Space and Astrophysical Plasmas
Self-organization of plasma through nonlinear relaxation of complex interactions is ubiquitous in a number of space and astrophysical plasma systems. Common to all is a tendency of the system to evolve towards a preferred quasi-stationary state that leads predominantly to the generation of large scale structures that co-exist with background flows or fluctuations. Despite a large body of literature in this subject, our understanding of many physical processes manifesting the self-organization of space or astrophysical plasmas need to be reviewed fundamentally. It is often conjectured that the process of self-organization might be operative in many nonlinear processes observed in astrophysical and laboratory plasma . Most of the system exhibiting self-organization in nature are intrinsically nonlinear and often are not isolated – they are driven by some external forces that may be random or coherent. Such examples are abundant in nature. For instance, evolution of large scale magnetic fields out of small scale magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in astrophysical objects like the sun, stars formation led particularly by the evolution of magnetic field in molecular clouds, generation of extended magnetized jets at a wide variety of scales in astrophysical disk structures, occurrence of organized large scale structures in certain laboratory magnetofluids, evolution of coronal magnetic field, solar wind plasma turbulence relaxation and others. Of particular important is the exploration of self-organization and the associated nonlinear processes in such systems driven by various large-scale perturbations, intrinsic instabilities or inhomogeneities. We invite contributions from various Space Plasma Physicists to contribute their theories, simulations, spacecrafts data, data analyst and laboratory observations/simulations to this session to unravel the dynamics of self-organization by investigating the underlying nonlinear processes that give rise to physical effects; specifically the evolution of solar wind/coronal magnetic field, plasma fluctuations, selective decay processes in heliospheric plasmas and formation of nonlinear structures in driven, dissipative plasmas. Convenors Dastgeer Shaikh (dastgeer@ucr.edu) B. Dasgupta (dasgupta@ucr.edu) IGPP, UC Riverside CA
Conveners: B. Dasgupta, IGPP, 900 Univ Ave University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521 USA, email: dasgupta@ucr.edu, and Dastgeer Shaikh, IGPP, 900 Univ Ave University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521 USA, email: dastgeer@ucr.edu, and Q. Hu, IGPP, 900 Univ Ave University of California, Riverside , Riverside, CA 92521 USA, email: qiang.hu@ucr.edu, and A. Ram, MIT, , , USA, email: abhay@psfc.mit.edu

NG04 Statistics of Natural Hazards
The purpose of this session is to solicit a wide range of papers concerned with the statistics of natural hazards. The range of natural hazards includes earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes and extreme temperatures. Subject matter includes but is not limited to frequency-size statistics, correlations in space-time-magnitude, time series analyses, peaks-over-threshold analyses, record-breaking analyses, detrended fluctuation analyses, first passage time statistics, and similar.
Conveners: Donald Turcotte, University of California, Department of Geology One Shields Ave , Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: 530-752-6808, email: turcotte@geology.ucdavis.edu, and John Rundle, University of California, Department of Physics and Geology One Shields Ave. , Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: 530-752-6416, email: rundle@physics.ucdavis.edu, and Mark Yoder, University of California, Department of Physics, Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: 530-752-6419, email: yoder@physics.ucdavis.edu

NG05 Topological Space Weather Forecasting
Topological space weather forecasting is a new focus area within the broader discipline of heliophysics that makes use of topological and other parameters related to local and global magnetic configurations in order to make predictions about the triggering, onset and evolution of phenomena, which precede and set the stage for geomagnetic storms. These include, but are not limited to coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar flares, magnetic reconnection in coronal loops and in the Earth’s magnetotail and magnetospheric storms and sub-storms. The tools for such studies include magnetic twistedness, kink, linkage, knottedness, helicities, field-line curvature (FLC), field-line torsion (FLT) and wave polarization. Recent efforts to characterize various structures such as flux ropes, simply connected magnetic tongues, bottles, disconnected loops, separatrices, null points and bald patches suggest the topological properties of these structures may significantly enhance our understanding of space weather phenomena. For example, the topological properties of reconnecting magnetic structures near the Sun prior to flares and eruptions determine the orientation of fields associated with CMEs, whereas the mutual topology of the heliospheric (resulting from solar eruptions) and magnetospheric fields governs reconnection and may impact the severity of geomagnetic storms. In addition, this new area of research makes use of and builds upon an already robust understanding of self-organized critical (SOC) dynamical phase transitions in space plasmas in order to relate large-scale global magnetic topology to localized small-scale processes such as wave-particle interactions and the formation of density cavities. The purpose of this session is to assemble an interdisciplinary group of researchers from diverse backgrounds including topology and geometry, non-linear dynamics, plasma physics, magnetospheric, heliospheric and solar physics, and astrophysics in order to develop a new framework for understanding the solar-terrestrial interactions which culminate in geomagnetic events. The participation of theorists, numerical modelers and observers is welcome in this session which may include topics such as: 1) The role of knot and braid theory in space plasma physics 2) Helicity conservation under Reidemeister moves 3) Magnetic helicity as a tool for space weather diagnostics 4) Magnetic helicity budgets in the solar corona and its evolution subsequent to solar eruptions and propagation throughout the solar system 5) The role of helicity in solar-terrestrial magnetic field interactions 6) Field-line torsion evolution during storm triggering and onset 7) Evidence of self-organized phenomena in magnetic morphologies
Conveners: Steven Haskell Bekhor, Michigan Plasma Physics Research Institute, , Montréal, QC H3Z 3C5 CAN, Tel: 514-932-1208, email: chalutz@umich.edu, and Etienne Pariat, CEOSR George Mason University/NASA GSFC Space Weather Laboratory, , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-8156, Fax: 301-286-1648, email: epariat@helio.gsfc.nasa.gov, and Alexei A. Pevtsov, NASA Headquarters / National Solar Observatory, , Washington, DC 20546 USA, Tel: 202-358-1106, email: Alexei.A.Pevtsov@nasa.gov

NG06 Scale, Scaling and Nonlinear Variability in Space-Time Precipitation: Data, Measurements, Models and Theories
Precipitation displays extreme space-time variability of over wide ranges of space-time scales. Its observation and understanding require new sources of data, new measurement techniques, advances in the theory and modeling of precipitation. All of these are strongly interdependent. the complexity of precipitation is such that while theoretical advances are necessary for quantifying errors in rainfall estimation and prediction at different time and space scales, the measurements are necessary for developing new approaches. These include stochastic and scaling (fractal, multifractal) and other approaches attempting to bridge wide ranges of scales. This session will aim to confront precipitation data with new models and theories. The session will particularly emphasize the following themes: (a) New trends in observations over wide range of scales, especially from radars and satellites, (b) Climate/weather and rainfall, their respective space-time scaling and ranges of interaction, (c) Special attention will be paid to the extremes, including flooding (d) Strategies for improving synergies between models, theories and observations including satellite rain algorithms.
Conveners: Shaun Lovejoy, McGill University, 3600 University st., Montreal, Qc H3A 2T8 CAN, Tel: 1-514-398-6537, email: lovejoy@physics.mcgill.ca, and Daniel Schertzer, ENPC, 6-8 Rue Blaise Pascale, Cité Descartes, FRA, Tel: 33.1.64.15.36.33, email: Daniel.Schertzer@enpc.fr, and Eric Smith, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Centre, Washington D.C., USA, Tel: (301) 614-6286, email: eric.a.smith@nasa.gov, and Alberto Montanari, Univeristy of Bologna, , Bologna, ITA, email: alberto.montanari@unibo.it

NG07 Lorenz Lecture
This is a special lecture given by an Invited Speaker.
Conveners: A. Surjalal Sharma, University of Maryland, , , USA, email: surjasharma@gmail.com

Nonlinear Geophysics also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
OS13 Anisotropic Mesoscale Structure of Basin-Wide Ocean Circulation
A11 ENSO and Global Change: The Past, Present, and Future
S10 Earthquake Simulators -Ready for Primetime?!
H09 Timescales and Feedbacks in Ecogeomorphology
AE06 Thunderstorm Electrification and the Physics, Detection, and Warning of Lightning
IN23 Uncertainty in Geophysical Data Interpretation: Implications and Developments

Ocean Sciences

OS01 Ocean Sciences: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Ocean Sciences.
Conveners: Elizabeth Canuel, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, , , USA, email: ecanuel@vims.edu, and Donna Witter, Kent State University, , , USA, email: dwitter@kent.edu, and Karen Bice, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, , , USA, email: kbice@whoi.edu

OS02 Connecting the Seafloor and the Shoreline: Steps Toward Successfully Integrating Observation and Modeling
Several regional-scale geophysical mapping efforts have taken place along the US coasts over the last 10-15 years, with the goal of understanding the relationship between relict geology and coastal processes. Results have demonstrated that variability in the structural framework of the coastal plain is very important in controlling regional-scale shoreline evolution and sediment availability. Furthermore, variations in the geologic character (grain size, consolidation, composition, morphology, etc) of the shelf and nearshore have been linked to long-term (centennial and greater) and short-term (decadal-centennial) shoreline evolution. Despite these spatial relationships, coastal geologists and sediment transport modelers continue to struggle to successfully incorporate observed complexities into numerical models of shoreface evolution and coastal sediment transport. This session seeks to bring together coastal geologists and sediment transport modelers working on open ocean coastlines to continue the dialogue regarding the best ways to parameterize geophysical observations for incorporation into sediment transport models. Submissions focusing on new observations and new transport models will be considered, but the emphasis of the session will be on innovative techniques for parameterizing geophysical observations and inventive ways of incorporating complex observations into new/existing numerical models and on geological and physical processes. Contributions considering a range of time scales, from centuries to hours, are welcome.
Conveners: Jennifer L. Miselis, Naval Research Laboratory, Marine Geosciences Division Code 7440.3 Bldg. 1005 , Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 USA, Tel: 228.688.5563, Fax: 228.688.4853, email: jmiselis@nrlssc.navy.mil, and Paul Gayes, Coastal Carolina University, 1270 Atlantic Ave., Conway, SC 29526 USA, Tel: 843.349.4015, Fax: 843.349.4019, email: ptgayes@coastal.edu

OS03 Advances in Tsunami Research with Application to Forecasts and Warnings
The horrific December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami provided a wealth of data and the establishment of a global tsunami monitoring system. These data have led to advances in tsunami science. This session focuses on recent research advances in the dynamics of geophysical processes involved in tsunami generation, propagation, and inundation, along with the statistical and geophysical properties of tsunami recurrence, as applied to tsunami forecasts and warnings.
Conveners: Eddie Bernard, NOAA/Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, NOAA/PMEL 7600 Sand Point Way NE , Seattle, WA 98115 USA, Tel: 2065266800, Fax: 2065264576, email: eddie.n.bernard@noaa.gov, and Allan Robinson, Havard University, School of Engineering and Applied Science Harvard University Pierce Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, Tel: 6174952819, Fax: 6174955192, email: robinson@pacific.harvard.edu

OS04 CLIVAR/GODAE: The ECCO State Estimates
The Consortium, Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO) is directed toward estimating the time-evolving state of the global ocean by synthesizing diverse observational data with general circulation models. A long-term goal is to provide a high-resolution, physically consistent coupled ocean/sea-ice/biochemical (and ultimately, atmospheric) state estimate to a wide community for a large number of purposes ranging from climate change and forecasting, biogeochemical cycles, coastal applications, to Earth rotation. In working towards its long-term goal, ECCO has spun off several projects, including ECCO-GODAE, the G(erman)-ECCO five-decade synthesis, and ECCO-2 whose goal is estimation at eddy-permitting resolution. The products and tools from these projects have been supporting research and applications under the Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) program and the Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE). This session will provide an opportunity for ECCO product users to (a) describe the scientific implications of their results, (b) enhance the feedback from the broader community to the Consortium, (c) foster the interaction between ECCO members and other scientists who utilize the state estimates. Presentations describing recent scientific applications of ECCO products and tools are particularly solicited, including general circulation, climate change, biogeochemistry, coastal processes, geodesy, hydrology, as are descriptions of forthcoming enhancements of the ECCO models and data.
Conveners: Tong Lee, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 1-818-354-1401, Fax: 1-818-393-6720, email: Tong.Lee@jpl.nasa.gov, and Patrick Heimbach, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 1-617-253-5259, Fax: 1-617-253-4464, email: heimbach@mit.edu, and Rui M. Ponte, Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc., 131 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421 USA, Tel: 1-781-761-2288, Fax: 1-781-761-2299, email: rponte@aer.com, and Detlef Stammer, Universitaet Hamburg, Bundesstr. 53, Hamburg, D-20146 DEU, Tel: +49 (0)40 42838 5052, Fax: +49 (0)40 42838 7063, email: detlef.stammer@zmaw.de

OS05 Influences of Atmospheric Deposition of Nutrients, Trace Elements, and Isotopes on Ocean Biogeochemistry.
Major oceanographic research programs (GEOTRACES, SOLAS, etc.) emphasize the importance of atmospheric deposition to biogeochemical cycles in the ocean. The goal of this session is to bring together the diverse community of experimentalists and modelers to discuss the impacts of atmospheric deposition of dust, macro-nutrients, biologically-active trace elements (Fe, Co, Zn, etc.), and other trace elements and isotopes in the past, present, and future.
Conveners: William M. Landing, Florida State University, Department of Oceanography Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4320 USA, Tel: 850-644-6037, Fax: 850-644-2581, email: wlanding@fsu.edu, and Yuan Gao, Rutgers University, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences 101 Warren Street, Newark, NJ 07201 USA, Tel: 973-353-1139, Fax: 973-353-1965, email: yuangaoh@andromeda.rutgers.edu

OS06 Nearshore Processes
Nearshore processes research over the last several decades has often focused on sandy beaches where many of the signals from waves and wave processes are large and visually obvious. There has been more recent emphasis to more thoroughly investigate other coastal regimes including those with heterogeneous sediments features as well as tidal flats where waves are not always the dominant forcing mechanism. Thus, in this session we invite abstracts that focus on the dynamics of waves, tides, currents, turbulence, and sediment transport from the beach face to the shelf break along sandy, muddy or mixed sedimentary coastlines. However, abstracts covering all aspects of nearshore processes research are welcome. Topics of particular interest include: 1) sediment transport processes and bottom boundary layer dynamics, 2) waves and wave- driven circulation, 3) hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes in tidal flat environments, 3) coastal morphodynamics, 4) swash zone processes, and 5) nearshore turbulence. Abstracts of an observational, theoretical, or modeling nature are welcome.
Conveners: Fengyan Shi, University of Delaware, Center for Applied Coastal Research University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716 USA, Tel: (302) 831-2449, Fax: (302) 831-1228, email: fyshi@udel.edu, and Bret M. Webb, University of South Alabama, Department of Civil Engineering 307 N. University Blvd. , Mobile, AL 36688 USA, Tel: (251) 460- 6174, Fax: (251) 461- 1400, email: bwebb@usouthal.edu

OS07 Indian Ocean Variability and Change and Their Impact on Climate
Increasing evidence shows that the Indian Ocean (IO) has had large impacts on regional and global climate on a wide range of time scales. On decadal and multi-decadal timescales, progressive warming of the IO is shown to be the principal contributor for the upward trend of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in the second half of the 20th century. Variations of IO sea surface temperature (SST) play an important role in shaping the North Pacific interdecadal variability. The IO warming trend is critical for the drying trend over the West Sahel from the 1950s to 1990s. It is suggested that meridional overturning circulation of the IO may play an important role in affecting heat and salt balance and thus influence the decadal and multi-decadal variability. On interannual timescales, the IO is shown to have active impact on ENSO, and the IO Zonal Dipole Mode causes severe draught in Indonesia and flood in Africa. On intraseasonal timescales, IO SST variability can affect the direction of the MJO propagation via air-sea interaction. The MJOs are often generated in the IO and subsequently propagate eastward to the Pacific to influence ENSO and poleward to affect the Asian-Australian monsoon. Biological activity and its feedback on oceanic circulation are also important for an accurate understanding and prediction of our future climate variability and change. The proposed session aims at gathering the latest research on multi-scale variability and change of the IO circulation, dynamics, thermodynamics, air/sea interaction, biological feedback and impact of the IO on regional and global climate.
Conveners: Weiqing Han, University of Colorado, UCB 311, Stadium Room 255, Colorado Avenue, Boulder, Co 80309 USA, Tel: 303-735-3079, Fax: 303-492-3524, email: weiqing.han@colorado.edu, and Julian P. McCreary, University of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, POST Bldg. 401 1680 East West Road, Honolulu, Hi 96822 USA, Tel: 808-956-2216, Fax: 808-956-9425, email: jay@hawaii.edu, and Raghu Murtugudde, University of Maryland, ESSIC, CSS Bldg, Room 2201 Univ of MD , College Park, MD 20742 USA, Tel: 301-314-2622, Fax: 301-405-8468, email: mahatma@umd.edu

OS08 Advances in the Prediction Capabilities of Interdisciplinary Nested Models in Coastal and Shelf Seas
Numerical modeling and prediction in coastal and shelf seas has greatly benefited from the development of state-of-the-art, data assimilative and data validated large scale models that can supply initial and boundary conditions to nested domains, allowing the resolution of several spatial and temporal scales. The Global Data Assimilative Experiment (GODAE), to end this year, is one of the efforts that lead to the development of operational global and basin scale models that can provide boundary conditions to coastal and shelf models. Presentations affiliated with the GODAE Coastal and Shelf Seas Working Group are strongly encouraged, although all contributions addressing any of the following topics will be welcome. This session will provide a forum for recent advances in the numerical modeling of processes in coastal and shelf seas and the development and assessment of methods that lead to coastal prediction and forecast. Emphasis will be given to nested hydrodynamic models that employ (a) boundary conditions from large scale operational products to address coastal to offshore interactions; (b) data from observational networks for assimilation and validation. Nested ecosystem models of various complexities addressing the influence of physical processes on ecosystem dynamics and interdisciplinary coastal predictions are also welcome. The session will promote the discussion of methodologies that lead to reliable coastal forecasts (such as data assimilation, error analysis, influence of nesting, resolution and forcing) and the impact of sustainable, integrated modeling and observational networks that connect local, regional and global scales. Presentations that address the related socioeconomic and coastal management benefits are encouraged.
Conveners: Villy Kourafalou, University of Miami/RSMAS, RSMAS/MPO 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy., Miami, FL 33149 USA, Tel: 305 421 4905, Fax: 305 421 4696, email: vkourafalou@rsmas.miami.edu, and George Halliwell, University of Miami/RSMAS, RSMAS/MPO 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy., Miami, FL 33149 USA, Tel: 305 421 4621, Fax: 305 421 4696, email: ghalliwell@rsmas.miami.edu, and Pierre De Mey, LEGOS - Laboratoire d''Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales, 18 avenue Edouard Belin, Toulouse, F-31401 FRA, Tel: 33(0)561332928, Fax: 33(0)561253205, email: pierre.de-mey@legos.obs-mip.fr, and Roger Proctor, Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, 6 Brownlow St, Liverpool, L3 5DA GBR, Tel: 44 151 795 4856, Fax: 44 151 795 4801, email: rp@wpo.nerc.ac.uk

OS09 Air-Sea Gas Exchange
This session seeks to bring together the gas exchange community to share findings and ideas, bolstered by new data emerging from recently completed open ocean field campaigns aimed at studying air-sea gas exchange such as: Deep Ocean Gas Exchange Experiment (DOGEE) and Southern Ocean Gas Exchange Experiment (SO GasEx). All contributions related to air-sea gas exchange are welcome, including presentations on observations, modeling, data synthesis/interpretation, and technique development.
Conveners: David T. Ho, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Department of Oceanography 1000 Pope Road , Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, email: david.ho@hawaii.edu, and Roberta C. Hamme, University of Victoria, Petch Building 179A 3800 Finnerty Road (Ring Road), Victoria, BC V8P 5C2 CAN, email: rhamme@uvic.ca, and Robert Upstill-Goddard, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, , , GBR, Tel: +44 191 222 5065, Fax: +44 191 222 7891, email: rob.goddard@ncl.ac.uk

OS10 Sedimentation Processes in Submarine Canyons
Submarine canyons are among the largest topographic features across the world's continental margins, and form major conduits for direct transport of terrestrial sediment to the deep sea. Transport processes and fluxes are interrelated with climatic cycles and sea level and sedimentation processes in submarine canyons are linked to the biogeochemical systems of both coastal waters and the deep-ocean environment. Extensive use of the coastal ocean and active, increasing exploitation of the continental slope and shelf asks for an assessment of the role, functioning and importance of canyon systems for the marine ecosystem. This session invites presentations on recent advancements in understanding and studies of geological and/or oceanographical processes in submarine canyons and their forcing. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, geologic processes and deposits, submarine slides, turbidity currents, internal tides, sediment transport, biogeochemical cycling, anthropogenic input and dispersal, and any other subject that contributes to advance our understanding of the geologic and oceanographic processes in submarine canyons. Presentations of technological advancements such as high-resolution 3D geologic, seismic or multibeam mapping, hydrodynamic measurements and sampling techniques, and numerical models are also welcomed.
Conveners: Jingping Xu, U.S. Geological Survey, , S, USA, email: jpx@usgs.gov, and James T. Liu, National Sun Yat-sen University, , , TWN, email: james@mail.nsysu.edu.tw, and Tjeerd van Weering, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, , , NLD, email: tjeerd@nioz.nl

OS11 Identifying Global Tsunami Vulnerabilities: Focus on the Atlantic Coasts
Many areas outside the Pacific basin present unique scientific challenges to tsunami hazard assessments. These challenges are related to low annual probability of tsunami recurrence in areas of high vulnerability coastlines, a sparse historical tsunami from which to assess the recurrence interval, an incomplete understanding of the tsunami sources, and the need to assess the hazard on time scales of 10,000 years in support of the construction of nuclear power plants. The session will highlight recent work (and controversies) related to source characteristics, spatial and temporal source distribution, conditions for tsunamigenic landslides, and probabilistic analyses. The focus is on Atlantic coastlines but other regions with similar problems and emerging tsunami warning systems (e.g., Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean) will be considered as well.
Conveners: Uri ten Brink, USGS, 384 Woods Hole Rd., Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA, Tel: 5084572396, email: utenbrink@usgs.gov, and Eric Geist, USGS, 345 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 6503295457, email: egeist@usgs.gov, and Vasily Titov, NOAA-PMEL, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115 USA, Tel: 2065264536, email: vasily.titov@noaa.gov, and Annie Kammerer, US-NRC, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20555 USA, Tel: 3014157964, email: annie.kammerer@nrc.gov

OS12 Impact of Climate Variability and Change on Estuaries and Coastal Oceans
Previous research has highlighted the response of estuaries and coastal waters to changes in freshwater inflow and nutrient inputs. This session seeks a broader assessment of the influence of climate change on the physical regime and biogeochemical response of coastal and estuarine environments. While large inter-annual fluctuations in river flow result in highly variable nutrient loading to coastal systems, short-term wind events and long-term temperature change exert more subtle and poorly-understood controls on biogeochemical processes. Questions that remain include: How do estuaries and coastal environments vary at interannual and longer time scales? How do planktonic and benthic communities and biogeochemical processes respond to changes in stratification, circulation strength and residence times? What are the relative importance of predicted climatic forcing variables — sea level rise, temperature increase, altered hydrological cycles, changes in atmospheric forcing — on these coastal environments? To predict the impact of future climate change on coastal systems and develop effective adaptation strategies, it is critical as well as timely to explore the mechanisms linking climatic forcing to coastal circulation and biogeochemical processes. This session is intended to bring together climate scientists, physical oceanographers, biogeochemists and ecologists to address outstanding questions concerning the regional impacts of climate change and variability on estuarine and coastal systems. We solicit contributions on: • Retrospective data analysis that identifies the connections between climate variability and estuarine/coastal systems. • Modeling investigations into the mechanisms linking climatic forcing to coastal structure and processes, including physical and biogeochemical responses. • Downscaling studies directed at the regional consequences of climate change on estuaries and coastal oceans.
Conveners: Ming Li, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Lab, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 2020 Horn Point Road., Cambridge, MD 21613 USA, Tel: (410)-221-8420, Fax: (410)-221-8490, email: MINGLI@HPL.UMCES.EDU, and Ray Najjar, Pennsylvania State University, Department of Meteorology, Pennsylvania State University, 503 Walker Building., University Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: (814)-863-1586, email: najjar@meteo.psu.edu, and Rocky Geyer, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 93 Water Street, MS #12., Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA, Tel: (508)-289-2868, email: rgeyer@whoi.edu, and Hans Paerl, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC-CH Institute of Marine Sciences, 3431 Arendell Street., Morehead City, NC 28557 USA, Tel: (252)-726-6841 ext. 133, email: hans_paerl@unc.edu

OS13 Anisotropic Mesoscale Structure of Basin-Wide Ocean Circulation
Recently, prominent anisotropic features of the ocean circulation have been detected using satellite and in situ observations and high resolution numerical models. These striation patterns are best seen in current velocity and are ubiquitous in all ocean basins. They are most distinct and energetic at the sea surface and appear as jets or fronts with mesoscale width and extending for thousands of kilometers in length. Subsurface floats also suggest alternating currents at intermediate depths. This session invites observational, numerical and theoretical studies on all aspects of these features, including their geographical distribution, three dimensional structures, time dependence, dynamics and forcing.
Conveners: Nikolai Maximenko, IPRC/SOEST, University of Hawaii, , , USA, email: maximenk@hawaii.edu, and Niklas Schneider, IPRC/SOEST, University of Hawaii, , , USA, email: nschneid@hawaii.edu, and Emanuel Di Lorenzo, School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, , , USA, email: edl@gatech.edu, and Oleg Melnichenko, IPRC/SOEST, University of Hawaii, , , USA, email: oleg@hawaii.edu

OS14 Decadal Trends in the Ocean Carbon Cycle
Observations and models suggest substantial changes in the ocean carbon sink over the past two decades in the Southern Ocean (LeQuere et al., 2007), North Atlantic (Schuster and Watson, 2007), North Pacific (Takahashi et al., 2006) and Equatorial Pacific (Feely et al. 2006). Satellite ocean color observations suggest declining biological productivity in permanently stratified regions (Behrenfeld et al., 2006), and significant changes in interior oxygen distributions have been observed (Emerson et al,. 2004). Model simulations suggest that these long-term changes extend over large spatial scales, and that the mechanisms of change are mostly physical (Deustch et al., 2005; Lovenduski et al., 2008). Repeat Hydrographic and VOS surveys now permit scientists to examine decadal time-scale climate-related variations in the ocean physics, chemistry, and biology in unprecedented detail. One of the major challenges for analyses of these oceanic data is to distinguish between natural variability and long-term trends due to anthropogenic changes. This session invites contributions that approach such variations and changes in multiple ways, including, but not limited to physical, biological, biogeochemical, and carbon cycle perspectives. We encourage submission of abstracts that use of a broad palette of tools, i.e. including observational and modeling approaches. Particular emphasis will be placed on abstracts that address ocean interior changes from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Conveners: Galen A. McKinley, University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1225 W. Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706 USA, Tel: 608 262-4817, Fax: 608 262-0166, email: gamckinley@wisc.edu, and Richard A. Feely, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 USA, Tel: (206) 526-6214, email: Richard.A.Feely@noaa.gov, and Nicole S. Lovenduski, Colorado State University, 1371 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1371 USA, Tel: 970-491-8613, Fax: 970-491-8449, email: nikki@atmos.colostate.edu

OS15 Internal Waves
We continue to seek a more complete picture of the processes involved in internal wave generation, propagation and dissipation. Current areas of particular interest are: the pathways that energy travels, from when it first enters the internal wave field of the ocean to where it ultimately meets it fate; and the processes responsible for the production of nonlinear internal waves by complex topographic features, such as ridges and straits. The goal of this session is to provide a forum for presenting the latest results from relevant modelling and field observations.
Conveners: Thomas Peacock, MIT, , , USA, email: thomaspeacock@gmail.com, and Oliver Fringer, Stanford, , , USA, email: fringer@stanford.edu, and David Farmer, University of Rhode Island, , , USA, email: dfarmer@gso.uri.edu

OS16 Coastal Ocean Processes
It has become clear that distributions of primary productivity, nutrients, pollutants, plankton, and planktonic larvae vary greatly in space and time in the coastal ocean often as a consequence of the dynamic interactions between the wind and buoyancy forced circulation and turbulent mixing. This session provides a forum for the presentation of recent advances in, and studies of, the physical processes and interactions that are relevant to the transport and dispersal of materials and organisms in the coastal ocean. Presentations on observational and theoretical studies of: shelf circulation, tides, coastal mixing, estuary plumes, boundary layers dynamics, mesoscale structures, flow around complex topography, and frontal dynamics will be included. Results from interdisciplinary studies on bio-physical interactions such as coastal ocean hypoxia or larval transport are particularly encouraged, as are reports from recent process studies and coastal ocean observing systems. Submissions will be grouped by sub-topic to minimize overlap.
Conveners: Anthony Kirincich, WHOI, , , USA, Tel: 508-289-2629, email: akirincich@whoi.edu, and James O'Donnell, UCONN, , , USA, email: james.odonnell@uconn.edu, and Libe Washburn, UCSB, , , USA, email: washburn@icess.ucsb.edu

OS17 Carbon Cycling in the Coastal Ocean
Carbon cycling and air-sea CO2 fluxes in the coastal ocean are not well understood and poorly quantified to the point that it is uncertain whether or not the coastal oceans are a net source or sink with respect to CO2. Moreover, coastal regions are particularly sensitive to changes in forcings such as those related to climate, sea level rise, and human activities. The lack of understanding of the contributions of the coastal ocean to continent-scale carbon cycling hampers integrated carbon research efforts such as is being undertaken in the North American Carbon Program (NACP) and other international programs. Several recent field campaigns and modeling efforts have begun to address these issues and other national and international coordinated campaigns are being developed for different coastal regimes around the world. Submissions are encouraged from investigators who have contributed to recent field campaigns and modeling efforts. Regional interpretations including the effects of "continental carbon outflow"; changes in coastal carbon dynamics due to climate change and anthropogenic perturbations; and global and regional updates on coastal carbon budgets and fluxes are encouraged.
Conveners: Rik Wanninkhof, NOAA/AOML, 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Fl 33149 USA, Tel: 305-361-4379, email: rik.wanninkhof@noaa.gov, and Simone Alin, NOAA - Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 USA, Tel: (206) 526-6819, Fax: (206) 526-6744, email: Simone.R.Alin@noaa.gov, and Debby Ianson, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences 9860 West Saanich Rd. , Sidney, BC V8L 4B2 CAN, Tel: 250 363 6614, Fax: 250 363 6690, email: iansond@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

OS18 Groundwater Inputs to the Lakes and Ocean
This session is designed to consolidate fundamental areas of research available in field investigations and modeling of Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD), that are necessary for understanding, quantifying, forecasting and combating the lakes and ocean contamination process. The process of SGD is now recognized as significant for water and material pathways from the land to the lakes and ocean. The study of the chemical and ecological effects of SGD in the coastal zone is an emerging science. This session will focus on physical, chemical and biological aspects of SGD and will be hosted by the International Commission on Groundwater-Seawater Interactions. Papers are invited on relevant topics, including SGD, salt water intrusion, environmental, and ecological effects in lakes, estuaries and coastal zones, as well as other subjects related to groundwater-surface water interactions. Special attention will be paid to fresh, low-brackish and polluted groundwater spreading in hydrological cycle and to the groundwater intake influence on the lake and ocean environment.
Conveners: Yevgeniy A. Kontar, Illinois State Geological Survey, 615 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820-6964 USA, Tel: 217-265-5438, Fax: 217-244-7004, email: kontar@isgs.uiuc.edu, and Giovanni Barrocu, University of Cagliari, Piazza dArmi, Cagliari, I-09123 ITA, email: barrocu@unica.it, and Georges L. Weatherley, Department of Oceanography, Florida State University, 117 N. Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4320 USA, Tel: 850-644-6700, Fax: 850-644-2581, email: weatherly@ocean.fsu.edu, and Yuriy R. Ozorovich, Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Profsouznaya str., 84/72, Moscow, 117997 RUS, email: yozorovi@iki.rssi.ru

OS19 Iron Distribution and Speciation in the Oceans
Considerable advances in our knowledge of the distribution of iron and its chemical transformations have taken place in recent years. This session highlights those advances, particularly in systems where speciation influences iron distribution and transport, and where knowledge of both speciation and total concentration provides insight into micronutrient limitation.
Conveners: James Moffett, University of Southern California, , , USA, email: jmoffett@usc.edu, and Katherine Barbeau, UC San Diego, , , USA, email: kbarbeau@ucsd.edu

OS20 The Formation, Evolution, and Impact of Mode Waters
Interest in the formation, dispersion, and dissipation of mode waters, their air-sea interactions and possible climate impact has motivated intensive observational programs and modeling efforts, including the CLIVAR MOde water Experiment (CLIMODE) in the North Atlantic and the Kuroshio Extension System Study (KESS) in the North Pacific, among others. Mode waters are formed by intense air-sea interaction, often in regions of strong fronts. A complex set of processes may affect mode water volume, water properties and circulation, as well as the response of the overlying atmosphere on a variety of time scales. Presentations in this session are invited on all topics relating to oceanic mode waters and associated meteorological processes.
Conveners: Kathryn A. Kelly, University of Washington, Applied Physics Lab Box 355640 , Seattle, WA 98195 USA, Tel: 206-543-9810, Fax: 206-543-6785, email: kkelly@apl.washington.edu, and Lynne Talley, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, , La Jolla, CA USA, email: ltalley@ucsd.edu, and Bo Qiu, University of Hawaii, , , USA, email: bo@soest.hawaii.edu, and John Toole, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, , , USA, email: jtoole@whoi.edu

OS21 Advances in Operational Oceanography and Scientific Drilling
This session focuses on tools, instrumentation, services, and technologies that serve the ocean geoscience and scientific drilling community. Potential topics of interest include new or advanced sampling and measurement tools, including ROV and AUV operations, shipboard experiments, sensors, laboratory workflow processes, data handling solutions, as well as down-hole logging or geophysics tools and methods, and related developments and acilities. One focus will be on tools and services that serve multi-disciplinary operations and specifically advance integrated research programs on future research vessels or ocean observatories. A second emphasis is set on developments suited for IODP drilling platforms like Chikyu, JOIDES Resolution and mission-specific settings. While we are particularly interested in new developments, we also welcome information about updates and improvements of existing systems. We aim to stimulate discussion and the exchange of concepts between different geoscience and engineering communities. A broad audience is targeted to ideally develop and foster the joint use of tools and methods across different programs and platforms, and to make potential users aware of new developments in other fields and organisations. In addition, we especially invite contributions to new or advanced instrumentation and tools that are capable of operating under polar or otherwise extreme climatic conditions, or technical contributions related to The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008.
Conveners: Lester Lembke-Jene, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Am Alten Hafen 26, Bremerhaven, D-27568 DEU, Tel: +49-(0)471-4831-1736, email: Lester.Lembke-Jene@awi.de, and Peter Blum, IODP-USIO Texas A&M University, 1000 Discovery Drive, College Station, TX 77845 USA, email: peter.Blum@iodp.tamu.edu

OS22 The Southern Ocean in the Global Climate System
The Southern Ocean is the most inaccessible and under-sampled ocean in the world. It nevertheless controls water mass exchange between the major ocean basins through the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and the volume and properties of globally significant water masses including Antarctic Intermediate Water and Antarctic Bottom Water. The interplay of these components with the meridional overturning circulation, in particular in the Atlantic, involves critical processes that affect the accuracy of long-term IPCC-type climate projections. Our understanding of many of these processes and how to represent them in climate models is still rudimentary. This session will bring together scientists with diverse research interests in the Southern Ocean. We encourage submissions based on in situ observations, satellite remote sensing, and numerical modeling. Appropriate topics include, but are not limited to: linkages of the Southern Ocean to the global ocean and atmospheric circulation; atmosphere/ice/ocean interactions; the contributions of sea ice and ice shelves to water mass properties and circulation; and “small-scale” processes such as deep-water convection, dense outflows, and tidal effects.
Conveners: Achim Stoessel, Texas A&M University, , , USA, email: astoessel@ocean.tamu.edu, and Laurence Padman, Earth & Space Research, 3350 SW Cascade Ave, Corvallis, OR 97333 USA, Tel: 541-753-6695, email: padman@esr.org, and Sarah Gille, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., Mail Code 0230, La Jolla, CA 92093-0230 USA, Tel: 858-822-4425, Fax: 858-534-9820, email: sgille@ucsd.edu

OS23 Hydrate Formation and Dissociation in Permeable Strata - Conditions for Economic Recovery of Natural Gas
This session is concerned primarily with those factors that could lead to the formation of methane hydrate concentrations having potential for economic development, and with those factors that govern the recovery of hydrate natural gas. Drilling results on the Cascadia margin of North America and elsewhere confirm that high concentrations of natural gas hydrate (NGH) are primarily associated with porous and permeable strata at different levels of the Gas Hydrate Stability Zone rather than being associated spatially with the base of the zone. This type of deposit conforms with economic geological models for other strata-bound, high grade mineral deposits, whose development is primarily a function of crystallization from mineralizing (NG-saturated) pore fluids. Development of NGH concentrations may thus have a paragenesis that is similar to other mineral deposits, which would allow the application of existing economic geological exploration, valuation, and extraction methodologies to NGH exploration and recovery.
Conveners: Michael Max, MDS Research, 1601 3rd St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA, Tel: 727-821-3993, Fax: 727-821-4430, email: michaelmax1@mac.com, and Arthur Johnson, Hydrate Energy International, , , USA, email: artjohnson51@hotmail.com, and Warren Wood, Naval Research Laboratory, , , USA, email: wwood@nrlssc.navy.mil

OS24 Climatic Variability in the Marine Freshwater Cycle
Changes in the global water cycle are key elements of climate change, and are more difficult to both measure and forecast than is global temperature. This session will address the problems and progress in understanding climatic variations in the marine freshwater cycle both in the ocean and atmosphere, and possible links to changes in the cryosphere. Topics of interest include (a) observed trends and variability in ocean salinity, rainfall and evaporation as seen in conventional and satellite observational records and GCM re-analyses, (b) uncertainties in the net air-sea water flux budget and how they can be resolved, (c) the roles of circulation in both the ocean and atmosphere, (d) relationship to variations in the cryosphere and sea level, and other related topics.
Conveners: Gary S. E. Lagerloef, Earth & Space Research, 2101 Fourth Ave, Suite 1310 , Seattle, WA 98121 USA, Tel: 206.726.0501, email: Lager@esr.org, and Arthur Y. Hou, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301 614 6150, email: arthur.y.hou@nasa.gov

OS25 Methane Flux from Naturally Occurring Marine Gas Hydrates
This session is intended to provide a forum for research on natural marine methane hydrate in general, and on the Hikurangi Margin in particular. Recent studies on the Cascadia, Japan, Chile, and now Hikurangi (offshore East Coast of the North Island New Zealand) Margins have quantitatively linked methane and methane hydrate ever more closely with active seafloor seeps, chemosynthetic communities, and methane bubble plumes in the water column. Emphasis in the session will be placed on quantitative observations and modeling of methane flux between the sediments, water column, and atmosphere.
Conveners: Warren Wood, Naval Research Laboratory, 1005 Balch Blvd, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 USA, Tel: 1 (228) 688-5311, Fax: 1 (228) 688-5752, email: warren.wood@nrlssc.navy.mil, and Ingo Pecher, Heriot-Watt University & ECOSSE, Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS GBR, Tel: +44 131 451 3675, Fax: +44 131 451 3127, email: ingo.pecher@pet.hw.ac.uk, and Stuart Henrys, GNS Science, 1 Fairway Drive. Avalon, L. Hutt, Wellington, POB 30-368 NZL, Tel: +64 4 570 4812, Fax: +64 4 570 4603, email: s.henrys@gns.cri.nz, and Jens Greinert, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, Ghent, s.8 B-9000 BEL, Tel: +32-9-2644591, Fax: +32-9-2644967, email: Jens.Greinert@UGent.be

OS26 Coupled Land-Ocean Biogeochemical Cycling in the Gulf of Mexico
Understanding carbon cycling in the transition zone between land and ocean remains one of the top research challenges in Ocean Biogeochemistry. The coastal oceans have high biological productivity and high economic value. Rivers integrate the cumulative effects of human activities on the landscape, and the discharge of carbon from rivers to coastal zones impacts coastal ecosystems in a variety of ways. Fluxes of materials are large, but episodic and vary over small temporal and spatial scales, making them difficult to quantify with existing observation systems. The watershed of the Gulf of Mexico covers nearly 50% of the continental U.S. Roughly 85% of the annual freshwater inflow of approximately 10.6 x10^11 m3 comes from the United States, and 64% originates from the Mississippi River. Interest in the Gulf of Mexico as a targeted study site has grown steadily over the past few years, and it has been the focus of several national workshops. This session encourages contributions to understanding biogeochemical cycling in the entire Gulf of Mexico system, including both watershed and basin, from land, aquatic, atmospheric, and oceanographic perspectives.
Conveners: Paula Coble, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA, Tel: 727-553-1631, email: coble@marine.usf.edu, and Steven Lohrenz, Department of Marine Science, University of Southern Mississippi, 1020 Balch Blvd., Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-9904 USA, Tel: 228-688-3177, email: Steven.Lohrenz@usm.edu, and Lisa Robbins, U.S. Geological Survey - Florida Integrated Science Center, 600 Fourth Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 USA, Tel: 727-803-8747 ext. 3002, email: lrobbins@usgs.gov

OS27 Impacts of Effective Sea Level Rise on Coastal Areas: Advances in Understanding, Assessment, and Mitigation
Hurricane Katrina recently demonstrated how the combined effects of sea level rise, subsidence, and sediment routing contribute to increase the severity of flooding, but New Orleans is by no means the only city where these processes create a threat. Venice and Shanghai currently suffer chronic flooding as a consequence of subsidence, and recent forecasts of eustatic sea level rise resulting from climate change suggest that many coastal cities are likely to suffer an increased risk of flooding in the future. The purpose of this session is to explore advances in both the understanding of effective sea level rise and techniques for mitigating its effects. We invite papers describing field, remote sensing, or theoretical investigations related to subsidence, sea level rise, or other effects that influence the risk or severity of flooding in coastal areas. Papers describing methods for mitigating effects of subsidence through eco-system restoration, water injection, innovative barrier construction, control of sediment transport, or other techniques are particularly encouraged.
Conveners: Leonid Germanovich, Georgia Tech, , Atlanta, GA 30332-0355 USA, Tel: (404) 894-2284, email: leonid @ce.gatech.edu, and Larry Murdoch, Clemson University, , Clemson, SC 29631 USA, Tel: 864-655-2597, email: lmurdoc@clemson.edu

OS28 Application of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Theory to Atmospheric and Oceanic Observations
Geophysical fluid dynamics (GFD) is often taught as set of theoretical models that apply qualitatively or semi-quantitatively to isolated processes in the atmosphere and ocean. Advances in theory, numerical modeling, and perhaps most significantly, the density and quality of observational data have enabled researchers to apply fundamental ideas of geophysical fluid dynamics more directly and quantitatively to observational results. Presentations of research that demonstrates quantitative connections between fundamental theory and observations are sought. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the general circulation and transport, the interaction of waves, turbulence and mean flows, and the formation and maintenance of coherent structures. Creative new uses of data to investigate theoretical ideas, modeling studies that involve the application of GFD to realistic flows, and idealized studies that make observable predictions are especially encouraged.
Conveners: K Shafer Smith, New York University / Courant Institute, 251 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012 USA, Tel: 212-998-3176, email: shafer@cims.nyu.edu, and Robert B. Scott, University of Texas, Austin / Inst of Geophysics, , , USA, email: rscott@utig.ig.utexas.edu, and Edwin P. Gerber, New York University / Courant Institute, 251 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012 USA, email: epg2108@columbia.edu

