Wellington Convention Centre
Wellington, New Zealand
9-12 July 2002
(Tuesday through Friday)
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AGU AIP GSNZ GNS ILP MSNZ NIWA NZGS NZHS NZMSS RSNZ VUW |
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2002 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting Wellington Convention Centre Wellington, New Zealand 9-12 July 2002 (Tuesday through Friday) |
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This meeting is intended to serve the needs of geophysicists interested instudies in the western Pacific region, but papers on all related aspects ofgeophysical sciences are encouraged. The meeting will be organized similar toAGU's annual meetings held in the United States.
The Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting is open to geophysicists worldwidewithout regard to nationality of society membership. You should not miss thisunique opportunity to gather with your colleagues – for the first time in NewZealand.
The meeting venue for the 2002 WPGM will be the Wellington Convention Centre,in Wellington, New Zealand.
SponsorsAmerican Geophysical Union (AGU) is an international scientific society of 39,000 members, more than thirty percent of whom come from outside the U.S. As a society AGU is dedicated to advancing the understanding of Earth and its environment in space and making results available to the public.
Australian Institute of Physics
Geological Society of New Zealand
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences
International Lithosphere Program
Meteorological Society of New Zealand
National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research
New Zealand Geophysical Society
New Zealand Hydrological Society
New Zealand Marine Sciences Society
Victoria University of Wellington
| Rheology and Deformation Along Major Plate Boundaries | |
| Recent seismograph, GPS, and strainmeter networks from around the Pacific Rim are providing new data that bear on strain and rheology of rocks at all levels of the crust and upper mantle. Studies of seismic anisotropy are providing information on finite strain and the rock mechanics of the mantle, while GPS and strain networks are catching aseismic strain events that may or may not be the forerunner to larger seismic events. Active and passive source seismic experiments have provided images of fault zones and crustal roots in collision zones, while electrical methods have imaged high conductivity regions indicating the presence of fluids at depth. Geological field studies show evidence of past strain environments and numerical models of deformation show that rheological variations are a key factor in tectonic style. All these studies, and others, provide clues to how the earth deforms in plate boundary zones, and thus contribute to the more general topic of rheology. | |
| Climate Variability and Change and Implications for the Antarctic and Pacific | |
| Recent interest in assessing and attributing long-term trends in global climate has coincided with increased attention to the natural variability of aspects of regional climate on timescales from years to decades. The Pacific region has been a particular focus of many relevant studies, and recent years have seen the emergence of such issues as the long-period modulation of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation phenomenon, and the possibility of a distinct quasi- decadal oscillation focused in the extratropical North Pacific and affecting the whole Pacific basin. Of particular concern for many South Pacific nations are relationships between long-term variations/trends in climate and sea level variations, as many low- lying island states face the possibility of inundation during this century as a result of expected sea-level rises. There has been considerable effort in recent years to understand the global carbon cycle and to link physical climate and biological/biosphere variability. This has led to advances in our understanding of how primary productivity is controlled in the southern oceans, relationships between biological processes in the ocean and dimethyl sulfide production (and consequent atmospheric optical properties), and in how various fish stocks respond to climate variability and change. Special Sessions are sought relating to this theme, covering all aspects of observational, modeling, theoretical and predictive studies of the general climate system. In particular, sessions are sought that focus on the South Pacific, southern oceans and Antarctica, and/or that bring together aspects of research in atmosphere and ocean circulation, biological systems, and risk/hazard management. | |
| Space Weather - Impacts and Prediction | |
