This year's field trip for News Media registrants will be on Sunday, 10 December. We will drive down the scenic Pacific coast highway (California 1) to Moss Landing, situated between Santa Cruz and Monterey, at the head of the undersea Monterey Canyon. There, our host for the day is the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).

Founded in 1987, MBARI is home to some 220 scientists, engineers, and administrative staff. It operates three research vessels. MBARI's mission, in the words of founder David Packard, is "to achieve and maintain a position as a world center for advanced research and education in ocean science and technology, and to do so through the development of better instruments, systems, and methods for scientific research in the deep waters of the ocean." MBARI scientists regularly present their latest research at Fall Meeting.

We plan to depart Moscone West in San Francisco (site of Fall Meeting) at 0830h, arriving at MBARI two hours later. On the trip down, a geologist will explain features of the dramatic landscape, including the San Andreas Fault, which we will cross at the point it emerges from the ocean onto land.

At MBARI, several scientists will discuss their research. Topics may include (subject to change):

• The Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS), a deep-sea observatory that will begin operation in 2007
  
• Methane hydrates on the seafloor
  
• Underwater landslides and other ongoing geologic processes in Monterey Canyon and other submarine canyons
  
• Long-term climate changes
  
• Studying marine microbes using a robotic underwater DNA laboratory
  
• Using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to study currents, algal blooms, glowing animals, seafloor geology, and Arctic ice

After lunch, compliments of AGU (outside, by the seawall, if weather permits), we will split into two groups. One will visit several of MBARI's laboratories for briefings on work being done there. The second group will tour the Western Flyer, MBARI's twin hulled research vessel, which is scheduled to be in port on 10 December. Later, the two groups will switch places, so that all attendees visit both the labs and the ship.

In late afternoon, we will return to Moscone West via the freeway system.

Current News Media registrants may sign up for the field trip by sending a short note to Harvey Leifert (hleifert@agu.org). For those first registering for the meeting, the form (see Item 3, below) now includes a check box to indicate interest in the field trip. The number of participants is limited by the capacity of the bus and of the facilities at MBARI. Those who may wish to drive to MBARI on their own must also sign up, but should advise Harvey that they do not require the bus.

News Media registrants receive a badge that provides access to any of the scientific sessions of the meeting, as well as to the Press Room and Briefing Room. No one will be admitted without a valid badge.

Eligibility for press registration is limited to the following persons:

• Working press employed by bona fide news media: must present a press card, business card, or letter of introduction from an editor of a recognized publication.
• Freelance science writers: must present one of the following: a current membership card from NASW, a regional affiliate of NASW, CSWA, ISWA, or SEJ; or evidence of by-lined work pertaining to science intended for the general public and published in 2005 or 2006; or a letter from the editor of a recognized publication assigning you to cover Fall Meeting.
• Public information officers of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government agencies: must present a business card.

Note: Representatives of publishing houses, for-profit corporations, and the business side of news media must register at the main registration desk at the meeting and pay the appropriate fees, regardless of possession of any of the above documents. They are not accredited as Press at the meeting.

Scientists who are also reporters and who are presenting at this meeting (oral or poster session) may receive News Media credentials if they qualify (see above), but must also register for the meeting and pay the appropriate fee as a presenter.

The News Media Registration Form is set up for online submission, but includes a link to a version that can be printed out and faxed or mailed. Go to: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=media&show=pressReg_online

The last day for advance News Media registration, assuring that your badge will be waiting for you when you arrive, is Friday, 1 December 2006. You may also register onsite in the Press Room.

At recent AGU meetings, the list of News Media registrants has (happily) grown quite long. Rather than add to the length of this and future media advisories, we are now posting the Who's Coming list on the News Media page of the 2006 Fall Meeting Web site. It is updated daily. If you have registered, but your name does not appear on the list, kindly resubmit the registration form (in Item 3, above). See http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm06/?content=media#who