OS29 Tidal Processes in Coastal and Estuarine Waters
Globally, over two-thirds of the dissipation of tidal energy takes place on the ocean edges: the shelf, marginal seas, bays and estuaries. For many of these shallow water locations the tides are the primary source of mechanical energy for mixing, stirring and dispersion. Presentations may cover any aspect of shallow water tidal processes, from the physics of tidal energy conversion to the biological consequences for larval dispersion.
Conveners: Parker MacCready, University of Washington, Box 355351, Seattle, WA 98195-5351 USA, Tel: 206 685-9588, email: parker@ocean.washington.edu, and Ming Li, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 2020 Horns Point Rd., P.O. Box 775, Cambridge, MD 21613 USA, Tel: (410) 221-8420, email: mingli@hpl.umces.edu

OS30 Carbon Storage in the Ocean
The ocean is a large repository of carbon (as bicarbonate) and over the last decade has played a significant role as a sink of anthropogenic carbon. This session focus on the interventions that might be made to increase this storage role. We solicit presentations on direct injection of carbon dioxide, changes to the ocean alkalinity, changes in the biological pump, anthropogenic sources of nutrients, recent changes in carbon storage.
Conveners: Ian S. F. Jones, University of Sydney, University of sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006 AUS, Tel: 612 351 4585, email: otg@otg.usyd.edu.au, and Toru Sato, University of Tokyo, Dept of Ocean Technology, Tokyo, Kas 277-8563 JPN, Tel: 814 7136 4726, email: sato-t@k.u-tokyo.ac.jp

OS31 Identification and Interpretation of Tsunami Deposits
The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004 demonstrated that historical records alone cannot predict catastrophic tsunamis. A promising approach for improving our understanding of tsunamis is to use the deposits they create. Tsunami deposits may be interpreted to assess the flow depth, velocity, wave characteristics, and inundation of past tsunamis. Dated deposits allow estimates of times and recurrence intervals of past tsunamis. Such information places constraints on source behavior, guides mitigation efforts and may reduce losses from future tsunamis. For this session, we invite papers covering all aspects of tsunami sedimentation, including, but not limited to field or laboratory studies of modern or paleotsunami deposits, advances in the modeling of tsunami sedimentation, studies on coastal geomorphic change caused by tsunamis, and new methods for interpreting both modern and paleotsunami deposits.
Conveners: Bruce Jaffe, United States Geological Survey, 400 Natural Bridges Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA, email: bjaffe@usgs.gov, and Brady Rhodes, California State University, Fullerton, 800 N State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834 USA, email: brhodes@fullerton.edu, and Benjamin Horton, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Earth and Environmental Sci, , Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA, email: bphorton@sas.upenn.edu

OS32 Ocean Acidification: Impacts From the Coast to Open Ocean Based Upon Laboratory Studies, Proxy Data and Instrumental Records
The extent of potentially severe impacts on marine systems caused by reduction in ocean pH, resulting from higher levels of dissolved pCO2 in seawater, are only beginning to be recognized. Many marine organisms form shells or internal structures made of calcium carbonate, which has a greater tendency to dissolve with decreasing pH. This session will focus on progress in understanding natural and anthropogenic variability and the related biogeochemical responses by organisms. Results from laboratory studies, proxy paleoceanographic records, and recent instrumental records of pH change are welcomed. The session will focus on the many impacts and feedbacks to ocean acidification, including marine ecosystems, primary productivity, coastal and estuarine systems and lessons from the geologic record on the biological response to pH change.
Conveners: Tessa M. Hill, University of California, Davis, Department of Geology One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: 707 875 1910, email: tmhill@ucdavis.edu, and Ann D. Russell, University of California, Davis, Department of Geology One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA, Tel: 530 752 3311, email: russell@geology.ucdavis.edu, and Adina Paytan, University of California, Santa Cruz, Institute of Marine Sciences, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 USA, email: apaytan@ucsc.edu

OS33 Coastal Geomorphology and Morphodynamics
Coastal environments and landforms evolve in response to winds, waves, tides, currents, sediment delivery, and relative sea level fluctuations at a wide range of time and space scales. In light of climate change-induced sea level rise, coastal geomorphology has particular relevance to society because of the high density of human population near the coast. This session welcomes contributions on recent advances in coastal geomorphology and morphodynamics from a variety of geomorphic settings (including rocky coasts, barrier islands systems, open ocean coasts, sheltered/semi-enclosed bays, uniform and mixed sediment beaches) at a variety of timescales (event, seasonal, interannual through decadal, and century through Quaternary), with particular emphasis on the feedbacks between changes in morphology and forcing agents. Contributions based upon field measurements, application and development of models, or investigation of sedimentary deposits are encouraged.
Conveners: Matthew Kirwan, US Geological Survey / University of Virginia, , , USA, email: mkirwan@usgs.gov, and Sergio Fagherazzi, Boston University, , , USA, email: sergio@bu.edu, and Patrick Barnard, US Geological Survey, , , USA, email: pbarnard@usgs.gov

OS34 Research Experiences of Undergraduates in Ocean Sciences
Undergraduate research in the 21st century is often well mentored and can rival professional presentations in quality of the work presented. These efforts provide an opportunity to showcase fine undergraduate scholars and to facilitate networking among themselves (future peers) and with active current professionals (future advisors or supervisors). This session is open to any undergraduate research presenter, offering them an opportunity to present their research findings in a collegial but lower-stress poster session amid the showcase of full-spectrum aquatic science presentations. Engaging in one of the premier aquatic science meetings of the year, networking, and personal interaction, broadens perspectives and facilitates recruitment of top candidates into the career path progression. Undergraduate research has become a reliable component of many laboratory projects, and respect for its potential quality has risen dramatically during the last 10 years. Scientists now regularly support undergraduates to present material at national society meetings. Undergraduate attendance at interdisciplinary meetings improves scientific vision and personal networking for the students, and allows scientist-mentors to view students at a far more informal yet detailed level when searching for graduate students or technicians. Quality undergraduate work reflects positively on the mentor and contributes awareness of the mentor's broader impacts on scientific communities. This poster session is specifically for undergraduates to present their research.
Conveners: Russell Cuhel, Center for Great Lakes Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 600 E. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204 USA, email: rcuhel@uwm.edu, and Carmen Aguilar, Center for Great Lakes Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 600 E. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204 USA, email: aguilar@uwm.edu

Ocean Sciences also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
H22 Landslides, Debris Flows, and Avalanches
V03 Large Igneous Province Development and Environmental Impacts
B11 Developing Integrated Models for Mid-ocean Ridge Processes at the Ridge 2000 East Pacific Rise Integrated Study Site
B15 Life in the Deep Subsurface: A Decade of Peeking at the Unseen Majority
B16 Current Applications of Phospholipid Analyses Across the Biogeosciences
GC10 Air-Sea interactions and Their Impacts on Climate Changes
PP08 The State of the Ocean Carbonate System and the Concentration of Atmospheric CO2 in the Past
IN10 Data Fusion: Issues, Barriers and Approaches
IN12 Strategies for Improved Marine and Synergistic Data Access and Interoperability
PP10 The Meaning Changes of the Carbon Isotope Values in the Sedimentary Record
PP07 Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic Geochemical Records of Paleoclimatic and Paleoceanographic Variability
A15 Oceanic Sources and Sinks of Trace Gases
B24 Data Assimilation in Biogeochemical Models
A22 Underwater Acoustic Sensing of Tropical Cyclones
PP13 Evolution of the Marine Nitrogen Cycle Through Time
C23 Satellite Geodesy of the Polar Oceans
PP21 Interhemispheric Teleconnections and Quaternary Marine and Continental Climate Records
B42 Elements and Evolution
A36 Improving Hurricane Prediction through Advanced Data Assimilation, Modeling and Observations
G16 GRACE and Gravity Missions - Interdisciplinary Science and Analysis Techniques
A11 ENSO and Global Change: The Past, Present, and Future
B27 Integrated Studies of Regional Carbon Exchange
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
PP02 Change in the Ocean Circulation - Are There Lessons from the Past
PP05 Transitioning Out of the Mid-Holocene Climate: An Evaluation of Land-Ocean Proxy Records and Model Simulations
PP12 Ocean Anoxia - Climate, Ecosystem and Sedimentary Feedbacks Through Time
PP15 Radiocarbon Evidence for Past Changes in the Global Carbon Cycle and Ocean Circulation
PP16 High to Ultra-High Resolution Sedimentary Records of Climate
PP19 Paleoproxy-Model Comparison of ENSO-NAO-AAO Dynamics and Forcing Over the Last 2000 Years
PP20 Asian Monsoon History and Arid-Region Environmental Changes: Global and Regional Significance
PP22 Chemical and Isotopic Composition of Carbonate Skeletons: Seasonal Environmental and Climate Records
PP24 Advancing Process Understanding in Proxy Climate Records
PP26 Paleoclimate and Modern Perspectives of the Southern Hemisphere Westerlies and Polar Frontal Zone
PP27 Short-Term Climate Variability in the Context of Long-Term Paleoclimatic Change
C06 Polar Regions: Local Change, Global Impacts and Future Challenges - Outcomes of the International Polar Year 2007-2008
PP11 The Role of Coccolithophores on a Changing Planet
IN07 Making Earth Science Data Records
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
B49 Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere: New Science and Comprehensive Analyses
IN19 From Data to Synthesis: Next-Generation Science Applications
IN14 Advancing Digital Watersheds and Virtual Environmental Observatories
A13 Climate Change in the Coastal Zone: Observed Trends and Future Predictions
V32 Hydrology of Marine Hydrothermal Systems
A21 Vertical Exchange and Chemical Processing in the Tropical Marine Atmosphere
A29 Linking Past and Present Hydrological Cycles to Climate with Water Vapor and Precipitation Isotopes
A39 Diagnosing Climate Feedbacks and Climate Sensitivity
B34 Methane: Toward Accurate Estimates of Fluxes Over Regional Scales
C11 Environmental Impacts of a Shrinking Arctic Sea Ice Cover
C24 Antarctic Ice Shelves: Observations and Modelling
GC07 Regional Climate Modeling
GC15 Late Holocene High-Resolution Sea-Level Records: A Context for Future Sea-Level Change
GC22 Communicating Climate Change: Eradicating Common Misconceptions in Climate Science in the Media and General Public
PP01 Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology: General Contributions
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
PP29 Novel Insights in Historical Geobiology
PP06 Tracking the Last Glacial Cycle’s Indo-pacific Abrupt Climate Variability
PP09 Constraints on Past Ocean Circulation and Climate from New and Traditional Geochemical Proxies
PP18 Past Changes in the Biological Pump: Integrating Theory with Observations
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN13 Information Technology Infusion - Successful Strategies
IN24 Open Source Remote Sensing for Environmental Mapping and Analysis
IN16 Challenges for Earth Science Software Reuse
T11 Deformation in the Shallow Part of Subduction Zones Based on Field Studies, Numerical Simulations, and Analogue Experiments
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
IN11 Environmental Sensor Networks: Real World Examples
B39 The Bio-atmospheric N Cycle: N Emissions, Transformations, Deposition, and Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts
GC08 Dynamic and Thermodynamic Controls of the Global Water Cycle in the 20th and 21st Centuries
IN06 The Science of Coupling with the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)
NG01 Nonlinear Geophysics: General Contributions
PP14 North Atlantic Freshwater Forcing: History, Consequences, and Implications for Future Climate Change
H38 Tracer and Timescale Methods for Understanding Complex Fluid Flows
ED05 Defining, Communicating and Protecting Authentic Science in Education, the Public and the Media: New and Expanding Roles for Scientists and Science Societies?
C29 International Collaboration to Build Understanding of Climate Change in Polar Regions
B31 Black Carbon in the Environment
PP04 Tropical Pacific Paleoceanography During the Late Quaternary
B46 Carbon Flux and the North Atlantic Bloom- Early Results from a New Measurement Program
B08 *WITHDRAWN* - Frontiers in Biomineralization Research: Processes and Signatures in Natural and Model Systems
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Paleoceanography and Paleclimatology

PP01 Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology.
Conveners: Peter K. Swart, RSMAS, , , USA, email: pswart@rsmas.miami.edu, and Figen Mekik, Grand Valley State University, , , USA, email: mekikf@gvsu.edu

PP02 Change in the Ocean Circulation - Are There Lessons from the Past
Some of the most dramatic recent discoveries in paleo-climatic research have centred on the observation of rapid climatic oscillations in marine, ice-core and lake records in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. There is a broad consensus that changes in marine heat transports to high latitudes must have played a central role in causing these climatic oscillations and that these events were linked with reorganizations in the ocean's themohaline circulation (THC). However, these data do not yet allow us to constrain the transport rates and, therefore, it remains unclear how much the circulation actually changed during these events. Recent time series of direct measurements have also shown that the modern THC is far more variable than has been believed on the basis of early "snapshots" mostly based on ship borne measurements. However, due to the local nature of these observations it is unclear whether the overturning circulation fluctuations are local or basin-wide features. We seek studies that address past and present ocean/climate states but with dedicated focus on assimilating paleo-reconstructions, recent/modern observations, and model simulations into an integrated view of ocean and climate dynamics.
Conveners: Ian Robert Hall, Cardiff University, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences Cardiff University Park Place , Cardiff, CF10 3YE GBR, Tel: + (0)29 2087 5612, email: Hall@cardiff.ac.uk, and Luke Skinner, Cambridge University, Department of Earth Sciences University of Cambridge Downing Street , Cambridge, CB2 3EQ GBR, Tel: + (0)1223 76491, email: luke00@esc.cam.ac.uk, and Lionel Carter, Victoria University of Wellington, Antarctic Research Centre Victoria University of Wellington P.O. Box 600, Wellington, 6140 NZL, Tel: + 64 4 463 6475, email: Lionel.Carter@vuw.ac.nz, and Stephen Barker, Cardiff University, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences Cardiff University Park Place , Cardiff, CF10 3YE GBR, Tel: + (0)29 2087 74328, email: steve@earth.cf.ac.uk

PP03 Loess 2.0 – Renaissance in the Study of the Terrestrial Dust Record
In recent years, rapid advances in the application of highly resolved sedimentological and geochemical studies in combination with various geochronometric techniques and chronostratigraphic tools have opened up new vistas in the investigation of paleo-records of atmospheric dust loading using loess deposits. Loess sequences preserve detailed archives of climate change, reflecting the dynamics of eolian dust transport and sedimentation, and changes in the dust content of the atmosphere. As those sediments are widespread on the continents, novel multi-proxy investigations enhance our understanding of long-term eolian dust dynamics and climate variability, linking inter-hemispheric climates on time scales ranging from glacial-interglacial to (sub)millennial. Innovative contributions are welcome on the application of new and established methodological approaches and results on stratigraphy, geochronology, paleoenvironmental assessment, and geoarchaeology of loess deposits in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, e.g. in North and South America, or along the great Eurasian loess belt from SE Europe to Central Asia and China. We especially encourage papers that either (a) utilize high-resolution loess records to reconstruct the timing and dynamics of past synoptic atmospheric circulation patterns on regional and inter-hemispheric scales; (b) establish precise correlations and define atmospheric mechanisms that link continental loess/dust records with dust records in ice cores and/or the oceans; or (c) address the challenging effort to incorporate the loess proxies of past atmospheric processes into climate models.
Conveners: Bjoern Machalett, University of Bayreuth / GGA Leibniz Institute of Applied Geosciences, , Bayreuth, 95440 DEU, email: b.machalett@nakula.de, and Rick Oches, Bentley College, Department of Natural & Applied Sciences, , Waltham, MA 02452 USA, email: roches@bentley.edu, and Helen Roberts, Aberystwyth University, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, , Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB GBR, email: hmr@aber.ac.uk, and ZhongPing Lai, QingHai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, , XiNing, 810008 CHN, email: zplai@isl.ac.cn

PP04 Tropical Pacific Paleoceanography During the Late Quaternary
The tropical Pacific is widely recognized as an instigator, amplifier and/ or mediator of past global climate change on decadal to orbital timescales during the Quaternary. Even though there is large-scale consensus on reconstructions of some aspects of its past variability, many uncertainties and questions remain. We seek to bring together contributions that are focused on diverse questions of tropical Pacific paleoceanography on time scales ranging from annual (corals) to multi-millennial, including reconstructions of spatial and temporal variability of sea surface temperatures and salinities; linkages to high latitude climate change and nutrient dynamics; equatorial upwelling and thermocline depth; variations in the Indonesian Throughflow; changes in dominant modes of ENSO and climate impacts of these changes, etc.. We welcome all abstracts relating to research questions on tropical Pacific paleoceanography.
Conveners: Figen Mekik, Grand Valley State University, , Allendale, MI 49401 USA, Tel: 6163313020, email: mekikf@gvsu.edu, and Markus Kienast, Dalhousie University, , Halifax, NS B3H 4J1 CAN, email: markus.kienast@dal.ca, and Athanasios Koutavas, College of Staten Island, CUNY, , Staten Island, NY USA, email: koutavas@mail.csi.cuny.edu

PP05 Transitioning Out of the Mid-Holocene Climate: An Evaluation of Land-Ocean Proxy Records and Model Simulations
The Holocene is no longer viewed as period of stable climate. Climatic records of the mid-Holocene (8-4 ka) are characterized by anomalous conditions such as extensive drought in western North America and widespread humid conditions in northern Africa. Coherent modes of mid-Holocene climate are now recognized on a global scale. Yet, the spatial signature (i.e., wet, dry, cold, warm) and temporal phasing of these modes are complex. Equally complex is the transition out of the mid-Holocene climate. Climate reconstructions indicate that this transition may have been gradual in some locations and rapid in others. The timing of this transition and its spatial patterns are also complex. The complexity of this climate transition may represent regional, non-linear climate responses to a linear forcing, e.g., insolation coupled to complex ocean-atmosphere-biosphere feedbacks. Alternatively, this complexity may reflect the imprint of “unforced” coupled climate system variability. Relevant for today, this period of climate transition may provide a test-bed for understanding non-linear, or threshold, climate responses to linear forcings such as the present day increase in greenhouse gases. This session aims to: 1) bring together diverse terrestrial and marine records of the mid-Holocene climate transition; 2) compare the spatial and temporal patterns of the mid-Holocene climate transition; and, 3) address the potential mechanisms responsible for the mid-Holocene climate transition. This session seeks both proxy-based and model research.
Conveners: Matthew E. Kirby, California State University, Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92834 USA, Tel: 714 278-2158, Fax: 714 278-7266, email: mkirby@fullerton.edu, and John A. Barron, USGS, 345 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650 329-4971, Fax: 650 329-5203, email: jbarron@usgs.gov, and Noah S. Diffenbaugh, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA, Tel: 765 494-0754, Fax: 765 496-1210, email: diffenbaugh@purdue.edu

PP06 Tracking the Last Glacial Cycle’s Indo-pacific Abrupt Climate Variability
Since the discovery of the abrupt Dansgaard-Oeschger events in Greenland ice cores, an increasing number of low-latitude paleoclimate records document similar changes in tropical climates. Such abrupt climate changes are also manifested in substantial precipitation and temperature perturbation recorded in marine and terrestrial paleo-archives such as speleothems and lake sediments. While the paleo-records from the northern tropics and subtropics mainly show concordant climate changes with those in the North Atlantic during the last glacial-interglacial cycle, asynchronous and even anti-correlated phenomena are exhibited in records from the southern hemisphere. For example, the Indian and East Asian monsoon systems seem to be tuned to the North Atlantic climate, whereas the South American monsoon seems to operate differently. Moreover, paleo-proxy records from the equatorial Pacific are characterized by a complex pattern of abrupt climate change that borrows elements from both the northern and southern hemisphere endmembers, suggesting that the tropical Pacific may have played a key role in mediating abrupt climate change between the hemispheres. There is growing consensus that these abrupt climate events involved a reorganization of the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) of the Atlantic Ocean, driven by modulations in the meridional transport of heat and moisture. The perturbation of the MOC has been dynamically linked to Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) variability, which in turn is tied to coupled dynamics in the tropical Pacific Ocean. However, the physical mechanisms which link these elements are not known. In this session, we invite contributions dealing with the following aspects of abrupt climate change: i) the timing and magnitude of abrupt climate changes, ii) the relationship between the tropical and the high-latitude abrupt climate change, and iii) the signatures and inter-relationships between abrupt climate changes in ENSO, ITCZ variability, and the monsoon. We hope to incorporate both observational and modeling perspectives into the session.
Conveners: Harunur Rashid, The Ohio State University, 108 Scott Hall 1090 Carmack Road Byrd Polar Research Center, Columbus, OH 43210 USA, Tel: 614-292-5040, Fax: 614-292-4697, email: rashid.29@osu.edu, and Kim M. Cobb, Georgia Institute of Technology, , , GA USA, email: kcobb@gatech.edu, and Xianfeng Wang, University of Minnesota, , , MN USA, email: wang0452@umn.edu

PP07 Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic Geochemical Records of Paleoclimatic and Paleoceanographic Variability
The Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic was generally a period of ‘greenhouse climates’ that included extreme events such as the Paleogene hyperthermals and Mesozoic OAEs. The interval provides considerable challenges to our understanding of many aspects of the Earth system; questions regarding ocean circulation, global heat transport, continental temperatures, and latitudinal temperature gradients remain controversial, and the origins of the perturbations are hotly debated. In addition to traditional geochemical methods, new and exciting organic, elemental and isotopic geochemical proxies are being applied to Mesozoic and Early Cenozoic sedimentary records. Many of these new proxies are revolutionizing our view of both marine and terrestrial environments. We encourage contributions that utilize both traditional and new geochemical methods to address issues of variability in ocean circulation and marine and terrestrial climates. In addition, we welcome studies that combine geochemical records with other approaches, such as modeling, micropaleontology or sedimentology.
Conveners: Stuart Robinson, University College London, Department of Earth Sciences, UCL Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT GBR, Tel: +44 207 679 2428, Fax: +44 207 679 2685, email: stuart.robinson@ucl.ac.uk, and Ken MacLeod, University of Missouri, Columbia, Dept. of Geological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211 USA, Tel: +1 573 884 3118, email: MacLeodK@missouri.edu, and Debbie Thomas, Texas A&M University, Department of Oceanography, MS 3146 , College Station, TX 77843-3146 USA, Tel: +1 979 862 7742, email: dthomas@ocean.tamu.edu

PP08 The State of the Ocean Carbonate System and the Concentration of Atmospheric CO2 in the Past
The oceans play a primary role in determining the concentration atmospheric CO2 over geologic time. To understand the role that the carbon cycle played in influencing past climate change we must rely on proxies that track the ocean carbonate system. In this session we seek contributions on the application, development, and refinement of proxies relevant to understanding the ocean carbonate system and past CO2 change across a range of time intervals and topics (e.g., long-term climate change, PETM and hyperthermals, Pleistocene, etc.).
Conveners: Gavin L. Foster, University of Bristol, Bristol Isotope Group Department of Earth Sciences University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1RJ GBR, Tel: +44 (0) 117 954 5377, Fax: +44 (0) 117 954 3385, email: g.l.foster@bristol.ac.uk, and Mark Pagani, Yale University, Department of Geology and Geophysics Yale University P.O. Box 208109 , New Haven, CT 06520-8109 USA, Tel: 203-432-6275, email: mark.pagani@yale.edu

PP09 Constraints on Past Ocean Circulation and Climate from New and Traditional Geochemical Proxies
The short history of modern oceanographic observations prohibit a full evaluation of how ocean circulation has operated and changed in the past, how it may have shifted Earth’s climate, or what its role may be in causing climate changes in the future. Similarly, longer records of climatic changes are needed for a robust understanding of the natural climate system and its capacity to change. Advances in the development of new geochemical paleo-proxies offer opportunities and challenges for the understanding of past ocean circulation and climate. Thorough knowledge of the biogeochemical cycling, as well as sources and sinks of these proxies is imperative for their application in paleoceanography and paleoclimatology. Combining, integrating, and reconciling different proxies with their inherent caveats affords new insights into ocean and climate dynamics of the recent and ancient geologic past. For this session, we invite contributions addressing 1) the development and validation of new and traditional geochemical proxies, 2) the reconstruction of past ocean circulation and climate over the Cenozoic time period, and 3) the integration of different proxies and models for an improved understanding of ocean and climate dynamics.
Conveners: Tina van de Flierdt, Imperial College London, Department of Earth Science and Engineering; South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ GBR, email: tina.vandeflierdt@imperial.ac.uk, and Katharina Pahnke, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Geochemistry Division; 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, email: kpahnke@ldeo.columbia.edu

PP10 The Meaning Changes of the Carbon Isotope Values in the Sedimentary Record
The standard method of tracking changes in the global carbon cycle throughout geological time has been the use of the stable isotopes of carbon in both organic and inorganic materials. Generally speaking increases in the carbon isotopic ratio of carbonates implies an increased burial of organic carbon, while decreases are believed to reflect increased oxidation of organic carbon. However, while changes in the carbon isotopic composition undoubtedly reflect variations in the global carbon cycle, this paradigm is increasingly questioned and some of the changes are now believed to reflect (i) variations in the source of the carbonate materials, (ii) changes in the restricted and open nature of the environment, and (iii) diagenetic alteration. This session invites contributions from true believers and skeptics which discuss mechanisms explaining global change in the carbon isotopic composition of the geological record.
Conveners: Martin Kenndy, University of California, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521 USA, Tel: 9518272025, email: martin.kennedy@ucr.edu, and Paul Knauth, Arizona State University, , Tempe, 85287 USA, Tel: 4809652867, email: Knauth@asu.edu, and Peter K. Swart, MGG/RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Fl 33149 USA, Tel: 305 4214103, email: pswart@rsmas.miami.edu

PP11 The Role of Coccolithophores on a Changing Planet
Coccolithophores, marine algae, play an important role in the global carbon cycle as primary producers and marine calcifiers. There is growing concern that climate change will disrupt marine productivity and calcification by rising ocean temperatures and lowering of ocean pH. It is not known to what extent natural coccolithophore populations are able to adapt to projected changes, nor how their natural feedback mechanisms may operate in future. In recent years, numerous experimental studies have highlighted environmental controls on coccolithophore physiology and coccolith calcification, mostly using monoclonal cultures of Emiliania huxleyi. However, extrapolating laboratory-based results to the scales and dynamics of the ‘real’ ocean remains speculative. Alternative approaches are to investigate environmental controls on natural populations and/or the genetic plasticity of coccolithophores on a global scale. This session will bring together laboratory- and field-based perspectives with the aim to discuss recent opposing hypotheses concerning future coccolithophore productivity and calcification.
Conveners: Jorijntje Henderiks, Stockholm University, , Stockholm, SE-106 91 SWE, Tel: +46 8 674 78 32, email: jorijntje.henderiks@geo.su.se, and Amos Winter, University of Puerto Rico, , Mayaguez, PR 00680 PRI, Tel: 787 2653838, email: awinter@uprm.edu

PP12 Ocean Anoxia - Climate, Ecosystem and Sedimentary Feedbacks Through Time
The phenomenon of ocean anoxia and associated climate, ecosystem and sedimentary feedbacks is a key focal point of current research in Earth System Science. There are various reasons to develop cross-disciplinary research concepts to study anoxic systems, both marine and terrestrial. These include; (1) anoxic oceans have increasingly been recognised as a dominant feature of the Precambrian world, with major implications for biological evolution, biogeochemical cycling and the course of Earth surface oxygenation; (2) anoxic oceans occurred repetitively in the Phanerozoic and were often linked to greenhouse conditions. It is therefore predicted that future changes in climate will shift the ocean towards more extreme and thus possibly more oxygen-depleted conditions; (3) anoxic oceans have often led to ecosystem crisis, including global marine extinction events; (4) anoxic oceans of the past were associated with exceptionally high burial rates of marine organic carbon, resulting in the formation of major oil and gas source rocks; (5) anoxic systems, past and modern, represent one habitate for extreme life, providing insight into the limits and strategies of the most primitive and oldest forms of life; and finally (6) understanding how and why large parts of the Phanerozoic ocean experienced rapid changes in ocean redox provides key information on the functioning of the Earth System under perturbed conditions. This information can be extracted from modern anoxic/euxinic environments and well preserved sedimentary sections, ranging from the Precambrian through to more recent anoxic events, to provide insights into biological and chemical evolution through time and to improve predictions for the future. This session intends to bring together those who study ocean anoxia and associated phenomena using sedimentary proxies with those who model past, present and future conditions, and it will explore the significant biological, geochemical, and physical processes involved in oxygen depletion in the ocean at any spatial and stratigraphic scale.
Conveners: Simon Poulton, Newcastle University, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU GBR, Tel: +44 191 222 6426, email: s.w.poulton@ncl.ac.uk, and Thomas Wagner, Newcastle University, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU GBR, Tel: +44 191 246 4880, email: Thomas.Wagner@ncl.ac.uk, and Martin Kennedy, University of California, Riverside, Department of Earth Science, Riverside, Ca 92521 USA, Tel: 909 787 2025, email: martink@mail.ucr.edu

PP13 Evolution of the Marine Nitrogen Cycle Through Time
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all biological organisms. The cycling, redox state, and global inventory of bioavailable nitrogen are determined by a network of physical and biological reactions, which are themselves dependent on ocean redox conditions, major and trace element availability, and other environmental conditions. There is considerable interest in how the nitrogen cycle has evolved from the Archean to Present in response to biological innovation, changes in ocean circulation, and geochemical stimuli such as the rise of atmospheric oxygen. Recent advances in the field include important new datasets, tools, and discoveries from both modern and ancient environments. This session seeks to bring together modern and Deep Time perspectives on nitrogen cycling and its biological and geochemical consequences. Both observational and theoretical modeling submissions are solicited. Innovative studies which link nitrogen cycling to other elemental cycles or other biological, marine, atmospheric, or sedimentary processes are especially welcome.
Conveners: Stephen Romaniello, Cornell University, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA, Tel: 860-462-6906, email: sjr34@cornell.edu, and Louis Derry, Cornell University, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA, Tel: 607-255-9354, email: lad9@cornell.edu, and Jennifer Glass, Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA, Tel: 480-244-3603, email: jennifer.b.glass@asu.edu

PP14 North Atlantic Freshwater Forcing: History, Consequences, and Implications for Future Climate Change
Pulses of freshwater discharge into the North Atlantic are thought to have perturbed the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and trigged rapid climate change at multiple times during the last glacial period and the Holocene. Significant insights into future climate change could be gained from examining past freshwater events because freshening of ocean surface waters in the future is expected due to an enhanced Arctic hydrologic cycle and increased ice melting under modern greenhouse warming conditions, a forcing mechanism similar, though smaller in magnitude, to that of past events. Indeed, some events, the 8.2 ka event in particular, are often considered good candidates for testing the sensitivity and accuracy of climate models that are used to project future climate change. However, there remain large uncertainties in terms of the timing, extent, and triggering mechanisms of these events, posing a great challenge for testing the robustness of climate models’ predictive capabilities. This session aims to improve the characterization of past episodes of freshwater forcing events by synthesizing recent advances in dating, reconstructing, and modeling research. We encourage contributions of all aspects of this subject including, but not limited to, chronology, reconstructions with proxies from various archives (e.g., ice core, marine, and terrestrial), triggering mechanism (e.g. amounts, pathways, and pulses of drainage), and modeling work.
Conveners: Carrie Morrill, NOAA National Climatic Data Center, 325 Broadway, E/CC23, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 303-497-6467, email: carrie.morrill@noaa.gov, and Anders Carlson, Dept. of Geology & Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, 1215 W. Dayton St., Madison, WI 53703 USA, Tel: 608-262-1921, email: acarlson@geology.wisc.edu, and Yongxiang Li, Tulane University, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, New Orleans, LA 70118 USA, Tel: 504-862-3195, email: li@tulane.edu

PP15 Radiocarbon Evidence for Past Changes in the Global Carbon Cycle and Ocean Circulation
The past carbon-14 activities of the atmosphere and oceans provide important insights into the history of the global carbon cycle. Radiocarbon production in the atmosphere is modulated by the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field and by solar activity, but its atmospheric concentration is also affected by carbon exchange between the atmosphere, terrestrial biosphere, and oceans. Hence the abundance of radiocarbon in these various reservoirs may be used to trace the large-scale movement and storage of Earth’s mobile carbon. Radiocarbon is also one of the few paleo-tracers that has the potential to constrain rates of past ocean ventilation. Existing measurements suggest that parts of the deep sea were more isolated from the atmosphere during the last ice age, followed by renewed overturning during deglaciation. We invite studies that address these and related topics through reconstruction and modeling of atmospheric and oceanic radiocarbon activities through time.
Conveners: Tom Marchitto, University of Colorado, 450 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309 USA, Tel: 303-492-7739, Fax: 303-492-6388, email: tom.marchitto@colorado.edu, and Laura Robinson, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Clark 448, MS#25, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA, email: lrobinson@whoi.edu

PP16 High to Ultra-High Resolution Sedimentary Records of Climate
Ultra-high resolution sedimentary records allow reconstruction of climate change with a temporal resolution approaching those of instrumental records (e.g. varved marine and lacustrine muds, corals, speleothems). Such records, drilled or sampled by ODP/ICDP and other programs, have contributed significantly to current understanding of the climate system. These records, ideally with a sub-annual to centennial resolution, provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the operation of the ocean-continent-atmosphere system globally, and on human time scales, and to appraise the relative importance of each part of the system. Furthermore, determining environmental boundary conditions, primary causative mechanisms, and operative feedbacks of climate variability in the geologic past represents an important component for testing predictions of future climate change as outlined in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report. We encourage contributions from all scientific areas and environments of ultra-high resolution studies that utilize both traditional and new methods to address issues of high resolution marine and terrestrial climates/climate change, including ice-cores and modeling.
Conveners: Juergen Thurow, University College London, Department of Earth Sciences Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT GBR, Tel: +44-20-7679-2416, email: j.thurow@ucl.ac.uk, and Larry C. Peterson, University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149 USA, Tel: 1-305-421-4692, email: lpeterson@rsmas.miami.edu, and David A. Hodell, University of Florida, Department of Geological Sciences, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA, Tel: 1-352-392-6137, email: hodell@ufl.edu

PP17 Green Sahara: Evidence From Climate Models and Proxy Records
The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest area of hyper-aridity yet it also contains abundant evidence for Pleistocene and Holocene lakes and wetlands. Over the last decade, the application of novel and established techniques in palaoceanography, sedimentology, palaeontology, palaeolimnology, geochronology, geoarchaeology and climatic modelling has yielded a complex and sometimes contradictory picture of climatic change in North African drylands. For example, evidence has been presented for abrupt termination of the Holocene African Humid Period in the western Sahara while in the eastern Sahara a gradual or stepped termination has been proposed. The apparently contradictory nature of the palaeoclimatic evidence from North Africa may represent either discrepancies between incomplete climate proxy records or genuine regional variation. New palaeoclimatic reconstructions combined with robust modelling are key to understanding the complexity and spatial variability of North African climates. This session aims to: 1) provide a forum for diverse terrestrial and marine records of North African climate change covering the Holocene and longer Quaternary timescales; 2) bring together members of the climate modelling community with those working on climate change archives; 3) address the potential atmospheric/oceanographic mechanisms responsible for North African climatic changes. Original contributions are welcome on any aspect of proxy-based or model based research into North African palaeoclimates during the Quaternary.
Conveners: Simon Armitage, Royal Holloway, Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, Egham, TW20 0EX GBR, Tel: +44 1784 276124, email: simon.armitage@rhul.ac.uk, and Charlie Bristow, Birkbeck College, School of Earth Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street,, London, WC1E 7HX GBR, Tel: +44 20 7679 2867, email: c.bristow@ucl.ac.uk

PP18 Past Changes in the Biological Pump: Integrating Theory with Observations
The marine ecosystem stores carbon in the ocean interior via the export of organic matter from the sunlit surface and its remineralization below. Changes in the effectiveness of this biological pump have long been implicated in the observed, remarkably consistent oscillations of atmospheric carbon dioxide that accompanied Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles. Attempts to explain these have invoked many mechanisms, each of which could have modulated the effectiveness with which the marine ecosystem sequestered carbon dioxide, including: changes in the oceanic nutrient inventory, changes in the stoichiometry of available nutrients, changes in high latitude nutrient utilization, changes in oceanic alkalinity and changes in respiration rates - but an integrated view of variability in the system has not yet been widely embraced. We invite contributions that attempt to better elucidate, either through simple theory, numerical modeling, or proxy evidence, the physical and/or biological mechanisms underlying past changes in the strength of the biological pump. We encourage contributions that take a quantitative global view, integrate mechanisms, or that reconcile apparent contradictions in the literature.
Conveners: Eric Galbraith, Princeton University, Sayre Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA, Tel: 609-258-2906, email: egalbrai@princeton.edu, and Samuel Jaccard, Geological Institute, ETHZ, Universitatstr. 16, Zurich, CH-8092 CHE, Tel: +41 44 632 6353, email: samuel.jaccard@erdw.ethz.ch

PP19 Paleoproxy-Model Comparison of ENSO-NAO-AAO Dynamics and Forcing Over the Last 2000 Years
Multi-annual atmospheric and coupled ocean-atmosphere oscillations such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation (and the Arctic Oscillation or Northern Annular Mode), and Antarctic Oscillation (or Southern Annual Mode) are associated with regional climate anomalies as large as many predictions for future climate change under continued greenhouse gas forcing. Paleoproxy records from tree rings, ice cores, sediment cores, corals, speleothems, and historical records have provided insight into the history and dynamics of these climate oscillations during the late Holocene. Models have refined our understanding of the important internal feedbacks and external forcing mechanisms that are involved. In particular, models have indicated that changes in radiative forcing play a significant role in modifying these oscillations over longer time periods, with important implications for future changes under anthropogenic forcing. Furthermore, inter-hemispheric and bi-polar relationships between these climate oscillations are being explored by both modelers and paleoproxy developers. In this session, we seek abstracts from modelers and paleoproxy developers that explore the history, dynamics, and forcing mechanisms of ENSO, NAO (including AA, NAM), and AAO (SAM) over the past 2000 years. Some of the questions we seek to explore in this session include: 1) Are modeled relationships between radiative forcing changes and climate oscillations consistent with paleoproxy records? 2) Are modeled changes in the mean state of ENSO, NAO, and AAO during the so-called Little Ice Age and Medieval Warm Period observed in paleoproxy records? 3) Are modeled interactions between ENSO, NAO and AAO observed in paleoproxy records from different regions? Abstracts that directly compare model results with paleoproxy records are encouraged. We hope this session will facilitate enhanced discussion and collaboration between modelers and paleoproxy developers, and highlight areas of broad consensus as well as areas of continued uncertainty in need of focused future research.
Conveners: Erich Osterberg, Dartmouth College, HB 6105 Fairchild Hall Dartmouth College , Hanover, NH 03755 USA, Tel: 603-646-1096, email: erich.c.osterberg@dartmouth.edu, and Karl Kreutz, University of Maine, Sawyer Environmental Research Building, Orono, ME 04469 USA, Tel: 207-581-3011, email: karl.kreutz@maine.edu

PP20 Asian Monsoon History and Arid-Region Environmental Changes: Global and Regional Significance
The unique Asian monsoon arid-region environment is a key component of the global climate system. Previous Asian paleoclimate studies in loess and cave environments focused on the core of the monsoon area, with relatively less attention paid to the Asian arid region. Recently, abundant various terrestrial archives and new insights about environmental change have been acquired by many drilling projects supported by ICDP (Lake Qinghai), NSF, NSFC, and others. This new information provides excellent opportunities to detect the coupling between Asian monsoon processes and arid-environment evolution, and the relationship between this coupling, global environmental changes, and Tibetan Plateau growth. Regional ecological policy-making has benefited from such studies. This session will focus on history and variability of the Asian monsoon and arid-region environmental change at different time scales since the Miocene. The session invites contributions discussing evidence from long term climatic records such as lacustrine and eolian sediments, as well as comparisons to high-resolution proxy records including speleothems, ice cores, tree rings, and corals. This session encourages in-depth discussions of dynamical links among Asian monsoons, Asian aridification, and Tibetan Plateau growth; on relationships between global forcing and Asian lower atmospheric boundary conditions; on teleconnections between high and low latitude climates via monsoons and teleconnections across the North Atlantic, Asia, and North Pacific via the Westerlies. Comparisons of Asian and global records and simulations of Asian monsoon-arid climate changes are welcome. The proposed session is supported by IGBP-PAGES' Global Monsoon Working Group, within PAGES' Focus on Global Earth-System Dynamics.
Conveners: Zhisheng An, Institute of Earth Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 17, Xi'an, 710075 CHN, email: anzs@loess.llqg.ac.cn, and Steven M. Colman, Large Lakes Observatory & Dept Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota Duluth 2205 E. 5th St., Duluth, MN 55812 USA, Tel: 218-726-6723, email: scolman@d.umn.edu, and Weijian Zhou, Institute of Earth Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 17, Xi'an, 710075 CHN, email: weijian@loess.llqg.ac.cn, and Steven C. Clemens, Dept. of Geological Sciences, Brown University , Providence, RI 02912-1846 USA, Tel: (401) 863-1964, email: Steven_Clemens@brown.edu

PP21 Interhemispheric Teleconnections and Quaternary Marine and Continental Climate Records
Paleoclimate studies enable exploration of climate connections between hemispheres and provide knowledge about mechanisms controlling climate changes on decadal to millennial time scales. This special session provides a forum for presentation and discussion of recent advances in the state of knowledge about interhemispheric climate connections and climate variability based on continental and marine sedimentary records, with emphasis on latitudinal and longitudinal climate connections associated with climate changes. We invite presentations on ocean-atmosphere-coupling studies, tropical and extratropical teleconnections, model’s, studies of tropical climate parameters such as ITCZ position and strength of the Trade wind system, possible interactions between equatorial and extra-tropics climate, as well as paleo-ENSO records. This session intends to bring together scientists working on recent instrumentally observed ENSO events as well as those studying paleoceanography and paleoclimate records, for mutli- and interdisciplinary discussions. Increased spatial and temporal resolution in paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic studies leading to interdecadal, interannual and seasonal reconstructions allow investigating on the long-term history, tropical and extratropical teleconnections and implications for global climate. The interpretation of paleoclimate records can benefit from knowledge gained of climate processes observable in the 20th century, while the predictive schemes of modelers can potentially be evaluated by verifying hindcasts against proxy histories of previous climates.
Conveners: Ligia Perez-Cruz, Instituto de Geofisica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Circuito Exterior de Cd. Universitaria S/N Coyoacan, Mexico, DF 04510 MEX, Tel: 52.55.56.22.58.39, Fax: 52.55.55.50.93.95, email: perezcruz@geofisica.unam.mx, and Maria Luisa Machain-Castillo, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Circuito Exterior de Cd. Universitaria S/N Coyoacan, Mexico, DF 04510 MEX, Tel: 52.55.56.22.56.91, email: machain@mar.icmyl.unam.mx

PP22 Chemical and Isotopic Composition of Carbonate Skeletons: Seasonal Environmental and Climate Records
Knowledge of climate and environmental change throughout geological time is derived from deep-sea and terrestrial records representing long time scales. However, while records of climate and environmental changes at long time scales are essential, high-resolution records at seasonal scales are equally important and under-represented in the literature. Chemical and physical variations preserved in carbonate skeletons of marine and freshwater organisms provide high resolution seasonal scale climate and environmental records. These records offer insights into the mechanism controlling climate and environmental variability as well as the impact of climate and environmental change on marine and freshwater organisms. This session invites contributions which present seasonal chemical and/or isotopic data from accretionary hard parts and skeletons.
Conveners: Ann E. Goewert, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Department of Geological Sciences, 104 South Rd., #3315, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3315 USA, email: annieg@unc.edu, and David P. Gillikin, Vassar College; Department of Earth Science and Geography, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604 USA, email: dagillikin@vassar.edu