| Solar terrestrial physics research continues to improve our knowledge of the physical processes by which solar events lead ultimately to changes in the Earth's immediate environment, described collectively as Space Weather. The application of this knowledge to the development of reliable space weather forecasting techniques is essential for the reliable operation of space-related technologies. Hemispherical and regional differences can be expected in space weather effects due, for example, to the asymmetry of the Earth's magnetic field. Effects in the southern Pacific region can be quite different to other regions of the globe due to differences in ionospheric behaviour. Special Sessions under this theme are sought describing observations, modeling, forecasting and prediction methods relevant to Space Weather in general, but in the southern Pacific region (including Antarctica) in particular. | |
| Cities on Active Faults | |
| Many cities around the Pacific rim are vulnerable to large earthquakes. Wellington's position above a subduction zone, and on a network of strike slip faults makes the theme particularly appropriate for this conference. There will be an associated field trip looking at examples of active faults within the Wellington urban area, and the way that local government is attempting to manage these hazards. Current research is aiming to to understand the risks associated with living close to active faults: paleoseismicity, geodetic and seismic monitoring, probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, seismic wave modeling, microzoning, development of building and planning codes, and seismic design and construction, all contribute to an improved understanding of the hazard, risk, and potential effects of major fault rupture. Special sessions are sought to bring together some or all of these disciplines, and the participation of end-users such as emergency managers, city planners, economists, engineers, and the insurance industry is encouraged. | |
Top of PageWellington Fault Geological Field Trip (M)
- Monday, 8 July 2002
4 hours
The trip will include: fault rupture evidence; faulted terraces(repeat motion along the fault); building across a major fault; problems with existing developments on or near the fault; other hazards and hazard mitigation in the Wellington region; and a scenic overview of Wellington topography, geology, and cityscape
$ US $25 per person (ticketed event)Wellington Fault Geological Field Trip (S)
- Saturday, 13 July 2002
4 hours
The trip will include: fault rupture evidence; faulted terraces(repeat motion along the fault); building across a major fault; problems with existing developments on or near the fault; other hazards and hazard mitigation in the Wellington region; and a scenic overview of Wellington.
$ US $25 per person (ticketed event)Uplifted Beach Terraces, Turakirae Head, Geological Field Trip (M)
- Monday, 8 July 2002
4 hours
In 1855, rupture of the Wairarapa fault caused up to 6.4 m of uplift at Turakirae Head on the south coast of the North Island. This half-day field trip looks at evidence of the uplift and of earlier faulting episodes and associated fossil beaches. A short stop in Wainuiomata is also included, to discuss propagation of seismic waves through soft alluvial fill in a basin.The cost is US $ 25 per person (ticketed event)
Uplifted Beach Terraces, Turakirae Head, Geological Field Trip (S)
- Saturday, 13 July 2002
4 hours
In 1855, rupture of the Wairarapa fault caused up to 6.4 m of uplift at Turakirae Head on the south coast of the North Island. This half-day field trip looks at evidence of the uplift and of earlier faulting episodes and associated fossil beaches. A short stop in Wainuiomata is also included, to discuss propagation of seismic waves through soft alluvial fill in a basin.The cost is US $ 25 per person (ticketed event)
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Maori Insight Tour
- Tuesday, 9 July 2002
12:00 noon - 3:30 p.m.
The Maori Treasures Art Complex is located just 20 minutes from central Wellington in a living Maori Tribal Settlement. On this tour you can participate in a Maori welcome ceremony and be personally guided through the creative studios of a family of renowned Maori artists. There are hands-on activities and demonstrations, and you will create a memento to take home with you. The tour departs from the Wellington Convention Centre at 12 noon and returns at 3:30 pm. The cost is US $36 per person and includes lunch. This tour is limited to 11 people.For additional information, see http://www.maoritreasures.com
$ US $36 per person (ticketed event)Wellington City Bus Tour
- Tuesday, 9 July 2002
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Take in the highlights of Wellington city, harbour, and bays in a deluxe coach. The tour departs from the Wellington Convention Centre at 2:00 p.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. The cost is US $11 per person. This tour is limited to 28 people.
