Two AGU Special Sessions

Dear Colleagues: Information on two AGU special sessions below. John

2005 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, Session NG05: Physics of Relaxation Processes in Solid Materials

Sponsor: Nonlinear Geophysics
CoSponsor: Seismology, Tectonophysics, Mineral and Rock Physics

A number of us presently undertaking large-scale simulations and
theoretical modeling of Earth system dynamics are convening this session
at the AGU and urge you to submit an abstract to ensure that a wide range
of topics focusing on relaxation processes in solids and in the Earth's
crust and related problems are discussed at the 2005 Fall Meeting in San
Francisco.

Observed aftershock data provide a wealth of information that can be used
in the studies of processes of seismic relaxation in the Earth's crust.
The processes of relaxation are also documented in laboratory experiments
on solid materials as acoustic emissions, reduction in effective elastic
properties, and damage development. Recent studies have shown that ideas
of continuum damage mechanics, scale-invariant behavior and universality
along with theoretical and computational techniques can be used to
explain observed phenomena. The goal of this session is to bring together
researchers working on the physics and statistics of aftershocks, damage
rheology and its relation to the processes of relaxation, and the
connection between friction and inelastic deformation of solids and
related phenomena. Presentations based on lab experiments, field data,
and theoretical and computational models are welcomed.

This session will bring together a wide range of researchers and foster
the integrated analysis of these complex and intriguing phenomena.

The session is sponsored by the AGU Nonlinear Geophysics sections and
further information can be found at http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm05/review/?page74

The online Abstract Submission Form
(http://submissions4.agu.org/submission/entrance.asp)
is available. Abstracts must be submitted to AGU by September 8, 2005,
2359 UT.

Conveners:

Robert Shcherbakov
Center for Computational Science and Engineering
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616, USA
email: roshch@cse.ucdavis.edu

Yehuda Ben-Zion
Department of Earth Sciences
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, USA 90089
email: benzion@terra.usc.edu

Donald L. Turcotte
Department of Geology
University of California, Davis
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616, USA
email: turcotte@geology.ucdavis.edu

John B. Rundle
Center for Computational Science and Engineering
University of California, Davis
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA, USA 95616
email: jbrundle@ucdavis.edu

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Dear Colleagues:

Please consider contributing an abstract to the following special session
for the upcoming 2005 Fall AGU meeting, a review of the state of
knowledge regarding fluids and subduction zones, with applications to
seismogenic zone processes, mantle dynamics, and more. Both MARGINS and
non-MARGINS investigations are welcome. Please direct questions to the
co-conveners below.

We look forward to seeing you at AGU!
Liz, Peter, and Juli

-----------------------------------------
TO3 - Fluids at Subduction Zones: Integrating Models and Observations Within MARGINS and Related Studies
(Sponsor: Tectonophysics; CoSponsor: Hydrology)

Description: Pore fluids and fluid flow play defining roles in
subduction zone processes, over a wide range of depths and scales. Such
processes include rock diagenesis and alteration, fault zone stability
and seismogenesis, upper and lower plate deformation, dehydration
reaction in downgoing crust and mantle, magma formation and migration,
dynamics of the mantle wedge, and earthquake nucleation. For this reason,
characterizing the occurrence and role of fluids at subduction zones has
been a key component of both the Seismogenic Zone Experiments (SEIZE) and
Subduction Factory (SubFac) Initiative of the NSF MARGINS Program.
Unfortunately, direct observations of fluids and fluid processes have
been limited. Further progress in understanding the role of fluids can be
gained from integrated fluid flow, thermal, chemical, and deformational
modeling, calibrated by observations and measurements of subduction zone
processes and properties. This session is intended to bring numerical
modelers together with those who collect and interpret geophysical,
geodetic, seafloor, and drilling data relevant to subduction zone fluids.
Further aspects relating to the feedback mechanisms between deformation
and metamorphism across a variety of tectonic settings will be discussed
in Session T20.

Index Terms: 8045 8150 3210

Conveners: Elizabeth Screaton (Dept. of Geological Science, Univ of
Florida; Box 112120, 241 Williamson, Gainesville, FL, USA 32653;
screaton@ufl.edu); Peter van Keken (Dept. of Geological Sciences, Univ.
of Michigan, 2534 CC Little Building, 425 East University Avenue, Ann
Arbor, MI, USA 48109; keken@umich.edu); Julia Morgan (Dept. Earth
Science, MS-126, Rice Univ., 6100 Main St, Houston, TX, USA 77005;
morganj@rice.edu)