PP23 The Potential of Isotopic and Elemental Composition of Tree-Rings in Climatic and Environmental Reconstruction
Dendrochronology has provided us with long-term records of past climates and past environmental conditions. However, there is still more information locked up in tree-rings in the form of isotopic and/or elemental composition of the wood – a study often referred to as dendrochemistry. Stable isotopes have in some cases been found to reflect environmental conditions better than ring width data. Elemental concentrations have been more difficult to interpret, due to problems with element mobility within the wood, but there have been several promising reports. Both stable isotopes and elemental concentrations have recently been successfully applied to tropical trees and have great promise. This session seeks to attract papers dealing with dendrochemistry of temperate and/or tropical trees with the aim of understanding climatic or environmental change.
Conveners: Anouk Verheyden, SUNY Orange; Department of Biology, 115 South St, Middletown, NY 10940 USA, email: anouk.verheydengillikin@sunyorange.edu, and David P. Gillikin, Vassar College; Department of Earth Science and Geography, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604 USA, email: dagillikin@vassar.edu

PP24 Advancing Process Understanding in Proxy Climate Records
Reconstructions of past climates rely on proxy data that to first order exhibit relatively simple dependencies on specific climate variables. However, as we interpret more subtle details of these datasets on timescales for which their calibration is not directly established, multivariate and frequency dependencies may become important to constrain the significant systematic uncertainties in the representation of climate by a single proxy archive.  One approach to identifying possible interpretational biases is to advance our process understanding of how proxies are formed. Modeling the proxies themselves may have the advantages of reliance on physical, biological and/or chemical first principles and more stable statistical behavior.  The results may form the basis for more stable formulations of the inverse problem of reconstructing climate fields from proxy observations. The goal of this session is to provide an overview of the state of the art of such techniques and models, compare the uncertainties between proxy archives, and to discuss the challenges they present for local/regional climate reconstructions as well as large scale climate field reconstructions.  Contributions from all high-resolution (seasonal to millennial) proxy archives are encouraged. Additionally, studies illuminating differences between process and regression-based and pseudo-proxy reconstructions which serve to illustrate potential biases under perfectly known conditions are welcome.
Conveners: Nicholas Graham, Scripps and Hydrologic Research Center, , , CA USA, email: ngraham@hrc-lab.org, and Michael Evans, University of Arizona, , , AZ USA, email: mevans@ltrr.arizona.edu, and Jason Smerdon, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, , , NY USA, email: jsmerdon@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Caspar Ammann, National Center for Atmospheric Research, , , CO USA, email: ammann@ucar.edu

PP25 Progress in Quaternary Geochronology in Polar Regions
Reviews of past climate variability indicate that accurate age control is crucial for comparing records from different regions. In addition, high-quality age models are needed to determine whether abrupt climate events are in-phase or out-of-phase. In the Polar Regions, there are additional difficulties for developing accurate chronologies. These include scarce organic material for radiocarbon dating and non-erosive, cold based glacial environments which may be influenced by significant cosmogenic nuclide inheritance. In the light of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007/2008 this session brings together researchers working in regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. We anticipate a lively exchange of ideas and new results that will form the basis of discussion about geochronology at the poles through the ages.
Conveners: Anne Hormes, The University Centre in Svalbard, Pb 156, Longyearbyen, 9171 NOR, Tel: 004779026453, email: anne.hormes@unis.no, and Meredith Kelly, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, P.O. Box 1000, Palisades, NY 10964-1000 USA, Tel: 0018453658675, email: meredith@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Claire Todd, Pacific Lutheran University, Geosciences Department, Tacoma, WA 98477 USA, email: toddce@plu.edu

PP26 Paleoclimate and Modern Perspectives of the Southern Hemisphere Westerlies and Polar Frontal Zone
The southern westerly winds are an important feature of atmospheric circulation in the mid- to high-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. Not only do the westerlies influence the amount and distribution of precipitation in South America and the other southern continents, the westerlies play a major role in carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean through their influence on air–sea gas exchange. We welcome a diverse range of contributions related to the past and present dynamics of the middle to high latitude Southern Hemisphere Westerlies and also the Polar frontal Zone, which are important in both regional and global climate dynamics. In particular, we encourage both terrestrial and marine proxy record perspectives, and modeling based findings, for the time periods of the last glacial maximum, deglacial period, late glacial, and up to the present, including at both low and high-frequency timescales. We also encourage papers that focus on the potential effects of ocean and atmosphere forcing in the high southern latitudes, such as: changes in biological productivity of the Southern Ocean, changes in sea ice distribution, changes in mountain glaciers, and changes in terrestrial ecosystems.
Conveners: Michael R. Kaplan, L-DEO of Columbia University, PO Box 1000, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 8453658646, email: mkaplan@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Christopher Moy, Stanford University, Braun Hall (Bldg. 320), Stanford, CA 94305 USA, email: moyc@stanford.edu, and Patricio Moreno, Universidad de Chile, Las Palmeras 3425 Ñuñoa , Santiago, CHL, email: pimoreno@uchile.cl, and Daniel Ariztegui, University of Geneva, 10, route de Suisse 1290 Versoix, , CHE, email: Daniel.Ariztegui@terre.unige.ch

PP27 Short-Term Climate Variability in the Context of Long-Term Paleoclimatic Change
Little is known about how climate variability will respond to global warming, although these changes may impact humanity as much or more than changes in the mean state. Improved understanding of climate variability and its interaction with the mean state on all scales is needed. Paleoclimate data can provide information on climate variability beyond the range of modern human experience. This session will address the interaction between variability in climate and environmental systems (defined here as occurring on interannual to millennial scales) and the climatic mean state, as illustrated by paleodata over the past ~60,000 years. This interval encompasses a wide range of boundary conditions, including long-term changes in glacial and interglacial regimes, radiation forcing, and greenhouse gases, and illustrates major changes in variability. Topics to be considered include records of interaction of climate variability and the mean state of marine and terrestrial systems, approaches to statistical analysis of variability in paleodata, and variability in climate and earth system models. For example, the session welcomes submissions that address changes in the probability of extreme climate events, stability of ENSO variability in different climate regimes, long-term changes in decadal-centennial variability, millennial-scale variability during glacial and interglacial regimes, and other relevant studies.
Conveners: Alan C. Mix, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, COAS Admin Building 104 Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-5212, Fax: 541-737-2064, email: mix@coas.oregonstate.edu, and Edward Brook, Oregon State University, Department of Geosciences, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-8197, Fax: 541-737-1200, email: brooke@geo.oregonstate.edu, and Steven W. Hostetler, US Geological Survey, Department of Geosciences Oregon State University , corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-8928, Fax: 541-737-1200, email: steve@coas.oregonstate.edu, and Nicklas G. Pisias, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, COAS Admin Building 104 Oregon State University , Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-5213, Fax: 541-737-2064, email: pisias@coas.oregonstate.edu, and Andreas G. Schmittner, College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, COAS Admin Building 104 Oregon State University , Corvallis, OR 97331 USA, Tel: 541-737-9952, Fax: 541-737-2064, email: aschmitt@coas.oregonstate.edu

PP28 Emiliani Lecture
This is a special lecture given by an invited speaker
Conveners: Peter Swart, MGG/RSMAS, , Miami, 33149 USA, email: pswart@rsmas.miami.edu, and Philip Meyers, University of Michigan, , , USA, email: pameyers@umich.edu

PP29 Novel Insights in Historical Geobiology
This session is designed to provide an interdisciplinary forum for research related to the co-evolution of life and surface environments over geologic time. We solicit contributions that span historical geobiology with specific interest in studies that highlight innovative approaches and/or those that address key problems in Earth history. Approaches include, but are not limited to: paired isotope studies (i.e. sulfate-sulfide; carbonate-organic carbon), novel isotope systematics (such as Fe, Mo, Mg, S, O) and chemical extraction techniques (i,e, Fe-speciation), organic geochemical approaches and molecular insights into early animal evolution. Periods of particular interest are those that shed light on the changing oxidation state of the fluid Earth, early animal evolution, large-scale climate change, or a combination of any/all. Contributions that address some or all of these subject matters, as well as those peripherally related, are welcome.
Conveners: David Johnston, Harvard University, , , USA, email: djohnston@oeb.harvard.edu, and David Fike, California Institute of Technology, , , USA, email: dfike@gps.caltech.edu

Paleoceanography and Paleclimatology also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
C02 Cenozoic Antarctic Glacial History
V03 Large Igneous Province Development and Environmental Impacts
GC02 Land-Atmosphere-Cryosphere Interactions in Northern Eurasia
G08 Recent Advances in Observation and Modelling of Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA)
GC11 The Anthropocene: A New Epoch of Geological Time Caused by Humans
IN10 Data Fusion: Issues, Barriers and Approaches
B42 Elements and Evolution
OS32 Ocean Acidification: Impacts From the Coast to Open Ocean Based Upon Laboratory Studies, Proxy Data and Instrumental Records
A11 ENSO and Global Change: The Past, Present, and Future
GC06 Deccan Volcanism, Chixculub Impact, Global Environmental Change, the KTB and Other Mass Extinctions
C03 Subglacial Processes and Environments
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
B49 Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere: New Science and Comprehensive Analyses
GC15 Late Holocene High-Resolution Sea-Level Records: A Context for Future Sea-Level Change
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
OS21 Advances in Operational Oceanography and Scientific Drilling
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
GC18 Tropical Mountain Glaciers: Past and Present
B31 Black Carbon in the Environment
B08 *WITHDRAWN* - Frontiers in Biomineralization Research: Processes and Signatures in Natural and Model Systems
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Planetary Sciences

P01 Planetary Sciences: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Planetary Sciences.
Conveners: Bruce Banerdt, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, , , USA, email: bruce.banerdt@jpl.nasa.gov, and Jürgen Oberst, German Aerospace Center, , , DEU, email: Juergen.Oberst@dlr.de

P02 Recent Advances in Planetary Volcanology
Ongoing space missions have recently returned data on volcanism ranging from sun-baked Mercury to the frozen moons of Saturn. Volcanoes small and large are being scrutinized by an armada of Mars spacecraft even as a new wave of lunar exploration begins, and hyperactive Io continues her show. This session provides a venue for the sharing of recent discoveries and comparison of volcanism across the Solar System.
Conveners: Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Team, 2255 N. Gemini Dr., Flagstaff, AZ 86001 USA, Tel: 928-556-7002, email: laz@usgs.gov, and David A. Williams, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Bateman PSF 686 Box 871404, Tempe, AZ 85287 USA, Tel: 480-965-7029, email: David.Williams@asu.edu

P03 Planetary Rings: Observation and Theory
This session will focus on new theoretical and observational studies of planetary rings. Subjects to be covered include the structure, dynamics and composition of the rings; rings around Saturn's moon, Rhea; the interaction of the rings with the ionosphere, magnetosphere, and interplanetary meteoroids; and the origin and evolution of the rings. Recently obtained Cassini observations will be highlights, but observations from Earth and HST, theoretical models, and relevant laboratory data are also of interest.
Conveners: Larry Esposito, LASP- University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303-7814 USA, Tel: 1-303-492-5990, Fax: 1-303-492-6946, email: Larry.Esposito@lasp.colorado.edu, and Linda Spilker, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr. M/S 230-205, Pasadena, CA 91109-8001 USA, Tel: 1-818-354-1647, Fax: 1-818-393-4495, email: Linda.J.Spilker@jpl.nasa.gov

P04 The Interaction of the Solar Wind with Unmagnetised Bodies
In recent years, missions such as Venus Express, Mars Express, Galileo, and Cassini have provided the opportunity to study the interaction of the solar wind with non-magnetized and weakly magnetized bodies. As well as complementing previous experimental results, these observations are shedding more light on this complex interaction and also provide the basis for comparative studies with magnetised bodies such as Earth. This session will review our current understanding of the interaction between non-magnetised bodies and the solar wind, including induced magnetospheres, ionospheres, shocks, and foreshocks. Contributions addressing these topics based on observations, analytical theory, and numerical simulations are welcome.
Conveners: Simon Walker, ACSE, University of Sheffield, , , GBR, email: simon.walker@sheffield.ac.uk, and Andrei Fedorov, Centre d''Etude Spatiale des Rayonnements, , , FRA, email: Andrei.Fedorov@cesr.fr, and Tielong Zhang, Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, , , AUT, email: tielong.zhang@oeaw.ac.at

P05 Blowing Hot, Blowing Cold: The Diversity of Outer Planet Satellites
This session explores present and past planetary processes that lead to dramatically differing conditions on outer planet satellites such as scorching volcanoes on Io, a cold thick atmosphere on Titan, a plasma-sputtered tenuous atmosphere on Europa and water-oceans in the icy moons of Jupiter. Continued analysis of Jovian data from Galileo and New Horizons and unrelenting exploration of the Saturnian system by Cassini have provided exciting and sometimes confounding discoveries from the outer planet satellites. Guided by these discoveries, ESA, JAXA and NASA are currently studying future flagship exploration missions to the Jovian and Saturnian systems to intimately explore their major satellites. This session will explore similarities and differences of the outer planet satellites to uncover trends indicative of common and unique origins, and similar and dissimilar evolutionary processes. The session will consist of invited and contributed talks that highlight geological and geophysical modeling and interpretation of remote-sensed and in-situ data, interaction of planetary field and plasma with the surfaces and interiors of the moons and theoretical models of the origin and evolution of surfaces and interiors of the moons. Contributed papers covering Jovian, Uranian and Neptunian moons are welcome in addition to presentations on the Saturnian satellites.
Conveners: Candice J. Hansen, Jet Propulsion Laboratory/Calfornia Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive , Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818-354-7675, email: candice.j.hansen@jpl.nasa.gov, and Krishan K. Khurana, University of California at Los Angeles, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics Slichter Hall University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Tel: 310-825-8240, email: kkhurana@igpp.ucla.edu

P06 Focus on Enceladus
The small icy Saturnian moon, Enceladus, has recently been found to be among the most fascinating in all the solar system, and this special session will be devoted to it. Excess heat arising from prominent fissures crossing its south polar region, and towering jets of icy particles accompanied by water vapor and and complex organic compounds issuing from these fissures has pushed Enceladus into the forefront in a sparsely populated field of solar system objects that may house habitable liquid water environments. In this session, we will discuss recent observational findings and theoretical and modelling results focussed on Enceladus' thermal and interior state, south polar morphology, geologic activity, the state and dynamics of its jets and plumes, as well as its astrobiological potential. New results from the 2008 Cassini flybys of Enceladus should be directed to this session. Designs for a future Saturnian system flagship mission that targets both Titan and Enceladus will also be discussed.
Conveners: Carolyn Porco, Space Science Institute, 4750 Walnut Street, Suite 205 , Boulder, CO 80301 USA, email: carolyn@ciclops.org, and Chris McKay, NASA Ames, Mail Stop 245-3, Moffett Field, CA 94035 USA, Tel: 650 604-6864, Fax: 650 604-6779, email: cpmckay@gmail.com

P07 Prospects for Habitability on Noachian Mars
New spacecraft data from MRO, MEx, MER, and Odyssey show that Noachian-aged Martian rocks are more interesting and complex than previously thought. A key ingredient to that complexity is a diversity of deposits in which water has left a mineralogic record or a morphologic signature. This evidence increases the prospects for habitable environments having existed on early Mars. This session seeks contributions that are focused on this critical period of Martian history that assess the mineralogic, geomorphic and geophysical constraints on early Mars' habitability.
Conveners: Scott Murchie, Applied Physics Laboratory, Room MP3-W165 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723 USA, Tel: 240-228-6235, Fax: 240-228-8939, email: scott.murchie@jhuapl.edu, and John Mustard, Brown University, Department of Geological Sciences Box 1846, Providence, RI 02912 USA, Tel: 401-863-1264, Fax: 401-863-3978, email: john_mustard@brown.edu

P08 Evolution of Planetary Atmospheres
Understanding the evolutionary histories of planetary atmospheres is one of the key scientific questions driving planetary mission planning. While the evolution of our own planet, the Earth, is constrained by geological and geochemical data, the evolutionary paths of other planetary bodies in and outside our solar system must be constrained by planetary mission data and astronomical observations. The recent discoveries of extrasolar planets greatly expand the interests of the scientific community and provide a new opportunity for interdisciplinary collaborations between geoscientists, astronomers, and planetary scientists. The session welcomes both observational and theoretical studies which are relevant to the grand theme of the atmosphere evolution of planetary objects in and outside of our solar system (including the Earth).
Conveners: Feng Tian, NCAR-HAO and NASA Postdoc Program, 3080 Center Green (will have a new address in July 2008) , Boulder, CO 80303 USA, email: feng.tian@colorado.edu, and James F. Kasting, Penn State University, 1072 Crabapple Dr. , State College, PA 16801 USA, email: kasting@geosc.psu.edu

P09 Super-Earths
Super-Earths are the newest class of discovered extra-solar planets. These 1-10 earth-mass planets are likely to consist of solids and liquids rather than of gases, and so offer the opportunity for comparative planetology between the solid objects in our solar system and extra-solar systems. An interdisciplinary approach is needed, bridging geophysics, cosmo and geochemistry, astronomy, and atmospheric sciences. In this session we will discuss existing and new observations of super-Earths, interpretations of the observational data, and models of the interior structure, interior and atmospheric composition, dynamics, energy budgets, and habitability of the planets. We invite scientists from all fields to present their work in this interdisciplinary session.
Conveners: Diana Valencia, Harvard University, 20 Oxford Street , Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, Tel: 617-496-4475, email: valencia@eps.harvard.edu, and Lindy Tanton-Elkins, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: (617)253-1902, email: ltelkins@mit.edu

P10 The Dynamic Lunar Environment
As seen in the night sky, the Moon appears to be a dormant world with its unchanging ancient landscape. However, upon closer inspection it has been discovered that the lunar environment can in fact be extremely dynamic on both short and long time scales, with variations driven by both internal and external processes. Internal drivers include interior outgassing and shallow moonquakes, while external drivers include meteoritic flux, solar irradiation, and the solar and terrestrial plasmas encountered by the Moon. These drivers interact with the Moon to generate and modify the surface regolith, form the neutral exosphere and ionosphere, create electric fields and charged dust, and form perhaps the smallest naturally occurring collisionless shocks and magnetospheres in the solar system. These elements of "lunar weather" are highly inter-dependent, which results in a complex coupled system. With the renewed interest in lunar exploration, characterizing and understanding this environment has become of critical importance. The objectives of this session are to: (1) review our current understanding of the dynamic lunar environment, with an emphasis on current research and the most significant outstanding scientific questions; (2) give an overview of the relevant datasets that currently exist from past and current missions, and the extent to which they have been analyzed and could be further utilized; and (3) outline required future measurements, and the instrumentation, missions and observation campaigns that are necessary to achieve them.
Conveners: Timothy Stubbs, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Mail Code 674, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: (301) 286-1524, Fax: (301) 286-1648, email: Timothy.J.Stubbs@nasa.gov, and Jasper Halekas, University of California, Berkeley, Space Sciences Laboratory 7 Gauss Way, Berkeley, CA 94720-7450 USA, Tel: (510) 643-4310, email: jazzman@ssl.berkeley.edu

P11 New Developments in the Study of Fluvial Systems on Mars
The successes of recent Mars missions provide opportunities for integrating multiple data sets to shed new light on fluvial and hydrothermal processes on Mars. Current and recent missions, including MRO, Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and MGS have produced a range of imaging, spectral, and other data sets that together can place powerful constraints on the surface and subsurface conditions and processes that led to surface and groundwater flow and the eventual formation of fluvial features on the surface of Mars. Integrating these various data sets (e.g., high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy with measures of subsurface water abundance) is essential for testing existing hypotheses and developing new insights on the formation of fluvial and hydrothermal surface features including outflows from fractures and possible spring mounds. We invite abstracts reporting such studies including work on understanding the formation of gullies, outflow channels, large valley systems and valley networks on Mars.
Conveners: Alexandra Davatzes, Temple University, Department of Geology Beury Hall, Temple University 1901 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 USA, email: aekd47@gmail.com, and Virginia Gulick, NASA Ames/SETI Institute, NASA Ames Research Center Mail Stop 239-20, Moffett Field, CA 94035 USA, email: Virginia.C.Gulick@nasa.gov

P12 Organic and Inorganic Microbial Biosignatures
Biochemicals that may be uniquely ascribed to microbes comprise the most indisputable biosignatures, but these are rarely preserved in ancient rocks and are unlikely to survive on the surfaces of planetary bodies. Minerals, produced within microorganisms or as an indirect result of their activities, are much more durable but may be difficult to differentiate unambiguously from those produced by abiologic processes. In this session we solicit contributions on new developments in a variety of directions in biosignature research: * organic biosignatures * mineral biosignatures * organic biosignatures preserved in minerals * tests of the applications and validity of different biosignatures in various terrestrial and planetary environments. We particularly encourage contributions that may establish linkages between different biosignatures and paleoenvironmental indicators. In addition to assembling contributions on the state-of-the-art in current biosignature research, we solicit contributions that may highlight types of samples that are important in biogeochemical cycles but for which no biosignature may yet exist.
Conveners: Max Coleman, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 818-393-6353, email: max.coleman@jpl.nasa.gov, and Clark Johnson, Department of Geology & Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, 1215 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706 USA, Tel: 608-262-1710, email: clarkj@geology.wisc.edu, and Chris Romanek, Dept. of Geology and Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Drawer E , Aiken, SC 29802 USA, Tel: 803-725-5883, email: romanek@srel.edu

P13 Geochemistry, Stratigraphy, and Evolution of Sulfates on Mars
Sulfates on Mars can offer clues to the past hydrologic and climatic history of the planet, but only if the geochemical mechanisms for formation and stratigraphic context are well constrained. This session seeks contributions addressing sulfate geochemistry, the stratigraphic context of sulfates in different environments, and depositional/diagenetic models of sulfate formation. Contributions using orbital, landed, experimental, and field data sets on both Earth and Mars are welcome.
Conveners: Kimberly Lichtenberg, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130 USA, Tel: 314-935-8594, email: lichtenberg@wunder.wustl.edu, and Leah Roach, Brown University, 324 Brook Street, Providence, RI 02912 USA, Tel: 401-863-3485, email: leah_roach@brown.edu

P14 Landed Measurements on Mars: Ground Truth for Orbital Data
Three orbiting and three landed missions are currently actively acquiring data for the atmosphere and surface of Mars. Coordinated observations have been planned and implemented among the landed and orbital remote sensing instruments, focusing on visible and reflected infrared and thermal infrared measurements. These measurement campaigns include the Spirit and Opportunity rovers (Pancam and Mini-TES), Phoenix (SSI imaging, LIDAR, meteorology), the Phoenix Lander (SSI imaging, LIDAR, meteorology), Mars Express (HRSC, OMEGA), Odyssey (THEMIS), and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (HiRISE, CRISM, MCS). This session will focus on description and analyses of the coordinated data sets and the value-added ability to better understand atmospheric and surface processes.
Conveners: Raymond Arvidson, Washington University, , St. Louis, MO 63130 USA, Tel: 314-935-5609, Fax: 314-935-4998, email: arvidson@wunder.wustl.edu, and Richard Morris, NASA/Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058 USA, Tel: 281-483-5040, Fax: 281-483-1573, email: richard.v.morris@nasa.gov

P15 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Mars Perspectives After One Mars Year
On November 18 the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) mission successfully completed its Primary Science Phase, observing from a near-polar, near-circular orbit for a full Mars year. The eight science investigations have returned a wealth of data about surface morphology and composition, subsurface structure, and atmospheric state. This session invites papers on how those observations have changed our views of Mars and what questions the mission should pursue as it moves into an extended science phase. Papers presenting overviews or integrating results from several investigations (or missions) are preferred.
Conveners: Suzanne Smrekar, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, M.S. 183-501 4800 Oak Grove Drive , Pasadena, CA 91104 USA, email: suzanne.e.smrekar@jpl.nasa.gov, and Richard Zurek, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, , , USA, email: richard.w.zurek@jpl.nasa.gov

P16 Comparison of Basaltic Volcanism on Mars and the Earth
The Earth and Mars both display evidence of extensive basaltic volcanism throughout their geologic history in the form of large shield volcanoes, fields of smaller monogenetic vent fields, and extensive plains of overlapping, thick lava deposits. Often the morphologies are similar, thereby enabling inferences to be drawn about both planets’ history of basalt generation, ascension, and eruption. The purpose of this proposed session is to present a comparison of basaltic features on the Earth and Mars as a basis for characterizing and contrasting their styles of basaltic volcanism.
Conveners: Jacob E. Bleacher, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, building 33, room G310, greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, email: Jacob.Bleacher-1@nasa.gov, and Robert Lillis, UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory, 7 Gauss Way,, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 510-508-7290, email: Robert.Lillis@Gmail.com, and Josef Dufek, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Ga 30332-0340 USA, email: Dufek@gatech.edu, and Michael Manga, UC Berkeley Department of Earth and Planetary Science, 307 McCone Hall, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-4767 USA, email: manga@seismo.Berkeley.edu

P17 Titan at the end of the Cassini Prime Mission
Our knowledge and understanding of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, have increased significantly as a result of measurements obtained from the Cassini spacecraft following its successful prime mission and ongoing extended mission. The project's original science objectives have been addressed spectacularly, leading to new questions. The bulk chemical composition of the atmosphere has been shown to be, not primarily methane, as was throught pre-Cassini, but N2, CH4, and H2 with significant trace amounts of hydrocarbons, and isotopes that include: D 13C, 15N, 18O, and double isotopes 13C2, D13C; the surface has been shown to be covered with dunes and low altitude craters that show potential for cryovolcanism; the question of the presence of oceans of liquid hydrocarbons on the surface of Titan has been answered in the negative - but Cassini discovered lakes, particularly at the poles of Titan; the rates of escape of atomic and molecular hydrogen from the upper atmosphere of Titan have been shown to be appropriate for hydrodynamic escape and not that of nominal planetary Jean's escape, as is common on other planets; *the atmosphere of Titan has been shown to interact with the solar wind and Saturn itself. Frozen field lines were measured there on the occasion that Cassini encountered Titan in the solar wind; The nature of the hydrocarbon "hydrological cycle" on Titan has been shown to be quite extensive, in which the end product is not ethane, but benzene and a plethora of other hydrocarbons including polycylcic-aromatic-hydrocarbons (PAHs). This session will include a broad range of topics related to Titan; papers are invited which continue to explore these themes.
Conveners: Claudia J. Alexander, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: (818)393-7773, email: claudia.j.alexander@jpl.nasa.gov, and Robert Pappalardo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, email: robert.pappalardo@jpl.nasa.gov

P18 Outer Planet Systems: Comparisons of Processes Among the Four Giant Worlds of our Solar System
The outer planets have remained objects of fascination after decades of exploration. This session focuses on interdisciplinary comparisons among the outer planets -- the processes that formed them, the chemistry that shaped them, the plasma environment that surrounds them, and the origins of the small bodies in their environment. Outstanding questions in dynamics and chemistry of the Jupiter system include the formation of the Jovian system and whether that formation environment provided the initial conditions favorable to Europa's habitability. Recent models of heavy element enrichment of Saturn are able to predict the carbon abundances observed by Cassini, and have been extended to Uranus and Neptune. Intercomparisons can be made between the hydrocarbon chemistry of the giant planet atmospheres and their moons. The measured rotation of Saturn has been shown to be time-variable in ways that are very different from its cousin Jupiter. Enceladus dominates the plasma environment around Saturn in a matter analogous to Io at Jupiter. Oxidants may play an important role in outer planet satellite chemistry, and mediation of such oxidants (on a global scale) has been studied in relation to a 'snowball' Earth, and Mars. Papers are invited that explore these themes with an interdisciplinary view toward the physics, chemistry, and systems-level intercomparisons among the outer planets.
Conveners: Claudia J. Alexander, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: (818)393-7773, email: claudia.j.alexander@jpl.nasa.gov, and Robert Pappalardo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, email: robert.pappalardo@jpl.nasa.gov

P19 Exploring Venus
The ESA mission Venus Express is the start to a new era of Venus exploration. The results of Venus Express (VEX) have in many ways changed our understanding of Venus and continue to do so. VEX has returned numerous interesting results regarding the dynamics of the atmosphere, its composition, has detected lighting and is the first mission to map the surface of the planet in the near infrared. Venus Express was the first mission to return to Venus after a hiatus since Magellan and it is definitely not the last. The Japanese Venus Climate Orbiter is only 2 years out and a number of further missions are being studied. This is a perfect time to bring together all aspects of research on Venus to take stock of where we are and how the new results of VEX fit into our understanding of Venus and its evolution. It is a time to reflect on the new questions that VEX has posed and most importantly to contemplate where we want to go with future missions.
Conveners: Jorn Helbert, DLR, Rutherfordstrasse 2, Berlin, 12489 DEU, email: joern.helbert@dlr.de, and Suzanne E. Smrekar, JPL, , , USA, email: Suzanne.E.Smrekar@jpl.nasa.gov

Planetary Sciences also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
AE03 Lightning and Electrical Phenomena on Other Planets
MR04 Planetary Ices - Cryo-mineralogy and Cryo-petrology
ED13 Space Physics Particle Multimedia Products for Education
SM09 Outer Planet Auroras: In Situ and Remote Sensing Results
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
ED18 IYA Dark Skies Awareness Programs, Citizen Science and You
GC06 Deccan Volcanism, Chixculub Impact, Global Environmental Change, the KTB and Other Mass Extinctions
V02 Innovations in Isotope Mass Spectrometry and Isotope Metrology in Geochemistry
AE02 Runaway Electrons and Energetic Radiation in Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres
GP08 Analog Modeling of Deep Planetary Interiors
GP10 Magnetism of Shock in Impact Craters and Planetary Magnetic Anomalies – New Developments
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
V05 Recent Advances in Lithium Isotope Geochemistry
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
DI12 Linking Earth’s Deep Interior to the Surface: Earth Evolution
MR09 Melt and Melt Properties Under Pressure
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
MR07 Minerals in the Early Solar System – From First Condensates to Planetesimals
MR03 Composition and Evolution of Iron-Rich Cores in the Earth and Other Planets
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
V29 Quantifying Surface Processes Using Noble Gases
V10 Geological Fluid Dynamics
B50 Sagan Lecture

Public Affairs

PA01 Public Affairs: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Public Affairs.
Conveners: Margaret R. Collins, National Academy of Sciences, , , USA, email: mcollins@nas.edu

PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics
Geophysics is a field that benefits society in numerous ways that include the exploration and production of resources, the prediction and mitigation of natural hazards, the characterization of hydrological systems, and a better quantitative understanding of the way in which our environment works. In this session we present various initiatives that aim at increasing the societal impact of geophysics. There are an impressive number of initiatives within the geoscience community that have the goal to use geophysics for solving environmental, geotechnical and hydrological problems, or that help manage natural hazards and resources in impoverished regions. By presenting such initiatives we hope to engage more geophysicists in humanitarian activities.
Conveners: Roel Snieder, Colorado School of Mines, 1500 Illinois Street, Golden, CO 80401-1887 USA, Tel: 303.273.3456, Fax: 303.273.3478, email: rsnieder@mines.edu, and Louise Pellerin, Green Engineering, Inc, 6543 Brayton Drive, Suite B , Anchorage, AK 99507 USA, Tel: 907-743-0988, Fax: 907-743-9089, email: pellerin@ak.net

PA03 How Can the Science Community Help Local and Regional Decision Makers Who are Exploring or Implementing Adaptation Options to Climate Change?
All weather is local! The same will be true regarding adapting to climate change. This session will examine how local universities and decision makers are working together to adapt to anticipated climate change impacts and explore how these independent activities might be networked together into a "national adaptation network or model".
Conveners: Jack Fellows, UCAR, 1850 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder, CO 80305 USA, Tel: 3034978655, email: jfellows@ucar.edu, and Eric Baron, University of Texas Austin, Jackson School of Geosciences 23rd and San Jacinto Geology Building 6.218, Austin, TX 78713 USA, Tel: 512-471-6048, email: ebarron@jsg.utexas.edu

PA04 Science Issues for a New Congress and a New Administration
Many of the most pressing issues facing the newly-elected Congress and Administration depend for solutions on input from the geophysical sciences. This session will feature talks from scientists, policy makers, and advocates from government, academia and NGOs, laying out the issues of the day and describing how geoscience information will affect and inform the decisions to be made in the coming year. The goal of the session is to assist AGU members to see how science is -- or should be -- affecting critical public policy issues, and how public policy priorities are guiding the agendas of science funders. Issues to be addressed could range from energy, water, soils, climate, nutrient cycling and ocean science to natural hazards, international cooperation, and nuclear proliferation.
Conveners: Margaret Goud Collins, National Academy of Sciences, , , USA, email: mcollins@nas.edu, and Holmes Hummell, 2007-08 AAAS Congressional, , , USA, email: hummel@stanfordalumni.org

PA05 Responding to Changes in Global Biogeochemical Cycles: Using Assessments to Guide Policies
Cycling of C, N, P, S and other elements knows no political boundaries, and as biogeochemists have come to realize the human impacts on these global cycles, appropriate policy responses involve international agreements and cooperation to preserve planetary climate and stability. With appropriate response, increasing human population will bring greater perturbations to the carbon cycle (through energy use) and the nitrogen cycle (through fertilizer production). How to provide for these people without disrupting their economic livelihood and societal function demands the development of integrated assessment models that can be used to evaluate the impact of differing scenarios of policy response. This session will bring together biogeochemists (to discuss the current understanding of the human impact on major element cycles), experts in international policy, and integrated assessment modelers (to discuss the best future pathways for the human species).
Conveners: William Schlesinger, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, , Millbrook, NY USA, email: schlesingerw@ecostudies.org, and Margaret Goud Collins, National Academy of Sciences, , , USA, email: mcollins@nas.edu

Public Affairs also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
ED11 Climate Literacy and Communication Strategies
B36 The Role of Climate, Carbon and Limiting Nutrient Cycles and Human Activities in Terrestrial Ecosystems
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
G04 The Global Geodetic Observing System: Science and Instrumentation
B45 Fires in the Earth System
G09 High-Rate GPS Seismometer and Tsunami Remote Sensing
GP05 Realizing the Potential of Potential-Fields
B49 Enhanced Carbon Sequestration in the Biosphere: New Science and Comprehensive Analyses
IN14 Advancing Digital Watersheds and Virtual Environmental Observatories
G10 The Future of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Their Impact on Geodetic, Geophysical and Environmental Applications
S10 Earthquake Simulators -Ready for Primetime?!
G20 Coseismic and Postseismic Deformation From the M8.0 Sichuan, China Earthquake
H42 Adaptation and Mitigation Under Climate Change and Uncertainty
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
S18 The 2008 M 6.0 Wells, Nevada Earthquake
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN24 Open Source Remote Sensing for Environmental Mapping and Analysis
IN22 Data and the Ethos of Science
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
S02 The M7.1 Messina, Italy, Earthquake and Tsunami of 28 December 1908: 100 Years of Research on an Important Destructive Earthquake
B02 Remote Characterization of Vegetation Structure
G14 Hydro-geodesy: Space Geodetic Applications for Hydrology
S11 Research and Development in Nuclear Explosion Monitoring
A52 Bjerknes Lecture
GC24 Progress and Challenges in Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision Making
S13 Investigation and Public Awareness of Earthquake Hazard in Northern California

Seismology

S01 Seismology: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Seismology.
Conveners: Suzan van der Lee, Northwestern University, , , USA, email: suzan@earth.northwestern.edu, and John Vidale, University of Washington, , , USA, email: seismoguy@mac.com

S02 The M7.1 Messina, Italy, Earthquake and Tsunami of 28 December 1908: 100 Years of Research on an Important Destructive Earthquake
The M7.1 Messina Earthquake occurred in the early morning hours of December 28th, 1908. It produced very strong ground motions and destructive tsunami waves along the populated coastline of the Messina Straits that led to as many as 82,000 deaths and an international outpouring of disaster relief. It was the most destructive earthquake in Western Europe in modern times and occurred during a decade of notable earthquakes and volcanic eruptions (1902 to 1912) worldwide that raised scientific interest and public awareness of the impacts of such events. The Messina Straits earthquake was among the first to be recorded adequately by seismological and geodetic instrumentation that allowed subsequent quantitative investigations of its source properties. In fact, much has been learned during a century of research on this earthquake, including characterization of its source mechanism and slip history, tectonic setting, preceding events, and the prospects and loss scenarios for recurrence. This session brings together research on all of these topics.
Conveners: Gianluca Valensise, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Department of Seismology and Tectonophysics, Via di Vigna Murata , Roma, 605 - 0014 ITA, Tel: +39-06-51860485, email: valensise@ingv.it, and Stephen H. Kirby, U.S. Geological Survey, Western earthquake Hazards Team, 345 Middlefield Road Mail Stop 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650 329-4947, email: skirby@usgs.gov

S03 Advances in Signal Processing Methods for Seismology
This session explores recent developments in application of advanced signal processing methods to the analysis of digital seismic data. Researchers have made new advances in application of such methods as filtering based on higher-order statistics of spectral signatures, wavelet decomposition, instantaneous phase or polarization, mulitaper signal analysis and autoregression techniques, as well as other, new approaches, incorporated into event classification, phase detection and identification, denoising, array processing, magnitude estimation and so forth. The technology is evolving quickly and new methods are continually under development. We invite contributions addressing new and advanced signal processing techniques applied to seismological research.
Conveners: Youshun Sun, MIT, 54-1820, 77 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, email: YOUSHUN@MIT.EDU, and Charlotte Rowe, Los Alamos National Laboratory, EES-11 M.S. D408, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA, email: char@lanl.gov

S04 Mechanics of Slow and Fast Slip in Active Faults
In the past ten years, the discovery of fault slip rates ranging from slow and intermediate to fast demonstrates that the lithosphere can deform both in a brittle manner, during earthquakes, and more slowly by a variety of dissipative processes. Slow and transient deformations are more common than expected from a simple ‘stick-slip’ model with continuous tectonic loading. This session focuses on recent observations of slow and infraseismic deformation as well as experimental works and numerical modelling of slow and fast slip along faults. A challenge will be to confront the variety of processes at work during slip, including the effect of fluids, the presence of gouge and damage zone, the mechanical, structural and petrological heterogeneity of the fault zone, the effect of an external triggering, and the constitutive rheological laws that can describe the richness of observed deformation in geological materials. We invite contributions addressing innovative approaches, based on observation of deformation signals, experiments aimed at reproducing aseismic and coseismic processes active during slip, and numerical models.
Conveners: Chris Marone, Penn State University, , , USA, email: cjm@geosc.psu.edu, and François Renard, University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, , , FRA, email: francois.renard@ujf-grenoble.fr, and Christophe Voisin, University Joseph Fourier & CNRS, Grenoble, , , FRA, email: christophe.voisin@ujf-grenoble.fr

S05 Advances in the Theory, Modeling, and Observation of Anelastic Seismic Wave Propagation - Recent Anelastic Models of the Earth
Recent advances in the theory, modeling, and observation of anelastic seismic waves reveal new insights regarding the anelastic structure of the Earth. For example, recent theory reveals physical characteristics of anelastic body waves in layered media, such as particle motion, phase velocity, and Q, which are dependent on angle of incidence. These dependencies, which are not predicted by elasticity theory or one-dimensional anelastic waves, have important implications for some forward modeling and inverse problems. This session invites papers on the latest advances in anelastic wave-propagation theory, processing/inversion methods for anelastic media, and anelastic (Q) models of the Earth, as inferred from reflection- refraction, teleseismic, surface-wave, ocean-acoustic, and normal-mode data. With many travel-time and amplitude anomalies yet to be explained, this session plans to be an exciting forum to review and explore implications of the latest advances in the theory and modeling of anelasticity towards explanation of some of these anomalies.
Conveners: Roger D. Borcherdt, US Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650-329-5619, email: borcherdt@usgs.gov, and Kristopher A. Innanen, Dept. of Physics, Univ. of Houston, , Houston, TX 77204 USA, Tel: 713-743-3400, email: Kinnanen@uh.edu

S06 Monitoring Temporal Changes of Earth's Properties with Seismic Waves
Traditionally, seismic waves were used to investigate the 3D velocity and attenuation structure of the Earth. The detection of temporal changes in the structure was out of reach. Recently, technical and methodological developments led to a number of observations of such temporal changes. The main targets are volcanoes, fault zones, and hydrocarbon reservoirs. In most cases changes of the seismic velocities are monitored. Techniques range from repeated structural studies like tomography or seismic surveys to interferometric approaches that are specifically designed for the detections of temporal changes. The latter group uses repeating earthquakes, repeatable active sources like vibrators or ambient noise. The observed velocity changes are attributed to migrating fluids, to seismicity induced stress changes or to structural changes like damage in a near surface layer. To this session we invite contributions on temporal Earth-monitoring with seismic waves. We want to focus on observations and their interpretations. But we also want to discuss theoretical contributions and technical issues of the different approaches with the goal to advance on the way to 4D Seismology.
Conveners: Christoph Sens-schoenfelder, University of Leipzig, , , DEU, email: sens-schoenfelder@uni-leipzig.de, and Florent Brenguier, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, , , FRA, email: fbrengui@ipgp.jussieu.fr, and Tom Daley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, , , USA, email: tmdaley@lbl.gov, and Zhigang Peng, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30338 USA, Tel: 404-894-0231, Fax: 404-894-5638, email: zpeng@gatech.edu

S07 Three-Dimensional Models for Seismic and Seismo-acoustic Monitoring
We welcome submissions on the use of 3D models for seismic and seismo-acoustic monitoring of earthquakes and explosions. Of particular interest are studies on the performance of 3D models for monitoring applications. What types of improvements might be obtained for travel time, back azimuth, slowness, and amplitudes over lower dimensional models? How can prediction error for 3D model-derived parameters be estimated and improved? What level of event location improvement can be achieved over simpler models? Can source-type identification be improved with 3D models given the needed resolution and available computational architectures? We are also interested in papers that improve the resolution and veracity of Earth models through the inversion of multiple, complementary datasets. How is weighting of the disparate data sets handled to optimize results and what issues arise from such simultaneous inversions? Papers presenting novel inversion methods for 3D Earth structure are also encouraged.
Conveners: Lee Steck, Los Alamos National Laboratory, , , USA, email: lsteck@lanl.gov, and Stephen Myers, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, , , USA, email: smyers@llnl.gov, and Shane Detweiler, United States Geological Survey, , , USA, email: shane@usgs.gov, and Monica Maceira, Los Alamos National Laboratory, , , USA, email: mmaceira@lanl.gov

S08 Rotational Motions in Seismology and Engineering: Progress in Instruments, Theory, Observations, and Applications
There is growing interest in understanding the potential of observing six degrees of freedom of ground motions (three translations and three rotations) and their relevance for seismic source and structural imaging, wavefield separation, strong ground motion, and shaking hazard. This session invites contributions on all aspects of rotational ground motions in seismology, earthquake engineering, and related fields, e.g.: (1) observations using high and low-resolution sensors; (2) point versus area-rotations; (3) the seismic inverse problem with rotations; (4) sensitivity of translational inertial sensors to ground rotations; (5) applications in reservoir seismology, strong motion seismology, earthquake source studies, and earthquake engineering.
Conveners: Heiner Igel, LMU Munich, , , DEU, email: heiner.igel@lmu.de, and Ana Ferreira, University of East Anglia, , , GBR, email: A.Ferreira@uea.ac.uk

