Registration and Events Information

1998 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting
Taipei, Taiwan
July 21-24 1998
(Tuesday through Friday)

Taipei

Meeting Venue

The meeting will be held at the Taipei Convention Center.

Taipei is a city with a modern face, yet full of tradition and history. Where rice paddies
stretched for miles 30 years ago are now glass-faced high-rise office buildings, luxury
condominiums, and modern department stores towered above wide, tree-lined boulevards.

Taiwan's Tourism Bureau operates a Tourist Information Hot Line which provides a wide
range of assistance, in Chinese and English, on travel to Taiwan. Information in languages other
than Chinese and English is available, if needed. The Hot Line operates daily from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. (Taipei time). The telephone number is +886-2-717-3737.


Climate

Taiwan's climate is subtropical, with average annual temperature of 21.7 C (71.2F) in the
north and 24.1 C (75.7F) in the south. The rainy season, in May and June, typically heralds the
start of summer. Summers, which last from May through September, are usually hot and humid
with daytime temperatures from 27 to 35 C (in the 80s and 90s F). In general, visitors should
wear lightweight clothing in July.

Languages

Mandarin Chinese is the official language in Taiwan, though other dialects are also spoken. Many people can speak
some English, but most taxi drivers do not speak English.

Electricity and Water

Electricity current is 110 volts, 60 cycles, AC. Drinking water served at hotels and
restaurants is distilled or boiled.

Currency

The Republic of China's unit of currency is the New Taiwan dollar (NT$). Foreign
currencies can be exchanged at government-designated and private banks and hotels. Major
credit cards are accepted and travelers' checks may be cashed at some tourist-oriented businesses
and by room guests at most international hotels.

Tipping

The standard tip is about NT$50 per piece of luggage. A 10% service charge is
automatically added to room rates and meals. All other tipping is optional.

Business Hours

Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to
noon on Saturday. Government offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 1:30
p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday.
Department stores are open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and most other stores are open from 9-10 a.m. to 9-10 p.m.

Insurance Coverage

Participants traveling from the U.S. may wish to purchase accident and medical insurance
protection during their visit to Taipei. Seabury and Smith, an association service organization,
offers coverage for international travel. Insurance must be purchased for a minimum of 15 days,
up to a maximum of 60 days. Prices will vary depending upon the individual's age and choice of
benefit package. For more information, contact Seabury and Smith at +1-202-457-6842.

Transportation

Airport limousine buses are available from CKS International Airport to Taipei every 30
minutes, and tickets cost around NT$120 per person. Taxi service and public bus transportation
is available at reasonable cost while in the City of Taipei.

Useful Phone Numbers While In Taipei


Student Travel Grants

Limited travel grants are available for students to attend this meeting. Advance
registration fees are reimbursed for those who receive grants.

AGU student members who are presenting papers at this meeting and whose research is
NOT supported by a grant or contract are eligible for funding of up to US$500.00.

For a grant application, contact Wynetta Singateh, American Geophysical Union, 2000
Florida Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009; Phone: +1-202-939-3223; Fax: +1-202-328-0566;
E-mail: wsinghateh@agu.org.

Deadline for applications: April 20, 1998

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Registration Information

Preregistration Deadline: June 5, 1998

To take advantage of preregistration rates, the registration form with payment must be received by June 5, 1998. After this date, registrations must include a $40 late fee. Registrations will be accepted at the AGU office only until June 26, 1998. After this date, individuals must register on-site.

Payment must be received in U.S. dollars and is accepted using an American Express, VISA, or MasterCard credit card, or check, postal money order, or bank draft payable to American Geophysical Union. At the meeting, U.S. and NT dollars will be accepted. Purchase orders cannot be accepted as payment for registration fees

Registration fees include:

How to Register

Send your completed Meeting Registration From directly to AGU using one of the convenient methods listed below. Credit cards, bank transfers, money orders, and checks are accepted for registrations sent by postal mail. American Express, Visa, and MasterCard credit cards must be used for fax phone, and electronic registration options.
  1. Register using the Interactive Registration Form by linking below
    Online Registration is now Closed. Please register on site.