$ US $11 per person (ticketed event)Wairarapa Experience
- Wednesday, 10 July 2002
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy a deluxe coach trip over the Rimutaka Mountains to the scenic Wairarapa region, renowned for its boutique wineries and relaxed lifestyle. Tour the Paua Shell Factory in Carterton and see live displays of paua, New Zealand's abalone shellfish. Continue on to Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, New Zealand's showcase centre for captive breeding of threatened species. After lunch, visitors can go for an easy guided walk in the lush primeval rain forest and view the natural bush aviaries. See the Kiwi, New Zealand's national bird, in the nocturnal house and read the extensive displays. On the way back to Wellington, you will call in to the Gladstone Vineyard for a tour and tasting of their award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. With an idyllic setting, Gladstone estate is one of New Zealand's most beautiful vineyards. The tour departs from the Wellington Convention Centre at 8:30 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. The cost US $38 per person.
For additional information, see these web sites: http://wairarapa.co.nz/tourism/carterton3.html; http://www.mtbruce.doc.govt.nz; http://www.gladstone.co.nz.
$ US $38 per person (ticketed event)Scenic Kapiti Coast
- Wednesday, 10 July 2002
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The Kapiti Coast, northern gateway to Wellington, enjoys a reputation as the sunshine coast and recreational playground of the lower North Island. Visit the top attractions of this area, including the Southward Car Museum, the most comprehensive privately owned collection of veteran and vintage cars in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy award-winning ice cream and cheeses made on the premises at the Lindale Tourist and Agricultural Centre.The tour departs from the Wellington Convention Centre at 9:00 a.m. and returns at 1:00 p.m. The cost is US $23 per person. This tour is limited to 28 people.
$ US $23 per person (ticketed event)Kapiti Island Adventure
- Thursday, 11 July 2002
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Kapiti Island is home to an internationally famed nature reserve protecting some of the world's rarest and most endangered birds. Enjoy a guided tour or trek to the top of the island for spectacular views. A 5-km boat ride from the mainland, Kapiti Island is not to be missed.The tour departs from the Wellington Convention Centre at 8:00 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. The cost is US $42 and includes lunch. This tour is limited to 30 people.
$ US $42 per person (ticketed event)Wellington Wilderness
- Thursday, 11 July 2002
12 noon - 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxed lunch at The Skyline Restaurant and experience panoramic views of Wellington City. Then board a deluxe coach to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, a secret valley only 2 km from the city centre. The tour departs from the Wellington Convention Centre at 12 noon and returns at 4:00 p.m. The cost is US $25 and includes lunch. This tour is limited to 40 people.
$ US $25 per person (ticketed event)Maori Insight Tour
- Thursday, 11 July 2002
12 noon - 3:30 p.m.
The Maori Treasures Art Complex is located just 20 minutes from central Wellington in a living Maori Tribal Settlement. On this tour you can participate in a Maori welcome ceremony and be personally guided through the creative studios of a family of renowned Maori artists. There are hands-on activities and demonstrations, and you will create a memento to take home with you. The tour departs from the Wellington Convention Centre at 12 noon and returns at 3:30 pm. The cost is US $36 per person and includes lunch. This tour is limited to 11 people.For additional information, see http://www.maoritreasures.com
$ US $36 per person (ticketed event)Pencarrow - Southern Wilderness Tour
- Friday, 12 July 2002
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Guarding the eastern entrance to Wellington Harbour and set atop high sea cliffs lies Pencarrow Station. One of New Zealand's first sheep stations, this 2000-acre farm is in a spectacular natural setting. Travel right around scenic Wellington Harbour to the station, where New Zealand's oldest lighthouse is also located. You will have a guided tour of the farm, followed by a farm style morning tea at the Lodge. Hear stories about the region and enjoy the spectacular ocean views. Optional golf, clay bird shooting, petanque, and sheep mustering are available at a small extra charge.The tour departs from the Wellington Convention Centre at 9:00 a.m. and returns at 12:30 p.m. The cost is US $15 per person and includes morning tea. A minimum of 40 people is required.
For additional information, see http://www.pencarrowlodge.co.nz
$ US $15 per person (ticketed event)
Top of PageIn addition to the many conventionally documented tourist sights along the tour routes, there will be information and copies of papers about scientific aspects of sites along the way likely to be of interest to AGU conference attendees. The following notes outline some of those aspects.
