This proposal provides support for student participation for students to participate in the Geological Society of America Penrose Conference "Linkages and feedbacks in orogenic processes - a conference honoring the career of Robert D. Hatcher, Jr, which will be held 30 March?4 April 2014 2014 in Asheville, NC. The conference will provide a forum to synthesize our understanding of orogenic systems, with specific emphasis placed on the consistent integration of multiple datasets that characterize process linkages and reconciliation of theoretical-numerical vs. field-derived models. For example, in many orogens, fault kinematics control the redistribution of heat-producing material and drive advection, which in turn sets up the thermal structure of the orogen. Thermal structure controls lithospheric rheology, which determines the nature and distribution of deformation and strain localization. The structural architecture governs fault kinematics, which act in conjunction with climate to focus erosional and exhumation processes. Therefore, explicit characterization of these links and their associated feedbacks are critical for understanding the evolution of orogenic systems. This conference represents a unique opportunity for graduate students to present their own research results within a focused scientific venue and to interact and network with scientists who are conducting innovative research on collisional orgogenic belts. Support for students in the conference will directly enhance science education through the participants increased awareness and ability to integrate field, analytical, and model based science. Participants will be in an excellent position to disseminate these ideas to the research community and the general public, and the experience will greatly enhance their future scientific careers.
The major goal of this project was to provide a forum to synthesize geological understanding of mountain belts, with specific emphasis placed on 1) the integration of numerous types of geological data and 2) reconciliation of theoretical versus field-derived models. This was accomplished in the form of a Geological Society of America Penrose Conference entitled: "Linkages and feedbacks in orogenic processes – a conference honoring the career of Robert D. Hatcher, Jr." National Science Foundation funding was used to support 18 students participating in this March - April 2014 conference held in Asheville, NC. These students received hotel accommodation and field trip transportation. Additional funds from BP and the Geological Society of America subsidized this conference. The Penrose conference included full student participation by all of those funded by the National Science Foundation. Participants spent 3 full days on field trips within the southern Appalachian mountains, three days of oral presentations with lively panel discussions, and evenings for student poster sessions. In addition, the 5 days and nights of participant interaction at the conference and field trip hotels provided for numerous scientific interactions. Student participation was particularly valuable because it allowed them to engage in numerous formal and informal scientific discussions with academic and industry geologists providing career-related advice, and a long term view of the science and industry.
