Conference: Multi-disciplinary views of subduction processes

There are many subduction zones in the Pacific region. In 2027 the Geological Society of America Penrose conference in Kōchi, Japan will focus on subduction zone science. The goal of the conference is to improve understanding of ancient Pacific plate motions. Participants will engage in discussions and field excursions. Scientists will discuss local geology and global plate tectonics. Discussions will help scientists develop a better understanding of subduction zones. This award will support the participation of 15 early- career scientists from U.S. institutions. Early- career scientists bring new ideas and methods to research about subduction systems. Scientific discussions are expected to result in new international collaborations. This award supports the exchange of scientific ideas while supporting the next generation of scientists. The goal of this conference is an improved understanding of ancient Pacific plate motions that can form the basis for future studies. Reconstructing past plate motion is essential for understanding how plate tectonic processes shaped Earth and how these systems may continue to evolve. The Pacific region is an exceptional natural laboratory for the study of subduction systems. Scientific advances in studies in California and Japan are developing at a rapid rate. This rapid expansion of new datasets and interpretive tools needs an interdisciplinary and international community to synthesize findings and identify remaining questions. This conference will examine the subduction systems of Japan and California as primary themes. After a geologic overview, the meeting will focus on exchanging recent scientific advances from both regions. Sessions will be organized around key geologic themes while emphasizing synthesis across disciplines and regions to integrate results. The interactive conference format includes three day-long field trips and will encourage interactions among all participants, especially among early-career scientists. This conference will lead to collaborative working groups, research proposals, and publications. The resulting valuable insights into subduction systems will benefit the wider geosciences community. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.