Those interested in attending a tour must email their intent to particate on which tour, by 30 March 2002 to Martez Taylor, AGU Meetings Department, mtaylor@agu.org. The more people that attend the field trip the less expensive the per-person cost will be. Group pricing is available under each field trip based on the number of people. Once preliminary reservations are received, you will be contacted about the cost for the field trip. Payment in full is required not later than 25 April 2002.
North Island
option 1: Saturday, 6 July through Monday, 8 July
option 2: Saturday, 13 July through Monday 15 July
Tour cost includes: all travel by heated and air conditioned quality tour coach, driver escorted, two nights accommodation and a breakfast, two lunches, and Agrodome farm show. (Prices are in US dollars.)
Visits will be made to the following:
Group Size Twin Single 2 people 1 person 15-20 US $235 US $275 21-25 US $220 US $260 26-30 US $200 US $240 31-40 US $185 US $225
- Yacht Course for America's Cup:Studies of wind shear over the yacht course have been done for America's Cup contestants. The course will be seen from a hilltop, one of several volcanic cones within Auckland city that have been active during the last 1000 years.
- Landslip at Golden Cross: A large goldmine had to close in 1997 when the tailings dam was found to be on a 1 km2 slab of rock 80 m thick moving 0.3 m per year that was so extensive and monolithic it required satellite surveys to identify it.
- Ash Deposit From the Taupo Eruption: The Taupo eruption 1800 years ago blanketed a large area with thick deposits of pumice, which have a total volume larger than from any other volcanic eruption for which there is such evidence.
- Geothermal Electricity at Wairakei: When a 153-MW geothermal electricity-generating station was built in the 1950s, the life of the steam resource was not known. At that time, geothermal steam had not been exploited on a comparable scale anywhere else in the world. The investigations and experience gained have been useful at many stations built elsewhere since then.
- Internal Seiche in Lake Taupo: Lake Taupo has an internal seiche with a period close to the inertial period (19.12 hours) and accordingly is influenced by the Coriolis force.
- Lahars Caused by Volcanic Activity on Mount Ruapehu: The snow-fed crater lake on Mount Ruapehu is a classic case of interaction between magmatic fluids and lake water producing lahars; another example is Kelut in Java. Ruapehu erupts every 1-3 years. A warning system, updated in 2001, reduces the risk of damage from a lahar, like a disaster in 1953 that killed 151 people.
- Wind Farm: New Zealand has unusually sustained winds. To maximize its exposure to wind, the Tararua wind farm is located between the Ruahine Range to the north and the Tararua Range to the south. The northern range merges into the volcanic plateau (~1000 m high), from which Ruapehu rises. The predominant winds from the west interact with the mountains to form a flow concentration in the gap and are augmented further by flow over the ridge on which the wind farm stands. The 48 machines each generate their maximum output power (660 kW) at a wind speed of 15 m/s and above. The total energy generated per year is about 130 GWh, equivalent to full power output for about half the time. No other wind farm of similar size in the world is as productive.
Top of PageIn addition to the many conventionally documented tourist sights along the tour routes, there will be information and copies of papers about scientific aspects of sites along the way likely to be of interest to AGU conference attendees. The following notes outline some of those aspects.
Those interested in attending a tour must email their intent to particate on which tour, by 30 March 2002 to Martez Taylor, AGU Meetings Department, mtaylor@agu.org. The more people that attend the field trip the less expensive the per-person cost will be. Group pricing is available under each field trip based on the number of people. Once preliminary reservations are received, you will be contacted about the cost for the field trip. Payment in full is required not later than 25 April 2002.
South Island Tour
option 1: Saturday, 6 July through Monday, 8 July
option 2: Saturday, 13 July through Monday 15 JulyTour cost includes: all travel by heated and air conditioned quality tour coach, driver escorted, two nights accommodation and a breakfast, two lunches, Antarctic Centre admission, and Interislander tickets. (Prices are in US dollars.)