S09 Dynamic Rupturing of Earthquake at Various Scales
Due to the complex nature of seismogenic fault structures and fault-zone processes, earthquake dynamics is inherently multi-scale. When viewed macroscopically through seismological studies and surface expressions, earthquake sources have complex geometries, often involving several faults or fault segments. At the microscopic scale, geological observations and laboratory experiments reveal coseismic slip zones with thicknesses from a fraction of a millimeter to centimeters. Between the macroscopic and microscopic scales, there is a mesoscale of heterogeneous fault properties or local fault topology that might correspond to barriers or asperities of the seismological source description. It is important to understand how earthquake rupture occurs at various scales and how those scales interact. This session aims to share the recent progress in characterizing dynamic failure at different scales, including observational studies of earthquakes, laboratory experiments on fast slip, and theoretical modeling of earthquake rupture, identifying universal (scale-independent) features as well as scale-dependent phenomena, and relating the different scales to each other. Contributions on all aspects of earthquake source dynamics are welcome, with a particular emphasis on the following questions: How can we understand seismologically and geodetically inferred parameters from the viewpoint of earthquake physics and mechanics? How does earthquake modeling inform seismological and/or geodetic studies on wave radiation, scaling, seismicity, slip patterns, and other aspects of earthquake source? What information can be obtained from laboratory experiments?
Conveners: Hideo Aochi, BRGM, 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, Orléans, 45060 FRA, email: h.aochi@brgm.fr, and Eiichi Fukuyama, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), 3-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-0006 JPN, email: fuku@bosai.go.jp

S10 Earthquake Simulators -Ready for Primetime?!
Earthquake simulators, both numerical and analog, that produce sequences and catalogs of simulated earthquakes on multiple or single faults, have evolved to become powerful tools used to study numerous aspects of the earthquake cycle including coseismic and post-seismic deformation, aftershock distributions, fault interaction, scaling-relationships, earthquake recurrence times, earthquake probabilities, earthquake correlations in space and time, record-breaking statistics, and space-time patterns. Simulations can also be used in forecasting. Many of these simulators are based on well established physics, implementing the latest results from theoretical, experimental and field studies. Although simplifications and approximations regarding geometric complexity, and heterogeneity of fault and material properties are made, the simulated results are generally (at least to first order) in good agreement with observed data and therefore carry valuable insights. Nevertheless, skepticism clearly exists in the community regarding the validity and value of earthquake simulations, despite the fact that complex numerical simulations are widely used in other contexts, including mantle convection, lithospheric flow, weather and climate studies, structural geology, geochemical processes, seismic wave propagation, and studies of granular materials. In all of these applications, uncertainty exists as to the appropriate governing equations, parameter values, and initial and boundary conditions, but numerical experiments with simulations can clarify many of these uncertainties. The goal of this session is to demonstrate the current status of earthquake simulators, to explore what their limitations and usefulness may be, and to look to the future concerning what might be done to enhance their value and use. We invite contributions that utilize earthquake simulators as a mean to investigate rupture process, rupture propagation, scaling-relationships, seismic hazard posed by a fault, earthquake recurrence times, magnitude-frequency distributions, etc., either for a specific fault or a general case. We also invite contributions on comparisons between natural and synthetic seismic data, as well as investigations of space-time correlations and patterns in both synthetic and real earthquake catalogs. We encourage contributions that express either enthusiasm or skepticism concerning the value of using simulators.
Conveners: Olaf Zielke, Arizona State University, , Tempe, AZ 85287-1404 USA, Tel: 480 965 4053, email: olaf.zielke@asu.edu, and Terry Tullis, Brown University, , Providence, RI 02912 USA, email: terry_tullis@brown.edu, and John Rundle, UC Davis, , Davis, CA 95616-8605 USA, email: rundle@physics.ucdavis.edu, and David Jackson, UC Los Angeles, , Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567 USA, email: djackson@ucla.edu

S11 Research and Development in Nuclear Explosion Monitoring
More than ten years have elapsed since the International Monitoring System (IMS) and the associated International Data Centre (IDC) have been established as verification tools of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). While a scientific review of the present system is underway, considerable advances have been achieved in the past decade in technology and science relevant to the CTBT. This session focuses on research and development in nuclear explosion monitoring in all fields, known to be relevant with regard to the detection of signals emanating from a nuclear explosion event. We solicit presentations demonstrating how the capabilities in detection, location, and characterization of nuclear explosions can be improved using methodologies developed in particular in the context of fundamental research. The session focuses on technologies using wave form processing as seismology, infrasound and hydro-acoustics.It concerns modelling, event caracterization and discrimination, statistical data analysis and studies using the synergy between the different technologies.
Conveners: Elisabeth Blanc, Commissariat Energie Atomique, CEA/DAM Ile de France Bruyeres le Chatel, Arpajon, 91297 FRA, Tel: 33 1 69 26 49 96, Fax: 33 1 69 26 71 30, email: elisabeth.blanc@cea.fr, and Barabara Romanowicz, Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, 209 McCone Hall , Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: (510)642 1844, Fax: (510) 643 5811, email: barbara@seismo.berkeley.edu, and Kiyoshi Suyehiro, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2-15 Natsushima-cho , Yokosuka, 237-0061 JPN, email: suyehiro@jamstec.go.jp, and Jay Zucca, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, , , USA, email: zucca2@llnl.gov

S12 Search for Large Earthquake Precursors from Space and Ground Observations
Within the last several years there have been major earthquakes that caused great devastation and significant loss of life. We propose this session to focus on the new methodologies for studying earthquake precursors with the hope that development of such an interdisciplinary approach could provide significant early warning for such catastrophic events such as the recent M7.8 earthquake in Sichuan, China. The observational evidence from the last twenty years has led some to infer EM phenomena accompanying or preceding some earthquakes. Some recent studies claim coupling between the atmospheric boundary layer and the ionosphere that is related to an enhanced tectonic activity. More work in this area is needed to ascertain whether such signals precede and were related with these earthquakes. Topics include case studies investigating large earthquakes, and theories relating tectonic stress changes to electrical, electro-chemical and thermodynamic processes. Contributions are also solicited on any other new space- and ground-based methodologies of studying earthquake-related phenomena.
Conveners: Dimitar Ouzounov, George Mason University, , , USA, email: dimitar.p.ouzounov@nasa.gov, and Sergey Pulinets, Russian Academy of Sciences, , , RUS, email: pulse1549@gmail.com, and Patrick Taylor, NASA/GSFC, , , USA, email: Patrick.Taylor@nasa.gov, and J.Y. Liu, National Central Univesity, , , TWN, email: jyliu@jupiter.ss.ncu.edu.tw, and Katsumi Hattori, Chiba University, , , JPN, email: hattori@earth.s.chiba-u.ac.jp, and Michel Parrot, LPCE/CNRS, , , FRA, email: mparrot@cnrs-orleans.fr

S13 Investigation and Public Awareness of Earthquake Hazard in Northern California
In a year marking a spirited campaign to commemorate and publicize the 140th anniversary of the 1868 Hayward earthquake, there have been important advances in our understanding of earthquake hazards in Northern California. Central to this progress is the collaborative framework for integrating results across disciplinary fields and the basic science research being driven by the hazard. New InSAR, GPS, LiDAR, aeromagnetic, gravity and high-resolution seismic reflection data, ground motion simulations of Hayward Fault ruptures, improvements and extensions to 3D geologic and seismic models for Northern California, new and improved age dating of prehistoric ruptures, further testing of Earthquake Early Warning systems, and the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast bring new insights for hazard assessment. It is also time to take stock of our efforts to publicize the hazards posed by the Hayward Fault and other faults in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this session we aim to highlight some of these advances and hope to foster collaboration and integration. Papers addressing any of these topics are welcome, and we encourage those developing hazard analysis methodologies in other regions to participate and cross-fertilize.
Conveners: Richard M. Allen, University of California Berkeley, Seismological Laboratory, Dept. of Earth & Planetary Science University of California Berkeley , Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: (510) 642 1275, Fax: (510) 643 5811, email: rallen@berkeley.edu, and Tom Brocher, USGS, 345 Middlefield Road, MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: (650) 329-4737, Fax: (650) 329-5163, email: brocher@usgs.gov

S14 USArray: Transportable Array and Flexible Array Observations in the Western US
This session is designed to review what is being learned about the structure of the crust and mantle under the western United States from the USArray component of EarthScope. The Transportable Array is now entering the Great Plains, having traversed most of the tectonically active regions of the contiguous U.S. Numerous Flexible Array deployments have now been fielded to investigate a large variety of geodynamic problems along the western margin and throughout the orogenic plateau. We wish to compare USArray results being obtained from different seismological methods (including, but not restricted to, body and surface wave tomography, ambient noise tomography, receiver function analysis, and wavefield imaging) to gauge what USArray is telling us about the structure of tectonic North America.
Conveners: Alan Levander, Earth Science Department, Rice University, Center for Computational Geophysics 6100 Main Street MS-126, Houston, TX 77005 USA, Tel: 713 348-6064, Fax: 713 348-6064, email: alan@rice.edu, and Michael Ritzwoller, Department of Physics, University of Colorado Boulder, Center for Imaging the Earth''''s Interior , Boulder, CO 80309-0399 USA, Tel: 303-492-7075, Fax: 303-492-7935, email: ritzwoller@ciei.colorado.edu, and Robert van der Hilst, Earth Atmosphere and Planetary Sciences, MIT, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-253-6977, Fax: 617-253-8298, email: hilst@mit.edu

S15 Seismological Investigations of the 2008/05/12 Ms8.0 Wenchuan Earthquake
The 2008/05/12 Ms8.0 Wenchuan earthquake occurred in Eastern Sichuan, China. It ruptured more than 300 km along the Longmenshan fold-and-thrust belt that bounds the Tibetan plateau and the Sichuan basin. This disastrous event was felt throughout the Eastern Asia, and was responsible for killing at least 70 thousand people, and leaving around 5 million homeless. The mainshock and its rigorous aftershock sequences were recorded by many permanent and temporary seismic stations deployed by Chinese Earthquake Administration and other institutions at local and regional distances, and the Global Seismic Network and USArray at teleseismic distances. This session invites contributions that take advantage of the dense seismic observations to study the mainshock slip distributions, aftershock locations, local fault zone structures, regional-scale seismic tomography, near-field and remote triggering, future seismic hazard in the surrounding region, and more.
Conveners: Zhigang Peng, Georgia Institute of Technology, 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA, Tel: 404-894-0231, Fax: 404-894-5638, email: zpeng@gatech.edu, and Qiyuan Liu, Chinese Earthquake Administration, , , CHN, email: qyliu@ies.ac.cn, and Chen Ji, UC Santa Barbara, Dept. of Earth Sciences, , Santa Barbara, CA USA, email: ji@geol.ucsb.edu

S16 Crust and Upper Mantle Structural Models Beneath the Central US
The 1811-1812 New Madrid series of earthquakes occurred in a relatively unpopulated region of the central United States between Memphis and St. Louis and were felt over most of the central and eastern United States and some parts of Canada, a felt area nearly 20 times larger than the area impacted by the similarly sized 1906 San Francisco earthquake. A better understanding of the temporal and spatial distribution of shaking and damage from St. Louis to Memphis that accompanied the great 1811-1812 earthquakes and other historic events, will reduce uncertainty about potential damage from similar earthquakes as well as provide the public with a provocative view of the potential impact of a recurrence of these events. In order to perform realistic computer simulations of such earthquakes and assess seismic hazard, updated comprehensive and detailed structural models are needed for the region. This session seeks contributions that constrain the lithologic, tectonic, geophysical and geotechnical structure of the Central United States lithosphere. Contributions that address solutions to complications arising from attempts to image within and beneath thick sedimentary basins are particularly encouraged.
Conveners: Oliver Boyd, U.S. Geological Survey, , , USA, email: olboyd@usgs.gov, and Leonardo Ramirez-Guzman, Carnegie Mellon University, , , USA, email: lramirez@andrew.cmu.edu, and Heather Deshon, Center for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis, , , USA, email: hdeshon@memphis.edu, and Jer-Ming Chiu, Center for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis, , , USA, email: jerchiu@memphis.edu

S17 Observations and Phenomenology of Non-Volcanic Earthquake Swarms
Description: In this session we invite presentations developing the observational and physical bases of non-volcanic crustal earthquake swarms. Swarms are recognized as an extended series of small to moderate earthquakes, often with no one principal or controlling event. Earthquake occurrence in volcanic regions is often swarm-like, but swarms are less frequent where regional deformation drives seismicity. A notable swarm of earthquakes began February 28, 2008 in the community of Mogul, just west of Reno, Nevada. Hundreds of events have occurred in the first three months. Activity has been monitored by broadband and strong-motion seismic stations, continuous GPS measurements, infrasound, and geologic investigation. This swarm has raised questions including why swarms occur where they do, what governs their unusual temporal behavior, are the fault physics of swarms somehow different from conventional faults, and what drives them in the first place. We invite multi-disciplinary contributions developing the phenomenology of non-volcanic earthquake swarms. Observational reports could describe the location, duration, and energy release pattern of earthquake swarms. Correlations with other geological observations and with geophysical measurements such as geodetic and infrasound observations are solicited, especially as they bear on the causes and common properties of earthquake swarms. Papers presenting physical and friction models are solicited that could explain why swarms seem to differ in seismicity and energy release from classic mainshock-aftershock behavior.
Conveners: Glenn Biasi, University of Nevada Reno, University of Nevada Reno Seismological Laboratory MS-174, Reno, NV 89557 USA, Tel: (775) 784-4576, Fax: (775) 784-4576, email: glenn@seismo.unr.edu, and Steve Walter, United States Geological Survey, United States Geological Survey MS977 345 Middlefield Road, , Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: (650) 329-4748, email: swalter@usgs.gov

S18 The 2008 M 6.0 Wells, Nevada Earthquake
On 21 February 2008, an M 6.0 earthquake struck northeast Nevada, destroying buildings along main street in the town of Wells. This was the first sizable Basin and Range normal faulting event to occur since the 1983 M 7.0 Borah Peak earthquake. In comparison to the Borah Peak earthquake, the Wells event was well recorded, as it occurred in the middle of the 400 instrument EarthScope Transportable Array. Within a day of the mainshock the University of Nevada, Reno, University of Utah Seismograph Stations, and the U. S. Geological Survey began to deploy portable strong and weak-motion stations. Continuously-recording GPS stations were added and post-event InSAR data have been obtained. For perhaps the first time a dataset exists that allows detailed study of a significant normal faulting earthquake in the Basin and Range. We invite contributions that enhance our understanding of the Wells earthquake and take advantage of this unprecedented multi-disciplinary dataset. Papers addressing questions related to the specific details of the Wells earthquake sequence, as well as broader questions related to source properties of normal faults, Basin and Range attenuation, and implications for future Basin and Range earthquakes and seismic hazard assessment are solicited.
Conveners: Kristine Pankow, University of Utah, Unversity of Utah Seismograph Stations 135 South 1460 East, Rm 705, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA, Tel: (801) 585-6484, email: pankow@seis.utah.edu, and Glenn Biasi, University of Nevada Reno, Seismological Laboratory MS-174, Reno, NV 89557 USA, Tel: (775) 784-4576, email: glenn@seismo.unr.edu

S19 Active-Source Seismic Imaging - Characterizing the Subsurface
This session will focus on the use of active-source seismic studies to image faults, basin geometry, groundwater, geologic hazards (including volcanoes and landslides), and the local tectonic setting. Studies are invited that lie within a broad range of scales and resolving abilities. Submissions are encouraged that demonstrate the use of seismic reflection, refraction tomography, ground-penetrating radar, other geophysical methods, and especially combinations of these approaches.
Conveners: Michael J. Rymer, USGS, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977 , Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650-329-5649, Fax: 650-329-5163, email: mrymer@usgs.gov, and Rufus D. Catchings, USGS, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650-329-4749, Fax: 650-329-5163, email: catching@usgs.gov, and Lee M. Liberty, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725 USA, Tel: 208-426-1166, Fax: 108-426-3888, email: lliberty@boisestate.edu

S20 Geophysical Monitoring for Geologic Carbon Sequestration
The geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from the emissions of combustion of fossil fuels is a promising option to mitigate the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases. Within the past several years, efforts in understanding the storage capacity, chemical and physical alteration, the leak potential of CO2, and its impact to various reservoir types have been researched both at the laboratory and field scales. Both small and large pilot tests are currently underway within the North American, European, Australian, and African continents where CO2 is being pumped underground and varying monitoring tools are being used to track the CO2 plume, determine CO2 impacts to reservoir and anthropogenic infrastructure (well bores), and to monitor potential CO2 leakage out of the reservoir. Geophysical monitoring is a promising tool to remotely and non-invasively detect subsurface CO2 plume, fracture/fault zones (one of primary leakage path), caprock integrity, and mineralogical changes. In this session, we will bring together the international community working in the area of Geophysics to showcase the seismic, gravity, electrical tools that are being used in geologic CO2 sequestration efforts (ranging from laboratory, field, and modeling efforts). We will invite speakers from academia and industry to present their state-of-the-art research results of geophysical monitoring for geologic carbon sequestration. This session will provide a unique forum to discuss geophysical challenges for reliable monitoring of geologic carbon sequestration.
Conveners: Lianjie Huang, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Geophysics Group, MS D443 , Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA, Tel: 505-665-1108, Fax: 505-667-8487, email: ljh@lanl.gov, and Julianna Fessenden, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Hydrology & Geochemistry Group, MS D462, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA, Tel: 505-667-5468, email: fessende@lanl.gov, and Arthur Cheng, Cambridge Geosciences, 14090 Southwest Fwy, Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX 77498 USA, email: arthurcheng@alum.mit.edu, and Michel Verliac, Schlumberger WesternGeco, , , FRA, Tel: 33 (0)1 45 37 20 56, email: mverliac@clamart.oilfield.slb.com

S21 Go Boldly With Seismic Noise and Interferometry: A New Field in Seismology?
Theoretical, experimental, and observational studies have shown that the Green’s function between two receivers can be recovered from seismic interferometry through cross correlation or deconvolution of (ambient noise) wave fields under particular conditions. This method has recently been used successfully for seismic tomography or as applied to seismic exploration data and is slowly becoming a standard method in seismology. Further analysis of this new tool shows significant promise of a more widespread application, including seismic monitoring of volcanoes, fault zones, reservoirs, and engineering structures, ground motion prediction and attenuation measurements in addition to improved tomographic modeling. Seismic interferometry studies at various scales have successfully extracted the surface wave part of the Green’s function but so far still has difficulty in retrieving the body wave part. We encourage contributions from: (1) theoretical and numerical studies on realistic heterogeneous media. (2) advanced signal processing techniques for the Green’s function retrieval, especially for the body wave part. (3) tomographic applications including anisotropy from seismic interferometry in a broad scale range. (4) Monitoring using seismic noise, attenuation from the noise or ground motion prediction (5) characterization and effects of the uneven distribution of ambient noise energy and medium complexities on the Green’s function retrieval (6) other novel developments of seismic interferometry, or the use of “other” energy sources.
Conveners: Andrew Curtis, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute of GeoScience, Kings Buildings West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW GBR, Tel: +44 131 650 8515, email: Andrew.Curtis@ed.ac.uk, and German A. Prieto, Standford University, , , USA, email: gprieto@stanford.edu, and Huajian Yao, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 1-617-324-5261, email: hjyao@mit.edu

S22 Gutenberg Lecture
This is a special lecture given by an Invited Speaker.
Conveners: Robert van der Hilst, MIT, Earth Atmosphere and Space Science, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, email: hilst@mit.edu

S23 Mantle Transition Zone: New Observations, Insights, and Challenges
The region of Earth's mantle encompassing the transition zone and top of the lower mantle (covering approximately 400 – 1000 km in depth) plays a key role in mantle seismology, petrology and dynamics. Seismic discontinuities at 410- and 660-km depth are dominant features of the region that have been the focus of intense recent study. Other interesting features of the region such as seismic velocity gradients, extended phase transformations, and possible chemical and thermal heterogeneities are also attracting increasing attention. This session will provide an interdisciplinary forum to highlight recent results and controversies regarding mantle transition region down to ~1000 km depth. Topics include theoretical and laboratory constraints on phase transitions and mineralogy, the presence and role of volatiles, depth/existence of known and postulated seismic discontinuities, as well as seismic velocity, anisotropy and the interaction of plumes and slabs with the transition zone.
Conveners: Jesse Fisher Lawrence, Stanford University Geophysics, 937 Panama Mall, Stanford, CA 94305-2215 USA, email: jflawrence@stanford.edu, and Yu Jeffrey Gu, University of Alberta, Dept. of Physics Room 348D, CEB Building, Edmonton, AB T6K 2G7 CAN, email: jgu@phys.ualberta.ca, and Thomas S. Duffy, Princeton University, Dept. of Geosciences Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544-3074 USA, email: duffy@princeton.edu

Seismology also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
V03 Large Igneous Province Development and Environmental Impacts
T06 Seismic Fault Zone Rocks
V11 Volcano Imaging Experiments at Montserrat and Other Arc Volcanoes
OS11 Identifying Global Tsunami Vulnerabilities: Focus on the Atlantic Coasts
DI02 Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Dynamics - Observations and Modeling
DI05 The Deep Earth’s Mantle Above the CMB: Structure, Composition Dynamics and Evolution
T16 Fault Zone Evolution and Weakening Processes Throughout the Seismic Cycle
V27 “Failed” Magmatic Eruptions: When Unrest Leads to Quiescence
DI10 Multi-Disciplinary Insights Into the Earth’s Transition Zone
V34 Flow and Fracture of Magma: Bringing Together Experimentation, Modelling and Monitoring
T25 Is Water Being Recyled into the Deep Mantle? If So, How?
T26 Microplate Geodynamics
G13 Ever Faster: Low-Latency Data Collection and Applications Across the Earth Sciences
ED19 Solid Earth Geovisualizations
G19 Borehole Geodetic and Seismic Networks: Techniques and Results
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
V30 Arc Dynamics of Kamchatka: Recent Volcanological, Geophysical, and Petrologic Results
GP02 Mapping the Internal Architecture of Igneous Systems: Applications of Geophysical and Structural Techniques
G09 High-Rate GPS Seismometer and Tsunami Remote Sensing
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
IN09 EarthScope and CyberInfrastructure
IN19 From Data to Synthesis: Next-Generation Science Applications
T19 Tectonic Structure of the Middle East
S20 Geophysical Monitoring for Geologic Carbon Sequestration
G20 Coseismic and Postseismic Deformation From the M8.0 Sichuan, China Earthquake
DI07 The Future of Imaging and Interpretation of Earth’s Internal Structure
DI11 Interdisciplinary Implications of Recent Deep Earth Discoveries: From Mineral Physics to Seismology and Geodynamics
T10 The Base of the Crustal Seismogenic Zone
T14 Earthquake Geology and Active Tectonics in South and East Asia
T28 Characterizing Recent Deformation Across Active Faults
T30 Results from the Taiwan Integrated Geodynamics Research (TAIGER) Project and Models of Subduction to Collision
DI08 Chemical Heterogeneities in the Earth’s Mantle: Their Roles in the Early Earth Differentiation, Mantle Dynamics and Geochemistry
T08 Magma-Rich Extensional Environments: Evolution of Continental Basins and Rifted Continent Margins
V35 Advances in Volcano Monitoring and Research at the Alaska Volcano Observatory
T12 Wrinkles Aren't Just Skin Deep: Surface Expressions of Mantle-Lithosphere Coupling
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
DI12 Linking Earth’s Deep Interior to the Surface: Earth Evolution
DI13 Linking Earth's Deep Interior to the Surface: The Present Mantle
T22 Plate Boundary Processes in the Nankai Trough Subduction Zone
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN23 Uncertainty in Geophysical Data Interpretation: Implications and Developments
MR10 New Views on Discontinuities, Composition and Temperature of the Mantle
MR03 Composition and Evolution of Iron-Rich Cores in the Earth and Other Planets
V15 Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes 1: Thermobarometry and Implications for Magma Storage and Transport
T03 Integrating the Effects of Exhumation, Erosion, and Tectonics Over Space and Time at Convergent Margins
T02 Lithospheric Structure of East Asia
T11 Deformation in the Shallow Part of Subduction Zones Based on Field Studies, Numerical Simulations, and Analogue Experiments
T18 Transforming the View of Cascadia Through Interpretation of Multidisciplinary Data Sets
T23 Retro-Plate Deformation at Retreating and Advancing Subduction Zones
T24 Recent Advances in Understanding the Gulf of California – Salton Trough Plate Boundary System: Along Strike and Through Time
T07 Evolution of Magma-Starved Rifts in Oceans, Continents and Backarcs
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
T17 Putting the M7.9 Sichuan Earthquake in Context – The Evolution of the Longmen Shan and Eastern Margin of Tibet
T29 Understanding Strike-Slip Fault Systems
V04 The Influence of Geologic Processes in the Lower Continental Crust and Upper Mantle on Crustal Formation and Mantle Geochemistry From Field, Petrological, Geochemical, and Geophysical Perspectives
V06 Subduction Zones: Geochemical Processes and Geophysical Constraints
V09 Thirty Years of Mantle Recycling
DI03 Understanding the Nature of Earth's Ultralow-Velocity Zones
DI09 Models of the Mantle: Reconciling Mineral Physics, Geodynamics, Geochemistry and Seismology
V28 New Scientific Insights From Mining Geochemical and Geophysical Databases
NS01 Near Surface Geophysics: General Contributions
NS04 Stratigraphic Applications of Near Surface Geophysics
T21 Establishing Temporal Records of Paleostrain and Inferred Paleostress in Plate Margin Arcs
MR08 Spin Crossover Transitions in the Mantle
DI06 The Ins and Outs of the Earth’s Core
A53 The 2008 Eruptions of Okmok and Kasatochi Volcanoes, Alaska
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

SPA-Aeronomy

SA01 SPA-Aeronomy: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of SPA-Aeronomy.
Conveners: Larisa Goncharenko, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, , , USA, email: lpg@haystack.mit.edu

SA02 Space Weather - Operational Product Development and Use
A variety of space weather data and models are used for operational products that encompass all regions (solar, interplanetary, magnetosphere, ionosphere, and neutral atmosphere) of the space environment. These operationally utilized data, models, and products often represent the end result of what many researchers, analysts, and engineers have accomplished. This session seeks to clarify the distinction between tools and operational products, and to elucidate current operational product use, development, and validation efforts - ultimately pointing out which space environmental variables should be scrutinized for potential quantitative, qualitative, or timeliness improvement. Abstracts are invited on current or imminent operational space weather products or tools, their direct use, indications of their accuracy (validation), ideas on how to make them better, and potential competitors.
Conveners: Stephen Quigley, Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/RVBXR 29 Randolph Rd., Hanscom AFB, MA 01731 USA, Tel: 781-377-9666, Fax: 781-377-3160, email: Stephen.Quigley@hanscom.af.mil, and Ghee Fry, Exploration Physics International, Inc., Suite 37-105 6275 University Dr. NW, Huntsville, AL 35806 USA, Tel: 256-971-4080, Fax: 256-971-4080, email: gfry@expi.com

SA03 Ionospheric Modification and Active Experiments
A number of facilities worldwide engage in active experiments involving ionospheric modification via its interaction with high power radio waves. This technique has proven to be rich for understanding the ambient and disturbed physical properties of the ionosphere under a variety of conditions as a result of its response to the induced perturbations. We welcome papers involving theoretical modeling, numerical simulations, ground observations, or satellite observations, regarding the various physical processes at play in these interactions. These topics include, but are not limited to: Electron heating and acceleration, ionospheric disturbances and irregularities, plasma turbulences, ULF and ELF wave generation, propagation, and subsequent wave-particle interactions in the magnetosphere, artificially triggered optical emissions, radar diagnostics, stimulated electromagnetic emissions. We also welcome papers discussing how these processes may vary across high, mid, and low latitudes, as well as across geomagnetic conditions, diurnal, seasonal, and solar cycle variations.
Conveners: Morris B. Cohen, Stanford University, , Stanford, CA USA, email: mcohen@stanford.edu, and Gennady Milikh, University of Maryland, , College Park, MD USA, email: milikh@gmail.com, and Michael Sulzer, National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center, , Arecibo, PR USA, email: msulzer@naic.edu

SA04 New Mid-latitude Spread F Results
This session will be devoted to new experimental and theoretical results on nighttime F-region irregularities at midlatitudes. Featured presentations will include results from a comprehensive experiment involving simultaneous radar, rocket, scintillation, and GPS observations during a nighttime spread F event over Wallops Island in late 2007. The rocket results will show the first in-situ measurements of thermospheric winds within a midlatitude spread F event. The radar, scintillation, and GPS results will allow comparison of winds, irregularities, and TEC on nights with and without MSF, with a view toward identifying key signatures associated with the phenomenon. Results from the new phase-sensitive dynasonde system at Wallops Island will be compared to standard digisonde images. All results will be used to examine the need for an instability to be operative in order to produce MSF. Other theoretical and new experimental results on midlatitude spread F are encouraged, particularly data from ground-based optical systems.
Conveners: Gregory D. Earle, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road Mail Station WT-15, Richardson, TX 75080 USA, Tel: 972-883-6828, Fax: 972-883-2761, email: earle@utdallas.edu, and Geoffrey Crowley, Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates, 11118 Quail Pass, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA, Tel: 210-834-3475, Fax: 210-877-9150, email: gcrowley@astraspace.net

SA05 Eddy Diffusivity in the MLT Region
This special session will address eddy (or turbulent) diffusion in the Mesosphere-Lower Thermosphere (MLT) region. Measurements and modeling of eddy diffusivity are crucial not just for understanding the energy and momentum deposition of breaking gravity waves, but for understanding the mixing in this region of the atmosphere as well. Previous observations and model studies suggest that eddy diffusion in this region exhibits strong seasonal variation, being larger during solstices than equinoxes with stronger turbulence in summer than in winter. Characteristics on shorter time and spatial scales, as well as latitudinal and longitudinal dependencies, are less certain unfortunately. This session will be open to papers which address MLT-region diffusivity measurements (e.g., rocket-borne in situ, MF radar, airglow, lidar, etc.) as well as modeling efforts (e.g. physics-based diffusion modeling, impact of diffusivity on GCMs, derivation of MLT eddy diffusion from gravity-wave parameterization schemes for GCM, etc.). Case studies up to global-scale efforts are encouraged.
Conveners: Julio Urbina, Penn State, 315 EE East, University Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 814-863-5326, email: urbina@psu.edu, and Liying Qian, NCAR, NCAR HAO Center Green 3080 Center Green Dr. , Boulder, CO 80301 USA, Tel: 303-497-100, email: lqian@ucar.edu, and Tim Kane, Penn State, 121 EE East, University Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 814-863-8727, email: tjk7@psu.edu

SA06 Drivers for the Formation and Variability of Ice Layers in the Mesopause Region
We are in a period of unprecedented progress in understanding what causes the formation and variability of ice layers in the mesosphere. This progress comes from a wealth of new observations, from the ground, sounding rocket, and orbital platforms, as well as advances in modeling. Papers are solicited which elucidate the relevant forcings controlling the formation and variability in mesospheric ice layers as well as the response of the ice layers to those forcings. In particular we solicit papers discussing the microphysics of these ice layers, the nucleation of the ice particles, variability in the mesospheric environment including the impact of dynamical influences such as gravity waves and planetary waves, and the response of the ice layers to that variability. Observational and theoretical papers are welcome.
Conveners: James M. Russell, Hampton University, Center for Atmospheric Sciences 23 Tyler Street, Hampton, VA 23668 USA, Tel: 757-728-6893, Fax: 757-727-5090, email: james.russell@hamptonu.edu, and Scott M. Bailey, Virginia Tech, Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Virginia Tech 302 Whittemore Hall , Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA, Tel: 540.231.0459, Fax: 540 231 3362, email: baileys@vt.edu

SA07 High Latitude Ionosphere-Thermosphere Observations and Modeling During the IPY
Ionosphere-thermosphere (I-T) observations during the International Polar Year (IPY), beginning on 1 March 2007, were conducted during solar minimum conditions, with lower atmospheric sources expected to be the major source of I-T variability. However, fast solar wind streams kept the magnetosphere active in a substorm sense and hence the high latitudes received considerable auroral energization. This session solicits scientific results based on observations and modeling that provide critical insights into the weather conditions both in the high latitude drivers and in the I-T responses that occurred during the IPY period. Of particular significance are long-duration observations of any subset of parameters of the I-T system or its drivers that can shed light on the day-to-day variability. A major challenge for the modeling community is to develop innovative techniques to represent this long period, with the goal of distinguishing findings based on weather and climatology.
Conveners: Jan J. Sojka, Utah State University, Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences 4405 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4405 USA, Tel: 435-797-2964, Fax: 435-797-2992, email: jan.sojka@usu.edu, and Michael Nicolls, SRI International, Center for Geospace Studies 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, Tel: 650-859-4813, email: michael.nicolls@sri.com

SA08 The Equatorial Ionosphere – Initial Results From the C/NOFS Mission, New Satellite and Ground-Based Observations, Progress in Forecast and Modeling
Initial results from the Communication/Navigation Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite, which was launched in an equatorial orbit on April 16, 2008, will be presented. This session will also encompass new results from ground and space observations, as well as modeling and forecast results. This session will cover recent progress in our understanding of the physical processes that control the low latitude ionosphere and its coupling to the neutral atmosphere and magnetosphere. Its aim is to identify how these recent advances have impacted our ability to specify and forecast the ionosphere and the formation of scintillation-producing irregularities during solar minimum as well as during perturbed geomagnetic conditions.
Conveners: Odile De La Beaujardiere, Air Force Research Laboratory, AFRL/VSBXP Hanscom AFB , Hanscom,, MA 01731 USA, email: AFRL.RVB.PA@hanscom.af.mil, and Robert Pfaff, NASA, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Mail Code 696 , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, email: Robert.F.Pfaff@nasa.gov, and Roderick Heelis, University of Texas at Dallas, Center for Space Sciences PO Box 830688 , Richardson, TX 75083 USA, email: heelis@utdallas.edu, and David Hysell, Cornell University, 2108 Snee Hall , Ithaca, NY 14853 USA, email: dlh37@cornell.edu

SA09 Variability of Thermospheric Neutral Density, Composition, and Winds
The neutral gas of the thermosphere is of fundamental importance for its effects on satellite drag and on the ionosphere. The recent CHAMP, GRACE, and TIMED missions, plus new ground-based observations have revealed new understanding of thermospheric density, winds, and composition. In addition, much has been learned from first-principles models of the thermosphere-ionosphere system, as well as from the analysis of long-term data sets and empirical models such as MSIS. This session solicits talks describing new measurements, theory and models of thermospheric variability on time scales from hours to years. The session seeks to identify important outstanding science questions. Talks describing forward looking ideas for new missions or instruments to measure thermospheric composition, density, and winds are welcome.
Conveners: Geoff Crowley, Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates, 11118 Quail Pass, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA, Tel: 210-834-3475, Fax: 210-877-9150, email: gcrowley@astraspace.net, and Douglas P. Drob, Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Washington, DC USA, Tel: 202-404-1292, Fax: 202-404-8090, email: douglas.drob@nrl.navy.mil

SA10 Solar and Solar Wind Control of Planetary Ionospheres During the Declining Phase of the Solar Cycle
During the declining phase of the solar cycle, the sun's activity is dominated by coronal holes. High speed streams emanating from these corotating holes can cause recurrent geomagnetic activity at Earth that persists for days to weeks. During these periods, does solar and solar wind variability affect the Earth's ionosphere? If so, in what way? We solicit papers that explore how the ionosphere and thermosphere are affected by solar phenomena associated with coronal holes. Analyses and techniques that can distinguish among various causes of ionospheric/thermospheric variability are encouraged.
Conveners: Anthony J. Mannucci, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, MS 138-308 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 8183541699, Fax: 8183935115, email: tony.mannucci@jpl.nasa.gov, and Bruce T. Tsurutani, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, MS 138-308 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 USA, Tel: 8183547559, Fax: 8183548895, email: Bruce.T.Tsurutani@jpl.nasa.gov

SA11 Heliophysics Research Using Virtual Observatories
Virtual Observatories for ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM), magnetospheric, heliospheric, and solar research are becoming well established entry points to data, models, software tools, and other resources. The goal of all Virtual Observatories is to efficiently connect individual researchers to Internet-accessible resources of highest potential interest for their investigations. As this environment is used by more researchers the experiences of the researchers are critical in defining the improvements to be developed for each Virtual Observatory. This session solicits reviews of experiences from heliophysics missions, ground-based projects and the general user communities that use current and legacy data. Presenting researchers are encouraged to describe how one or more Virtual Observatories are or may be used to conduct research. We also seek to bring together researchers and developers to exchange ideas, demonstrate innovations and share perspectives on the effectiveness of the heliophysics Virtual Observatories. Developers are asked to describe advances and innovations that could further advance heliophysics research. Overviews of how researchers and data providers can use and participate in a Virtual Observatory, as well as share results are welcome.
Conveners: Todd King, UCLA/IGPP, 3846 Slichter Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567 USA, Tel: 310-206-7201, email: tking@igpp.ucla.edu, and Shing F. Fung, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Physics Data Facility (Code 612.4) , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, email: shing.f.fung@nasa.gov, and John F. Cooper, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Heliospheric Physics Laboratory Code 672 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: +1-301-286-1193, email: John.F.Cooper@nasa.gov, and Joesph B. Gurman, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 671.1 , Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: +1 301 286-4767, email: gurman@grace.nascom.nasa.gov

SPA-Aeronomy also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
SM04 Solar Wind Plasma Entry Into the Polar Ionosphere
ED13 Space Physics Particle Multimedia Products for Education
SM10 New Perspectives on Substorms
AE05 Thunderstorm Electrical Effects in the Upper Atmosphere
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
A12 Observed and Predicted Changes in Upper Stratospheric Composition and Processes Related to Changes in Climate and Emissions
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets

SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics

SH01 SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics.
Conveners: Joe Giacalone, University of Arizona, , , USA, email: giacalon@lpl.arizona.edu

SH02 Origins of Magnetic Activity at High Latitude on the Sun
This session will explore what we know and do not know about the origins of polar magnetic activity on the Sun just before the launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The high-latitude magnetic field of the Sun is a key component in our understanding of the fast solar polar wind, the heliospheric magnetic field, and the variability of solar cycles. Predictions of upcoming solar cycles are often related to the nature and dynamics of the Sun's polar magnetic field and surrounding plasma motions. The large-scale polar magnetic field reverses polarity every 11 years during the maximum of solar activity and its consequent evolution affects the heliospheric magnetic field. Emerging sunspots and the magnetic flux at middle latitudes are closely related to the growth and development of polar magnetic activity. An imbalance of small-scale magnetic features results in the appearance of unipolar patterns. Solar transport models that successfully describe many features of the solar cycle and magnetic field evolution often fail to predict the polar field reversals without ad hoc assumptions. Also, accurate measurements of the polar magnetic field are important for understanding the nature of the high-latitude fast solar wind and coronal heating. Observations from SOLIS, MDI, Hinode, and Ulysses will be useful for this purpose until augmented by full disk high-resolution magnetic field and plasma velocity maps from SDO. The development of a more realistic solar model will require vector magnetic observations and more complete understanding of the role of polar activity in the solar and heliospheric processes. Invited presentations will be related to (a) observations of high-resolution small-scale polar magnetic field on the Sun, (b) the large-scale polar magnetic field on the sun and heliospheric magnetic field, (c) subsurface plasma motions at high latitudes, and (d) future high-latitude observations anticipated from the The Solar Orbiter mission. We encourage contributions related to the above-mentioned topics.
Conveners: Elena Benevolenskaya, Stanford University, 491 S Service Road, Stanford, CA 94305 USA, Tel: 650-7244938, email: elena@sun.stanford.edu, and William D. Pesnell, NASA/GSFC, Coddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD USA, Tel: 301-286-4009, email: William.D.Pesnell@nasa.gov, and J. Todd Hoeksema, Stanford University, 491 S Service Road, Stanford, CA 94305 USA, Tel: 650-868-3607, email: jthoeksema@spd.aas.org

SH03 The Sun’s Corona and Interplanetary Medium: New Results From Observations and Models
Over the past few years innovative instrumentation and observing techniques have given us a new understanding of the corona and inner heliosphere. New instruments have been deployed at total eclipses, at groundbased observatories, and on spacebased platforms. Examples include the high spatial resolution images of the Sun’s corona during eclipses that have challenged modelers to replicate the intricate fine structure evident in the open and closed magnetic field lines. Also, the extension of techniques used at eclipses and groundbased coronagraphs have revealed plasma and magnetic field diagnostics that were not conceivable a decade ago. Coronagraphic observations from SOHO, HINODE and STEREO continue to provide new insight into CME initiation; and STEREO HI and SMEI have given us new views of the solar wind itself, corotating interacting regions, as well as the interaction of comets with their environment. We solicit recent observations and modeling efforts that broaden our scientific understanding of this critical boundary between the Sun and the inner heliosphere.
Conveners: O. C. St. Cyr, NASA, Code 670 Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-2575, email: Chris.StCyr@nasa.gov, and J. M. Davila, NASA, Code 670 Goddard Space Flight Center, GREENBELT, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 301-286-8366, email: Joseph.M.Davila@nasa.gov, and R. A. Howard, NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, 4555 Overlook Ave. S.W., WASHINGTON, DC 20375 USA, Tel: 202-767-3137, email: howard@cronus.nrl.navy.mil

SH04 The Slow Solar Wind: A Challenge for Sun-Heliosphere Models
More than 50% of the heliosphere during a solar cycle is composed of fast wind that originates in coronal holes. Its kinetic properties and compositional signatures provide compelling evidence for such a direct connection. However, the physical properties and solar connections of the slow solar wind, which together with large-scale transients fill the rest of the heliosphere, are much less clear. The critical question of where does the slow solar wind originate, is now being intensely debated by solar and heliospheric modelers and observers. This question of slow solar wind origin is, arguably, the greatest challenge at present to modeling correctly the global corona and heliosphere. Consequently, this question was a prime topic of study by a recent NASA TR&T focused science team, which concluded that the key to understanding the slow wind is the temporal and spatial evolution of topologically-complex coronal magnetic fields. This session provides an opportunity for both modelers and observers to present their latest results on magnetic complexity and slow solar wind origin. The session will have two complementary areas of emphasis. First, it will introduce new observational constraints on the slow wind from both remote-sensing solar data, as well as in situ heliospheric data. Second, it will present the latest theories and models for coronal magnetic-field evolution and its heliospheric consequences. All researchers who are interested in the Sun-heliosphere connection are invited to participate and to contribute to this session.
Conveners: Thomas Zurbuchen, University of Michigan, , , USA, email: thomasz@umich.edu, and Spiro Antiochos, Goddard Space Flight Center, , , USA, email: spiro.antiochos@nasa.gov, and Jon Linker, SAIC, , , USA, email: linkerj@saic.com