  2. Print the text or Postscript ( ) version of the Registration Form and mail it to:


    1998 Western Pacific Meeting
    American Geophysical Union
    2000 Florida Avenue, NW
    Washington, DC 20009


  3. Register by fax or telephone:


    Fax: +1-202-328-0566
    Toll-Free: +1-800-966-2481 (in North America)
    Phone: +1-202-462-6900

Electronic Registration

E-mail your registration to regis@agu.org . At the "Subject:" prompt, enter "1998 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting Registration." Beside each item number listed below, enter the corresponding information as it pertains to your registration category. All item numbers must be entered; if an item does not apply, enter "N/A" after the item number. Send only one registration per E-mail message. Confirmation will be returned to you. Follow this format when entering your registration information:

  1. Enter your complete name.
  2. Enter your Badge Name (First Name only).
  3. Enter your organization and complete address. (A hard return should go after each line of the address.)
  4. Enter your telephone and fax numbers.
  5. Enter whether you are an AGU member or a nonmember.
  6. If an AGU member, enter your membership number.
  7. If an AGU member, enter your AGU section affiliation.
  8. Enter all days you plan to attend (e.g., Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri.)
  9. Enter the name of card holder, credit card type, number, and expiration date. AGU can only accept American Express, VISA, and Mastercard (e.g., J.H. Smith/VISA/1234 5423 6283 9030/exp. 10/96).
  10. Enter your Registration Category and fee (e.g., Professional, full week, US$250.00).
  11. Enter the quantity and total cost of Chinese-Style Banquet ticket(s) desired (e.g., 1, US$40.00; or 2, US$80.00).
  12. Enter the quantity, Accommodation Type, and total cost of fieldtrip(s) desired (e.g., 1, Single, US$500.00; or 2, Double, US$800.00).
  13. Enter the total amount submitted for your registration (e.g., US$790.00).
  14. If you are disabled or require special services, please provide a detailed description of your needs. A staff member will contact you to discuss measures that can be taken to provide reasonable accommodation.

On-Site Registration Hours

Monday, July 20
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday - Thursday, July 21-23
7:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friday, July 24
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Receipt

The preregistration receipt will be attached to your badge, which will be given to you at the meeting.

Cancellations

Registration:
Cancellations must be made in writing to AGU. The full registration fee will be refunded if written notification is received by July 3, 1998. Between July 4 and July 12, a US$20 processing fee will be deducted from the amount paid. Refund requests received after July 12 will not be processed.

Ticketed Events:
Cancellations for the Chinese Banquet must be received in writing at AGU by July 12. Cancellations for the Pre-Meeting Field Trip on "Collision Tectonics in Taiwan" must be received at AGU by June 15, 1998.

Registration Rates

Before
June 5, 1998		After
June 5, 1998
Regular Member
(More than 1-Day)$ 250 $ 290
(1-Day)$ 125 $ 165
Student Member
(More than 1-Day)$ 125 $ 165
(1-Day)$ 62 $ 102
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Social Programs

 The Local Host Committee has arranged a number of interesting activities for conference attendees during the 1998 WPGM. Activities will include:

Opening Ceremony and Reception


Tours to the Taipei Astronomical Museum and the Feitsui Reservoir

The Local Committee is arranging for visits to these two sites on Wednesday afternoon. Interested individuals must sign up for the tours once they arrive at the meeting. The capacity limit for each tour is about 135 people. The tours will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. The tours are free; however, individuals must pay transportation cost of about US$5.00 before boarding buses.

Chinese Style Banquet


V. M. Vasyliunas in Concert


Local Tours

A tour operator will be available at the Convention Center to handle all sightseeing activities. Some tours will be half- or full-day tours, depending upon selection. Advance payment is not required. All reservations can be made once you arrive in Taipei. Additional tour details can be found here on the AGU Web Site as information becomes available.

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Pre-Meeting Field Trip

 The Local Organizing Committee has developed a scientific tour entitled:

Collision Tectonics in Taiwan

Reservations for this tour must be made in advance on the registration form and payment must be received in full. The deadline for reservation is June 5, 1998. Cancellations will be accepted up until June 15, 1998.

Leaders: Hao-Tsu Chu, T. Frank Yang, and Tim Byrne
Duration: 4 days and 3 nights
Age of Strata: Late Paleozoic to Holocene
Participation: 15 minimum, 45 maximum

Cost: US$400 for double room accommodations. Those requiring a single room accommodation must add an additional US$100. Costs include accommodations in a standard hotel with private facilities, meals and transportation. Field trip will leave from a hotel in Taipei at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 17th. Details will be mailed to conference participants.

