Page 16 - gt1505

GSA2015 ANNUAL MEETING & EXPOSITION
Topical Sessions
Bridging Two Continents
T1. Bridging Two Continents: Active Intracontinental Tectonics
in Asia and North America and the Associated Geohazards
Disciplines: Tectonics/Tectonophysics
Advocates: Jing Liu; An Yin; Mian Liu
Intracontinental tectonics, exemplified by the diffuse crustal
deformation in central Asia and the western U.S., and mid-
continental earthquakes in North China and the eastern-central
U.S., remains enigmatic. This session seeks researchers from all
disciplines to exchange data and ideas to better understand active
intracontinental tectonics and associated geohazards.
T2. Bridging Two Continents: Advances in Crustal Subduction
and Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphism
Disciplines: Petrology, Metamorphic; Tectonics/Tectonophysics;
Geochemistry
Advocates: Jane A. Gilotti; Yong-Fei Zheng
Presentations that explore the mineralogical, petrological,
geochemical, geochronologic, and tectonic aspects of crustal
subduction and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism are welcome.
Papers presenting theoretical, analytical, or conceptual advances
toward the understanding of deep subduction-zone processes
are encouraged.
GSA TODAY | MAY 2015 T3. Bridging Two Continents: Comparative Studies of
Accretionary Orogenesis in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt,
North American Cordillera, and Other Orogenic Belts
Disciplines: Structural Geology; Tectonics/Tectonophysics;
Sediments, Clastic
Advocates: John Wakabayashi; Wenjiao Xiao; Laura E. Webb
We seek contributions on aspects of the accretionary orogenesis
of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and the North American
Cordillera. Comparative studies or research on either belt, or on
other accretionary orogens, are welcome.
T4. Bridging Two Continents: Diamonds, Zircons and Native
Elements in the Mantle: New Discoveries and Models on the
Properties and Petrogenesis of Oceanic Mantle Lithosphere
Disciplines: Mineralogy/Crystallography; Petrology,
Metamorphic; Tectonics/Tectonophysics
Advocates: Yildirim Dilek; Paul T. Robinson; Juhn G. Liou;
Jingsui Yang
Contributions on the processes of element fluxing, crust-
mantle recycling, and petrogenetic evolution of the mantle, based
on studies of ophiolites and oceanic lithosphere and using miner-
alogical, geochemical, and geodynamic data for modeling at nano,
micro, and global scales are welcome.
16
communi t y.geosociet y.org / gsa2 015
T5. Bridging Two Continents: Geologic Configuration of the
Tibetan Plateau Region Prior to the Indo-Asian Collision:
Setting the Stage for Development of a High Elevation Plateau
Disciplines: Tectonics/Tectonophysics; Structural Geology;
Sediments, Clastic
Advocates: Amy L. Weislogel; Delores M. Robinson
Geoscientists from diverse disciplines will assess the compli-
cated geologic record produced by successive tectonic collisions,
with the aim of piecing together the geologic history that culmi-
nated in Earth’s largest and highest plateau.
T6. Bridging Two Continents: Mid-Latitude Climate during
Cretaceous Greenhouse States: Comparison between East Asia
and North America
Disciplines: Paleoclimatology/Paleoceanography; Tectonics/
Tectonophysics
Advocates: Stephan A. Graham; Chengshan Wang
Understanding Cretaceous greenhouse climate may be helpful
for future climate predictions. Comparison of the Terrestrial
Songliao Basin in East Asia and the Western Interior Seaway Basin
in North America facilitates integration of mid-latitude climate
in the Cretaceous. Topics on basin evolution and paleoclimate
change are encouraged.
T7. Bridging Two Continents: New Insights into the
Mechanisms of Continental Deformation from SinoProbe
Deep Seismic Reflection Profiling and Receiver-Function
Studies of the Lithosphere
Disciplines: Tectonics/Tectonophysics
Advocates: Shuwen Dong; Larry Brown
International seismological observations recently achieved
significant progress; the SinoProbe of China continues to explore
lithospheric structures from efforts of many scientists. This
session allows scientists to exchange new findings and insights,
and stimulates cooperation and discussion to better understand
the mechanism of continental deformation and tectonics.
T8. Bridging Two Continents: Supercontinents in Earth’s
History: New Perspectives from Precambrian Geology of Asia
and North America
Disciplines: Precambrian Geology; Tectonics/Tectonophysics
Advocates: Mingguo Zhai; J. Brendan Murphy; Joseph G. Meert
This session will concentrate on paleogeographic reconstruc-
tions of Precambrian paleocontinent/supercontinents with
specific emphasis on Asian and North American cratons, early
Earth geodynamic and tectonic processes, and the effect of super-
continent cycles on the distribution of mineral resources and
evolution of the hydrosphere and atmosphere.