SH05 Turbulence in Solar Wind and Heliospheric Plasmas: Observations, Simulations, and Theory
The solar wind is a unique laboratory for the study of high magnetic Reynolds number flows with long term, in situ spacecraft observations that provide fluctuation measurements that span several orders of magnitudes in frequencies. These reveal an approximately 5/3 power law spectrum of magnetic fluctuations, which, along with the behaviour of the fluctuation PDFs suggest interpretation in terms of an inertial range of MHD turbulence. At higher time resolution, these observations identify a spectral break marking a transition to a high frequency regime which cannot be explained by MHD, a collisionless dissipation/dispersion range. On much longer timescales there is a ‘1/f’ like power spectral signature suggested to be of coronal origin, and the solar wind can be characterized from the point of view of both intermittent turbulence and nonlinear coherent structures. Both our theoretical and observational understanding of these phenomena are far from complete. Problems include (i) anisotropy and compressibility (ii) the nature of ‘dissipation range’ turbulence (iii) the formation of coherent structures (iv) the interplay between evolving turbulence and embedded structure originating from the corona and (v) obtaining an unambiguous quantitative characterization of the data, given issues of time stationarity and finite sample effects. The focus of this session will be the nonlinear dynamics of turbulent processes associated with solar wind and heliospheric plasma flows and magnetic fields. We invite related contributions addressing current theories, simulations, and analysis of spacecraft data.
Conveners: Sandra Catherine Chapman, University of Warwick, CFSA, Physics Dept., Univ. of Warwick,, Coventry, CV4 7AL GBR, email: S.C.Chapman@warwick.ac.uk, and Nicholas Wynn Watkins, British Antarctic Survey, , , GBR, email: nww@bas.ac.uk, and S. Peter Gary, Los Alamos National Laboratory, , , USA, email: pgary@lanl.gov, and Alain Noullez, Observatoire de Nice, , , FRA, email: anz@obs-nice.fr, and A. Lazarian, Univ of Wisconsin, , , USA, email: alazarian@facstaff.wisc.edu, and Dastgeer Shaikh, IGPP, UCR, , , USA, email: dastgeer@ucr.edu, and G. P. Zank, IGPP, UCR, , , USA, email: zank@ucr.edu

SH06 The Quiet Sun – Results from the Current Solar Cycle Minimum
The 11-year solar cycle is currently in or near its minimum level. While this period has few of the exciting solar storms, it is an interesting period to study the base level to which solar activity and variability is compared. For climate change, it provides a time frame to compare how this solar cycle minimum is different or the same as the previous minimum in 1996; that is, long term trends in solar variations and Earth’s climate and atmosphere can be derived. For space weather, the solar cycle minimum provides a relatively quiet state when individual solar events, such as flares and coronal mass ejections, can be traced through the heliosphere without the complications of the consequences of multiple events. Presentations of the solar quiet conditions and state of the heliosphere during the Whole Heliosphere Interval (WHI) in April 2008 are the focus for this session.
Conveners: Tom Woods, LASP / University of Colorado, 1234 Innovation Dr., Boulder, CO 80303 USA, Tel: 303-492-4224, Fax: 303-492-6444, email: tom.woods@lasp.colorado.edu, and Scott McIntosh, NCAR High Altitude Observatory (HAO), PO Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000 USA, Tel: 303-497-1544, email: mscott@ucar.edu

SH07 Solar Wind Interstellar Medium Interaction: Theory, Modeling, and Observations
With a fleet of spacecraft, such as ACE, SOHO, STEREO, and Ulysses, throughout the inner heliosphere and, in particular, after Voyager 1 and 2 crossed the termination shock, it has become clear that the physical processes in the distant solar wind and at the heliospheric boundary are much more complex than previously expected. For example, the termination shock appears to be particle-mediated, and the temperature in the heliosheath is significantly lower than expected. A near-power-law spectral shape was not observed as expected for anomalous cosmic rays (ACRs) at the shock crossing. Observations with the Voyagers, SOHO SWAN, and STEREO SEP contain indications for heliospheric asymmetries. With the launch of IBEX additional diagnostics through global maps in energetic neutral atoms will become available. As is evident, the heliospheric community faces questions that cannot be answered unless they are attacked with the whole arsenal of our contemporary theoretical knowledge of the SW-LISM interaction, including the power of modern high-resolution numerical methods and supercomputers. These questions include: What causes the lateral asymmetry of the heliosphere? Do shocks accelerate the majority of anomalous cosmic rays? What are the effects of pick-up ions in the supersonic SW, in the TS, and in the inner heliosheath? What approaches are suitable and viable for modeling PUI’s behavior? What are the effects of neutrals? What are physical mechanisms responsible for the generation of the 2-3 kHz radio emissions occasionally observed by the Voyager spacecraft? What causes the difference in the magnetic fluctuations observed in the solar wind and the heliosheath? How can we use observations of the SW properties over a substantial period of time to determine long-term variations in the outer heliosphere? What constraints are imposed on the interstellar magnetic field by the properties of the local interstellar medium? How can we incorporate the various physical processes into accurate numerical models of the heliosphere? The purpose of this session is to bring together observers, theorists, and modelers to discuss suitable statements of these problems, formulate approaches to their solution, and to evaluate how they relate to the observations. We invite presentations addressing the above-mentioned issues. Special attention will be given to presentations which address unresolved issues, suggest innovative approaches to the theory and modeling and which address heliospheric phenomena using sound methodology.
Conveners: Merav Opher, George Mason University, , Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 USA, email: mopher@physics.gmu.edu, and Nikolai Pogorelov, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Riverside, CA USA, Tel: 951-827-5640, email: nikolaip@ucr.edu, and Alan Cummings, Caltech, Mail Code 220-47, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA, email: ace@srl.caltech.edu, and Eberhard Moebius, University of New Hampshire, 8 College Road, Durham, NH 03824 USA, email: eberhard.moebius@unh.edu, and Randy Jokipii, Univeristy of Arizona, Department of Planetary Sciences, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA, Tel: 520-621-4256, email: jokipii@lpl.arizona.edu

SH08 Between Photosphere and Corona; New Views of a Crucial Interface
The domain between the solar surface and corona presents a challenging interface region in which rapid gradients in density, pressure, plasma beta, and tranparancy lead to a complex, dynamic structure. This is the domain where all but a few percent of the Sun's non-radiative energy is transformed into heat and radiation, through which coronal and heliospheric plasma and magnetic field are filtered as they rise from below, and in which much more energy and mass are processed than in the overlying corona and heliosphere combined. Therefore, the study of this region forms the foundation for our understanding of coronal and heliospheric physics: It is in the chromosphere and transition region that we need to look for understanding of processes as diverse as coronal heating, Alfven wave driving of the solar wind, chemical fractionation, chromospheric evaporation, wave propagation and mode coupling and conversion, and signatures of reconnection. Our ability to study this important domain in the solar atmosphere has seen dramatic advances in just a few years: The Hinode satellite provides optical images and polarization spectra with 0.2-0.3 arcsec resolution, and high-resolution EUV spectra with 2 arcsec resolution. Vector-magnetography and spectroscopy, combined with, e.g., high-resolution imaging of the corona by TRACE and Hinode's XRT result in unprecedented observational access to this domain. Realistic numerical experiments of emerging flux, the dynamics of the plasma-field interactions subject to flows and waves, and the transmission of energy into the corona have also come within reach. This session brings together observers and modelers to discuss the recent advances in our understanding of this domain of contrasts, and to look forward to future developments.
Conveners: Mats Carlsson, Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, , , NOR, email: m.p.o.carlsson@astro.uio.no, and Joe Davila, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, , , USA, email: Joseph.M.Davila@nasa.gov, and Louise Harra, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, , , GBR, email: lkh@mssl.ucl.ac.uk, and Karel Schrijver, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, , , USA, email: schryver@lmsal.com

SH09 New Views of Multi-scale Couplings in the Sun: From the Hinode Era to Future
The mutual interaction between vastly different scales is a crucial issue for the understanding of the Sun. Recent space-borne observatories such as Hinode have provided a wealth of new information for small scale solar dynamics. This includes the emergence of small-scale magnetic flux loop, transient horizontal magnetic fields in solar plage regions, and small-scale jet-like features in penumbral chromospheres. However, whether and how the small scale dynamics are related to large scale solar activities are still debatable and important questions for understanding of the Sun. This session will provide a forum to discuss these issues mainly based on the summary of the Hinode's discoveries. We propose a half day session with several topical talks on the multi-scale couplings for the mutual relations between small scale and large scale structures of sunspot, the relation between transient brightening and large scale solar eruption, and the possible connection between the small scale horizontal magnetic fields and the large-scale solar magnetic field. Some generic talks on theory and new modeling for multi-scale interaction in plasmas are also included. Contributed talks on any kind multi-scale couplings either for observation and theory are welcome. Finally, the session promotes the discussion on the future direction of solar research beyond the Hinode era, on the basis of the new satellite plans.
Conveners: Kanya Kusano, JAMSTEC, Showa-machi 3173-25, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0001 JPN, Tel: +81-45-778-5460, Fax: +81-45-778-5493, email: kusano@jamstec.go.jp, and Taro Sakao, ISAS/JAXA, , , JPN, email: Sakao.Taro@isas.jaxa.jp, and Kiyoshi Ichimoto, Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University, , , JPN, email: ichimoto@kwasan.kyoto-u.ac.jp, and Yoshinori Suematsu, NAOJ, , , JPN, email: suematsu@solar.mtk.nao.ac.jp

SH10 Coronal Mass Ejections with and without Magnetic Flux-Rope Topologies and Their Association with Solar Energetic Particle Events
Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed at 1 AU can be classified into two categories: (i) CMEs associated with magnetic clouds (about 1/3 of events), whose local magnetic structure is that of a flux rope; (ii) CMEs associated with complex ejecta (about 2/3 of events), which are not flux ropes and have disordered magnetic fields. The initiation of flux-rope CMEs has been extensively simulated over two decades with various magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models. However, the initiation of non-flux-rope CMEs is rarely done in numerical modeling, although this type of CME is more frequently observed, because of the complexity of these events and the difficulty in predicting their physical properties Solar energetic particle (SEP) events are also classified into two distinct categories. The gradual SEP events are believed to be associated with CMEs and accelerated by CME-driven shocks, while the impulsive SEP events were once thought to have no association with CMEs. However, in the past decade, an increasing number of impulsive SEP events have been found to have CME associations. The magnetic topologies that lead to these two types of SEP events have been found to be significantly different. This session is proposed to explore the properties of CMEs with and without magnetic flux-rope structures and their association with gradual or impulsive SEP events. The relevant CME properties include CME origin, initiation, magnetic topology, propagation, driven shock properties, and physical properties at 1 AU.
Conveners: Tianxi Zhang, Alabama A & M University, 4900 Meridian Street, Normal, AL 35862 USA, Tel: 256-372-8106, email: tianxi.zhang@aamu.edu, and Alysha Reinard, NOAA, SWPSI, , , USA, email: Alysha.Reinard@noaa.gov

SPA-Solar and Heliospheric Physics also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
SM02 Non-steady Reconnection in Space and in Laboratory Plasmas
P04 The Interaction of the Solar Wind with Unmagnetised Bodies
NG03 Nonlinear and Self Organization Processes in Driven Space and Astrophysical Plasmas
P10 The Dynamic Lunar Environment
ED13 Space Physics Particle Multimedia Products for Education
SA10 Solar and Solar Wind Control of Planetary Ionospheres During the Declining Phase of the Solar Cycle
SA02 Space Weather - Operational Product Development and Use
SM07 Magnetospheric Response to Solar Wind Discontinuities
SA11 Heliophysics Research Using Virtual Observatories
NG05 Topological Space Weather Forecasting
SM10 New Perspectives on Substorms
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
SM03 Processing of the Solar Wind from L1 to the Magnetopause
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN06 The Science of Coupling with the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)
GC04 Has Solar Variability Been the Dominant Forcing of Climate Change During the Industrial Era?

SPA-Magnetospheric Physics

SM01 SPA-Magnetospheric Physics: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of SPA-Magnetospheric Physics.
Conveners: Lynn Kistler, University of New Hampshire, , , USA, email: lynn.kistler@unh.edu

SM02 Non-steady Reconnection in Space and in Laboratory Plasmas
Magnetic reconnection underlies magnetic activity in many space weather processes, including the solar corona (coronal mass ejections from the Sun, solar flares and many others) and magnetospheric substorm. Magnetic reconnection is also a key process in laboratory plasmas. In laboratory, not only experiments are especially designed to investigate this process but also important multinational endeavours such as ITER have to contend with the physics of reconnection (e.g. in sawtooth crashes and tearing modes). Most theoretical, computational and experimental work on magnetic reconnection starts with boundary conditions or initial conditions where steady reconnection is the goal by design. But in nature and the laboratory the onset of reconnection is usually driven naturally by some evolution of plasma mediated forces and reconnection has the freedom of developing either quasi-statically or intermittently. The initiation is frequently observed to be explosive. Nature seem to display both behaviours: recent papers have observed both types of behaviours, steady and intermittent, both in simulation and in observations (in space and in laboratory). It is crucial to gather the interests and competences of the experts in space and laboratory reconnection to reviewing the current understanding of the conditions leading to steady or unsteady reconnection. What are the conditions leading to the onset of reconnection? And what are the processes leading to its (permanent or temporary) reduction or suspension? Recent simulations and observations are starting to crack the problem and we hope to attract the leading experts to discuss this most recent topic in reconnection physics.
Conveners: Giovanni Lapenta, KU Leuven, , , BEL, email: giovanni.lapenta@wis.kuleuven.be, and Thomas Intrator, LANL, , , USA, email: intrator@lanl.gov, and Panagiota Petkaki, British Antarctic Survey, , , GBR, email: ppe@bas.ac.uk

SM03 Processing of the Solar Wind from L1 to the Magnetopause
The solar wind, as measured by monitors at the L1 point, provides the outer boundary condition for magnetospheric models. However, the solar wind undergoes considerable preconditioning before impinging on the magnetopause, due to various non-linear kinetic processes such as upstream wave-particle interactions, shock thermalization processes, and turbulence in the magnetosheath. These processes can introduce significant time dependence into the properties of the magnetosheath plasma near the magnetopause even when the solar wind is apparently quiescent. For example, non-linear kinetic processes may trigger and/or control magnetopause reconnection. Understanding and quantifying the significance of these processes is necessary to develop future generations of magnetospheric models that can more accurately model magnetospheric activity. This session solicits contributions describing significant non-linear kinetic processes that occur during the processing of the solar wind from L1 to the magnetopause; both new observations and theoretical advances are strongly encouraged. Contributions that compare multipoint observations with theory are particularly welcome.
Conveners: Jonathan Eastwood, UC Berkeley, Space Sciences Laboratory UC Berkeley 7 Gauss Way, Berkeley, CA 94720-7450 USA, Tel: 1-510-642-1350, Fax: 1-510-643-8302, email: eastwood@ssl.berkeley.edu, and David Sibeck, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Code 674 NASA GSFC, Greenbelt, MD 20771 USA, Tel: 1-301-286-5998, Fax: 1-301-286-1648, email: david.g.sibeck@nasa.gov

SM04 Solar Wind Plasma Entry Into the Polar Ionosphere
Solar wind or magnetosheath plasmas are the major particle and energy sources of the magnetosphere. The plasma entry is strongly controlled by the locations of the reconnection and modified by various plasma processes, such as waves and field-aligned potential. Under a southward IMF condition, the dayside low latitude reconnection over a wide local time range brings the magnetosheath plasmas into the polar ionosphere through open field lines and lead to formation of cusp, mantle, and polar rain. Under a northward IMF, it is expected that the reconnection will occur poleward of the magnetic cusp, which would lead to cusps with reverse dispersions. The reconnection location under By dominant IMF is also expected to lead to a different cusp morphology. The plasma entry is also affected by the season and hemispherical asymmetry. The variations in these controlling parameters may give rise to unusual structures of the plasma precipitation and electrodynamics in the polar ionosphere, such as discontinuous cusp, double cusp, structured polar rain, non-typical flux transfer event signatures etc. Contributions from data analysis, theory, modeling and simulation that improve our current understanding on the plasma entry are all welcome.
Conveners: Yongliang Zhang, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723 USA, Tel: 443-778-4593, Fax: 443-778-1641, email: yongliang.zhang@jhuapl.edu, and Simon Wing, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723 USA, email: simon.wing@jhuapl.edu

SM05 Combining Models and Observations in the Earth's Inner Magnetosphere
This session will cover a wide range of observational, theoretical and modeling studies in the Earth's inner magnetosphere. The key regions to be addressed will be the plasma sheet, ring current, and plasmasphere. Both theoretical and observational studies on the relationships between different particle populations, their formation, interactions, and couplings during both quiet and disturbed conditions are welcome, especially those employing the new data sets from the THEMIS mission. The inner magnetosphere includes the transition region between tail-like and dipole magnetic field lines where many important processes such as substorms occur. This is also the region where merging of two key current systems, the tail current and the ring current, takes place, a process that still contains many unresolved questions. A large part of the ring current particles comes from the plasma sheet by particle transport in the large-scale and smaller-scale electromagnetic fields. Observational and modeling works on ring current formation, the role of large-scale convection and substorm-associated injections, ring current ion composition, and other issues on the ring current physics will be discussed in the session. The plasmasphere, in contrast, has a direct ionospheric source. It builds up during quiet times as the inner magnetosphere corotates with the Earth, and then rapidly erodes during geomagnetic storms. New observations and new mechanisms/ideas to model the plasmasphere and plasmapause have rejuvenated interest in this subject, and so the evolution of the plasmasphere is a featured topic of this session. The integration of ground-based and space-borne data sets into comprehensive models of the inner magnetosphere are particularly welcome.
Conveners: Natalia Ganushkina, University of Michigan, 2455 Hayward St. , Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2143 USA, Tel: +1-734-647-3705, email: ganuna@umich.edu, and Vania Jordanova, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS D466, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA, Tel: +1 505 667 9908, Fax: +1 505 665 7395, email: vania@lanl.gov

SM06 Modes of Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Energy Transfer
The magnetosphere is a driven system powered by the energy supplied from the solar wind. Different types of magnetospheric response to the enhanced energy input to the magnetosphere have been identified. These include substorm, steady magnetospheric convection, poleward boundary intensifications, and sawtooth injection events. What is the cause of substorm expansion onset? This is a question that has motivated research for four decades and is still an unsolved problem. While our knowledge has increased greatly we are still unable to decide where or how its explosive phase is initiated. It is also unknown why some of the substorms have pseudo-breakups and some do not. In addition, it is not well understood how the substorms evolve from expansion phase to recovery phase. Substorm is not the only dynamical mode of the magnetosphere. It was found recently that another form of geomagnetic activity, SMC, (steady magnetospheric convection) plays an important role in the response of the magnetosphere to the solar wind. In fact, SMC has been suggested to be a bigger contributor in the movement of flux from the nightside magnetosphere to the dayside than substorms A more extreme form of geomagnetic activity, global sawtooth injection events, has recently been suggested to be caused by an unknown process close to the Earth. Global sawtooth events are often observed at geosynchronous orbit during intervals of sustained southward IMF such as geomagnetic storms. Because of the close relationship between global sawtooth injection events and geomagnetic storms the cause of these events has become a key issue in recent storm-substorm related research. Poleward boundary intensifications (PBI) are an ionospheric signature of longitudinally localized earthward flow bursts. PBIs are often observed during the substorm and SMC. However, the importance of the PBI during different dynamical modes of the magnetosphere has not been fully explored. It is not known how or why the magnetosphere evolves from one form of activity to another. Is the solar wind driver the controlling factor? Or, does the magnetosphere respond to the solar wind as the result of specific internal changes caused by prior activity? The objective of this session is to explore how the magnetosphere responds to the solar wind during different dynamical modes such as SMC, substorms, storm, and global sawtooth injection events.
Conveners: Tung-Shin Hsu, IGPP/UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Tel: 310-267-2338, email: thsu@igpp.ucla.edu, and Larry Kepko, Space Science Center, University of New Hampshire, 244 Morse Hall 39 College Rd , Durham, NH 03824 USA, email: larry.kepko@unh.edu, and Robert McPherron, IGPP/UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, Tel: 310-825-1882, email: rmcpherr@igpp.ucla.edu

SM07 Magnetospheric Response to Solar Wind Discontinuities
The Earth's magnetosphere responses to sudden changes of the IMF/Solar wind conditions – coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar energetic particles (SEPs), dynamic pressure pulse, tangential discontinuities, and interplanetary shocks of unprecedented intensity. The unexpected nature of sudden changes in the IMF/solar wind conditions provides excellent opportunities to understand better about the complex response of the Earth’s magnetosphere and ionosphere. This session will discuss this increasingly important topic: Magnetospheric Response to Sudden Change IMF/Solar Wind Conditions. This special session provides a forum to present the latest results of multi-point observations, e.g. from the Cluster- Double Star constellations, THEMIS probes as well as from all other spacecraft. Papers on all aspects (observations, data analysis methods, simulations and theoretical studies) are welcome.
Conveners: Q.-G. Zong, Center for Atmospheric Research, University of Massachusetts- Lowell, 600 Suffolk Street, Lowell, MA 01854 USA, Tel: 978-934-4937, email: qiugang_zong@uml.edu, and Hui Zhang, NASA GSFC, USA., , , MD USA, email: zhang@bu.edu

SM08 Waves and Particles in the Inner Magnetosphere
Dynamic variability of radiation belt fluxes is governed by electron scattering by waves at different spatial and temporal scales. Thus, interactions of various ULF waves with the electron drift motion drives radial transport in the belt, while ELF/VLF waves are responsible for local heating and pitch-angle scattering of the particles. Energetic ions of ring current and cold plasmaspheric populations provide the energy for the generation of waves and define propagation properties of the waves. Wave-particle interactions involve a broad range of linear, quasi-linear, and non-linear effects. We invite theoretical, modeling and data-analysis contributions that provide the insight into wave-particle interactions in the inner magnetosphere. The session will provide a forum for discussion on a number of topics including statistical studies of wave properties, wave structure and evolution, as well as coupled interactions between particles and waves and generation, propagation, and damping of waves.
Conveners: Alexander Ukhorskiy, APL, , , USA, email: aleksandr.ukhorskiy@jhuapl.edu, and Yuri Shprits, UCLA, , , USA, email: yshprits@atmos.ucla.edu

SM09 Outer Planet Auroras: In Situ and Remote Sensing Results
New results from the Hubble Space Telescope large program of auroral observations of Jupiter and Saturn, combined with in situ measurements from Cassini at Saturn and New Horizons at Jupiter, provide a uniquely detailed data set to test our understanding of auroral processes at the giant planets. In addition, scientific planning for the JUNO mission is ongoing, which will make detailed measurements of auroral processes in close polar passes at Jupiter. This session will solicit presentations on recent results from HST and ground-based observations of planetary aurora, coordinated measurements from planetary spacecraft, theoretical work on planetary auroral processes, and planning/prediction work for future missions.
Conveners: John T. Clarke, Boston University, Center for Space Physics 725 Commonwealth Ave , Boston, MA 02215 USA, Tel: 617-353-0247, Fax: 617-353-6463, email: jclarke@bu.edu, and Jon Nichols, Boston University, Center for Space Physics 725 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215 USA, Tel: 617-358-5128, Fax: 617-353-6463, email: jdn@bu.edu, and William Kurth, University of Iowa, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy 210 VAN, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA, Tel: 319-335-1926, Fax: 319-335-1926, email: william-kurth@uiowa.edu

SM10 New Perspectives on Substorms
With the increased availability of space borne and ground instrumentation, significant progress is being made in understanding the critical substorm process on a global scale and the connections between its different aspects with unprecedented time resolution. The relationship between substorm arc brightening and near-Earth processes, field aligned current generation, and mapping of tail pressure gradients to auroral features during the course of the substorm are key features of any substorm mechanism that can be resolved using the new datasets. Simulations and theories that make testable predictions or address recent observational constraints are particularly pertinent. The collective field is better than ever equipped to address the questions of changes during substorm growth phase, tail preconditioning for the onset instability, evolution of the substorm onset in space and time, global responses and topological changes of the tail and the magnetosphere in the course of substorm expansion. This session solicits theoretical, modeling, and observational (particularly multi-point) contributions, addressing the fundamental question of the physics, phenomenology, evolution and effects of the magnetospheric substorm instability on the ground, the ionosphere and the magnetotail.
Conveners: Kazuo Shiokawa, Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, 3-13, Honohara, Toyokawa, Aichi 442-8507, Japan, Toyokawa,, JPN, email: shiokawa@stelab.nagoya-u.ac.jp, and Shin Ohtani, JHU/APL, Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723 USA, email: Shin.Ohtani@jhuapl.edu, and Andrei Runov, IGPP/UCLA, Box 951567, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, email: arunov@igpp.ucla.edu, and Vassilis Angelopoulos, ESS/IGPP UCLA, Box 951567, , Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, email: vassilis@ucla.edu

SM11 Van Allen Lecture
This is a special lecture given by an invited speaker.
Conveners: Lynn Kistler, University of New Hampshire, , , USA, email: lynn.kistler@unh.edu

SPA-Magnetospheric Physics also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
P04 The Interaction of the Solar Wind with Unmagnetised Bodies
P05 Blowing Hot, Blowing Cold: The Diversity of Outer Planet Satellites
ED13 Space Physics Particle Multimedia Products for Education
SA02 Space Weather - Operational Product Development and Use
SA11 Heliophysics Research Using Virtual Observatories
G13 Ever Faster: Low-Latency Data Collection and Applications Across the Earth Sciences
NG05 Topological Space Weather Forecasting
SA03 Ionospheric Modification and Active Experiments
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
AE02 Runaway Electrons and Energetic Radiation in Terrestrial and Planetary Atmospheres
AE05 Thunderstorm Electrical Effects in the Upper Atmosphere
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
S12 Search for Large Earthquake Precursors from Space and Ground Observations
SA08 The Equatorial Ionosphere – Initial Results From the C/NOFS Mission, New Satellite and Ground-Based Observations, Progress in Forecast and Modeling
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
IN15 Emerging Multi-core Computing Technology in Earth and Space Sciences
IN06 The Science of Coupling with the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)

Study of Earth's Deep Interior

DI01 Study of Earth's Deep Interior: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of the Study of Earth's Deep Interior.
Conveners: Allen McNamara, University of Arizona, , , USA, email: allen.mcnamara@asu.edu, and Mark Panning, Princeton University, , , USA, email: mpanning@princeton.edu

DI02 Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Dynamics - Observations and Modeling
Seismically anisotropic structure from the uppermost mantle to the core provides one of the best potential constraints for linking large-scale observations to geodynamic flow modeling through microscopic mineral physics experiments and theory. Recent years have seen detailed models of azimuthal and radial anisotropy, for example, which have been interpreted for plate and subduction dynamics. However, numerous issues remain, some decades old, including: the detailed depth distribution of anisotropic anomaly power throughout the upper mantle, the links with electrical and rheological anisotropy, the origin and length-scale of lowermost mantle anisotropy, the role of composition, volatiles, temperature and pressure in anisotropic texture development, the partitioning of frozen-in versus convection-generated anomalies, and the resolving power of current seismological datasets. In this session, we invite contributions from seismology, geodynamics, electro-magnetic and xenolith studies, rock mechanics and mineral physics to explore the frontiers of observations and modeling of mantle anisotropy. In particular, studies that explicitly examine the connections between observations of anisotropy and the dynamic processes in the mantle are strongly encouraged. We wish to identify current challenges in discussion (e.g. are we modeling or data limited?), and jointly formulate strategies for the next years to turn seismic anisotropy into a truly quantitative constraint on mantle dynamics.
Conveners: Thorsten W. Becker, University of Southern California, , , USA, email: twb@usc.edu, and Mark P. Panning, Princeton University, , , USA, email: mpanning@princeton.edu

DI03 Understanding the Nature of Earth's Ultralow-Velocity Zones
For more than a decade the existence of ultralow-velocity zones (ULVZ) in some regions of Earth's lowermost mantle have been established by seismic observations. ULVZ are characterized as thin (a few km's to ~40 km) laterally discontinuous regions (i.e., they either do not exist or are too thin to be detected seismically in some locations) at the core-mantle boundary exhibiting up to ~30% reduction in S-wave velocity and ~10% reduction in P wave velocity relative to the overlying mantle. ULVZ inevitably hold the key to many unresolved questions regarding the evolution and dynamics of Earth's deep interior. These include, e.g., chemical interaction across Earth's core-mantle boundary, the possible existence of a deep geochemical mantle reservoir, fractionation processes or exchange/entrainment in deep mantle flows, secular variation of the magnetic field and decadal length of day variations. In addition, models for ULVZ may carry potentially groundbreaking constraints for Earth's present core temperature as well as early Earth dynamics and the gradual thermal evolution of both the core and deep mantle. Many models for ULVZ formation have been discussed in the past and most of the proposed models for ULVZ are not mutually exclusive, although individual contributions differing in degree of importance are expected. Nevertheless, the task of finding a suite of models that are broadly consistent with the largest possible range of interdisciplinary constraints is crucial for continued progress. The study of ULVZ depends critically on multi-disciplinary integration of information from disciplines such as seismology, high-pressure mineral physics, ab-initio calculations of material properties, and geodynamics. The results from these disciplines must be linked to gain a better understanding of ULVZ formation, evolution and dynamics. In this session, we wish to invite contributions from seismology, mineral physics, geodynamics, geochemistry, and geomagnetism to address the question of the nature of ULVZ. New work aimed at broad multi-disciplinary synthesis or the introduction of new kinds of constraints on this problem is particularly encouraged.
Conveners: John Hernlund, University of British Columbia, , , CAN, email: hernlund@gmail.com, and Wendy Mao, Stanford University, , , USA, email: wmao@stanford.edu, and Sebastian Rost, University of Leeds, , , GBR, email: s.rost@see.leeds.ac.uk

DI04 Technical Advances in Geodynamical Modeling
This session provides a forum to discuss new advances in geodynamical modeling, whether theoretical, numerical, or experimental, with an emphasis on the technical side. The contributors are encouraged to present new techniques in detail as well as the scientific results. We encourage contributions motivated by problems arising in studies of mantle melt extraction, magma ascent through the crust, lithospheric deformation and damage, plate boundary formation and mantle convection.
Conveners: Eh Tan, Computational Infrastructure for Geodynamics, 2750 E. Washington Blvd. Suite 210, Pasadena, CA 91107 USA, Tel: (626) 395-1693, email: tan2@geodynamics.org, and Mark Jellinek, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, , , CAN, email: mjellinek@eos.ubc.ca, and Louis Moresi, Computational Mathematics & Geophysics, Monash University, , , AUS, email: louis.moresi@sci.monash.edu.au

DI05 The Deep Earth’s Mantle Above the CMB: Structure, Composition Dynamics and Evolution
Our knowledge of the deep (2000 km to CMB) Earth’s mantle has made tremendous progresses during the past decade. New discoveries and models have challenged the usual picture of a nearly homogeneous structure. Instead, seismological models observe strong lateral variations in seismic velocities that may result from both thermal and chemical anomalies. The nature and origin of these anomalies is still uncertain, but ingredients like the post-perovskite phase and reservoir(s) of dense material formed early in the Earth history and buried since then might play a significant role. Our view of this part of the Earth remains thus unclear. In this multidisciplinary session, we aim to discuss the latest experimental results, models and observations related to the properties of the deep mantle. A non-exhaustive list of the topics we would like to discuss includes: the newest results on the thermo-elastic, transport, and electrical properties of the lower mantle materials and their consequences on various observables (anisotropy, magnetic field); the formation, composition and evolution of reservoir(s) of dense materials; the most recent tomographic images of the deep mantle, and the way to interpret them; the existence and distribution of post-perovskite at the bottom of the mantle; the most recent progress in numerical modeling of thermo-chemical convection. We welcome contributions in geodynamics, geochemistry, mineral physics, seismology, and geomagnetism that incorporate new constraints and apply new techniques in order to push the frontiers of our understanding of the deep Earth’s mantle structure, composition, dynamics and evolution.
Conveners: Frederic Deschamps, Federal Institute of Technology of Zurich, ETH Honggerberg, HPP L8.1, Zurich, 8093 CHE, Tel: 410446336806, email: deschamps@erdw.ethz.ch, and Eric Debayle, Ecole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre, , Strasbourg, FRA, email: Eric.Debayle@eost.u-strasbg.fr, and Nicolas Coltice, Universite de Lyon 1, , Lyon, FRA, email: coltice@univ-lyon1.fr

DI06 The Ins and Outs of the Earth’s Core
Recent observational, experimental, and theoretical studies have revealed new discoveries on the structure and dynamics of the Earth's core, yet its structure, dynamics, and evolution remain unclear and based on precious few direct geophysical observations. Accounting for more than 30% of the mass of the planet, the dynamics of the Earth's core is responsible of our magnetic field, and determining its structure is crucial for understanding the formation and evolution of the planet. We propose a session focusing on the Earth's core, integrating results across disciplines in the Earth sciences. This SEDI session will provide an interdisciplinary forum for discussion of new results on the energetics, structure, and dynamics of the inner- and outer core of the Earth and other planets. We invite submissions drawing from seismology, mineral physics, geodynamics, geomagnetism, paleomagnetism, and geochemistry, with a goal of making progress in integrating our understanding of the physical properties of the deepest and most inaccessible region of the Earth.
Conveners: Kanani K. M. Lee, Yale University, Kline Geology Laboratory 210 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511 USA, email: kanani.lee@yale.edu, and Wendy R. Panero, Ohio State University, , , USA, email: panero.1@granite.geology.ohio-state.edu, and Hrvoje Tkalcic, Australian National University, , , AUS, email: Hrvoje.Tkalcic@anu.edu.au, and Arwen Deuss, University of Cambridge, Bullard Labs, Cambridge, GBR, email: afd28@cam.ac.uk

DI07 The Future of Imaging and Interpretation of Earth’s Internal Structure
From the development of seismic tomography over the last 25 years, we now have a good understanding of the first-order characteristics of the long-wavelength (~1,000–2,000 km) three-dimensional elastic struc¬ture of Earth’s interior. It is tempting to interpret the large-scale features imaged throughout the mantle in terms of lateral variations in temperature. It is increasingly clear, however, that seismic images also chart compositional vari¬ations that are important for mantle dynamics. With the deployment, starting in the early 1980s, of high quality digital broadband seismic stations around the world, finer-scale imaging has become possible. Characterizing the sharpness of the heterogeneous structures deep inside the planet, and detecting and mapping small-scale heterogeneity, are the next steps. This presents several challenges: (1) extracting more information from seismograms than has traditionally been done. (2) overcoming the limitations of uneven sampling around the globe. New and exciting horizons have recently opened up, however, with increasing capabilities in theory and computation, acquisition of data from dense arrays, and corresponding processing techniques. Anisotropy and anelastic attenuation can now be better characterized and provide additional information on flow directions, temperature variations and the presence of partial melting. As the images provided by seismologists become sharper, there is an increasing opportunity to work closely with other geoscientists — geochemists, geodynamicists and mineral physicists — to make the best of complementary constraints for the challenging ‘inverse problem’ that the interior of our planet represents. We invite contributions addressing any of the present challenges towards the next generation of global mantle tomographic models and their interpretation.
Conveners: Barbara A. Romanowicz, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley Seismological Laboratory 215 McCone Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, Tel: 5106435690, Fax: 5106435811, email: barbara@seismo.berkeley.edu, and Guy Masters, University of California, San Diego, , La Jolla, CA USA, email: gmasters@ucsd.edu, and Goran Ekstrom, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia Univ., , , NY USA, email: ekstrom@ldeo.columbia.edu

DI08 Chemical Heterogeneities in the Earth’s Mantle: Their Roles in the Early Earth Differentiation, Mantle Dynamics and Geochemistry
Recent high-resolution seismic studies have suggested the existence of large-scale velocity anomalies in the Earth’s mantle. Until recently, most heterogeneities have been interpreted as variations in temperature and chemical composition (mainly Fe and Si). However, recent discoveries in seismology and mineral physics, such as, sharp edges and large velocity reductions of the seismic anomalies, the large hydrogen storage capacity of transition zone minerals, the spin transition of Fe in silicates and oxides in the mid-mantle, the perovskite to postperovskite transition in the lowermost mantle, and the possible presence of melt atop the transition zone and in the deep mantle, call for new interpretations of mantle heterogeneities. Furthermore, a broad range of exciting proposals has been recently made on the origin, formation and dynamical evolution of these anomalies, as well as possible roles they play in the early Earth differentiation, mantle thermo-chemical plume formation, and explaining relative hotspot motion and the geochemical observations at the Earth’s surface. Therefore, it is timely to discuss seismic evidence and developments in understanding the occurrence, observational consequences, and inter-relationships of the various kinds of mantle heterogeneities, and investigate the integration of new constraints and novel interpretations from the combined perspective of multiple disciplines to better understand the nature and origin of mantle heterogeneities. We invite new results covering heterogeneities from the uppermost to the lowermost mantle from seismology, geodynamics, plate reconstruction, geochemistry, and mineral physics. Attempts to integrate these new results are welcome as well.
Conveners: Lianxing Wen, Stony Brook University, Dept. Geosciences, Stony Brook, NY 11794 USA, Tel: 1-631-632-1726, Fax: 1-631-632-8140, email: Lianxing.Wen@sunysb.edu, and Trond Torsvik, Geological Survey Norway, Leiv Eirikssons Vei 39 PB 3006 Lade , Trondheim, N-7002 NOR, email: trond.torsvik@ngu.no, and Takashi Nakagawa, Kyushu University, Earth & Planetary Sciences 6-10-1, Hakozaki , Fukuoka, 812-8581 JPN, email: takashi@geo.kyushu-u.ac.jp, and Michael Thorne, University of Utah, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics 135 South 1460 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA, Tel: 801-513-9351, email: michael.thorne@utah.edu, and Sang-Heon Shim, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, , , USA, email: sangshim@mit.edu, and Jung-Fu Lin, University of Texas at Austin, , , USA, email: afu@jsg.utexas.edu

DI09 Models of the Mantle: Reconciling Mineral Physics, Geodynamics, Geochemistry and Seismology
In order to better constrain the structure and dynamics of Earths interior a multidisciplinary approach combing mineral physics, geodynamics, geochemistry and seismology is required. Recent efforts have sought better constraints by combining data sets from the mineral physics community in order to produce geodynamical models, which in turn can be used to predict seismic observables. Yet, different approaches may lead to results that seem to be contradictory or inconsistent. Key questions are: To what extent and on what time scales is the mantle layered?; Do seismology and geochemistry give inconsistent pictures of the mantle?; Are the He flux and heat flux out of the mantle coupled?; Are there hidden reservoirs in the mantle? Combining and reconciling interdisciplinary results usually requires a model capable of quantitatively predicting the consequences of various models’ features and assumptions, which can then be compared to observations and data. Combining these key disciplines is required to build a self-consistent and encompassing approach to deciphering the earth’s interior. This session will focus on recent work bearing on such problems, models that have been developed to address them, and problems that have been solved and paradoxes resolved, as well as new problems and paradoxes bearing on the state and evolution of the Earth. We invite new results that work to integrate these various disciplines of mineral physics, geodynamics, geochemistry, and seismology as they relate to earth processes. Attempts at integrating any of these key approaches are welcome.
Conveners: Michael Thorne, University of Utah, Dept. of Geology & Geophysics 135 South 1460 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA, Tel: 801-513-9351, email: michael.thorne@utah.edu, and Frederik Simons, Princeton University, Department of Geosciences Guyot Hall 321B, Princeton, NJ 08544 USA, Tel: 609-258-2598, email: fjsimons@princeton.edu, and Richard O'Connell, Harvard University, 20 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, email: oconnell@geophysics.harvard.edu, and Alex Halliday, University of Oxford, , , GBR, email: Alex.Halliday@mpls.ox.ac.uk

DI10 Multi-Disciplinary Insights Into the Earth’s Transition Zone
The Earth’s transition zone plays a key role in governing the transport of mass, momentum, and energy throughout the mantle. For this session, we are soliciting contributions that provide observational, experimental, and theoretical constraints on the role of the transition zone in determining mantle dynamics and evolution. Some of the key questions we would like to address within this session include: What is the nature of the transition zone and what is its role as a thermal and/or mechanical boundary layer? How can seismological observations of the transition zone help inform our knowledge of mantle dynamics? What are the constraints on the abundance and the distribution of volatiles in the transition zone and what are the implications for the mantle/crust evolution? We invite submissions from researchers in mineral physics, seismology, geochemistry, and geodynamics and any other relevant field to examine and integrate our current understanding of the Earth’s transition zone.
Conveners: Abby Kavner, UCLA, , , USA, email: akavner@ucla.edu, and Boris Kiefer, New Mexico State University, , , USA, email: bkiefer@nmsu.edu

DI11 Interdisciplinary Implications of Recent Deep Earth Discoveries: From Mineral Physics to Seismology and Geodynamics
The last few years have witnessed great progress in experimental and theoretical mineral physics methods, advances in high resolution seismic imaging of the mantle and core, and 3-D thermo-chemical geodynamics calculations that are revolutionizing our understanding of physics and chemistry of the Earth's deep interior. Mineral physics discoveries include the post-perovskite phases of MgSiO3, Fe2O3, Al2O3 and other compounds; high-spin to low-spin transitions for Fe3+ and Fe2+ in ferropericlase and perovskite; bcc and fcc phases of iron that may exist in the inner core, and many others. Seismological discoveries include detection of multiple reflectors in the deep mantle, anti-correlation of P-wave and S-wave velocity structure, mapping of deep shear-wave splitting, and analysis of scattering and large-scale structure in the inner core. Geodynamical models are revealing behavior of chemical heterogeneities in the deep mantle, multiple styles of plume instabilities, and thermal budget constraints on mantle evolution models. Topics impacted by these discoveries include (i) the nature of deep mantle and core seismic boundaries, (ii) evolution and dynamics of the Earth's interior, (iii) style of mantle convection, (iv) heat flux and cooling rate of the Earth, (v) nature of seismic anisotropy of the D" layer and inner core, (vi) transport properties of the mantle, (vii) geochemical behavior of the elements. In this interdisciplinary session we plan to cover exciting recent advances in mineral physics, seismology, and geodynamics, emphasizing geophysical and geochemical implications of these discoveries.
Conveners: Artem R. Oganov, ETH Zurich and Moscow State University, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 10, Zurich, 8093 CHE, email: a.oganov@mat.ethz.ch, and Thorne Lay, UC Santa Cruz, , , USA, email: tlay@es.ucsc.edu, and Kei Hirose, Tokyo Inst. of Technology, , , JPN, email: kei@geo.titech.ac.jp, and Bruce Buffett, University of Chicago, , , USA, email: buffett@geosci.uchicago.edu

DI12 Linking Earth’s Deep Interior to the Surface: Earth Evolution
The plate tectonic revolution of the 1960s provided a framework to explain much of Earth’s geologic and tectonic history. However, convective transport of heat within the mantle also accompanies plate tectonics, and dynamically links surface tectonics to deep-earth processes in a time-dependent way. Recent seismological and geochemical observations of the lower mantle may be linked to to past plate motions or subduction of oceanic lithosphere in tangible ways. Putative “slab graveyards” on the core-mantle boundary may be directly traced to the time-dependent history of subduction, whereas “superplumes” (or “superpiles”) emanating from the CMB may be hot thermal anomalies or perhaps geochemical heterogeneities that might be linked back to stored recycled components. If Earth’s surface processes and the lower mantle flow are closely linked, then these surface processes and their related observations must provide important controls on, and insights into, several time-dependent processes that relate to the thermal, chemical, and geodynamic evolution of the lower mantle. In short, plate tectonic processes may help explain much of the observed temporal and spatial heterogeneity of the lower mantle – the “geology” of the lower mantle – much as it does the geology at the Earth’s surface. How far back in time can we potentially see with our geophysical and geochemical tools? This interdisciplinary session will explore the time-dependent geodynamic, geochemical, and geologic connections between the Earth’s deep interior and its surface and will bring together geodynamicists, seismologists, mineral physicists, petrologists, and geochemists to help understand these connections. While this session focuses on time-dependent problems, the mantle’s present state will be examined by our partner session (“Linking Earth’s Deep Interior to the Surface: The Present Mantle”).
Conveners: Clinton P. Conrad, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Geology & Geophysics , Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, Tel: 808-956-6649, Fax: 808-956-5154, email: clintc@hawaii.edu, and Cécile Grigné, Université de Lyon I, Laboratoire de Sciences de la Terre – UMR5570, Villeurbanne, 69622 FRA, Tel: +33 04 26 23 71 13, email: cecile.grigne@ens-lyon.fr, and Bill McDonough, University of Maryland, Department of Geology, College Park, MD 20742 USA, Tel: 301-405-5561, Fax: 301-405-3597, email: mcdonough@geol.umd.edu, and Shijie Zhong, University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Physics, Boulder, CO 80309 USA, Tel: 303-735-5095, Fax: 303-492-7935, email: szhong@colorado.edu