Description: The island of Taiwan provides one of the world's best natural laboratories for studying orogenic processes. Plate convergence between the Phillippines Sea plate and the Chinese continental margin has resulted in an active arc-continent collision in the south and an active arc-backarc system in the north; the island of Taiwan straddles the boundary between these complex systems. In addition, the combination of relatively fast convergence, and rapid uplift and denudation rates makes Taiwan an ideal location for illustrating orogenic processes. This 4-day field excursion will cross the orogen from the active fold-and-thrust in the west to the colliding magmatic arc in the east and will provide ample opportunities for observing and studying the products of this active orogen.

Itinerary:


Rigor: This excursion is reasonably comfortable. All vehicles are air-conditioned. Occasionally, there are short walks to the outcrop arc. Maximum elevation of 2,450 meters will be attained during the transection of the Central Range.

Special Requirements: Layered clothing is recommended such as light cotton field clothes or something warm with wind and rain protection. Mineral water will be provided during the trip.

Climate: The island of Taiwan in July is hot and humid. Most days will be pleasant in the mountain area; however, typhoons and rain can present unpleasant weather.

For additional information contact:
Timothy Byrne
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
Phone: +1-860-486-1384
Fax: +1-860-486-1383
E-mail: byrne@geol.uconn.edu

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Local Tours (Day Tours)

 Taipei City Tour
National Palace Museum Tour
The Northern Coast Tour
Taipei Night Tour with Mongolian Barbeque Dinner
Window on China Tour
Folk Art Tour
One Day Taroko Gorge Tour

As one of the leading travel agencies in Taiwan, Edison Travel Service Co, Ltd., has been very active in organizing tours for international conferences held in Taipei for the past 10 years.

Edison Travel Service Co., Ltd., will have a tour desk available at the Convention Center to handle sightseeing and tour reservations. All tours include entrance fees, English-speaking guides and transportation.

Day tours can be booked on-site. To reserve your tour, contact:

Peter Kuo
Edison Travel Service
4F #190 Sung Chiang Rd
Taipei, Taiwan
tel: +886-2-2563-5313
fax: +886-2-2563-4803
E-mail: edisonts@ms6.hinet.net

Major credit cards are accepted. E-mail and fax are the preferred method of reserving tours. A written notice of cancellation is requried 3 days before departure in order to receive a refund.

Taipei City Tour
(9:00am-noon) or (2:00pm-5:00pm)
US$17.00 / NT$650

Lungshan Temple - Lungshan (Dragon Mountain) Temple is the oldest and most famous temple in Taipei.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall - An impressive monument to a great Chinese leader, this majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, graceful pavilions, and ponds. An elegant Ming-style arch at the main entrance is flanked by two classical-style buildings, the National Theater and Concert Hall.

Martyrs' Shrine - An excellent example of classical Ming dynasty architecture, it is dedicated to the fallen heroes of China's wars. There is an hourly changing of the guard ceremony at the entrance.

National Palace Museum Tour
(9:00am-noon) or (2:00pm-5:00pm)
US$20.00

The museum houses the world's largest collection of Chinese art treasure. Most of the 620,000 art objects were part of the Chinese imperial collection that was brought to Taiwan for safe-keeping.

The Northern Coast Tour
(8:00am-noon) or (1:00pm-5:00pm)
US$23.00 / NT$800

Keelung Chung Cheng Park - One of Taiwan's international seaports and transportation hubs. On the park you can view the huge statue of the goddess of mercy.

Yehliu - Yehliu is famous for its natural rock formations which are an amazing array of artistic shapes created by erosion and other natural forces. The queen's head is the most famous rock.

Taipei Night Tour with Mongolian Barbeque Dinner
(6:00pm -10:00pm)
US$32.00 / NT$1000

Mongolian Barbeque Dinner - Served at a popular downtown restaurant with a variety of meats, venison, vegetables, spices and seasoning.

Shih Kong Observatory - The 244.15 meter-high tower is Taipei's tallest building and a prominent city landmark. A high speed elevator brings visitors from the basement to the observatory on the 46th floor in only 30 seconds. The glass-walled observatory area gives visitors a view of the whole Taipei Basin.

Window on China Tour
(8:00am-noon) or (1:00pm-5:00pm)
US$40.00 / NT$1300

An hour south of Taipei, you can tour China's Great Wall, Peking's Forbidden City, as well as the temple of Heaven. Window on China captures in miniature some 100 of the best-known structures in both Taiwan and mainland China. The exhibits are populated by more than 50,000 tiny figures, all done perfectly to scale. Other attractions include traditional Chinese gardens with ponds, waterfalls, and winding pathways.

Folk Art Tour
(8:00am-noon) or (1:00pm-5:00pm)
US$28.00 / NT$900

Yingko, Potterys' Heaven - A short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingko where hand-painted replicas of elegant Ming and Ching vases are produced. The town with its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate statues.

