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POLICY UPDATE
Time for Earth

Gregory C. Beroza, Stanford University; Alejandro N. Flores, 9. How is Earth’s water cycle changing?
Boise State University; Deborah Glickson, National Academies of 10. How do biogeochemical cycles evolve?
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Katharine W. Huntington, 11. How do geological processes influence biodiversity?
University of Washington; Carolina Lithgow-Bertelloni, University 12. How can earth-science research reduce the risk and toll of
of California, Los Angeles; Donna L. Whitney, University of geohazards?
Minnesota; James A. Yoder, Woods Hole Oceanographic Progress will depend on strong disciplinary programs in EAR
Institution; and members of the Catalyzing Opportunities for that support both individuals and collaborative teams. The priority
Research in the Earth Sciences (CORES) Committee questions do not exclude other areas of research. Basic research
will always have the potential to lead to unanticipated, transforma-
The Earth in Time report presents a vision to advance under- tive results.
standing of Earth and, by doing so, address urgent societal chal- The committee recommended that EAR commit to funding that
lenges. The “all hands on deck” vision and the call to invest in a develops and sustains technical staff to promote collaboration,
diverse, inclusive, and technically skilled workforce is not only innovation, and education of the future workforce. EAR has
timely, but has acquired new urgency, strongly aligning with GSA’s responded through multiple initiatives to address diversity, equity,
mission “to advance geoscience research and discovery, service to and inclusion, yet earth science remains one of the least diverse
society, stewardship of Earth, and the geosciences profession.” STEM fields. Addressing the science priorities of the future will
In 2018, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Division of require the perspectives of scientists with a wide range of experi-
Earth Sciences (EAR) asked the National Academies of Sciences, ences and identities. The committee recommended that EAR
Engineering, and Medicine to undertake a decadal survey to pro- enhance existing efforts to provide leadership, investment, and
vide guidance on future research priorities. The committee centralized guidance to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in
recruited for this effort was charged to (1) identify high-priority the earth-science community.
questions to advance earth-science research; (2) assess earth- EAR faces a challenge in keeping pace with a rapidly evolving
science infrastructure; and (3) discuss partnerships that could computational landscape. The report recommends that EAR establish
maximize EAR’s ability to address the priority questions. a standing committee to provide advice to NSF regarding cyberinfra-
A Vision for NSF Earth Sciences 2020–2030: Earth in Time structure and that EAR develop a strategy to support FAIR (findable,
(freely available at http://nap.edu/25761) views Earth as an inte- accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data practices.
grated system that interacts across vast space and time scales: The committee identified three initiatives with years of community
from bacteria and rocks to the convective and tectonic processes planning—a geochronology consortium, a very large multi-anvil
that build mountains, from the core to the atmosphere, and from press facility, and a near-surface geophysics center—that are recom-
the time of Earth’s formation to the present. The embodied scien- mended for funding. The SZ4D initiative for subduction zone pro-
tific value is made urgent by the need to understand how Earth cesses has strong community support, and the committee recom-
can continue to sustain civilization and biodiversity. mended continued support of its development. Other possible
The report’s priority questions are poised for rapid progress. initiatives have promise but require further community development.
They reveal the importance of geological time, connections EAR must be nimble and flexible to support research that
between Earth’s surface and interior, the co-evolution of geology crosses disciplinary, geological, and/or geographical boundaries.
and life, and the effects of human activities: Boundaries between disciplines are more permeable than ever.
1. How is Earth’s internal magnetic field generated? New or strengthened partnerships with science agencies across the
2. When, why, and how did plate tectonics start? federal government would help EAR support collaborative and
3. How are critical elements distributed and cycled in the Earth? cross-disciplinary research.
4. What is an earthquake? The Earth in Time report highlights the urgency, significance,
5. What drives volcanism? and impact of earth-science research, education, and training, which
6. What are the causes and consequences of topographic change? have direct benefits to the nation’s health, prosperity, and security,
7. How does the critical zone influence climate? and concludes with optimism for what earth-science researchers
8. What does Earth’s past reveal about the dynamics of the climate have accomplished and what we can do in the next decade.
system?

20 GSA Today | September 2020