DI13 Linking Earth's Deep Interior to the Surface: The Present Mantle
One of the big current challenges for solid Earth geoscientists is to replace the kinematic theory of plate tectonics by a dynamic model. Rapid progress continues to be made with improving observations and their interpretation from a wide range of fields, including seismology (waveforms, arrays, (anisotropic) wave speed and attenuation tomography), geodesy (surface deformation, polar motion, length of day), volcanism (location, type, age), gravity (geoid), tectonics (stress, uplift, subsidence, topography), heat flow, electrical conductivity, and geomagnetism. Significant mineral physics advances include identifying post-perovskite, and improved methods and mineral parameters to relate geophysical observables to thermo-chemical structure; while geodynamic modelers are now able to model in spherical geometry at high vigor with increasingly realistic thermal and rheological parameters. It is only by bringing together all these aspects that the challenge of producing a successful dynamic model will be met. We therefore wish to bring together scientists from these and related disciplines to help push forward our understanding of how the deep interior dynamics relates to the surface. This session will focus on relating present-day (geologically speaking!, i.e., a few Ma) observations to models of the dynamics of the deep interior. Provided there is an attempt to link one to the other, we encourage contributions on observations and on modeling, as well as methods to relate the two. Our sister session ‘Linking Earth's Deep Interior to the Surface: Earth Evolution’ will focus on the evolution of mantle-lithosphere dynamics through time.
Conveners: H.-Peter Bunge, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Geophysics Theresienstr. 41 , Munich, 80333 DEU, Tel: +49 (89) 2180-4226, Fax: +49 (89) 2180-420, email: bunge@lmu.de, and J. Huw Davies, Cardiff University, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences Cardiff University Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3YE GBR, Tel: +442920875182, Fax: +442920874326, email: daviesjh2@cf.ac.uk, and Saskia Goes, Imperial College London, Dept. Earth Science and Engineering South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ GBR, Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 6434, Fax: +44 (0)20 7594 7444, email: s.goes@imperial.ac.uk

Study of Earth's Deep Interior also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
V03 Large Igneous Province Development and Environmental Impacts
V14 From Subduction Zones to Mantle Plumes: High Field Strength Elements as Geochemical Tracers of Crustal Recycling
V18 Episodic Behavior of the Earth’s Interior
MR06 Diffusion and Related Transport Processes in Geomaterials
GP13 Geomagnetic Field Modeling and Interpretation of Satellite, Observatory, Marine and Aeromagnetic Data
T25 Is Water Being Recyled into the Deep Mantle? If So, How?
ED19 Solid Earth Geovisualizations
S14 USArray: Transportable Array and Flexible Array Observations in the Western US
GP03 Superchrons to Cryptochrons
GP08 Analog Modeling of Deep Planetary Interiors
A50 Arctic Chemistry and Climate
MR09 Melt and Melt Properties Under Pressure
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
MR10 New Views on Discontinuities, Composition and Temperature of the Mantle
MR03 Composition and Evolution of Iron-Rich Cores in the Earth and Other Planets
V08 Early Earth Evolution: Geodynamics, Geochemistry, Geobiology
V09 Thirty Years of Mantle Recycling
V21 Frontier of UltraHigh-Pressure Metamorphism and Deep Subduction: From Atomic Scales to Mountain Building
V28 New Scientific Insights From Mining Geochemical and Geophysical Databases
V42 Geochemical Heterogeneities in OIB and MORB Sources: Implications for Melting Processes and Mantle Dynamics
MR08 Spin Crossover Transitions in the Mantle
S23 Mantle Transition Zone: New Observations, Insights, and Challenges

Tectonophysics

T01 Tectonophysics: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Tectonophysics.
Conveners: Marin Kristen Clark, University of Michigan, , , USA, email: marinkc@umich.edu, and Mark Behn, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, , , USA, email: mbehn@whoi.edu, and Eric A. Hetland, California Institute of Technology, Seismological Laboratory, , , USA, email: eah@gps.caltech.edu

T02 Lithospheric Structure of East Asia
This session focuses on research relevant to analyzing and imaging the lithospheric structure of East Asia. This part of the world, which includes many sedimentary basins and orogenic provinces, is one of the most tectonically active and complex areas in the world and is actively perused with broad scale, internationally-cooperative studies. Data, new inversion techniques, and modeling approaches which are applied to this region, and associated results, are invited. We welcome presentations examining a broad range of lithospheric properties including electrical, electromagnetic, gravity/density, seismic velocity, attenuation and other geophysical characteristics, with results and interpretations illuminating not only current observable features but also enhancing the state of knowledge regarding tectonics and tectonic history of the region. Contributions of work ranging from local to regional in scale are encouraged.
Conveners: Youshun Sun, MIT, 54-1820, 77 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-324-3347, email: YOUSHUN@MIT.EDU, and Charlotte Rowe, Los Alamos National Laboratory, EES-11 M.S. D408, Los Alamos, NM 87545 USA, email: char@lanl.gov

T03 Integrating the Effects of Exhumation, Erosion, and Tectonics Over Space and Time at Convergent Margins
Active plate boundaries have processes that operate on a range of time scales. Approaches for studying them are often limited to vastly different time scales, and results from studies using different methods can produce contradictory results. GPS geodesy has a record extending back less than two decades, earthquake seismology about 100 years, and the paleoseismology record back to a few thousand years, yet the geologic record spans more than 4 Ga and is influenced by processes that operate on timescales of seconds to millions of years. It is not clear how contradictory results at different time scales reflect real temporal differences in behavior of the earth system versus measurements of transient processes that do not play a significant role in the integrated long-term geologic history. This session aims to bring together workers from a range of disciplines to address the integration of time scales of study in understanding exhumation, erosion, tectonics and natural hazards over space and time at convergent margins. We anticipate contributions summarizing results from a number of large collaborative projects involved in these kinds of studies (e.g. STEEP in Alaska, the Retreat project in Italy, the Himalayan syntaxis groups, and Taiwan investigators) as well as a broader series of contributions from geodesy, paleoseismology, thermochronology, sedimentary processes, neotectonics and basin evolution at active plate boundaries. We particularly want to encourage contributions from groups of researchers that bring together data from different earth science disciplines on a range of time and spatial scales.
Conveners: Peter Haeussler, U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508 USA, Tel: 907 786-7447, Fax: 907 786-7447, email: pheuslr@usgs.gov, and Terry Pavlis, University of Texas, El Paso, Department of Geological Sciences Geology 405 500 West University Boulevard, El Paso, TX 79968 USA, Tel: 915-747-5570, Fax: 915-747-5073, email: pavlis@geo.utep.edu, and Ian Shennan, University of Durham, Department of Geography Sea Level Research Unit, Durham, DH1 3LE GBR, email: ian.shennan@durham.ac.uk

T04 Interactions Among Climate, Exhumation and Tectonics Through the Changing Climate of the Neogene and Quaternary
A major focus of research over the past decade has resulted from the growing realization of the importance of feedbacks between tectonics, exhumation and climate. Climate, primarily in the form of precipitation patterns, is clearly influenced by the distribution of topography. In addition, changes from glacially to fluvially dominated systems are influenced by both climate and topographic elevation. Significant global and local changes in climate characterize the Neogene and Quaternary and represent a window of insight into the coupling between climate, erosion and tectonics. Climate acting through surface processes may modulate tectonic rates and vice versa. For this session we are seeking theoretical, model- and/or data-based studies which seek to quantify feedbacks and coupling among climate, exhumation and tectonics during the changing climates of the Neogene and Quaternary. Appropriate studies for this session could focus on either extensional or contractile settings at the range to orogen scale. We encourage a diversity of approaches including, but not limited to, numerical or analogue modeling, low-temperature thermochronology, structural geology, sedimentology, tectonic geomorphology, paleoaltimetry and climatology.
Conveners: Edward R. Sobel, Universitaet Potsdam, Institut fuer Geowissenschaften Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24, Golm, 14476 DEU, Tel: +49-(0)331-977-5855, Fax: +49-(0)331-977-5700, email: sobel@rz.uni-potsdam.de, and Lindsay Schoenbohm, Ohio State University, Dept. of Geological Sciences 275 Mendenhall Laboratory 125 S. Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210 USA, Tel: +1-614-247-4835, email: schoenbohm.1@osu.edu, and Andreas Mulch, Leibniz Universitat Hannover, Inst. fur Geologie Callinstr. 30, Hannover, 30167 DEU, Tel: +49 511 762 2170, email: mulch@geowi.uni-hannover.de, and Alison Anders, University of Illinois, Department of Geology 1301 W Green Street MC-102, Urbana, IL 61801 USA, Tel: 217-244-3917, email: amanders@uiuc.edu

T05 Magmatic, Tectonic, and Hydrothermal Interactions at (Ultra-) Slow Spreading Mid-Ocean Ridges
Recent multidisciplinary studies on slow and ultraslow mid-ocean ridges have revealed a number of unpredicted but fundamental observations that are now gradually being integrated in crustal accretion models. These observations include scales of geochemical-petrological heterogeneities in the MORB mantle, mechanisms of (reactive) melt transport to and within the crust, varying conditions and degrees of hydrothermal alteration, the role of (deep) hydrothermal circulation on deformation styles and the importance of detachment faulting for crustal accretion and hydrothermal processes. The interaction between temporally and spatially variable melt supply on one side, and the seawater-enhanced conductive cooling on the other is extremely diverse. This is manifested by a large spectrum of morphotectonic seafloor features and ultimately produces a complex, non-layered oceanic crust that is geophysically challenging to image. This session aims at bringing together high- and low-temperature petrologists and geochemists, structural geologists and geophysicists to discuss recent findings that contribute to improving our understanding of crustal accretion, deformation and alteration at (ultra)slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges. We also welcome contributions from the fast-spreading ridge, ophiolite and passive margins communities that address similar or contrasting processes leading to heterogeneities in crustal architecture and alteration.
Conveners: Eric Hellebrand, University of Hawaii, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics 1680 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, Tel: +1-808-956-6193, email: ericwgh@hawaii.edu, and Johan Lissenberg, Cardiff University, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff, CF10 3YE GBR, email: lissenbergcj@Cardiff.ac.uk, and Javier Escartin, Institut de Physique du Globe, Groupe de Geoscience Marines 4 Place Jussieu, Paris, 75252 FRA, email: escartin@ipgp.jussieu.fr, and Gretchen Frueh-Green, ETH Zuerich, Inst Mineralogy & Petrology, Zuerich, CH-8092 CHE, email: frueh@erdw.ethz.ch

T06 Seismic Fault Zone Rocks
Exhumed faults provide important opportunities for extracting information on earthquake and fault mechanics (e.g., rupture geometries, operating stress field, earthquake energy budgets, etc.) by means of field studies, complementary to drilling projects of active faults, rock deformation experiments and seismology. Not all exhumed faults were necessarily seismic during their activity, and at present only tectonic pseudotachylytes (solidified friction-induced melts produced during seismic slip) are unambiguously recognized as the signature of ancient earthquakes in exhumed faults. However, the occurrence of pseudotachylytes is not as widespread as seismic activity in the Earth crust is. It follows that the interpretation of most fault zone assemblages (cataclasites, fault gouges, pulverized rocks, etc.) remains enigmatic. Which fault zone rocks other than pseudotachylytes have been produced during earthquakes? We welcome field, theoretical and experimental contributions focused on two broad problems: (i) discriminating fault zone rocks produced during earthquakes. What are the microstructural, chemical, physical, and mineralogical features that can help discriminate rocks produced during seismic vs. aseismic slip? (ii) The problem of learning about earthquake mechanics from seismic fault zone rocks. For example, how do rocks record the stress and heat pulses typical of earthquakes?
Conveners: Giulio Di Toro, Università di Padova, Via Giotto 1, Padova, 35137 ITA, Tel: ++39 049 8271863, Fax: ++39 049 8272070, email: giulio.ditoro@unipd.it, and Yehuda Ben-Zion, University of Southern CA, Science Hall, Room 109, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0740 USA, Tel: 1-213-740-6734, Fax: 1-213-740-8801, email: benzion@usc.edu, and Karen Mair, PGP - University of Oslo, Postbox 1048 Blindern, Oslo, 0316 NOR, Tel: +47 22 85 60 42, Fax: +47 22 85 51 01, email: karen.mair@fys.uio.no, and Chris J. Marone, Pennsylvania State University, 536 Deike Building, University Park, University Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 814-865-7964, Fax: 814-863-7823, email: cjm38@psu.edu

T07 Evolution of Magma-Starved Rifts in Oceans, Continents and Backarcs
Magma-starved rifting is a significant process in Earth history as an end member in the early formation of continental rifts and ocean basins, as well as playing a significant role in the evolution of some backarcs. The geodynamic causes for magma starvation probably include both the composition and the thermal structure of the mantle, as well as pre-existing structures such as continental shear zones or pre-existing arcs that trap and localize the nascent divergent plate boundary. We invite contributions to a session that will allow exchange of views between workers in the different tectonic settings mentioned in the title, as well as across disciplines, especially field geophysical and structural observations, petrology/geochemistry, and numerical modeling. Of particular importance will be the evolution of rift magmas, structures within rifted zones, and the geometry and dynamics of mantle upwelling. Topics we hope to address include: What is the role of rift obliquity? What governs the initial magmatic and tectonic segmentation of the rift? How do the separation of ancient lithospheric mantle and the upwelling of asthenosphere occur? Can/do fragments of ancient lithosphere become “trapped” in the asthenosphere beneath the spreading rift? What are the role and mechanisms of strain localization in these relatively dry systems? This session is complementary to session “T08: Magma-rich extensional environments: evolution of continental basins and rifted continent margins”.
Conveners: Jonathan Snow, University of Houston, Science and Research 1, Houston, TX 77204 USA, email: jesnow@uh.edu, and Gianreto Manatschal, Universite Louis Pasteur, 1, rue Blessig, Strasbourg, 67084 FRA, email: manatschal@illite.u-strasbg.fr, and Yasuhiko Ohara, Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department of Japan, 5-3-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045 JPN, email: ohara@jodc.go.jp, and Oliver Jagoutz, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 USA, email: jagoutz@mit.edu, and Laurent Montési, University of Maryland, Bldg #237, Room 1118, College Park, MD USA, email: montesi@geology.umd.edu

T08 Magma-Rich Extensional Environments: Evolution of Continental Basins and Rifted Continent Margins
Observations suggest that continental rifting and the rift to drift transition are frequently associated with significant melt production, as well as with the emplacement of Large Igneous Provinces. The processes responsible for the formation and evolution of magma-rich continental rifts and the breakup of continents have been debated for almost a century. They range from bottom-up processes driven by large-scale mantle upwellings to top-down processes controlled by extension of the lithosphere. This magma-rich session includes a range of topics that can be related to magmatic extensional settings, such as asthenospheric processes (the role of mantle plumes, thermal and compositional variations in the mantle, mantle-lithosphere interactions, etc.), lithospheric processes (stress field, melting, deformation mechanisms, etc.), crustal-scale processes (magma intrusions, fault structures, lower crustal flow, the continent-ocean boundary, etc.) and basin infill (vertical motions, eroded sedimentation record, source fill relationships, etc.). We invite scientists from the different fields of observations and modeling to discuss their results in a broad scientific community. This session is complementary to session “T07: Evolution of magma-starved rifts in oceans, continents and backarcs”.
Conveners: Romain Meyer, MIT, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, Leuven, 3001 BEL, email: mail@romain-meyer.eu, and Asbjorn Breivik, University of Oslo, , Oslo, NOR, email: a.j.breivik@geo.uio.no, and Jolante van Wijk, Los Alamos National Laboratory, , Los Alamos, NM USA, email: jolante@lanl.gov, and Christian Tegner, University of Aarhus, , Aarhus, DNK, email: christian.tegner@geo.au.dk

T09 Growth of the Tibetan Plateau and its Influence on Climate: Insights From Integrated Structural, Stratigraphic, Geomorphic, and Isotopic Studies
Understanding the feedbacks among topography, climate, and orogenic evolution remains one of the outstanding challenges in the geosciences. As the Earth’s largest mountain belt, the Himalayan-Tibetan Plateau is an excellent natural laboratory for studies of the interactions between climate and tectonics because the plateau causes large deviations in planetary scale atmospheric processes that lead to anomalous climate patterns. Numerical modeling of coupled geodynamic and surface processes, isotopic characterization of erosion and exhumation rates, refinement of methods of determining paleoaltimetry, and increasingly quantitative reconstruction of landscape history have all contributed to rapid advances in understanding of climate and tectonic coupling. Despite these advances, uncertainties remain in how to uniquely interpret the strength and directionality of this coupling. In this session, we seek to highlight recent efforts that exploit integrative studies of structural, stratigraphic, geomorphic, and isotopic archives of plateau growth and climate change. We are particularly interested in studies which integrate field, laboratory, and theoretical approaches to understanding the interactions between the growth of the Tibetan plateau and climate.
Conveners: Page Chamberlain, Stanford University, , , USA, email: chamb@stanford.edu, and Carmala Garzione, University of Rochester, , , USA, email: garzione@earth.rochester.edu, and Eric Kirby, Penn State University, , , USA, email: ekirby@geosc.psu.edu

T10 The Base of the Crustal Seismogenic Zone
Away from subduction interfaces, the seismogenic zone defined by microearthquake activity and mainshock-aftershock sequences is largely restricted to the upper half of deforming continental crust with larger, damaging earthquake ruptures commonly nucleating towards its base. This critical transition from seismic to aseismic deformation is inferred to be a region of time-dependent rheology wherein mixed continuous and discontinuous shearing occurs at varying strain-rates in response to the cycling of shear stress and, possibly, pore-fluid pressure. We invite seismologists, geodesists, structural geologists, practitioners of experimental rock mechanics, and rheological modelers to address: (1) the relationship between the microseismic zone and mainshock-aftershock sequences, particularly the extent to which large ruptures may propagate to depths greater than the background microseismic zone; (2) physical factors and lithological controls affecting the depth of the seismogenic zone and the nucleation of large and small ruptures; (3) the structure, localization, and internal deformation mechanisms of crustal fault zones across this rheological transition; (4) stress/fluid-pressure conditions associated with the base of the seismogenic zone; (5) the relationship of fault interseismic locking depths to the seismogenic zone; (6) relationships between aftershock activity and the rheological transition at the base of the seismogenic zone.
Conveners: Richard H. Sibson, University of Otago, Geology Dept. Leith St. P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, 9054 NZL, Tel: (64-3) 479 7506, Fax: (64-3) 479 7527, email: rick.sibson@otago.ac.nz, and Roland Burgmann, University of California, Berkeley, Dept. of Earth & Planetary Science 389 McCone Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-4767 USA, Tel: 510-643-9545, Fax: 510-643-9980, email: burgmann@seismo.berkeley.edu, and Egill Hauksson, California Institute of Technology, Seismological Laboratory MS 252-21, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA, Tel: 626-395-6954, Fax: 626-564-0715, email: hauksson@gps.caltech.edu, and Nick Beeler, US Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road MS977 , Menlo Park, CA 94025-3591 USA, Tel: 650-329-4863, Fax: 650-329-5163, email: nbeeler@usgs.gov

T11 Deformation in the Shallow Part of Subduction Zones Based on Field Studies, Numerical Simulations, and Analogue Experiments
Convergent continental margins experience complex deformation that gives rise to variable morphological and structural styles from the trench to the high mountains. The processes take place at timescales ranging from that of earthquake rupture to the Wilson cycle and are strongly influenced by such factors as temperature and crustal and superficial fluids. In this session we would like to bring together researchers engaged in field studies, numerical simulations, and analogue modeling, to address crustal and surface deformation. Contributions from both the marine and the terrestrial parts of the convergent-margin research are welcome. We especially encourage contributions that involve multidisciplinary approaches. We also solicit contributions that serve to bridge offshore and onshore investigations and short-term and long-term deformation processes.
Conveners: Nina Kukowski, GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam, 14482 DEU, Tel: +49 331 288 1318, Fax: +49 331 288 1370, email: Nina.Kukowski@gfz-potsdam.de, and Kelin Wang, Geological Survey of Canada, 9860 W Saanich Road, Sidney, BC V8L 4B2 CAN, Tel: +1 250 363-6429, Fax: +1 250 363-6565, email: kwang@nrcan.gc.ca, and Susan Ellis, GNS Science, 1 Fairway Drive, Avalon PO Box 30368, Lower Hutt, NZL, Tel: +64-4570-4730, Fax: +64-4570-4600, email: S.Ellis@gns.cri.nz, and Yasuhiro Yamada, Dept of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering, Kyoto Univ., Katsura, Kyoto, 615-8540 JPN, email: yamada@earth.kumst.kyoto-u.ac.jp

T12 Wrinkles Aren't Just Skin Deep: Surface Expressions of Mantle-Lithosphere Coupling
There is a growing body of evidence from sites around the world that an understanding of the tectonic consequences of asthenospheric flow is critical for the understanding the relative importance of isostatic versus dynamic support for topography in mountain belts and sedimentary basins. This multidisciplinary session invites contributions from the geophysical, geodynamic, neotectonic, and geomorphic communities that address the surface expression of mantle flow. We seek to encourage discussion about the relationship between this flow, lithospheric deformation and topographic response. We seek a broad spectrum of contributions that help document mantle to surface interconnections and the potential surface manifestations of mantle flow models. Examples include geophysical observables (tomography, anisotropy, geoid analysis, etc.) that address the dynamics of mass exchange between lithosphere and asthenosphere, geodynamic models that evaluate lithosphere-asthenosphere rheology and flow, and geological observations (geodetics, neotectonics, and geomorphology). Examples from basins and orogenic systems from around the world are welcome.
Conveners: Karl Karlstrom, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, , Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA, Tel: 505.277.4346, email: kek1@unm.edu, and Eric Kirby, Pennstate University, , University Park, USA, email: ekirby@geosc.psu.edu, and David Coblentz, Los Alamos National Laboratory, , Los Alamos, NM USA, email: coblentz@lanl.gov, and Jolante van Wijk, Los Alamos National Laboratory, , Los Alamos, NM USA, email: jolante@lanl.gov

T13 Research Advances on the Geologic, Tectonic, and Geochemical Evolution of the Indian Ocean Seafloor and its Margins
The Indian Ocean Basin is the product of a complex plate tectonic history spanning over 160 m.y. Its evolution began with the breakup of eastern Gondwanaland, continued with the rapid northward drift of India during the Cretaceous and early Tertiary, and resulted in the collapse of the Tethys Ocean, culminating in the collision of the Indian subcontinent with Eurasia. The irregular shape of the Indian plate and the subduction of Gondwana fragments have lead to great complexity in the tectonics of southern Asia and Indian Ocean plates, including the formation of several diffuse plate tectonic boundaries. Northward motion of the Indian plate over melting anomalies created two of the earth’s longest hotspot tracks, the Chagos-Laccadive and Ninteyeast Ridges. These hotspot traces and associated Large Igneous Provinces provide critical insights into the history of Indian Ocean plates, relative and absolute plate motions, composition of Indian Ocean mantle, interactions between mantle plumes and spreading centers, and timing of the Indo-Eurasian collision. Many aspects of this complex geologic history remain undeciphered. This session will focus on the geologic and tectonic evolution of the Indian Ocean and its environs, including geophysical and geochemical results from the 2007 KNOX06RR cruise of the R/V Roger Revelle to Ninetyeast Ridge.
Conveners: William W. Sager, Texas A&M University, MS-3146 Department of Oceanography, College Station, TX 77843 USA, Tel: 979-845-9828, Fax: 979-845-6331, email: wsager@ocean.tamu.edu, and K. S. Krishna, National Institute of Oceanography, , Dona Paula, Goa 403 004 IND, Tel: 91 (0) 832 2450450, Fax: 91 (0) 832 2450602, email: krishna@nio.org, and Frederick A. Frey, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT 54-1226 Dept. Earth & Atmopsheric Science 77 Massachusetts Ave, Rm 54-122 , Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-253-2818, Fax: 617-253-7102, email: fafrey@mit.edu, and Dominique Weis, University of British Columbia, Earth & Ocean Sciences 6339 Stores Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 CAN, Tel: 604-822-1697, Fax: 604-822-6088, email: dweis@eos.ubc.ca

T14 Earthquake Geology and Active Tectonics in South and East Asia
In recent years several devastating earthquakes struck South and East Asia (e.g., 1995 Kobe, 1999 Chi-Chi, and 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquakes), and caused countless loss of lives and property. These earthquakes are closely related to the processes of mountain building, and have drawn the attention of geoscientists from all-around the world, searching to describe the complexity of geological and physical processes involved. Our session seeks participation of scientists to present their recent progress on active tectonics and earthquake geology in South and East Asia. We encourage submissions from scientists in all disciplines, including paleoseismology, geomorphology, seismology, geodesy, modeling, etc.
Conveners: Jian-Cheng Lee, Institute of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128, Sec. 2, Academic Road, Taipei, TWN, email: jclee@earth.sinica.edu.tw, and Yasuo Awata, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Site 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, JPN, email: awata-y@aist.go.jp, and John Suppe, Princeton University, , , USA, email: suppe@Princeton.EDU, and Yue-Gau Chen, National Taiwan University, , , TWN, email: ygchen@ntu.edu.tw

T15 Paleo- and Neotethyan Closure: Geological Consequences and Geodynamic and Paleoclimatological Inferences
The growth of the Eurasian continent and the formation of the spectacular Alpine-Himalayan mountain belt along its southern margin have been attributed to the closure of the Paleo- and Neotethyan oceans since the Paleozoic. Multidisciplinary studies in this large region and timespan have led to new paleogeographic reconstructions as well as the identification of fundamental processes associated with convergent margin tectonics, continental growth and consumption, oceanization, and their influences on global climate. In this session we invite contributions focussing on, but not limited to, analysis of arc-continent and continent-continent collision, arc magmatism, back-arc evolution, subduction zone and slab evolution and the impacts of these tectonics on global climate from the Paleozoic to the present along the entire active margin, from the western Mediterranean region to eastern Asia and northern Australia. We welcome contributions that include structure and tectonics, metamorphic geology, petrology and geochemistry, paleomagnetism, stratigraphy and sedimentology. Given sufficient interest, we plan to edit a journal Special Volume with the title of this session as working title.
Conveners: Douwe J. J. van Hinsbergen, Paleomagnetic Laboratory ''Fort Hoofddijk'', Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 17, Utrecht, 3584 CD NLD, Tel: +31 30 2531676, email: hins@geo.uu.nl, and Rob van der Voo, Dept of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, 1100 North University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1005 USA, Tel: 734.764.8322, email: voo@umich.edu, and Guillaume Dupont-Nivet, Paleomagnetic Laboratory ''Fort Hoofddijk'', Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 17, Utrecht, 3584 CD NLD, Tel: 31 30 2531672, email: gdn@geo.uu.nl, and Nadine McQuarrie, Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, 207 Guyot Hall , Princeton, NJ 08544 USA, Tel: (609) 258-7024, email: nmcq@princeton.edu

T16 Fault Zone Evolution and Weakening Processes Throughout the Seismic Cycle
The episodic recurrence of seismic events suggests that fault zone mechanical and transport properties and slip velocities may vary cyclically, leading to weakening at different timescales during the seismic cycle. During the interseismic period, the dynamic evolution of the structural permeability may induce fault zone weakening through the generation of elevated pore pressures. Understanding how competing fracturing/sealing processes (gouge formation, hydrothermally induced healing, pressure solution) can lead to the development of overpressured patches along fault zones is critical, as they can act as nucleation sites and trigger earthquakes. During the co-seismic period of seismic ruptures associated with large crustal events, theoretical studies suggest that thermally controlled/activated processes (e.g. thermal pressurization, flash heating, melt lubrication) may dramatically reduce the shear strength within the slip zone. Recent advances in high-velocity friction experiments now allow such processes to be tested in the laboratory. These experiments, conducted at coseismic slip velocities of metres per second, are beginning to bridge the gap between fault mechanics and seismology: constitutive properties of fault rocks such as slip weakening distance and fracture energy, can be now measured and compared with seismologically-determined values. We welcome multidisciplinary, innovative contributions addressing interseismic or co-seismic fault zone weakening processes through the integration of field, laboratory and seismological data. We also welcome discipline-specific studies on those topics.
Conveners: Thomas Mitchell, Hiroshima University, Department of Earth & Planetary Systems Science Graduate School of Science 1-3-1 Kagami-yama, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8526 JPN, Tel: +815058065686, Fax: +81824240735, email: tom-mitchell@hiroshima-u.ac.jp, and Nicola De Paola, University of Durham, Reactivation Research Group Department of Earth Sciences University of Durham South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE GBR, Tel: +441913342333, Fax: +441913342301, email: nicola.de-paola@durham.ac.uk, and Takehiro Hirose, Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research, , Kochi, JPN, email: hiroset@jamstec.go.jp, and Diane Moore, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road MS 977, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3591 USA, Tel: 650-329-4825, Fax: 650-329-5163, email: dmoore@usgs.gov

T17 Putting the M7.9 Sichuan Earthquake in Context – The Evolution of the Longmen Shan and Eastern Margin of Tibet
The devastating M7.9 earthquake of May 12, 2008 in Sichuan, China has drawn direct attention to the complex tectonic and geologic history of the Longmen Shan and eastern margin of Tibetan Plateau. In this session, we seek to highlight research that explores the structural development, uplift and erosion history, and landscape evolution of this region. In particular, we aim to: (1) bring together studies that explore the long-term evolution of the Longmen Shan and surrounding plateau margin, providing the necessary context for interpreting the active deformation and erosion highlighted by the recent earthquake; and (2) explore how the earthquake and the data obtained from it may provide insight into poorly understood aspects of the margin’s history, such as the connection between active tectonics and the region’s >200 m.y. history of deformation, and the timing and mechanisms of Cenozoic uplift in the Longmen Shan, which may help to distinguish between competing theories of Tibetan Plateau evolution. We welcome studies that address these questions from a variety of disciplines, including, but not limited to, structural geology, petrology, surface processes, tectonic geomorphology, low-temperature thermochronology, neotectonics and geodesy.
Conveners: Will Ouimet, Pennsylvania State University, , , USA, email: wouimet@geosc.psu.edu, and Kristen Cook, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, , , USA, email: klcook@MIT.EDU

T18 Transforming the View of Cascadia Through Interpretation of Multidisciplinary Data Sets
Coordinated efforts to collect multidisciplinary data sets over the past decade have produced a wealth of seismic, magnetotelluric, geodetic/plate kinematic and geochemical/petrologic data with the potential to provide a comprehensive view of the Juan de Fuca/Gorda plate system and its interaction with the North American crust and mantle. The multidisciplinary integration between these complementary data sets and the synthesis of results is of the highest priority, with the recent completion of seismic and magnetotelluric USArray transportable array studies in Cascadia, the on-going collection of long-term data sets through the corresponding Backbone and PBO arrays, the likely inauguration of cabled offshore observatories, and complementary geophysical and geochemical studies both onland and offshore. Initial modeling efforts specific to each discipline are on-going, as are geodynamic syntheses. Emerging three-dimensional models of the Cascadian crust, mantle, and bounding regions suggest substantial levels of coherence between the processes governing seismic and electrical properties, for example. In order to understand these results, and perhaps episodic tremor and slip, it is necessary to consider deep fluid cycling and the impact of plate deformation on mantle flow, rheology and magmatism. We invite papers that illuminate these processes through data acquired by EarthScope USArray and PBO, MARGINS, Ridge2000 as well as complementary programs. Papers are also invited that span the areas of data acquisition, inverse modeling, and geodynamic, (reactive) fluid flow and geochemical modeling. The session will provide a forum for investigators from all participating disciplines to identify the key questions and priorities that will guide the creation of the next generation of systemic models of the Cascadia region.
Conveners: Adam Schultz, Oregon State University, 104 COAS Admin Bldg, Corvallis, OR 97331-5503 USA, Tel: 541 737-9832, Fax: 541 737-2048, email: adam@coas.oregonstate.edu, and Geoffrey Abers, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, PO Box 1000, 61 Rte 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 845 365-8539, Fax: 845 365-8150, email: abers@ldeo.columbia.edu

T19 Tectonic Structure of the Middle East
Long known as a region with varied structure and complex tectonic history, the Middle East is emerging as an area of great interest to study. The availability of new seismic stations and local networks, many openly available, and focused experiments (e.g. Eastern Turkey Seismic Experiment, Zagros lithospheric transect, DESERT2000, DESIRE, DHOFAR) is starting to provide a better understanding of the region. Still, many questions remain. What are the details of Moho thickness in the region? Where is the boundary of subducting Tethyan oceanic lithosphere beneath Eurasia? What is the state of lithosphere at the junction of the Arabian, Eurasian, and African Plates? What about hotspots and the presence of partial melt? What are the propagation and blockage characteristics of regional phases such as Sn and Lg. How similar are the Turkish and Iranian Plateaus? We will be focusing on the broad Middle East region ranging from the North Anatolian Fault in the northwest to the Afar Triple Junction in the south to the Makran subduction zone in the east. This includes the very active areas of the Dead Sea Rift and the Zagros Mts. In this session we solicit contributions on the tectonic structure of the Middle East from a broad spectrum of disciplines (e.g., seismology, geodesy, gravity, thermal, geochemical). We especially encourage multi-disciplinary studies that include multiple datasets in the analysis and contributions by researchers from the region.
Conveners: Michael E. Pasyanos, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, L-205 P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551 USA, Tel: (925) 423-6835, Fax: (925) 423-4077, email: pasyanos1@llnl.gov, and Rengin Gok, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, L-205 P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551 USA, Tel: (925) 423-1563, Fax: (925) 422-3118, email: gok1@llnl.gov, and Niyazi Turkelli, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute (KOERI), Bogazici University, Istanbul, TUR, Tel: +90 216 3082711, Fax: +90-216-332 26 81, email: turkelli@boun.edu.tr

T20 The Co-evolution of River Systems and Orogens
Reconstructing the evolution of large rivers can give us valuable insight into geodynamics, paleoclimate, ocean-chemistry evolution, and biogeography. Large rivers will be part of any system involving feedbacks between surface processes, tectonics, and climate, and their evolution is influenced by a host of factors on various spatial and temporal scales. Fluvial-tectonic interactions can occur over long intervals but may also involve thresholds such as stream capture, river reversal, or large mass-wasting events. A range of diverse techniques can be brought to bear on river evolution, ranging from classical stratigraphy and isotopic and geochemical measurements, to more novel approaches such as detrital geochronology and molecular genetics. However, a fundamental set of questions remain: how definitively can we truly constrain the location, magnitude, and integration of river systems? How stable are such systems in various types of orogens, at various points in these orogens' life history? The goal of this session is to initiate a conversation about our ability to provide a robust record of significant events in the history of major rivers. We hope to bring together researchers working on various aspects of river evolution, with a focus on data-based studies, innovative analytical techniques, and statistical methods.
Conveners: Sara Cina, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Earth and Space Sciences 595 Charles Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095 USA, email: saracina@ucla.edu, and Peter Zeitler, Lehigh University, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences 31 Williams Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA, Tel: 1-610-758-3671, email: peter.zeitler@lehigh.edu

T21 Establishing Temporal Records of Paleostrain and Inferred Paleostress in Plate Margin Arcs
Magmatic arcs undergo complex geologic processes through space and time. If we are to better understand how paleostrain and paleostress near plate margins vary in space and through time, it is important to improve our techniques for collecting such data and our ability to integrate datasets collected by different approaches. For this session we are seeking contributions from studies aimed at constraining paleostrain and inferred paleostress in magmatic arcs using any type of methods, especially conventional field mapping and other field techniques, AMS studies, studies of magmatic structures, fault solution methods, experimental studies, modeling and geochronology.
Conveners: Valbone Memeti, University of Southern California, 3651 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA, Tel: 213-821-2215, Fax: 213-740-8801, email: memeti@usc.edu, and Eric C. Ferre, Southern Illinois University, 1259 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL 62901 USA, Tel: 618-453-7368, Fax: 618-453-7393, email: eferre@geo.siu.edu, and Scott R. Paterson, University of Southern California, 3651 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA, Tel: 213-821-2215, Fax: 213-740-8801, email: paterson@earth.usc.edu, and Ryo Anma, University of Tsukuba, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science Ten-no dai 1-1-1 , Tuskuba, 305-8572 JPN, email: ranma@sakura.cc.tsukuba.ac.jp

T22 Plate Boundary Processes in the Nankai Trough Subduction Zone
The Nankai Trough has become an iconic subduction zone for the investigation of forearc tectonic processes and great subduction earthquakes. It is perhaps the most intensively-studied convergent plate boundary in the world. Recent work here ranges from the discovery of deep, non-volcanic tremor and VLF earthquakes, through detailed seismic tomography of subducting plate and forearc wedge structure, high resolution 3D seismic reflection surveys and, most recently, direct sampling through scientific drilling. This multi-disciplinary session will highlight the results of the just-completed first stage of IODP drilling in the NanTroSEIZE project, as well as recent 3D seismic reflection imaging, novel seismological observations, and geodetic studies. Contributions are welcomed on any topic related to the Nankai forearc and plate boundary processes, including accretionary wedge architecture, state of stress, fault zone structure, fluid-fault interaction, megathrust earthquakes, tsunamigenesis, and tremor and VLF seismic events.
Conveners: Harold J. Tobin, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics 1215 W. Dayton Street., Madison, WI 53706 USA, Tel: 608-265-5796, email: htobin@wisc.edu, and Masataka Kinoshita, JAMSTEC Institute for Frontier Research on Earth Evolution, 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, 237-0061 JPN, email: masa@jamstec.go.jp

T23 Retro-Plate Deformation at Retreating and Advancing Subduction Zones
Convergent plate boundaries are unusual in that the relative motion across the boundary zone is commonly resolved by more than one structure. The primary structure is the subduction zone, whereas the secondary structure can be a strike-slip fault, a rift zone, or a contractional fold-and-thrust belt. The later two cases are considered diagnostic of retreating and advancing subduction zones, respectively, given that the retro (overriding) plate is moving towards or away from the subduction zone. For this special session, we solicit contributions that will contribute to a broad discussion of why this partitioning phenomenon occurs. Related factors include slab rollback, secondary mantle flow and associated thermal and "suction" effects, magmatic weakening at the volcanic arc, etc. We encourage a broad range of contributions, including geodynamic modeling, seismic imaging, geodesy, geologic and petrologic studies, etc.
Conveners: Mark T. Brandon, Yale University, Kline Geology Laboratory 210 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520-8109 USA, Tel: 1-203-432-3135, email: mark.brandon@yale.edu, and Sean D. Willett, ETH Zürich, Geologisches Institut HAD G 12 Haldenbachstr. 44 , Zürich, 8092 CHE, Tel: +41 44 632 69 51, email: swillett@erdw.ethz.ch

T24 Recent Advances in Understanding the Gulf of California – Salton Trough Plate Boundary System: Along Strike and Through Time
The Gulf of California – Salton Trough is an active oblique-divergent plate boundary. Despite similar rates of relative plate motion along strike, major differences in rifting style have been expressed along the boundary and through time since 12 Ma. Many parameters and processes along the plate boundary may have affected rifting style, including strain partitioning, localization of strain, width of rift domains, and the role of magmatism, low-angle normal faults, and sediment flux in surface to upper mantle processes. The Colorado River has produced a large sediment flux since 5 Ma that dominates the north while the south is sediment-starved. The role of varying climate and tectonics is an emerging research theme as the boundary spans from temperate to tropical zones. The total offset across the plate boundary and its temporal development is controversial. How the northern part of the system in the Salton trough ties northward into the broader Pacific – North America boundary is also incompletely understood. This session welcomes contributions from recent research or novel ideas from any relevant research, terrestrial or marine, that contributes to understanding this plate boundary over the past 12 million years.
Conveners: Paul J. Umhoefer, Northern Arizona University, Department Geology Building 12, Knoles Drive, Room 100, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 USA, Tel: 928-523-6464, Fax: 928-523-9220, email: paul.umhoefer@nau.edu, and Michael Oskin, University of North Carolina, , , USA, email: oskin@email.unc.edu, and Rebecca Dorsey, University of Oregon, , , USA, email: rdorsey@uoregon.edu, and Joann Stock, California Institute of Technology, , , USA, email: jstock@gps.caltech.edu

T25 Is Water Being Recyled into the Deep Mantle? If So, How?
It is clear that, experimentally, large amounts of H2O can be dissolved as hydroxyl into nominally anhydrous olivine and its high-pressure polymorphs and even more can be incorporated into the Dense Hydrous Magnesium Silicates (DHMS). There is therefore a possibility of cycling large amounts of H2O into the deep mantle, to depths of the transition zone or below. This session will examine the evidence for and against such recycling in Earth and the possible mechanisms by which the H2O is (or is not) being transported from the surface. Experimental and observational contributions from diverse disciplines (including but not limited to mineral/rock physics, seismology, tectonics, petrology) are welcomed but in all cases it is requested that participants address verifiable evidence and testable hypotheses under realistic conditions in Earth.
Conveners: Harry W. Green, University of California, Department of Earth Sciences 900 Uni-versity Ave., Riverside, CA 92521 USA, Tel: 9512124328, email: harry.green@ucr.edu, and Joseph R. Smyth, University of Colorado, Department of Geological Sciences, Boulder, CO 80302 USA, Tel: 3034925521, email: smyth@colorado.edu, and Wang-Ping Chen, University of Illinois, Department of Geology, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801 USA, Tel: 2173332744, email: wpchen@uiuc.edu

T26 Microplate Geodynamics
Microplates form and evolve at convergent, transform, and divergent boundaries between large lithospheric plates. These fault-bounded lithospheric fragments preserve complex geologic and tectonic histories as they evolve over relatively short spatial and temporal timescales, and rotate relative to neighboring (micro)plates. Their evolution has important implications for the recycling and exchange of material between crust and mantle, terrane accretion, as well as the exhumation of high and ultrahigh-pressure rocks. We invite contributions from the fields of geodynamics, geophysics, geodesy, geology, geochemistry etc. that seek to understand how microplates evolve in space and time, including active, ancient or analog examples. Contributions that highlight interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the four dimensional evolution of microplates, including their formation, growth and destruction, are especially encouraged.
Conveners: Laura E. Webb, University of Vermont, 180 Colchester Ave Department of Geology 180 Colchester Ave , Burlington, VT 05405 USA, Tel: 315-443-4917 (Syr Univ), email: lewebb@syr.edu, and Suzanne L. Baldwin, Syracuse University, Department of Earth Sciences 204 Heroy Geology Laboratory , Syracuse, NY 13244 USA, Tel: 315-443-4920, email: sbaldwin@syr.edu