Sanhsia & Tsu Shih Temple - Sanhsia is a bustling town with narrow, winding streets and brick buildings at a least a century old. The main attraction is the Tsu Shih (Divine Ancestor) Temple built in honor of Sung Dynasty loyalist, Cheng Chao-ying. This temple was in ruins at the end of World War II, and a meticulous restoration project has been underway for some forty years. The temple is known for its intricately carved stone and bronze columns and statues, carved stone lions, camphor wood carvings and exquisite bronze bas-reliefs.

One Day Taroko Gorge Tour
(6:00am-4:00pm)
US$123.00 / NT$3900
(includes bus, lunch, round trip air tickets, airport transfers and entrance)

Taroko Gorge - Taroko Gorge is one of the seven wonders of Asia that no traveler should miss. After a 25-minute flight from Taipei to Hualien, you will be guided along a 12-mile stretch of highway built into awesome marble cliffs high above the rushing river. Your route will take you through 38 tunnels including the swallows grotto, the tunnel of nine turns and the marble bridge of Motherly Devotion. After lunch, you will return to Hualien for performance of aboriginal singing and dancing.

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Local Tours (Overnight Tours)

 Sun Moon Lake & Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village Tour
Taroko Gorge & East Coast National Park Tour
Kenting National Park, Kaohsiung and Taroko Gorge Tour
Round Island Excursion



As one of the leading travel agencies in Taiwan, Edison Travel Service Co, Ltd., has been very active in organizing tours for international conferences held in Taipei for the past 10 years.

Edison Travel Service Co., Ltd., will have a tour desk available at the Convention Center to handle sightseeing and tour reservations. All tours include entrance fees, English-speaking guides and transportation.

Advance reservation with payment is required for overnight tours. To reserve your tour, contact:

Peter Kuo
Edison Travel Service
4F #190 Sung Chiang Rd
Taipei, Taiwan
tel: +886-2-2563-5313
fax: +886-2-2563-4803
E-mail: edisonts@ms6.hinet.net

Major credit cards are accepted. E-mail and fax are the preferred method of reserving tours. A written notice of cancellation is requried 3 days before departure in order to receive a refund.

Sun Moon Lake & Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village Tour
(2 days, 1 night)
US$140.00 / NT$4500
(Hotel double-occupancy)

Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village - Situated in central Taiwan, the park was built to preserve Taiwan's aboriginal cultures. It includes village environments of nine Formosan aboriginal tribes.

Sun Moon Lake - A year-round resort situated 762 meters (2,500 feet) above sea level in the lofty central mountains of Taiwan, the lake area has many places of interests, such as the Hsuan Chuang Temple, Wen-Wu Temple, Tse-En (filial devotion) pagoda and so on.

Taroko Gorge & East Coast National Park Tour
(2 days, 1 night)
NT$6,200 double occupancy
NT$7,000 single occupancy
(includes round trip air ticket, 1 night in 3-star hotel, airport transfer and 2 day excursion)

Day 1: East Coast National Park
Day 2: Taroko Gorge Tour

Taroko Gorge - See description under One Day Taroko Gorge Tour.

East Coast National Park - Nestled behind Taiwan's Central Mountain Ridge, it has escaped from many of the ravages of industrial development. The harvest festival, held between July and August, has become a popular attraction for tourists. The coastal road from Hualien to Taitung in the south includes the most of the East Coast National Scenic Area and is one of the most picturesque drives on the island.

Kenting National Park, Kaohsiung and Taroko Gorge Tour
(3 days, 2 nights)
NT$10,000 double occupancy
NT$11,600 single occupancy
(includes round trip air ticket, 2 nights hotel, airport transfer and 3 day excursion)

Day 1: Kenting National Park
Day 2: Kaohsiung City Tour
Day 3: Taroko National Park

Kenting National Park - Taiwan's only tropical national park. It is known for its spectacular shorelines, rock formations and beaches.

Kaohsiung - Located in southern Taiwan, the city of Kaohsiung is the island's second largest city and its largest industrial and shipping center. The city also has many tourist attractions. The Lotus Lake Scenic Area contains a number of imposing pagodas and temples. Chengching Lake is another elegantly landscaped area known for the seven-story Chungching Pagoda, the Nine Corner Bridge and an aquarium.

Taroko Gorge - See description under One Day Taroko Gorge Tour.