Visits will be made to the following:
Group Size Twin Single 2 people 1 person 15-20 US $260 US $310 21-25 US $245 US $295 26-30 US $225 US $275 31-40 US $215 US $265
- Antarctic Research Centre: Since 1908 Christchurch has been a last port of call for expeditions to Antarctica and is still so for United States and New Zealand Antarctic research programs. A museum at the Centre will be visited.
- Alpine Fault: The Alpine fault is unusual in that it can be seen from space and marks part of the boundary between the Australian and Pacific crustal plates. Movement along this fault occurs episodically,with great earthquakes, and the rate of movement averages about 3 cm per year horizontally (southward on the east side) and 1 cm per year vertically (upward on the east side). This movement over 100 years has lifted river terraces 1 m; over 100,000 years has lifted ocean beaches 1000 m above sea level; and over millions of years has offset by 500 km a sediment sequence which now outcrops in Southland east of the fault and in Nelson west of the fault. The tour will travel near this fault for two days and pass many geomorphologic features it has affected.
- River Valleys Captured at the Alpine Fault: The Taramakau River flows west after it crosses the fault, but could easily flow north down a different valley, and a stop bank has been built to prevent this. The horizontal fault movement tends to stabilize this situation, but the vertical movement is destabilizing.
The Waitangitoana River flowed north after crossing the fault until 1967, when it changed course to flow west. It now flows into Lake Wahapo, formed when ice melted 20,000 years ago. This lake has survived with a small catchment but will now be filled with sediment in 100 years. In 1982 degradation in the captured river caused the spectacular failure of a highway bridge.
- Erosion and Tectonic Uplift in Balance: A feedback process determines the present height of the Southern Alps, which would be 10,000 m higher than they are if the ground lifted tectonically during the last million years had not been removed by erosion. If the Alps were higher than they are, there would be more rain and more erosion, and conversely, if they were lower there would be less rain and less erosion. To erode 1 cm per year the rain must be unusually heavy for a temperate climate. The largest measurements have been a storm rain of 1800 mm in 3 days, a 20-year rain gauge mean of 12,000 mm per year, and a discharge from the 455-km2 Whataroa River basin over 17 years of 9850 mm per year.
- Predicting Orographic Precipitation: Numerical weather prediction (NWP) models can include orographic precipitation processes using a finely resolved (5 km) spatial grid. In the Southern Alps these models are calibrated using river basin discharge measurements because the rain gauge network does not resolve the steep spatial gradients of storm precipitation. Evaporation makes the discharge less than the precipitation but need not be accurately known, being only about 7% of the discharge. Snow effects are modeled using air temperature data. Finely resolved NWP models driven by results from a relatively coarsely resolved global NWP model forecast discharge out for several days.
This region is too far south for extratropical cyclones to cause the largest floods, and the standard procedures for estimating the "probable maximum precipitation" in river basins upstream of dams and developed riparian land are poorly developed for any other kind of flood. The atmospheric processes that cause heavy rain have been studied using instrumented aircraft and vertically pointed weather radar, deployed during storms.
- Glacier Advancing: Franz Josef glacier, contrary to world trends, is advancing. It has advanced more than 1 km since 1983 because of increased snowfall on its neve. It is also unusual in that the trunk moves very fast, penetrating down to a warm climate where there is a temperate rain forest. Speeds up to 4 m per day have been measured, and a plane that crashed 4 km from the snout appeared there only 6 years later.
- Tidal Rips: The pattern of propagation of tides around New Zealand is unique in the Southern Hemisphere (Iceland has similar tides). They travel counterclockwise as a Kelvin wave with the land on their left and undergo a complete rotation around New Zealand every 12 hours. The center of rotation is on the southwest coast of the North Island in Cook Strait, and the tidal currents in the vicinity of this point are very large (~5 knots). In Tory Channel, where the tour ferry will steam, the currents are large enough for power generation (but few customers live nearby).