T27 The Formation and Thermal Evolution of Orogens: Constraints From Geochronology, Thermochronology and Modeling
Geochronology and thermochronology are routinely applied to constrain the timing, patterns and rates of geologic processes in orogenic systems. As convergent or obliquely-convergent orogens initiate and evolve they are continually being shaped by geologic processes such as faulting, folding, metamorphism, and erosion. Many of the geologic processes involved in building these orogens, such as thrust faulting, do not directly cool rocks or lead to the crystallization of new minerals. Thus, the application of thermochronologic and/or geochronologic techniques, and the interpretation of thermochronologic data to understand orogenic systems may not be straightforward. While some of the geologic processes in extensional orogens directly exhume and cool rocks making the interpretation of this data relatively straightforward, new and emerging geo/thermochronologic applications, as well as integrated thermal modeling, places greater constraints on the timing and rates of erosion, tectonic exhumation and geological processes. This interdisciplinary session will focus on all aspects of using geo- and thermochronologic techniques to understand the formation and thermal evolution of orogenic systems. In particular we invite contributions using new and/or established methods for applying, modeling, and understanding thermochronologic and/or geochronologic data, numerical models for the thermal evolution of orogens, direct dating of brittle and/or ductile deformational structures and fabrics, as well as regional studies that address the temporal and tectonic evolution of specific orogens.
Conveners: James R. Metcalf, Syracuse University, 204 Heroy Geology Building, Syracuse, NY 13244 USA, Tel: 315-443-4980, email: jrmetcal@syr.edu, and Paul G. Fitzgerald, Syracuse University, 204 Heroy Geology Building, Syracuse, NY 13244 USA, Tel: 315-443-2619, email: pgfitzge@syr.edu

T28 Characterizing Recent Deformation Across Active Faults
A wide variety of geologic and geophysical methods are being used to identify and characterize Holocene deformation across active faults. Studies often integrate several techniques such as seismic and radar imaging, InSAR, paleoseismic trenching, and Lidar methods to constrain subsurface fault geometries with surface observations and models. We encourage submissions that utilize new geological and geophysical methods or data, or that make use of complementary data sets, to discern the past history of earthquakes on active faults and assess the implications for hazard assessments.
Conveners: Thomas Pratt, U. S. Geological Survey, School of Oceanography, Univ. of WA 1503 Boat Street, Seattle, WA 98195 USA, Tel: 206-543-7358, email: tpratt@ocean.washington.edu, and Lee Liberty, Boise State University, Department of Geosciences 1910 University Drive Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725 USA, Tel: 208-426-1166, email: lml@cgiss.boisestate.edu

T29 Understanding Strike-Slip Fault Systems
Strike-slip fault systems can record hundreds of kilometers of displacement, though a single structure rarely accommodates the entire deformation. Thorough evaluation of the geometry and evolution of these complex systems requires integrating a wide range of datasets and methods. We welcome submissions applying geology, geophysics, geodesy, and modeling to the study of strike-slip fault and shear zone systems. Topics may include but are not limited to: the proportion of tectonic displacement accommodated by off-fault deformation, the seismic expression of both active and ancient strike-slip systems, variations in damage zone structure across fault systems, the importance of vertical displacement, and migration of the active fault trace through material over time.
Conveners: Eric Horsman, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd, MS 973 , Menlo Park, CA 94025 USA, email: ehorsman@usgs.gov, and Sarah Titus, Carleton College, One North College St. , Northfield, MN 55057 USA, email: stitus@carleton.edu

T30 Results from the Taiwan Integrated Geodynamics Research (TAIGER) Project and Models of Subduction to Collision
Taiwan is one of the youngest (~5 my or perhaps only 1 my) and most active (strain rate ~3x10-6/yr and very high seismicity) collisions of the world. The collision and resulting orogeny is often explained in terms of existing paradigms of thin-skin or thick-skin tectonics. The TAIGER (Taiwan Integrated Geodynamics Research) project was launched in 2004 in order to acquire critical data for testing existing and exploring new geodynamic models of subduction and collision in Taiwan. There are six main tasks associated with TAIGER: land-based passive seismology, land-based active source seismics, marine passive seismology (BBOBS), marine-land active seismics, magnetotelluric sounding, and laboratory investigations of anisotropic properties of the metamorphic rocks in Taiwan. The OBS deployment is in progress and the sea-land seismic project is planned for spring 2009, but the other experiments have been completed. The analysis and interpretation of the data from the completed experiments is in progress. In addition to data collection and analysis, computational geodynamic modeling is being conducted within TAIGER. The main theme for this Special Session is to present the early results of TAIGER and discuss how this data relates to models of Taiwan. We welcome contributions from scientists working on Taiwan tectonics based on non-TAIGER data. We also encourage submissions from researchers working on non-Taiwan specific subduction-to-collision tectonics and geodynamics, and how their models might be applicable to Taiwan or tested using the new TAIGER data.
Conveners: Francis T. Wu, SUNY Binghamton, Department of Geol. Sci. Vestal Pkwy E, Binghamton, NY 13902 USA, Tel: 607-777-2512, email: wu@binghamton.edu, and David A. Okaya, USC, 133 South Science Bldg University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0704 USA, Tel: 213-740-7452, email: okaya@usc.edu, and Bor-Shouh Huang, Inst. of Earth Sciences, Academia Sinica, , , TWN, email: hwbs@earth.sinica.edu.tw, and Chien-Ying Wang, Dept. of Earth Science, National Central Univ., , , TWN, email: wangcy@cc.ncu.edu.tw

T31 Global Tectonics and the Paleocene ~62 Myr (~mid Danian) Plate Reorganization: Observed Signatures and Models
Spreading in the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans commenced ~56 Myr ago. This appears to have been preceded in mid-Danian time (~62 Myr, about one third into nannoplankton zone NP4) by a sudden left-lateral rupture in the (present) North Atlantic-Arctic ocean domains. This event is not resolved by plate kinematic reconstructions but its stress effects were felt in the adjacent European continental plate, where simultaneous plate-wide flexural stress relaxations occurred, and perhaps elsewhere by structural, magmatic and/or sedimentological signatures. For example, structural and magmatic evidence, including basin initiation on Svalbard and at the Lena Delta on the Siberian margin, also point to the occurrence of Paleocene left-lateral rupture. The timing of this event is important because it is also taken to mark the arrival of a thermal mantle plume (Iceland plume) at the base of the North Atlantic lithosphere. Several rift basins were also initiated in the Paleocene along the East China margin, suggesting that the North Atlantic-Arctic “rupture” may have been part of a global plate tectonic event that predated, and facilitated, the onset of ocean spreading in the North Atlantic and the Arctic oceans. In order to explore the global anatomy of this event, this session seeks contributions documenting observations from continents and oceans world-wide regarding tectonic events of mid-Paleocene age and testing whether these can be related to sudden changes in lithospheric in-plane stress at this time. We encourage diverse, intradisciplinary contributions including, but not limited to, structural geology with high-resolution biostratigraphic dating, accurate dating of changing in oceanic spreading systems, and numerical or analogue modeling of cause and effect.
Conveners: Randell Stephenson, VU University Amsterdam, , , NLD, email: randell.stephenson@falw.vu.nl, and S. B. Nielsen, University of Aarhus, Department of Earth Science University of Aarhus Hegh-Guldbergs gade 2 , Aarhus, DK-8000 DNK, email: sbn@geo.au.dk

T32 Active and Reactivated Faults and Thrusts, Neo-Tectonic Feedback and Related Climate Change: Implications for Landscape Development in Young Orogens
Many techniques and data such as geomorphic, structural, thermochronologic, cosmogenic, and climatic have been used to support and refute the concept of dynamic coupling between climate and tectonics. Theoretical and numerical simulation studies strongly suggest that such feedbacks between erosion and rock deformation are inevitable. Reactivation of thrust faulting and its co-location within peak precipitation rates hints at a tectonic response to climate-driven erosion patterns, which is consistent with geodynamic models. This appears to reactivate the older thrusts and initiate new faults in a broad zone between the new and old structures, producing some physiographic transitions. These differences combined with different scales of observation may explain contradictory interpretations of the coupling between climate and tectonics. In the Alps, Himalayas and other mountainous orogens, active and reactivated thrusts are related to high exhumation and consequent uplift leading to increased precipitation, which causes high erosion rates and bedrock river incision due to high river discharge. Such regions of faults/ thrusts across peninsular and mountainous regions become more active where large rivers incise the orogen. To study the above issues in detail, we solicit contributions in this session on multidisciplinary approaches for identification of active and reactive faults using remote sensing techniques, TL dating, tectonic studies coupled with orography, climate vs. river incision relationships, present uplift, incision and erosion rates. The present rates of fault motion, basal heat flux, radiogenic heat production, thermal conductivity, magnitude of shear heating and fault geometry could also be important inputs in understanding the above feedbacks. We invite papers on the above issues along with studies on active seismic and reactivated faults and thrusts, their identification using neo-tectonics and new morphometric analysis techniques, tectonic geomorphology studies, DEM based fault identification, remote sensing techniques and TL dating, along with their relationship to climate and precipitation studies such as orography and consequent rates of fluvial erosion and changing climatic conditions in young orogens.
Conveners: Chandra Shekhar Dubey, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies, Delhi University , INDIA, Department of geology Centre for Advanced Studies University of Delhi Delhi 110007 INDIA, Delhi, 110007 IND, Tel: +91-11-27666091, Fax: +91-11-27666295, email: csdubey55@gmail.com, and Anand Mohan Bhola, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies, Delhi University , INDIA, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies, Delhi University , INDIA, Delhi, 110007 IND, Tel: +91-11-27667073, Fax: +91-11-27666295, email: hodgeoldu@gmail.com, and S. K. Tandon, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies, Delhi University , INDIA, Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies, Delhi University , INDIA, Delhi, 110007 IND, Tel: +91-11-27667073, Fax: +91-11-27666295, email: sktand@nda.vsnl.net.in

T33 Terrestrial Heat Flux and Geoneutrinos
Estimates of Earth’s surface heat flux range from 30 TW, based on observed heat flow, to 44 TW using heat conduction models based on assumptions of oceanic lithosphere thickness and basal temperature. A combination of several sources including: radiogenic heating, processes of mantle and core formation and differentiation, delayed radiogenic heating, earthquakes, and tidal friction account for the surface heat flux. The single largest component is estimated to be 28 TW due to radiogenic heating from U, Th, and K based on the BSE model. The distribution of heat producing elements (HPE) throughout the crust, mantle and core is poorly understood, and estimates of non-radiogenic sources, particularly heat flow in ocean basins, have become controversial. The range of heat flux estimates and the BSE model for HPE have led some to suggest that there is either a good match between heat flow and heat production or there is deficit or excess of heat flow. This session is intended to bring together physicists, geochemists and geophysicists to address the distribution of HPE, methods for assessing the distribution of HPE such as geoneutrino detection, and issues relating to surface heat flux. We invite contributions from any field bearing these questions.
Conveners: Will Gosnold, University of North Dakota, 81 Cornell, Stop 8358, Grand Forks, ND 58202 USA, Tel: 701-777-2631, email: willgosnold@mail.und.edu, and Ila Pillalamarri, MIT, NW13-263 Dept. of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, Tel: 617-253-3387, email: pila@mit.edu

T34 Exhumation of High and Ultrahigh-Pressure Rocks: The Cross-Disciplinary View
High- and ultra-high pressure (U)HP terranes are a ubiquitous feature of Phanerozoic orogenic belts, suggesting that the mechanisms responsible for their formation and subsequent exhumation are part of the normal plate tectonic cycle and do not require special tectonic settings. No longer considered just a metamorphic anomaly, these terranes yield vital insights into crustal recycling, geochemical evolution of the crust and mantle, and convergent plate boundary processes. However, the physical and chemical consequences of returning large volumes of (buoyant) crust from the mantle, followed by incorporation back into the crust, remain poorly understood. Recent improvements in techniques such as high-precision geochronology, petrological modeling and numerical methods, as well as traditional structural analysis, are beginning to yield exciting new perspectives on this unsolved mystery of (U)HP tectonics. This session aims to provide a collaborative forum for research into the mechanisms by which continental and oceanic HP and UHP terranes are detached and exhumed, with emphasis on how these processes can be substantiated by the rock record. Contributions are sought from the broadest possible range of geoscience disciplines, from the latest generation of numerical and analogue models, through modern advances in geochronology and geochemistry, to the newest structural syntheses, geophysical datasets, geomorphological correlations and petrological research. Exhumation processes profoundly affect the evolution of collisional orogens, and by integrating predictions from laboratory studies with data from field investigations, we hope to collectively address outstanding questions and identify innovative avenues for future inquiry.
Conveners: Clare Warren, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The Open University, , Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA GBR, Tel: +44 (0)1908 654676, email: c.warren@open.ac.uk, and David Young, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA, Tel: 210 458 6690, email: david.young@utsa.edu, and Emily Peterman, Department of Earth Science, University of California at Santa Barbara, Webb Hall, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA, Tel: 805 893 7999, email: epeterman@umail.ucsb.edu

Tectonophysics also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
V03 Large Igneous Province Development and Environmental Impacts
OS11 Identifying Global Tsunami Vulnerabilities: Focus on the Atlantic Coasts
B11 Developing Integrated Models for Mid-ocean Ridge Processes at the Ridge 2000 East Pacific Rise Integrated Study Site
DI02 Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Dynamics - Observations and Modeling
DI10 Multi-Disciplinary Insights Into the Earth’s Transition Zone
ED19 Solid Earth Geovisualizations
G17 Understanding Geosphere and Cryosphere Processes Using Spaceborne Measurements of Deformation, Altimetry, and Topography
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
GC06 Deccan Volcanism, Chixculub Impact, Global Environmental Change, the KTB and Other Mass Extinctions
S14 USArray: Transportable Array and Flexible Array Observations in the Western US
V02 Innovations in Isotope Mass Spectrometry and Isotope Metrology in Geochemistry
GP14 Paleomagnetism Applied to Tectonics
GP02 Mapping the Internal Architecture of Igneous Systems: Applications of Geophysical and Structural Techniques
IN09 EarthScope and CyberInfrastructure
DI04 Technical Advances in Geodynamical Modeling
S10 Earthquake Simulators -Ready for Primetime?!
V05 Recent Advances in Lithium Isotope Geochemistry
V20 Subduction Zone Metamorphism: Fluid-Rock Interaction in Time and Space
V25 New Insights on the Formation and Evolution of Fast-Spreading Ocean Crust from IODP Site 1256, Pito and Hess Deeps, and Active Ridges
G20 Coseismic and Postseismic Deformation From the M8.0 Sichuan, China Earthquake
DI07 The Future of Imaging and Interpretation of Earth’s Internal Structure
DI11 Interdisciplinary Implications of Recent Deep Earth Discoveries: From Mineral Physics to Seismology and Geodynamics
V07 Abyssal Mantle: Origin and Surface Exposure Processes of Ultramafic Rocks
DI08 Chemical Heterogeneities in the Earth’s Mantle: Their Roles in the Early Earth Differentiation, Mantle Dynamics and Geochemistry
S15 Seismological Investigations of the 2008/05/12 Ms8.0 Wenchuan Earthquake
S12 Search for Large Earthquake Precursors from Space and Ground Observations
S18 The 2008 M 6.0 Wells, Nevada Earthquake
DI12 Linking Earth’s Deep Interior to the Surface: Earth Evolution
DI13 Linking Earth's Deep Interior to the Surface: The Present Mantle
MR09 Melt and Melt Properties Under Pressure
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
MR10 New Views on Discontinuities, Composition and Temperature of the Mantle
MR03 Composition and Evolution of Iron-Rich Cores in the Earth and Other Planets
V16 Oceanic Spreading Centers and Volcanic Rift Systems: Tracking Fluxes and the Interplay Between Processes from Mantle to Microbe
V38 Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes 4: Crystal-scale Records of Magma Dynamics
V22 Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes 2: Contrasting Views of the Origin of Large Volume Silicic Magma Chambers and Granitic Batholiths
V04 The Influence of Geologic Processes in the Lower Continental Crust and Upper Mantle on Crustal Formation and Mantle Geochemistry From Field, Petrological, Geochemical, and Geophysical Perspectives
S02 The M7.1 Messina, Italy, Earthquake and Tsunami of 28 December 1908: 100 Years of Research on an Important Destructive Earthquake
S04 Mechanics of Slow and Fast Slip in Active Faults
S09 Dynamic Rupturing of Earthquake at Various Scales
V08 Early Earth Evolution: Geodynamics, Geochemistry, Geobiology
V06 Subduction Zones: Geochemical Processes and Geophysical Constraints
V09 Thirty Years of Mantle Recycling
S06 Monitoring Temporal Changes of Earth's Properties with Seismic Waves
DI09 Models of the Mantle: Reconciling Mineral Physics, Geodynamics, Geochemistry and Seismology
V21 Frontier of UltraHigh-Pressure Metamorphism and Deep Subduction: From Atomic Scales to Mountain Building
V28 New Scientific Insights From Mining Geochemical and Geophysical Databases
V42 Geochemical Heterogeneities in OIB and MORB Sources: Implications for Melting Processes and Mantle Dynamics
V29 Quantifying Surface Processes Using Noble Gases
V10 Geological Fluid Dynamics
S16 Crust and Upper Mantle Structural Models Beneath the Central US
MR08 Spin Crossover Transitions in the Mantle
V40 International Polar Year: Antarctica Geological and Geophysical Research
S13 Investigation and Public Awareness of Earthquake Hazard in Northern California
V39 Arc Crustal Cross-Sections: Studies in the 4-d Evolution of Arcs
DI06 The Ins and Outs of the Earth’s Core
PA02 Increasing the Societal Impact of Geophysics

Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology

V01 Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology: General Contributions
This session provides the opportunity for contributions that fall within the broad spectrum of Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology.
Conveners: Paul Wallace, University of Oregon, , , USA, email: pwallace@uoregon.edu, and Janne Blichert-Toft, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, , , USA, email: jblicher@ens-lyon.fr, and Julie O’Leary, Carnegie Institution of Washington, , , USA, Tel: +1-626-221-5964, email: oleary@dtm.ciw.edu

V02 Innovations in Isotope Mass Spectrometry and Isotope Metrology in Geochemistry
Isotope mass spectrometry and Isotope Metrology are essential to geochemical research, and recent advances in technologies and methodologies have spawned new applications. We invite contributions that emphasize new developments in isotope mass spectrometry, including advances in instrumentation, establishment of isotope reference materials, techniques for high-precision ratio determinations, and methods for measuring radiogenic, cosmogenic, and stable isotopes. Additional ancillary topics may include calibration measurements, statistical evaluation, uncertainty budget, precision and accuracy, traceability, RMs and SRMs, results from interlaboratory comparisons.
Conveners: Stephan Richter, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, Geel, 2440 BEL, Tel: +32-14-571-701,-652, Fax: +32-14-571-863, email: stephan.richter@ec.europa.eu, and Jacqueline L. Mann, National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), Analytical Chemistry Division 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 USA, Tel: 301-975-4472, Fax: 301-869-0413, email: jmann@nist.gov, and Chuan-Chou (River) Shen, Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University (NTU), No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei, 10617 TWN, Tel: 886-2-3366-5878, Fax: 886-2-3365-1917, email: river@ntu.edu.tw, and Lars Borg, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Chemistry Sciences Division 7000 East Avenue L-231 , Livermore, CA 94550 USA, Tel: (925) 424-5722, email: borg5@llnl.gov

V03 Large Igneous Province Development and Environmental Impacts
Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) - oceanic plateaus, volcanic divergent margins, and continental flood basalts - represent the most voluminous igneous events on our planet. Almost 1% of the Earth may have been covered with volcanism in Early Cretaceous time by the “Greater Ontong Java LIP Event”, which may have also included the Manihiki and Hikurangi oceanic plateaus. The formation of large igneous provinces has fundamental implications for the transfer of mass and energy from the interior of the Earth to its surface and for the growth and breakup of continents. LIPs may also have contributed to global environmental change (such as ocean anoxic events) and biotic adaptations/evolution. Despite considerable research conducted on LIPs, many open questions remain. Issues of particular interest that this special session on LIPs will address include (but are not restricted to): 1) Over what age ranges do LIPs form? Are these short events lasting a few millions of years or rather events encompassing tens of millions of years? Is there a main LIP phase lasting a few million years followed by tens of millions of years of low-level late-stage volcanism? 2) Are LIPs chemically homo- or heterogeneous? Do ranges in LIP composition typically correlate with that of ocean island basalts (OIBs)? Can there be multiple stages of LIP activity, for example a major tholeiitic event followed by a lower-volume, but longer-lasting alkalic event, for example on oceanic plateaus? 3) Under what paleo-environmental conditions did LIPs form? Did portions of oceanic LIPs form subaerially or completely submarine, and if so, at what water depths? 4) What are the links between LIP events and environmental changes? For example, did oceanic LIPs trigger anoxic events, marine biotic extinctions and speciations, oceanic acidification or other major changes in the composition of marine nutrients or isotopic composition of seawater? 5) What is the origin of LIPs? Endogenous lower and/or upper mantle upwelling (e.g., plume heads), exogenous mantle upwelling (e.g., bolide impacts), etc.? 6) Is there a relationship between LIP formation and continental break-up? Are oceanic plateaus inherently unstable and doomed to break-up? 7) What are the uplift and subsidence histories of oceanic plateaus and volcanic margins? 8) Did the Ontong Java, Manihiki and Hikurangi Plateaus form as a single or as multiple events? 9) Are the Paleozoic oceanic LIP fragments preserved in the circum-Pacific subduction-accretion complexes similar to or different from Jurassic and later LIPs in the present ocean? We encourage contributions from a wide array of disciplines including geophysics (geodynamics, tomography, seismology, paleomagnetics, remote sensing), paleoclimatology, paleoceanography, environmental modeling, micropaleontology, physical volcanology, planetary geology, tectonics, geochemistry (high- and low-temperature, geochronology, biogeochemistry), and petrology. Reports of future plans and strategies for LIP research are also highly encouraged.
Conveners: Kaj Alexander Hoernle, IFM-GEOMAR Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences, Wischhofstr. 1-3, Kiel, 24148 DEU, Tel: +494316002642, email: khoernle@ifm-geomar.de, and Millard F. Coffin, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus European Way , Southampton, SO14 3ZH GBR, Tel: +442380599346, email: m.coffin@noc.soton.ac.uk, and Elisabetta Erba, University of Milano, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "Ardito Desio" Via Mangiagalli 34 , Milano, 20133 ITA, Tel: +390250315530, email: elisabetta.erba@unimi.it, and Akira Ishiwatari, Tohoku Univ., , Kawauchi, JPN, Tel: +81-22-795-3614, email: geoishw@cneas.tohoku.ac.jp

V04 The Influence of Geologic Processes in the Lower Continental Crust and Upper Mantle on Crustal Formation and Mantle Geochemistry From Field, Petrological, Geochemical, and Geophysical Perspectives
Processes in the lower continental crust and the upper mantle are crucial in the formation of continental crust and the development of mantle heterogeneity over geologic time. Specifically, high pressure fractional crystallization, partial melting, and foundering of high density cumulates/restites have the potential to strongly modify the lower continental crust. However, our detailed knowledge of these processes is extremely limited and the lower crust/upper mantle remains the “black box” of crust formation. This session aims to bring together specialists to provide field, petrological, geophysical, geodynamical and geochemical constraints on the evolution of the crust and mantle through time. We encourage contributions from a variety of observational and theoretical studies which will help to shed new light on these problems.
Conveners: Oliver Jagoutz, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave. , Cambridge,, MA 02139-4307 USA, email: jagoutz@mit.edu, and Othmar Müntener, University of Lausanne, , , CHE, email: Othmar.Muntener@unil.ch, and Mark Behn, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, , , USA, email: mbehn@whoi.edu

V05 Recent Advances in Lithium Isotope Geochemistry
There has been much effort expended over the past twenty years in the development of precise and accurate measurements of lithium isotopes in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial materials. As a consequence, our understanding of lithium isotope systematics has been greatly improved and gives rise to important new perspectives on a range of natural processes. It is now known that lithium isotopes can be significantly fractionated not only at low-temperatures, by fluid-rock interactions but also during high-temperature processes, associated with the anomalously high rate of lithium diffusion. Nonetheless, compared with other stable isotope systematics, many fundamental problems concerning Li isotopes are still not resolved. For example, the behavior of lithium isotopes during prograde metamorphism is debated; the lithium isotopic dataset on extraterrestrial materials is still very limited; experimentally calibrated equilibrium lithium isotope fractionation factors are rare; lithium diffusivity and the scale of lithium isotope fractionation by diffusion in solid phases are still not well-known. The promising application of Li isotopes to exploring large scale problems, such as tracking changes in continental weathering rates and the return of crustal material to the mantle are limited by some of these uncertainties. In this session, we welcome contributions that deal with lithium isotopes using analytical, experimental or theoretical approaches to address different processes including but not limited to low-temperature fluid-rock interactions, high-temperature diffusion, metamorphism of terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials, and continental and oceanic magmatism.
Conveners: Fang-Zhen Teng, Department of Geosciences & Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, University of Arkansas, Ozark Hall 113, Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA, Tel: 479-575-4524, Fax: 479-575-3469, email: fteng@uark.edu, and Tim Elliott, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen’s Road, , BS8 1RJ GBR, Tel: +44 (0) 117-954-5426, Fax: +44 (0) 117-925-3385, email: tim.elliott@bristol.ac.uk, and Barbara L. Dutrow, Department of Geology & Geophysics, Louisiana State University, , Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA, Tel: 225-578-2525, Fax: 225-578-2302, email: dutrow@lsu.edu, and Joris M. Gieskes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA, Tel: (858)534-4257, Fax: (858)534-2997, email: jgieskes@ucsd.edu

V06 Subduction Zones: Geochemical Processes and Geophysical Constraints
Subduction zones are one of the most geologically dynamic and scientifically exciting areas of the earth because they are the place where old crust is destroyed and new crustal material is created. They also are responsible for most of the volcanoes and produce most of the largest earthquakes and tsunamis. This session aims at evaluating the geochemical processes and budgets of subduction zones and the associated petrological processes. We welcome contributions focused on (a) the chemical and isotopic budget of the subducted material (the input sediments and crust), (b) the composition of the volcanic arcs, back-arcs and fore-arc basins and their origins, (c) the effects of the presence of volatiles on the melting conditions in the mantle wedge, (d) the seismic and other geophysical characteristics of the materials of the mantle wedge that constrain compositions and processes, and establish mass transfer estimations and (e) physical and numerical modeling of mass transfer in subduction channels and mantle wedge. Integration of these different approaches should help our community to decipher the complex processes occurring in key areas of our planet and by consequence to better understand long-term contribution of subduction processes to its evolution.
Conveners: Catherine Chauvel, Grenoble University, LGCA BP53, Grenoble, F-38041 FRA, email: catherine.chauvel@ujf-grenoble.fr, and Bruno Reynard, ENS Lyon, 46 Allée d''''Italie, Lyon, F-69364 FRA, email: bruno.reynard@ens-lyon.fr, and Roy D. Hyndman, Pacific Geoscience Centre, Geological Survey of Canada, CGC Pacifique, Centre géoscientifique du Pacifique 9860 W. Saanich Rd., Sidney, BC V8L 4B2 CAN, email: rhyndman@nrcan.gc.ca

V07 Abyssal Mantle: Origin and Surface Exposure Processes of Ultramafic Rocks
This session will focus on (1) the origin and evolution of the abyssal mantle based on major elements, trace elements, and isotopes; (2) the processes by which abyssal mantle is exposed at amagmatic spreading ridges; and (3) the tectonic evolution of megamullions and associated processes of serpentinization.
Conveners: Akihisa Motoki, Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Rio de Janeiro State University, DMPI/FGEL/CTC/UERJ, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, Bloco A, Sala 4023, Maracanã., Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20550-990 BRA, Tel: (55)-21-2587-7102, Fax: (55)-21-2629-5931, email: akmotoki@gmail.com, and Susanna Eleonora Sichel, Department of Geology, Federal Fluminense University, Departamento de Geologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense. Av. General Milton Tavares de Souza, SN., Gragoatá, Niterói, RJ 24210-346 BRA, Tel: (55)-21-2629-5920, Fax: (55)-21-2629-5931, email: akmotoki@gmail.com

V08 Early Earth Evolution: Geodynamics, Geochemistry, Geobiology
The aim of the session is to assemble information from three different but connected disciplines that help us understand how the Earth operated through the Hadean and Archean. Input from mineral physicists and dynamic modellers provides a picture of how the early magma ocean crystallized and how the newly solidified Earth started to convect. Contributions from petrologists and geochemists provide constraints on how the mantle melted and evolved, and on the composition and nature of the earliest oceanic and continental crust; predictions that can be tested using geochemical data from the oldest minerals and rocks. Finally, inferences about the compositions of the crust, the oceans and the atmosphere, constrained by data from the oldest submarine volcanic and sedimentary rocks, provide the sole direct means to constrain the habitat(s) for early life on Earth.
Conveners: Nicholas Arndt, University of Grenoble, 1381 rue de la Piscine, St Martin d'Heres, 38400 FRA, Tel: 33 4 76048116, email: arndt@ujf-grenoble.fr, and Stephane Labrosse, ENS Lyon, , , FRA, email: stephane.labrosse@ens-lyon.fr, and Stephen Mojzsis, University of Colorado, , , USA, email: Stephen.Mojzsis@Colorado.EDU

V09 Thirty Years of Mantle Recycling
Thirty years ago, the new idea that surface material is recycled into the mantle signaled the coming of age of mantle dynamics. The concept is that all the components of the oceanic lithosphere--sediments, basalts, gabbros, and residual peridotite--are continually injected into the mantle at subduction zones and profoundly modify its chemistry, temperature, and rheology. this concept, as pioneered by William White, has proved to be one of the most fecund in Solid Earth sciences. Recycling of lithosphere affects continental growth, plume instabilities, and basalt genesis. Recycling of water is critical to the convective regime of our planet, to the generation of magmas, and to the fate of surface volatile reservoirs. Beyond the specific processes taking place at subduction zones, across the transition zone, and in the sources of magmas, this session will be dedicated to the dynamic impact of deep geochemical cycles and their mineralogical and seismological signatures. It will also address the effect of recycling of surface material on the long-term evolution of the Earth's interior in comparison to that of other planets. We invite contributions from isotope geochemistry, experimental petrology, seismology, mineral physics and geodynamics.
Conveners: Francis Albarede, Ecole Normale Supérieure, 46 allee d''Italie, Lyon, N/A 69007 FRA, Tel: +334 72728414, email: albarede@ens-lyon.fr, and Albrecht W. Hofmann, Max-Planck Institute, , Mainz, N/A 55020 DEU, Tel: +49 6131 305 280, email: ahofmann@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Terry Plank, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, , Palisades, NY 10964 USA, email: tplank@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Jeffrey D. Vervoort, Washington State University, , Pullman, WA 99164 USA, email: vervoort@wsu.edu

V10 Geological Fluid Dynamics
In this forum we will discuss recent advances in the fluid dynamics of compressible flows, turbulent flows, plastic flows, multiphase flows, and granular flows with a bearing on geological phenomena such as the rise and expansion of volcanic plumes; the formation and evolution of lava domes, channels and tubes; the propagation of landslides and avalanches; and the scouring of granular and rocky beds.
Conveners: Gustavo Gioia, University of Illinois, , Urbana, IL 61801 USA, email: ggioia@uiuc.edu, and Pinaki Chakraborty, University of Illinois, , , USA, email: chakrabo@uiuc.edu, and Susan Kieffer, University of Illinois, , , USA, email: s1kieffer@gmail.com

V11 Volcano Imaging Experiments at Montserrat and Other Arc Volcanoes
Since 1995 the eruption of the andesitic Soufrière Hills volcano (SHV), Montserrat, has been studied in unprecedented detail and the volcano has become an important natural laboratory for investigations of volcanic processes. Deep processes exert important controls on this eruption, but the structure of the island arc crust and upper mantle, and the magmatic system, are inadequately defined. The SEA CALIPSO project, implemented in 2008, was therefore devised to image the lithosphere and magma chamber at SHV using tomography and reflection seismology. Thus, geophysical investigations of arc volcanoes (e.g., Montserrat, Deception, Mount St Helens, Unzen) in the last few years have led to new information on the physical structure of the crust and upper mantle under and adjacent to the volcanoes, and on their magma storage and transport systems. Such investigations have been supplemented by studies of seismology, GPS and strain deformation, gravity, petrology, mineralogy, erupted lava budgets, and observational volcanology. These data are useful to develop models of volcanic processes, arc volcanism, arc crust evolution by igneous processes, and andesite magma genesis. We invite papers on geophysical studies of arc islands, and related sea or land investigations, including land and/or sea operations, active source tomography, Q and reflected ray tomography, passive source tomography, reflection profiling, magma generation and storage in arc settings, OBS data and modeling, streamer profiling of structure and stratigraphy of volcanic wedges in sea-floor sediments, implications of GPS and strain data on magma storage/transport systems, pluton xenoliths in relation to observed seismic velocities, petrology studies bearing on magma storage, focal mechanisms from dense seismic arrays.
Conveners: Barry Voight, Penn State Univ, Deike Bldg, Univ Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 814 238 4431, Fax: 814 863 7823, email: voight@ems.psu.edu, and Stephen Sparks, Univ Bristol, Geosciences, Bristol, BS8 1RJ GBR, Tel: xx, email: Steve.Sparks@bristol.ac.uk, and Dannie Hidayat, Penn State U, Deike Bldg, Univ Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 814 235 0766, email: hidayat@geosc.psu.edu, and Eylon Shalev, Univ Aukland, , Aukland, NZL, email: e.shalev@auckland.ac.nz

V12 Nature and Role of Colloids and Nanoparticles in the Environment
With recent progress in sampling and nanoparticle characterization techniques, the traditional, operationally-defined limit of “dissolved“ fraction (<0.2µm) in natural waters has moved progressively to lower size fractions. Nanoparticles and colloids which are often defined as having at least one dimension of less than 100 nm, must be taken into account for accurate predictive modeling of the speciation of mineral and organic compounds. Molecular-scale processes and properties that control element transfer, the rates of geochemical processes such as weathering and element transport in soils and rivers, and the chemical reactivity of solids and organic matter are intimately related to their atomic-level structures. There is growing evidence that the structure-property relationships of nanoparticles can be significantly different than larger particles of the same material. Surface interactions in particular exert a disproportionate influence on the chemical properties and movement of natural nanogeomaterials. These surface effects also play an important role in the transport and bioavailability of metallic and organic contaminants. This symposium will deal with field, experimental, and modeling data showing how the presence of natural colloids and nanoparticles affect the rates of weathering, erosion, and elemental transport at Earth's surface. The following topics will be covered: * Nanoparticle formation in natural environments * Nanoparticle/colloid structure, aggregation, solubility, and transport properties * Size effects on structure and properties (both thermodynamic and kinetic) * Redox and photochemical transformations of nanoparticles * Metal speciation and trapping mechanisms by nanoparticles * Source tracing, retardation of contaminant migration * Bacteria - nanoparticle interactions . Convener information Thierry Allard IMPMC 140 rue de Lourmel 75015 Paris France Tel : 33 1 44 27 75 04 Fax: 33 1 44 27 37 85 Email : thierry.allard@impmc.jussieu.fr Gordon E. Brown, Jr. Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University Stanford, CA 94305-2115 USA Tel: 650-723-9168 Fax: 650-725-2199 Email: gordon.brown@stanford.ed
Conveners: Thierry Allard, IMPMC, 140 rue de Lourmel, Paris, 75015 FRA, Tel: 33 1 44 27 75 04, Fax: 33 1 44 27 37 85, email: thierry.allard@impmc.jussieu.fr, and Gordon E. Brown, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Stanford university, stanford, CA 94305-2115 USA, Tel: 650-723-9168, Fax: 650-725-2199, email: gordon.brown@stanford.edu

V13 The Rest of the Story: Mount St. Helens 2004-2008
The end of the most recent eruption of Mount St. Helens in January, 2008 offers the opportunity to present time-series research covering the entire eruption. This session invites papers that build on the chapters in the upcoming USGS Professional Paper 1750: "A Volcano Rekindled: The Renewed Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 2004-2006", as well as any other new research on the eruption and its eruption products. We also welcome new research relating to the historical development of Mount St. Helens, its tectonic and physical setting, and its potential hazards for future eruptions. Like the Professional Paper, we expect the session to be multidisciplinary, including but not limited to, geology, geochemistry, petrology, geodesy, geodynamics and geophysics.
Conveners: Mark K. Reagan, University of Iowa, Department of Geoscience 121 Trowbridge Hall, Iowa CIty, IA 52242 USA, Tel: 319-335-1802, email: mark-reagan@uiowa.edu, and Michael C. Rowe, University of Iowa, , , USA, email: michael-rowe@uiowa.edu, and John S. Pallister, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, , , USA, email: jpallist@USGS.gov

V14 From Subduction Zones to Mantle Plumes: High Field Strength Elements as Geochemical Tracers of Crustal Recycling
Large quantities of oceanic and continental crust are known to enter the mantle at subduction zones, and some of this material may become entrained in mantle upwellings, or plumes, imparting a geochemical signature on hotspot lavas. However, following injection into the mantle, the composition and fate of subduction zone-processed material is little known, making the signatures associated with recycled oceanic crust difficult unambiguously identify. This owes, in large part, to the complex processes that operate in subduction zones, including phase changes and dehydration or partial melting of the subducted oceanic lithosphere. Many of the elements frequently used as geochemical tracers for subduction are volatile and/or fluid mobile and appear to be largely lost from the subducted lithosphere during dehydration and/or partial melting. High field strength elements (HFSE), such as Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta, are thought to behave conservatively during subduction zone processing, providing a unique tools for understanding subduction zone processes and identifying recycling signatures in hotspot lavas. This session is intended to bring together a confluence of information provided by experimental, dynamical and geochemical studies that helps to unravel subduction zone processes, and ultimately detect the signatures of the recycled materials in hotspot lavas. While the session will highlight experimental and geochemical studies that utilize HFSE as tracers of subduction zone processes and whole mantle recycling, presentation of other geochemical indicators that help constrain these processes such as Ni in olivine as a proxy for eclogite melting, radiogenic isotope (Os, Sr, Nd, Pb, etc.) signatures for crustal recycling, noble gas and volatile signatures for crustal melting beneath arcs and recycling into hotspots, is very much encouraged.
Conveners: Glenn A. Gaetani, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, , , USA, email: ggaetani@whoi.edu, and Matthew G. Jackson, Carnegie Institution of Washington, , , USA, email: mjackson@whoi.edu

V15 Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes 1: Thermobarometry and Implications for Magma Storage and Transport
There are few issues more central to igneous petrology than that of determining the pressures (P) and temperatures (T) at which magmas are stored and partly crystallize. P-T estimates are needed to test physical models of magma transport, and are central to any attempts to relate magmatism to tectonics. At present, P-T estimates are most commonly derived from fluid inclusions, fluid-saturated melt inclusions, and mineral-melt equilibria. Magma storage sites are also sometimes determined through seismic reflection profiles, or for volcanic systems from seismic tremor and earthquakes. A review of P estimates suggests that different methods may yield information about different aspects of the magma plumbing system: fluid-saturated melt inclusions largely yield P<5 kbar, and most volcanic-related earthquakes are similarly shallow, while P-estimates based on fluid inclusion densities or mineral-melt equilibria yield P as high as 10 kbar, and seismic tremors extend to equivalent depths. In this session, we are interested in contributions related to the estimation of magma transport or storage conditions by any means, including seismology. New methods of P-T estimation are welcome, as are new physical models of magma transport, and applications of existing methods and models to natural volcanic or plutonic systems. This session complements a pre-meeting RiMG shortcourse on Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes.
Conveners: Andrew Barth, Indiana University-Purdue University, 723 West Michigan Street, SL118, Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA, Tel: 317-274-7484, Fax: 317-274-7966, email: ibsz100@iupui.edu, and Thor Hansteen, IFM-GEOMAR, Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften, 1-3, Geb. 8E, Raum 207, Kiel, D-24148 DEU, Tel: 49-431-600-2130, Fax: 49-431-600-2924, email: thansteen@ifm-geomar.de, and Andreas Klügel, Universität Bremen, Postfach 33 04 40, Bremen, D-28334 DEU, Tel: 49-421-218-7767, Fax: 49-421-218-9460, email: akluegel@uni-bremen.de, and Keith Putirka, California State University, Fresno, 2576 E. San Ramon Ave., MS/ST24, Fresno, CA 93740-8039 USA, Tel: 559-278-4524, Fax: 559-278-5980, email: kputirka@csufresno.edu, and Pietro Armienti, University of Pisa - Dipartimento di scienze della Terra, Via S. Maria 53, Pisa, 56126 ITA, Tel: +30 050 2215708, email: armienti@dst.unipi.it

V16 Oceanic Spreading Centers and Volcanic Rift Systems: Tracking Fluxes and the Interplay Between Processes from Mantle to Microbe
Recent years have been a watershed for research on oceanic and onshore rift systems. Current studies are now providing the first data that characterize and quantify the relationship between mantle melting, geochemical circulation, and biological diversity and activity both within and upon the seafloor. It has become increasingly apparent that oceanic spreading centers and associated hydrothermal vent systems are deeply complex, comprising several interconnected mass, fluid, thermal, and biological exchanges as energy fluxes from the mantle, through the crust, and into the overlying oceans. Mantle melting and volcanism along the spreading axis greatly enhances chemical exchange between the crust and the overlying seawater, nourishing chemosynthetic biological communities. These communities provide keys for exploring the evolution of life on Earth, as they thrive in conditions that may have harbored the first organisms on Earth. Furthermore, recent studies of onshore rift systems in areas such as Iceland and Afar provide new insights into the distribution of melts within a spreading rift and relations between magma supply and surface tectonics. Assessment of the similarities/differences in host rock chemistry and geothermally-supported ecosystems between onshore and mid-ocean rifts may provide new avenues to explore controls on diversity and survival mechanisms. This interdisciplinary session aims to highlight recent results, to include a range of scientific approaches, and to explore the full scope of processes involved in rifting, hydrothermal venting, and development/evolution of geothermal biologic communities. We encourage submissions that cover all regions of the global mid-ocean ridge system and correlative subaerial rift systems. The goal is for session reports on magmatic, volcanic, hydrothermal/geochemical and microbiological processes to prompt discussion that can refine current models of rifting, volcanism, and hydrothermal systems.
Conveners: Robert Dunn, University of Hawaii, Dept of Geology and Geophysics 1680 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822 USA, email: dunnr@hawaii.edu, and Peter Girguis, Harvard University, Dept of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambidge, MA 02138 USA, email: pgirguis@oeb.harvard.edu, and William Seyfried, University of Minnesota, Department of Geology and Geophysics, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA, email: wes@umn.edu

V17 The First Historical Eruption of Chaitén Volcano, Southern Chile
On May 2, 2008 Chaitén volcano (southern volcanic zone, Chile) erupted for the first time in many thousands of years, marking the first monitored eruption of rhyolite magma from a caldera and the first VEI 5 eruption of this century. Between May 2 and May 8, the volcano produced a series of ash plumes that rose to 10-20 km altitude, depositing pumiceous tephra and ash downwind and extending east to the Atlantic coast of Argentina. Following the initial plumes, simultaneous eruption of lower-level ash plumes and a large lava dome took place within the volcano’s 4 km-diameter caldera. As of mid-June activity at Chaitén is continuing. The eruption has been monitored by the Chilean National Service of Geology and Mining (SERNAGEOMIN), supplemented by a response team from the USGS Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP). Contributions on satellite remote sensing, ground-based monitoring, petrological studies, the geologic context and impacts of this unusual eruption are solicited. Papers describing studies of analogous volcanic systems elsewhere are also welcome.
Conveners: Simon Carn, Michigan Technological University, , Houghton, MI 49931 USA, email: scarn@umbc.edu, and Luis Lara, SERNAGEOMIN, , , CHL, email: lelara@sernageomin.cl, and John Pallister, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, , , USA, email: jpallist@usgs.gov, and Gustavo Villarosa, Universidad Nacional del Comahue-CONICET, , Bariloche, ARG, email: gustavov@crub.uncoma.edu.ar