Round Island Excursion
(5 days, 4 nights)
NT$13,000 double occupancy
NT$16,200 single occupancy
(includes round trip air ticket, 1 night hotel, airport transfer and 2 day excursion)

Day 1: Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village*
Day 2: Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung*
Day 3: Kenting National Park*
Day 4: Kaohsiung City Tour*
Day 5: Taroko Gorge*

* All tour descriptions outlined above

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Hotel Accommodations

Deadline: June 1, 1998

AGU has blocked sleeping rooms at two hotels which are close to the Convention Center. Requests for accommodations must be sent directly to the hotel of your choice along with a first night's deposit. An acceptable credit card is the preferred method for guaranteeing a reservation. Please note that a 10% service charge is added per room/per night.

Confirmation of Hotel Reservations

You will receive a confirmation directly from the hotel once your reservation is secured with a deposit of one night's room charge. Please carefully review the information on the confirmation notice for accuracy and bring the notice with you to Taipei.

Changes/Cancellations/Refund Policy

Changes and cancellations must be made directly with the hotel. Cancellations and changes will be accepted up until 72 hours prior to check-in. Cancellations received 72 hours prior to check-in are eligible for a full refund. There will be no refunds for cancellations after this time. Your deposit will be forfeited.

Grand Hyatt Taipei

2, Sung Shou Road
Taipei, Taiwan
Telephone: +886-2-2720-1234
Reservations Fax: +886-2-2720-1105


Conference Rate:NT$4,550.00
Single or double accommodations
Rates applicable 3 days before and 3 days after the conference dates.
Check-in time: 3:00 p.m.
Check-out time: 12 noon.

Located within the Taipei World Trade Center Complex, the Grand Hyatt Taipei is an approximate 5-8 minute walk to the Taipei Convention Center. The C. K. S. International Airport is approximately 45 minutes by shuttle and Center City is approximately 5 minutes by car or taxi.

Airport limousine and shuttle service available, by request, through the hotel at NT$1,700 per trip.

The hotel features


Howard Plaza Taipei

160 Jen Ai Road, Section 3
Taipei, Taiwan
Tel: +886-2-2700-2323
Reservation Fax: +886-2-2708-2376

Conference Rates:
Superior Single: NT$3,300
Deluxe Single: NT$3,600
Superior Twin: NT$3,300
Rates applicable a few days before and after the conference dates.
Check-in time: 3:00 p.m.
Check-out time: 12:00 noon.

The Taipei Convention Center is approximately a 20-25 minute walk from the Howard Plaza, however, the hotel will provide complimentary morning shuttle to the Convention Center. The C. K. S. International Airport is approximately 45-50 minutes by shuttle.

Airport limousine and shuttle service available, by request, through the hotel at a rate of NT$1,470 per trip.


The hotel features:

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Travel Services Information

Airline Discounts

United Airlines, the official airline for the WPGM Meeting, is offering 15-25% discounts off various class fares.

Reservations and Schedule Information may be obtained by calling the United Airlines International One Stop Shop.

Phone: 1-800-237-9524
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 9:00pm EST
Meeting ID Code: S*OSS/746BG

Note: These discounts apply only to the meeting destination city (Taipei). Fares are subject to all applicable restrictions when tickets are purchased. Departure taxes, passports and visa requirements are the responsibility of the individual passenger.

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Visas and Letters of Invitation

 Visa requirements include one completed application form, incoming and outgoing travel tickets (or a letter of confirmation from a travel agency), three photographs, documents verifying the purpose of the visit (except for transit or sightseeing), and, in some cases, a letter of guarantee.

For complete information on visa requirements contact: Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, 885 Second Ave., 17th Fl., New York, NY 10017, USA, Phone: +1-212-486-0088, or Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23F, 333 Keelung Rd., Taipei, Taiwan, Phone: +886-2-729-7117.

Persons interested in participating in the 1998 Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting who need to receive letters of invitation should contact the Meetings Department at AGU (E-mail: meetinginfo@agu.org).

The Chinese Geophysical Union will assist those who are citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to obtain an entry permit to Taiwan. It takes about 3 months to process the paperwork, therefore the deadline is set at April 1, 1998, the same as the abstract deadline. Citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC) should contact:

Guey-Kuen Yu
Department of Earth Sciences
National Central University
Chung-Li, Taiwan
Phone: +886-3-427-9755
Fax: +886-3-427-6543
E-mail: kuen@ses.gep.ncu.edu.tw


Please make your requests before April 1, 1998 to obtain the application form for entry permit to Taiwan.

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