The AGU Career Center will be available Tuesday, July 9 through Friday, July 12 8:30 AM.-4.30 PM daily, at the Wellington Convention Centre.
The AGU Career Center is a service sponsored by the AGU Committee on Education and Human Resources and available for geoscientists seeking employment and employers looking for staff with scientific training.
For the 2002 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting , the Career Center is a free, self-serve operation. Please note that a copy machine and separate interview space will not be available at this meeting.
Job Candidates: Come to the Career Center daily and view the job postings on the Opportunities Board. Bring five copies of your resume to place in the Candidate Resume Book that will be available for review by prospective employers. Be sure to get a Candidate Number and check the Communication Board daily for messages from employers trying to set up interview appointments. The latest statistics on jobs and careers in geosciences will also be posted.
Employers: Please register (no cost) in the Employer Book and post your available positions on the Career Center Opportunities Board. Identify prospective employees by reviewing the Candidate Resume Book compilation of meeting participants seeking employment. The Communication Board can be used for posting messages to job candidates that you wish to meet in person at the meeting.
Additional instructions for posting jobs and resumes and arranging interviews during the meeting will be available on-site. More information can also be obtained by contacting Chet Migdalski (+1-202-777-7504; cmigdalski@agu.org)
Atmospheric Sciences (AS)
James A. Renwick
NIWA Greta Point
P.O. Box 14901
Wellington 6003
NEW ZEALAND
e-mail: j.renwick@niwa.cri.nz
Kevin P. Hamilton
University of Hawaii
International Pacific Research Center
SOEST
Post Building 401
Honolulu, HI 96822
e-mail: kph@soest.hawaii.edu
Biogeosciences (B)
Submit your proposals to A, H, or OS sections.
Hydrology (H)
Ross A. Woods
NIWA
Box 8602
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
e-mail: r.woods@niwa.cri.nz
Ocean Sciences (OS)
Scott A. Condie
CSIRO Marine Laboratories
GPO Box 1538
Hobart, TAS 7001
AUSTRALIA
e-mail: Scott.Condie@marine.csiro.au
Sang-Mook Lee
Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute
Deepsea Research Center
Ansan P.O. Box 29
Seoul 425-600
KOREA
e-mail: smlee@kordi.re.kr
Seismology (S)
Donna Eberhart-Phillips
Institute of Geological Nuclear
Private Bag 1930
Dunedin 9020
NEW ZEALAND
e-mail: d.eberhart@gns.cri.nz
Cheng-Horng Lin
Academia Sinica
Institute of Earth Science
POB 1-55 Nankang
Taipei, TAIWAN
e-mail: lin@earth.sinica.edu.tw
Space Physics and Aeronomy (SPA), Planetary Sciences (P)
Peter L. Dyson
LaTrobe University
Department of Physics
Room 403, PS1 Building
Bundoora, VIC 3083
AUSTRALIA
e-mail: p.dyson@latrobe.edu.au
Tectonophysics (T), Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism (GP)
Tim A. Stern
Victoria University of Wellington
School of Earth Sciences
P.O. Box 600
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
e-mail: tim.stern@vuw.ac.nz
Masanori Matsui
Himeji Institute of Technology
Faculty of Science
3-2-1 Kouto
Kamigochiro Akogun, HY 678-1297
JAPAN
e-mail: m.matsui@sci.himeji-tech.ac.jp
Volcanology, Geochemistry and Petrology (V)
James D. L. White
Otago University
Geology Department
P.O. Box 56
Dunedin 90015
NEW ZEALAND
e-mail: James.white@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Young Kwan Sohn
Seoul National University
Department of Oceanography
Seoul 425-600
KOREA
e-mail: yksohn@nongae.gsnu.ac.kr
CONTACT:
AGU Meetings Department
2002 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting
2000 Florida Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone:+1-202-462-6900 (in D.C. or outside North America) or
+1-800-966-2481 (toll-free in North America)
Fax: +1-202-328-0566
E-Mail: meetinginfo@agu.org
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