V18 Episodic Behavior of the Earth’s Interior
While the ‘present is key to the past’, it is increasingly clear that there have been times in our planet’s past when its interior behaved quite differently than it does today. Evidence for such episodic behavior includes large igneous provinces (LIPs), crustal growth peaks, geomagnetic superchrons and supercontinent cycles. Further afield, both the moon and Venus record planet-wide magmatic episodes. In this session we would like to explore the origins of these events in the Earth and other planetary interiors. What is the evidence for such events? How can we assess the quality of such data? What are the timescales of these events and do they show any periodicity? Is there a link between mantle events and the evidence for episodic changes in the Earth’s atmosphere-biosphere (e.g. rise of oxygen, S and C isotope excursions, mass extinctions/evolutionary radiations)? What effect do these events have on the long-term thermal and chemical structure of the planet? And what do geodynamic models of mantle convection and plate tectonics tell us about the possible origins of these events? We seek contributions from any field bearing on this subject including petrology, geochemistry, geophysics, and field studies.
Conveners: Stephen Parman, Durham University, Science Labs, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE GBR, Tel: +44 (0) 191 334 2331, email: stephen.parman@durham.ac.uk, and Shijie Zhong, University of Colorado at Boulder, Dept. of Physics Campus Box 390, Boulder, CO 80309 USA, Tel: 1-303-735-5095, email: Shijie.Zhong@Colorado.Edu, and John Rudge, Cambridge University, Department of Earth Sciences University of Cambridge Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ GBR, email: jfr23@cam.ac.uk

V19 Mass-Independent Isotopic Fractionation in Natural Systems: Experimental and Theoretical Analyses
Mass-independent isotopic fractionations, originally observed in atmospheric ozone, have recently been reported for a number of new elements, including sulfur and mercury. These discoveries have already led to insights into the rise of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere and the geochemical cycling of pollutants and reactive molecules, but it is clear that there is much left to understand. This session will focus on recent advances in understanding the mechanisms controlling mass-independent fractionation. We aim to bring together a diverse group of scientists applying a wide range of techniques, including experiments, theoretical studies, and measurements of mass-independent fractionations in natural samples. We seek submissions in topics including (but not limited to) discoveries of new mass-independent isotope effects, quantum mechanical calculations, reaction rate modeling, spectroscopic studies of self-shielding and other photochemical phenomena, laboratory-scale and field experiments, and geochemical modeling of the propagation of mass-independent signatures through coupled geochemical and cosmochemical reservoirs.
Conveners: Frederic Moynier, Washington Univeristy in St Louis, , , USA, email: moynier@levee.wustl.edu, and Edwin Schauble, University of California Los Angeles, , , USA, email: schauble@ucla.edu, and Toshiyuki Fujii, Kyoto University, , , JPN, email: tosiyuki@HL.rri.kyoto-u.ac.jp

V20 Subduction Zone Metamorphism: Fluid-Rock Interaction in Time and Space
This session will explore the use of metamorphic geochemistry as a means of illuminating processes taking place beneath the surface within subduction zones, merging information regarding mineral reaction histories, fluid-rock interactions, and kinetics, in consideration of the generation and mobility of (ultra) high-pressure fluids. In contrast to the directly observable inputs (mostly seafloor sediments and altered basalt) and outputs (mostly lavas and volcanic gases) of subduction zones, the metamorphic portion of the subduction factory (the hinge upon which the transition from input to output turns) is at work entirely beyond our line of sight. What we can observe directly are the metamorphic underbellies of failed, rifted, or otherwise exposed subduction zones, which have invariably been subjected to complex sequences of pro- and retro- grade reactions that must be unraveled before we can address the important issue of just what fluid-forming and mobilization processes take place beneath the arc. Subduction-related metamorphic rocks record a wide variety of pressures, temperatures, and compositions. However, interpretation of metamorphic history from mineral assemblages is complicated by the fact that minerals in a subducting slab are not always able to achieve equilibrium as they descend. The rate at which reactions proceed is a function of subduction rate, temperature conditions, and the amount of fluid in the system. Large-scale fluid-rock equilibration may be unlikely in colder regions of the subduction zone (i.e. in a fast-descending slab) but may occur more rapidly in hotter regions of the subduction zone (i.e. the lower mantle wedge), which in turn may cause chemical variation in subduction-related fluids. The chemistry of these subduction zone fluids may further be varied according to the timescales on which they are released – in particular, whether they percolate in a steady stream or travel in self-contained pulses. We solicit abstracts pertaining to the geochemistry of all subduction-relevant metamorphic rocks and minerals, with particular emphasis on studies pertaining to geochronology and spatially resolved geochemistry on all scales, from grain boundaries to field-scale investigations.
Conveners: Maureen Feineman, Pennsylvania State University, Dept. of Geosciences, University Park, PA 16802 USA, Tel: 814-863-7400, email: mdf12@psu.edu, and Gray Bebout, Lehigh University, Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bethlehem, PA 18015 USA, Tel: 610-758-5831, email: geb0@lehigh.edu, and Jay Ague, Yale University, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, New Haven, CT 06520 USA, Tel: 203-432-3171, email: jay.ague@yale.edu, and Ivan P. Savov, Leeds University, School of Earth and Environment Leeds United Kingdom , Leeds, LS2 9JT GBR, Tel: +44-113-343-5199, Fax: +44-113-343-5259, email: i.savov@see.leeds.ac.uk

V21 Frontier of UltraHigh-Pressure Metamorphism and Deep Subduction: From Atomic Scales to Mountain Building
UHPM is an integral characteristic of collisional orogens, recording transient or even permanent subduction of continental margins into the mantle. Recently, the emphasis of studies on microstructures, atomic scale mineral properties, experimentally established phase transformations, mineral reaction kinetic principles, the extent and rates of metamorphic and tectonic events during deep subduction, elements partioning and geochemical diversity of mantle-crustal rocks-fluid interactions have provided new insights into global geodynamic processes operating in Earth's deep interior. The processes of tectonic accretion taking place under varying physico-chemical and thermo-mechanical conditions change the densities and mechanical behavior of the rocks transported through the subduction channel. The re-distribution of radioactive heat sources by crustal thickening, partial melting and melt transport to the upper crust defines metamorphic P-T-t paths and result in thermal stabilization of the lithosphere. Because thickened crust may become gravitationally unstable, leading to syn- or post-orogenic extension, such processes bridge together the exhumation of UHPM crustal and mantle rocks which are among the most enigmatic questions of UHPM geology. In this session we invite contributions presenting new developments in studies of mineral submicronic structures, mineral reactions, kinetics, thermobarometry, geochemistry, geochronology, and general topics of UHPM geology and tectonics which represent a frontier of knowledge in understanding the significance of UHPM for reshaping the lithospheric plates through mountain buildings, mantle convection, subduction, and exhumation of UHPM rocks in diverse geological situations. The session is organized by Task Force IV of International Lithosphere Program.
Conveners: Simon Cuthbert, University of the West of Scotland, , Paisley, PA1 2BE GBR, Tel: 44 141 848 3263, email: Simon.Cuthbert@uws.ac.uk, and Larissa Dobrzhinetskaya, University of Claifornia at Riverside, , Riverside, CA 92521 USA, Tel: 951-827-2028, email: Larissa@ucr.edu, and Richard Wirth, GeoForschungsZentrum, , Potsdam, 14473 DEU, email: wirth@gfz-potsdam.de, and Hans-Peter Schertl, Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum, , Bochum, D-44780 DEU, Tel: 49 (234) 32-23520, email: hans-peter.schertl@rub.de

V22 Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes 2: Contrasting Views of the Origin of Large Volume Silicic Magma Chambers and Granitic Batholiths
Large-volume silicic ash-flow sheets and granitic batholiths are both widely regarded to be products of large silicic magma chambers in the crust. These phenomena are fundamental to understanding the origin and anatomy of the continental crust and its magmatic and tectonic recycling. However, fundamental unanswered questions remain regarding the connections between silicic volcanic and plutonic bodies, such the physical state of the magma body through time (e.g., convecting fluid, viscous mush, or solid framework with mobile pore melt); the temporal and spatial scales of the generation and extrusion of large volumes of eruptible material, and of the assembly of large granitic plutons; and whether granitic plutons represent refractory residua of melt extraction, unerupted samples of the same material that is erupted, or neither. This session aims at bringing together people investigating the volcano-plutonic connection from a wide range of perspectives, including field, laboratory, and theoretical investigations. This session complements a pre-meeting RiMG shortcourse on Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes.
Conveners: Ilya Bindeman, University of Oregon, , , USA, email: bindeman@uoregon.edu, and John Bartley, University of Utah, , , USA, email: john.bartley@utah.edu, and Allen Glazner, University of North Carolina, , , USA, email: afglazne@email.unc.edu

V23 Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes 3: Melt Inclusions in Phenocrysts From Mafic and Ultramafic Magmas
The last two decades have witnessed a dramatic growth in interest in studies of melt inclusions – small portions of melt trapped by crystals growing during magma evolution. One important area of application for melt inclusion research is the study of primitive mantle-derived magmas. These are commonly modified prior to eruption by fractionation, degassing, assimilation and other processes, with melt inclusions potentially providing ‘snapshots’ of the early crystallisation environment. Increasing interest in melt inclusions has also stimulated theoretical, petrological and experimental studies aimed at understanding the processes that lead to melt inclusion trapping and post-entrapment modification. This session, complementing the short-course for the new Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry volume “Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes”, will focus on important and topical questions in the field of melt inclusions research: What does the melt inclusion record actually represent? How much is this record modified by post-entrapment processes? What unique information is provided by melt inclusions? How does this information tie in with broader topics in basaltic petrogenesis? We welcome contributions based on studies of natural samples and/or experimental and theoretical studies of melt inclusion formation and modification.
Conveners: Leonid Danyushevsky, CODES, University of Tasmania, , , AUS, email: l.dan@utas.edu.au, and Adam Kent, Dept. of Geosciences, Oregon State University, , , USA, email: adam.kent@geo.oregonstate.edu

V24 Results From the Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project
The Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project (HSDP), sponsored by NSF and ICDP, involved drilling and coring into a young Hawaiian volcano to develop an extended time-stratigraphic record of the lava output, geochemical- and structural evolution of a large hotspot volcano. The drilling also yielded unexpected results on the deep subsurface hydrology of the island. The coring into the Mauna Kea volcano was completed in 2007 to a depth of 3518 meters. The basalt core represents a continuous sequence of lava accumulation dating back to 600 – 700ka, and provides unique information on magmatic processes, the geochemical structure and origin of the Hawaiian mantle plume, growth and subsidence of the volcano, paleomagnetism, and subsurface hydrology and microbiology. The purpose of the session is to present the final data summaries and interpretations as well as the latest data from the deepest 450m of core. This session also welcomes contributions dealing with any aspect of Hawaiian volcanology, petrology, geodynamics, geochemistry and geophysics that relates to the objectives and results of the HSDP.
Conveners: Donald DePaolo, University of California, Berkeley, Dept of Earth & Planetary Science McCone Hall Mail Code 4767, Berkeley, CA 94720-4767 USA, Tel: 510-643-5064, Fax: 510-642-9520, email: depaolo@eps.berkeley.edu, and Edward Stolper, California Institute of Technology, Div. of Geological & Planetary Sciences, Pasadena, CA 91125 USA, Tel: 626-395-6504, Fax: 626-568-0935, email: ems@gps.caltech.edu, and Donald Thomas, University of Hawaii, SOEST, Honolulu, 96822 USA, Tel: 808-956-6482, Fax: 808-956-2538, email: dthomas@soest.hawaii.edu

V25 New Insights on the Formation and Evolution of Fast-Spreading Ocean Crust from IODP Site 1256, Pito and Hess Deeps, and Active Ridges
Oceanic crust covers in excess of 60% of our planet. Half of that crust formed at fast spreading ridges. To understand the magmatic processes that generate this crust, and the hydrothermal circulation that cools it, we require contributions from an array of disciplines. Marine geophysical investigations have found that the internal structure of crust formed at fast-spreading rates is relatively uniform. Studies of lava eruption and diking events have refined understanding of episodicity in magmatic accretion of the crust. Knowledge of geological structure of the crust is required for testing theoretical models of crustal accretion of fast-spreading crust. Laboratory studies of spatially constrained samples are key to estimating the attendant fluxes of mass and heat. This session will focus on, but is not limited to, recent studies of fast spread ocean crust exposed in tectonic windows at Hess Deep and Pito Deep and recovered by deep drilling at Site 1256. We welcome all relevant geological, tectonic, geophysical, theoretical, hydrothermal, biological, and geochemical studies of the ocean crust formed at fast spreading rates.
Conveners: Damon A. H. Teagle, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, School of Ocean and Earth Science University of Southampton European Way , Southampton, SO14 3ZH GBR, Tel: +44-(0)23-8059-2723, Fax: +44-(0)23-8059-3052, email: dat@noc.soton.ac.uk, and Kathryn Gillis, University of Victoria, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences P.O. Box 3055 University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6 CAN, Tel: 250-472-4345, Fax: 250-721-6200, email: kgillis@uvic.ca, and John Maclennan, University of Cambridge, Department of Earth Sciences University of Cambridge Downing Street , Cambridge, CB2 3EQ GBR, Tel: +44 (0)1223 761602, Fax: +44 (0)1223 333450, email: jmac05@esc.cam.ac.uk, and Jeffrey A. Karson, Syracuse University, Department of Earth Sciences 204 Heroy Geology Laboratory Syracuse University , Syracuse, NY 13244-1070 USA, Tel: 315.443.7976, Fax: 315.443.3363, email: jakarson@syr.edu

V26 Observations and Modeling of Volcanic Blasts and Jets
Explosive volcanic degassing consists of a combination of discrete blasts and more continuous jet flows, depending on the gas volume and overpressure. Well-developed turbulent jet flows can either transition with altitude into thermally buoyant plumes, or collapse to form pyroclastic flows. This type of volcanic activity is amenable to direct observation by visual, thermal, radar, infrasonic, and seismic instrumentation. Numerical and analogue models, as well as analyses of pyroclastic deposits, provide further insight into the fluid dynamics of these processes. This session integrates observations and numerical and analogue modeling of volcanic blasts and jets. We encourage contributions that show observations or models that can provide constraints on jet flow structure, mass fluxes, vent overpressures, jet dimensions and velocities, the influence of vent and crater geometry, temperature or composition of ejecta, and ballistic velocities.
Conveners: Robin Samuel Matoza, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics 0225 University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, CA 92093-0225 USA, Tel: (858) 534-8119, email: rmatoza@ucsd.edu, and David Fee, Infrasound Laboratory (ISLA), University of Hawaii, Manoa 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy #119 , Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2638 USA, Tel: (808) 327-6206, email: dfee@isla.hawaii.edu, and Milton Garces, Infrasound Laboratory (ISLA), University of Hawaii, Manoa 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy #119 , Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-2638 USA, Tel: (808) 327-6206, email: milton@isla.hawaii.edu

V27 “Failed” Magmatic Eruptions: When Unrest Leads to Quiescence
When a volcano becomes restless, one of the primary questions asked of scientists is whether the unrest and underlying processes will lead to a magmatic eruption. “Failed” magmatic eruptions, where magma comes close to erupting but ultimately fails to reach the surface, can have significant negative consequences, particularly if the associated unrest leads to erroneous forecasts. Over the last several decades “failed” magmatic eruptions have been preceded by various combinations of increased degassing and thermal output, phreatic eruptions, shallow earthquake swarms (some with felt and/or low-frequency events), and notable ground deformation. Unequivocal cases of failed magmatic eruptions include Soufrière Guadeloupe (1975-76) and Akutan, Alaska (1996). Arguable cases include Mount Baker, Washington (1975), Iliamna, Alaska (1996), Iwate, Japan (1998), Deception Island, Antarctica (1998), Fourpeaked, Alaska (2006), Huila, Colombia, (2007), and many others. A few such cases are well studied, but many are poorly documented in the literature; thus details of these events are often unavailable to scientists for comparison to an ongoing episode of unrest. One of the primary goals of this session is to highlight examples of volcanic unrest that ultimately failed to produce a magmatic eruption. Another goal is to explore possible discriminants that could indicate whether unrest will or won’t lead to eruption, along with physical models for failure or arrest of ascending or convecting magma. We encourage contributions from both observational and theoretical perspectives.
Conveners: Seth Moran, U.S. Geological Survey - Cascades Volcano Observatory, 1300 SE Cardinal Ct, Vancouver, WA 98683 USA, Tel: 360 993-8934, email: smoran@usgs.gov, and Chris Newhall, Earth Observatory of Singapore - Nanyan Technological University, , , SGP, email: cnewhall@ntu.edu.sg, and Diana Roman, University of South Florida, , , USA, email: droman@cas.usf.edu

V28 New Scientific Insights From Mining Geochemical and Geophysical Databases
In recent years, data - from real-time data collected in the field, to laboratory analyses, and experiments - have been produced at higher rates than ever before. Mining this data avalanche as an individual is time consuming and arduous, if not impossible. An increasing number of large digital data collections are now available to the Geoscience community that compile and integrate data generated from vast numbers of different studies. These data collections provide new powerful avenues for research, enabling synthesis and analysis of vast geochemical and geophysical data sets. This session invites papers of studies that detail scientific advances resulting from the use of large digital data sets and databases, and new developments in data mining techniques.
Conveners: Kerstin Annette Lehnert, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964 USA, Tel: 8453658506, Fax: 8453658162, email: lehnert@ldeo.columbia.edu, and Vincent Salters, Department of Geological Sciences, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064100, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4100 USA, Tel: 8506441934, Fax: 8506444214, email: salters@magnet.fsu.edu, and Frank S. Spear, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Rensselar Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180 USA, Tel: 5182766103, email: spearf@rpi.edu, and Karin A. Block, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, 10964 USA, Tel: 8453658393, email: kblock@ldeo.columbia.edu

V29 Quantifying Surface Processes Using Noble Gases
The relatively simple behavior of He, Ne, and Ar in both solids and fluids has been exploited to study a variety of terrestrial and planetary surface processes. We solicit contributions that advance our understanding of basic physical properties of noble gases in geologic materials, as well as novel applications of noble gas measurements to understand tectonic processes, landscape evolution, groundwater systems, chemical weathering, sedimentation rates in the ocean, and planetary impacts. Of particular interest are applications that use noble gas measurements in conjunction with other geochemical observations such as: (i) combined cosmogenic 3He and 21Ne with 10Be and 26Al, (ii) groundwater/reservoir tracer studies, (iii) weathering geochronology, iv) He- and Ar-based thermochronometry, (v) ages and temperatures associated with planetary impacts.
Conveners: David L. Shuster, Berkeley Geochronology Center, 2455 Ridge Road, Berkeley, CA 94709 USA, Tel: 510-644-9200, email: dshuster@bgc.org, and Sujoy Mukhopadhyay, Harvard University, , , USA, email: sujoy@eps.harvard.edu

V30 Arc Dynamics of Kamchatka: Recent Volcanological, Geophysical, and Petrologic Results
Kamchatka, Russia is one of the most seismically and volcanically active regions on Earth, with one of the fastest subduction rates of any arc. The peninsula contains 29 active volcanoes, beginning in the north at the terminus of the Aleutian arc and ending in the south at the start of the Kurile Islands. Many of these volcanoes are in a near-constant state of eruption threatening both the local populations as well as the numerous daily trans-Pacific flights of people and cargo. The Kamchatka volcanoes have a wide range of compositions, styles, and morphologies, which can range from hydrothermal systems, to fissure-fed basaltic flows, to composite volcanoes that produce lava domes, flows, and large ash columns. This diversity of volcanic activity and the openness of Russia in the past decade have made Kamchatka an attractive location for numerous scientific studies. Investigators have initiated collaborative research projects with Russian scientists ranging from NSF-sponsored programs focused on specific volcanic systems to NASA-sponsored programs such as the Asia-Pacific Natural Laboratory (APNL), which is focused on regional-scale scientific questions. We seek to bring together investigators who have worked on volcanic arc processes in Kamchatka recently using methods ranging from geophysics of the subsurface to remote sensing of ongoing eruptions. We would particularly like to highlight larger-scale, longer time-line collaborative studies that combine several fields of geoscience in order to better understand the dynamics and volcanology of the Kamchatka Arc, including comparison to other arcs.
Conveners: Michael Ramsey, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Geology and Planetary Science, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 USA, Tel: 412-624-8772, Fax: 412-624-3914, email: mramsey@pitt.edu, and Adam Simon, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Department of Geoscience , Las Vegas, NV 89154 USA, Tel: 702-895-2916, email: adam.simon@unlv.edu, and Michael West, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute Alaska Volcano Observatory, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: 907-474-6977, email: west@gi.alaska.edu

V31 Nanoscale Views on Geochemical Processes
Molecular-scale computational and spectroscopic approaches are increasingly contributing to our understanding of geochemical processes as diverse as nanoparticle surface chemistry, mineral and gas hydrate nucleation, solid rupture mechanics, and diffusion in silicate melts and in water-filled nanopores. For this session, we invite contributions that will capture the breadth of the expanding field of molecular computational geoscience. We particularly wish to highlight collaborative research that combines quantum- or molecular-mechanical simulations with experimental spectroscopic investigations for nanoscale understanding of geochemical processes, as well as research that investigates the laboratory- and field-scale implications of molecular-scale findings. The broad diversity of molecular computational geoscience topics has never been gathered in a single session at previous AGU meetings, to our knowledge.
Conveners: Ian C. Bourg, Harvard University, Hoffman Labs # 304 20 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA, email: ibourg@nature.berkeley.edu, and Kideok Kwon, University of California, 140 Mulford Hall # 3114 , Berkeley, CA 94720 USA, email: kkwon@nature.berkeley.edu

V32 Hydrology of Marine Hydrothermal Systems
The subsurface hydrology of marine hydrothermal systems (mid-ocean ridges, submarine arc volcanoes etc.) is still poorly understood. In particular, the causes for the temporal and spatial variability as measured on active black smokers as well as submarine arc systems are subject of an active debate. Hydrologic tracer tests are technically challenging and expensive to perform, numerical simulations of these sysems have been difficult to conduct due to the non-linearities in fluid properties and phase behavior, and studies on fossil examples usually reveal a time-integrated result, for example in the form of rock alterations. Recent improvements in simulation techniques now allow physically rigorous scenario testing studies, including the simulation of complex phase separation processes as well as high resolution representation of fluid flow in two and three dimensions. We invite contributions from measurement campaigns on active systems, studies on fluid-rock interaction in fossil systems, geophysical constraints on flow physics, and numerical simulation to facilitate a multidisciplinary view on the hydrology of these systems and to identify of the most relevant scenarios for further studies.
Conveners: Dim Coumou, ETH Zurich, Institute of Isotope Geochemistry and Mineral Resources ETH Zuerich Clausiusstrasse 25 (now at: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) Telegraphenberg A 31 14473 Potsdam, Germany), Zurich, 8092 CHE, Tel: +41 44 632 0483, email: coumou@erdw.ethz.ch, and Philipp Weis, ETH Zurich, Institute of Isotope Geochemistry and Mineral Resources ETH Zuerich NW F84 Clausiusstrasse 25, Zurich, 8092 CHE, Tel: +41 44 632 0483, email: weis@erdw.ethz.ch, and Thomas Driesner, ETH Zurich, Institute of Isotope Geochemistry and Mineral Resources ETH Zuerich NW F81.3 Clausiusstrasse 25, Zurich, 8092 CHE, Tel: +41 44 632 68 03, email: thomas.driesner@erdw.ethz.ch, and Robert Lowell, Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech Geosciences 4044 Derring Hall (0420) Blacksburg, VA 24061, Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA, Tel: +1.540.231.6004, email: rlowell@vt.edu

V33 Advances in Analyzing Rock Textures and Microgeochemistry
Igneous and metamorphic textures have attracted much attention because they provide detailed information about the crystallization history of rocks. Textures reflect the complex interaction between nucleation and growth that occurred in the rock as a result of changing physical and chemical conditions. Metamorphic and igneous petrologists as have studied these aspects from different perspectives. This session aims to shed light on advances in the analytical methods for textural and microchemical analysis, e.g. quantifying mineral textures, 2D and 3D analysis of rock textures (CSD) as well as the interpretation of such data in a variety of geological settings. To advance our understanding of the fundamental processes governing mineral formation, we invite contributions from all research areas that cover metamorphic and igneous aspects of texture formation and microchemical analysis. Contributions based on observations from the field and experiments, as well as theoretical and modeling studies, are welcome.
Conveners: Thomas Mueller, Mineralogy, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150 Gebäude NA 05/689 , Bochum, 44780 DEU, Tel: +49 234 322 41 41, email: Thomas.H.Mueller@rub.de, and W. Carlson, The University of Texas at Austin, , , USA, email: wcarlson@mail.utexas.edu

V34 Flow and Fracture of Magma: Bringing Together Experimentation, Modelling and Monitoring
Magma is ductile, magma is brittle. Structural analysis of volcanic conduit margins and the interior of lava domes reveals a wide spectrum of behaviour from slow, fluid-like deformation to rapid, brittle fracturing and progressive development of fault gauges. It is increasingly apparent that this contrasting rheological behaviour plays a key role in controlling ascent dynamics, eruption styles and monitored indicators of unrest, especially since we now have experimental proof that high-temperature magma fracture is seismogenic. This new evidence suggests that careful monitoring of seismicity, ground deformation and degassing can potentially be used to track the transition from ductile to brittle flow behaviour, and therefore to forecast the transitions of eruptive styles. We propose a multidisciplinary session in which field observations, laboratory experiments, multi-parameter modelling and numerical simulations will improve our understanding of magma ascent and eruptive processes, with the aim of developing a viable eruption forecast method. This session aims to draw together multi-disciplinary contributions in order to illuminate new approaches, methodologies and results. We encourage a diverse range of submissions encompassing magma rheology and fracture mechanics, textural studies, conduit dynamics, lava dome growth, brittle-ductile structures, multi-parameter modelling and forecasting methods.
Conveners: Yan Lavallée, LMU-Munich, , , DEU, email: lavallee@min.uni-muenchen.de, and Hugh Tuffen, Lancaster University, , , GBR, email: h.tuffen@lancaster.ac.uk, and Alina Hale, Australian Computational Earth Systems Simulator, , , NZL, email: alinah@esscc.uq.edu.au, and Arthur Jolly, GNS Science, , , NZL, email: A.Jolly@gns.cri.nz

V35 Advances in Volcano Monitoring and Research at the Alaska Volcano Observatory
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) was founded in April 1988, and has monitored over 40 eruptions in the North Pacific Region. In this time AVO has been on the forefront of developing new monitoring techniques for volcanoes in remote and harsh environments. Though the volcanoes are remote, their hazards to local infrastructure and air traffic are great, and AVO has focused its efforts to meet the needs of these communities. At its peak over 30 seismic networks have been installed, telemetering data from more than 180 stations. This array is now supplemented by continuous GPS, video and infrasound sensors. Insights to the processes of the United States’ most active volcanic arc span the petrogenesis of magmas in the transition from a continental to oceanic arc to eruption triggering mechanisms and the generation of pyroclastic flows, debris flows and other hazardous surficial processes. Satellite remote sensing was implemented for the first time operationally not only to look for precursors to activity, but to track potentially dangerous volcanic ash plumes throughout the region with new quantitative tools. The eruptions in concert with AVO’s personnel and facilities have created unique research opportunities in and beyond Alaska. We invite abstracts that not only highlight the achievements of the observatory, but the research that has sprung up around the AVO’s efforts and collaborations worldwide.
Conveners: Stephen McNutt, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Geophysical Institute University of Alaska Fairbanks , Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: (907) 474-7131, Fax: (907) 474-7290, email: steve@giseis.alaska.edu, and Thomas Murray, Alaska Volcano Observatory, United States Geological Survey 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508 USA, Tel: (907) 786-7443, Fax: (907) 786-7450, email: tlmurray@usgs.gov, and James Begét, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Geophysical Institute University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: (907) 474-5301, Fax: (907) 474-7290, email: ffjeb1@uaf.edu, and Jonathan Dehn, Alaska Volcano Observatory, Geophysical Institute University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775 USA, Tel: (907) 474-6499, Fax: (907) 474-7290, email: jdehn@gi.alaska.edu

V36 Interpretation of Spectroscopic Studies of Organic Species at the Mineral-Water Interface
Interactions that occur at the interface between molecules and mineral surfaces in the presence of water are integral to many chemical and physical processes, including the behavior of pollutants in the environment, the effects of metal implants in the human body, and perhaps the origin of life. In the mineral-water interface community, there is an ongoing effort to understand the adsorption of organic molecules at mineral surfaces using advanced in situ spectroscopic techniques and molecular calculations that can be used to describe the coordination chemistry in the interfacial region. However, the interpretation of such spectroscopic results is subject to uncertainty. This session focuses on the different types of spectroscopic techniques and molecular calculations that can be used to describe the mineral-organic species-water interface interactions at a molecular level. The aim is to enhance the awareness within the community of what can currently be done and what needs to be done within this research field. We encourage presentations based on experimental and theoretical studies.
Conveners: Caroline M. Jonsson, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences 3400 N Charles St Olin Hall 301, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA, Tel: 2024155581, email: cjonsson@ciw.edu, and Christopher L. Jonsson, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences 3400 N Charles St Olin Hall 301, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA, Tel: 2024153542, email: cljonsson@ciw.edu, and Dimitri A. Sverjensky, Johns Hopkins University, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences 3400 N Charles St Olin Hall 301, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA, Tel: 4432557131, email: sver@jhu.edu, and Robert M. Hazen, Carnegie Institution for Science, Geophysical Laboratory 5251 Broad Branch Road, Washington, DC 20015 USA, Tel: 2024788962, email: rhazen@ciw.edu

V37 Puna Dacite Magma at Kilauea: Unexpected Drilling into an Active Magma
In routine drilling associated with development of a geothermal field, an active dacite magma was encountered on the east rift of Kilauea at a depth of about 2.5 km. This session will cover the discovery, the nature of the magma, its possible origin, and its meaning in terms of Kilauea magma evolution.
Conveners: Bruce D. Marsh, Johns Hopkins University, Earth & Planetary Sciences , Baltimore, MD 21218 USA, Tel: 410 516 4652, Fax: 410 516 7933, email: bmarsh@jhu.edu, and William Teplow, Consulting Geologist, , , USA, email: teplow@aol.com

V38 Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes 4: Crystal-scale Records of Magma Dynamics
Minerals and their inclusions provide a valuable archive of volcanic processes, including the history and dynamics of magmatic evolution. Building from the theme of a pre-meeting RiMG shortcourse, the goal of this session is to bring together scientists who use different methods to understand how information about magma dynamics can be extracted from the crystal record and in particular to explore how crystal records can be used to distinguish crystals and crystal populations in the same magmas that may record different histories. We are interested in contributions from those who date mineral aggregates and individual crystals and estimate residence times from U-series disequilibria and diffusion profiles, use isotopes to identify magma batches and processes, and use crystal chemistry, imaging, and isotopes to evaluate open system processing and untangle the evolution of co-mingled (autocrysts/phenocrysts, antecrysts, xenocrysts) crystals. We are especially interested in submissions that combine multiple techniques to address the sometimes disparate origins of crystals in magmas.
Conveners: Mary Reid, Northern Arizona University, Department of Geology, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 USA, Tel: 928-523-7200, Fax: 928-523-9220, email: mary.reid@nau.edu, and Kari Cooper, U.C. Davis, Department of Geology, Davis, CA 95616 USA, email: kmcooper@geology.ucdavis.edu, and Fidel Costa, Institut de Ciences de la Terra Jaume Almera, CSIC, , Barcelona, 08028 ESP, email: fcosta@ija.csic.es

V39 Arc Crustal Cross-Sections: Studies in the 4-d Evolution of Arcs
Arc crustal cross-sections are critical to our understanding of orogenic systems, as the vertical dimension is the dominant direction of thermal and compositional variation in the crust as well as the dimension of major petrologic evolution of magmatic systems. These special exposures, combined with our rapidly progressing understanding of geochronologic systematics, are leading to new understanding of the 4-d evolution of arcs. Arc crustal cross-sections provide an opportunity to study the mechanisms of magma transport through the crust, the architecture of intrusions at different crustal levels, material transfer processes, and the impact of the thermal input of magmatism on the evolution of an orogen. Contributions are invited that enhance our understanding of the magmatic, petrologic, rheological, and geophysical characteristics of arcs in the vertical dimension through time. Field-based, laboratory, and modeling contributions are all highly encouraged.
Conveners: Rita C. Economos, University of Southern California, 3651 Trousdale Parkway, ZHS117 , Los Angeles, CA 90089-0740 USA, Tel: 213-740-8261, Fax: 213-740-8801, email: economos@usc.edu, and Scott R. Paterson, University of Southern California, 3651 Trousdale Parkway, ZHS117, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0740 USA, Tel: 213-740-6103, Fax: 213-740-8810, email: paterson@usc.edu, and Robert Miller, San Jose State University, Duncan Hall 314, San Jose, CA 95192-0102 USA, Tel: 408-924-5025, email: rmiller@geosun.sjsu.edu

V40 International Polar Year: Antarctica Geological and Geophysical Research
This session will showcase the diversity of geology and geophysical research on and around the Antarctica continent in celebration of the International Polar Year. Researchers investigating petrology, geochemistry and tectonics problems related to the Ross Orogeny, Ferrar diabases and the West Antarctic rift system are encouraged to submit to this session.
Conveners: Michael Garcia, University of Hawaii, , , USA, email: mogarcia@hawaii.edu, and Wesley LeMasurier, University of Colorado at Boulder, , , USA, email: wesley.lemasurier@colorado.edu, and Sidney Hemming, Columbia University, , , USA, email: sidney@ldeo.columbia.edu

V41 Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes 5: Volatile Diffusion and Degassing as Related to Crystal and Bubble Growth, Volcanic Gas Compositions, and Eruption Dynamics
Magma degassing and crystallization are two critical and associated volcanic processes that play a major role in volcanic eruption style. Volatile transport and loss are strongly dependent on crystal and bubble growth. Often, degassing through bubble growth, coalescence and transfer in the volcano conduits is not an equilibrium process, but a disequilibrium process partially controlled by diffusion of volatile components. These components can be fractionated during degassing, which is also partially controlled by their respective diffusivities. Modeling processes that control the volcanic gas emission chemistry at surface and volcanic eruption dynamics is a challenge to modern volcanology. This session will bring together physical, experimental and numerical studies that examine crystallization, degassing, diffusion and disequilibrium processes. Textural and chemical analysis of eruptive products, studies on melt inclusions, volatile diffusivity, crystal/bubble growth, and surface gas records are welcome. Important questions regarding (i) the relationship between vesiculation, crystallization, magma ascent rate and eruption style, (ii) the disequilibrium processes that result from differential diffusion during decompression, and (iii) bubble coalescence and permeability development and their importance in interpreting the gas chemistry at surface will be addressed. This session complements a pre-meeting RiMG shortcourse on Minerals, Inclusions and Volcanic Processes.
Conveners: Nicole Metrich, Laboratoire Pierre Sue-CNRS-CEA, , Gif sur Yvette, FRA, email: nicole.metrich@cea.fr, and Nicole Lautze, U.S. Geological Survey, , , USA, email: nlautze@usgs.gov, and Jon Blundy, University of Bristol, , , GBR, email: jon.blundy@bristol.ac.uk, and Jon Castro, Smithsonian Institution, , , USA, email: castroj@si.edu, and Helge Gonnermann, SOEST, University of Hawaii, , , USA, email: helge@hawaii.edu

V42 Geochemical Heterogeneities in OIB and MORB Sources: Implications for Melting Processes and Mantle Dynamics
It is a given that the mantle sources of mid-ocean ridge and intraplate oceanic volcanoes are heterogeneous on multiple scales, principally as a result of recycling of lithospheric material, though other mechanisms may be significant. Such heterogeneity can be seen rather directly using trace element and volatile species concentrations and in stable and radiogenic isotope ratios. Heterogeneity of sources in major elements is more challenging to describe in detail because of strong modifications by and feedback with melting and fractionation processes. It has been shown that various Ocean Islands and Mid-Ocean Ridges have small scale trace element and radiogenic isotope heterogeneities and also exhibit relatively large variations in their melting dynamics as inferred from U-Th-Ra-Pa disequilibria in young samples; sampling opportunities make ocean island localities best for studying temporal variations, whereas mid-ocean ridges are better suited for studies of spatial variations across a wide range of scales, from individual melt inclusions to interoceanic comparisons. Although geochemical studies have provided clear evidence for such recycled components (including volatiles) in the mantle, the details of how these affect or perhaps even control melting rates and processes remain unclear. How do isotopic heterogeneities at various scales correlate with major element variations and physical parameters such as potential temperature, crustal thickness, seismic velocity, etc.? It is necessary to approach the issue of melting and mantle heterogeneity from both geodynamical and geochemical perspectives. The aim of this session is to explore empirical evidence and conceptual models for the impact of geochemical heterogeneities on mantle melting in both Ocean Island Basalts and Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts. We welcome contributions from the fields of trace element and isotope geochemistry as well as geophysical and numerical modelling incorporating the impact of mantle heterogeneity on mantle melting.
Conveners: Christoph Beier, Macquarie University, , , NSW AUS, email: cbeier@els.mq.edu.au, and Simon Turner, Macquarie University, , , AUS, email: sturner@els.mq.edu.au, and Craig O'Neill, Macquarie University, , , AUS, email: coneill@els.mq.edu.au, and Paul Asimow, Caltech, , , USA, email: asimow@gps.caltech.edu, and Cin-Ty Lee, Rice University, , , USA, email: ctlee@rice.edu, and Vincent Salters, Florida State University, , , USA, email: salters@magnet.fsu.edu

V43 Bowen Lecture
This is a special lecture featuring several Invited Speakers
Conveners: Alex N. Halliday, University of Oxford, , Oxford, GBR, email: alexh@earth.ox.ac.uk

Volcanology, Geochemistry, and Petrology also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
T05 Magmatic, Tectonic, and Hydrothermal Interactions at (Ultra-) Slow Spreading Mid-Ocean Ridges
MR01 Mineral and Rock Physics: General Contributions
P02 Recent Advances in Planetary Volcanology
B11 Developing Integrated Models for Mid-ocean Ridge Processes at the Ridge 2000 East Pacific Rise Integrated Study Site
T13 Research Advances on the Geologic, Tectonic, and Geochemical Evolution of the Indian Ocean Seafloor and its Margins
B15 Life in the Deep Subsurface: A Decade of Peeking at the Unseen Majority
B12 Stress Response and Survival of Metal-Reducing Bacteria in the Environment.
DI02 Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Dynamics - Observations and Modeling
PP07 Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic Geochemical Records of Paleoclimatic and Paleoceanographic Variability
MR04 Planetary Ices - Cryo-mineralogy and Cryo-petrology
B25 Redox Processes in Iron-Bearing Soils and Sediments
MR06 Diffusion and Related Transport Processes in Geomaterials
IN05 Frontiers in Advanced Information Systems and Earth Observation Technology
C22 Isotopic and Geochemical Insights Into Weathering Fluxes and Processes in Glacial Environments
DI10 Multi-Disciplinary Insights Into the Earth’s Transition Zone
P12 Organic and Inorganic Microbial Biosignatures
T25 Is Water Being Recyled into the Deep Mantle? If So, How?
T26 Microplate Geodynamics
G13 Ever Faster: Low-Latency Data Collection and Applications Across the Earth Sciences
G17 Understanding Geosphere and Cryosphere Processes Using Spaceborne Measurements of Deformation, Altimetry, and Topography
ED14 Teacher Professional Development Programs Promoting Authentic Scientific Research in the Classroom
GC06 Deccan Volcanism, Chixculub Impact, Global Environmental Change, the KTB and Other Mass Extinctions
GP02 Mapping the Internal Architecture of Igneous Systems: Applications of Geophysical and Structural Techniques
IN03 Emerging Cyberinfrastructure for Geosciences
IN09 EarthScope and CyberInfrastructure
DI11 Interdisciplinary Implications of Recent Deep Earth Discoveries: From Mineral Physics to Seismology and Geodynamics
H46 Who Knows How the River Flows? Understanding Sediment Movement Through Fluvial Networks
DI08 Chemical Heterogeneities in the Earth’s Mantle: Their Roles in the Early Earth Differentiation, Mantle Dynamics and Geochemistry
T08 Magma-Rich Extensional Environments: Evolution of Continental Basins and Rifted Continent Margins
IN04 Rich Collaboration Environments for Geosciences
DI12 Linking Earth’s Deep Interior to the Surface: Earth Evolution
DI13 Linking Earth's Deep Interior to the Surface: The Present Mantle
PP29 Novel Insights in Historical Geobiology
PP09 Constraints on Past Ocean Circulation and Climate from New and Traditional Geochemical Proxies
MR09 Melt and Melt Properties Under Pressure
IN08 Provenance Management for Large Scale Scientific Datasets
MR10 New Views on Discontinuities, Composition and Temperature of the Mantle
MR05 Life Under Pressure: Chemistry of Extreme Conditions
MR07 Minerals in the Early Solar System – From First Condensates to Planetesimals
MR03 Composition and Evolution of Iron-Rich Cores in the Earth and Other Planets
T04 Interactions Among Climate, Exhumation and Tectonics Through the Changing Climate of the Neogene and Quaternary
T32 Active and Reactivated Faults and Thrusts, Neo-Tectonic Feedback and Related Climate Change: Implications for Landscape Development in Young Orogens
T18 Transforming the View of Cascadia Through Interpretation of Multidisciplinary Data Sets
T23 Retro-Plate Deformation at Retreating and Advancing Subduction Zones
T31 Global Tectonics and the Paleocene ~62 Myr (~mid Danian) Plate Reorganization: Observed Signatures and Models
T34 Exhumation of High and Ultrahigh-Pressure Rocks: The Cross-Disciplinary View
T07 Evolution of Magma-Starved Rifts in Oceans, Continents and Backarcs
IN02 Visualizing Scientific Data Using KML and Virtual Globes
IN11 Environmental Sensor Networks: Real World Examples
S06 Monitoring Temporal Changes of Earth's Properties with Seismic Waves
MR11 Toward Quantifying the Relationships Between Deformation, Rock and Mineral Microstructure, Geochemistry and Reaction
DI09 Models of the Mantle: Reconciling Mineral Physics, Geodynamics, Geochemistry and Seismology
P16 Comparison of Basaltic Volcanism on Mars and the Earth
MR02 Computational Approaches and Applications in Earth Materials Studies
MR08 Spin Crossover Transitions in the Mantle
OS34 Research Experiences of Undergraduates in Ocean Sciences
P03 Planetary Rings: Observation and Theory
T27 The Formation and Thermal Evolution of Orogens: Constraints From Geochronology, Thermochronology and Modeling
DI06 The Ins and Outs of the Earth’s Core
A53 The 2008 Eruptions of Okmok and Kasatochi Volcanoes, Alaska

Ecological Society of America

Ecological Society of America also presents jointly with the following Special Sessions:
B13 Incorporating Process Level Measurements of N Cycling Into Global Scale Models of Terrestrial C Storage in Response to Climate Change