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NSF PA/M 00-24 - December 13, 2000
NSF-Supported Research at American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference
Several key sessions involving National Science Foundation (NSF)
- supported research highlight the American Geophysical Union (AGU) conference
in San Francisco, December 15-19, 2000. For more information on sessions
and participants contact Cheryl Dybas at (703) 292-8070/cdybas@nsf.gov
BIOCOMPLEXITY IN THE ENVIRONMENT
Special Session: NG52A, 1:30 p.m., Friday, December 15, 2000, Moscone
Center Room 130 "Geo and Bio Complexity I"
Poster Session: NG62A, 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 16, 2000, Moscone
Center Hall D "Geo and Bio Complexity II"
Biocomplexity arises due to dynamic interactions that occur between
biological systems, including humans, and the physical environment. NSF's
support in this area seeks interdisciplinary projects aimed at understanding
the complex behavior observed in such systems. Most recently NSF is supporting
research to directly explore nonlinearities, emergent phenomena or feedbacks
within and between biological and environmental systems, and integration
across multiple components or scales of time and space in order to better
understand and predict dynamic behavior. This special session will include
an overview of the scientific interests that have emerged, and a roundtable
discussion with some of NSF's grantees talking about research issues
arising in this new area.
Conveners: Marge Cavanaugh - Staff Associate for the Environment,
Office of the Director, National Science Foundation; Margaret Leinen
- Assistant Director for Geosciences, National Science Foundation; Patricia
Glibert - Horn Point Laboratory - Cambridge, MD; Donald Turcotte - Cornell
University; John Rundle - University of Colorado; William Klein - Boston
University
GLOBAL AURORAL CURRENTS (PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM 112 MOSCONE CENTER)
Friday, December 15, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.
Magnetic field data from the Iridium satellite constellation provide the first
ever continuous, global measurements of electrical currents that flow between
space and Earth's upper atmosphere. These currents drive the aurora and deposit
up to a Terra-watt of power in the polar regions. Researchers can now measure
these currents continuously in both northern and southern hemispheres, even
during magnetic storms when the effects of these currents extend to highly populated
areas. This research, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, breaks new
ground at the intersection of science, technology and business.
VOLCANOLOGY IN 2010 (PRESS CONFERENCE, ROOM 112, MOSCONE CENTER)
Friday, December 15, 2000 at 12:15 p.m.
The study of volcanoes, one of the most dangerous sciences, is undergoing rapid
change and will be quite different ten years from now. Panelists will discuss
some of the technical advances now being developed, such as remote sensing and
radar measurement of volcano deformation. Other approaches covered in the presentation
include changes in K-12 education, federal interagency cooperation, and information
technology.
CLIMATIC IMPACTS OF VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS (PRESS CONFERENCE, ROOM 112,
MOSCONE CENTER)
Friday, December 15 at 3 p.m.
Large scale volcanic eruptions may be the Earth's most likely natural global
catastrophe, due to their inevitability and effect on climate. This session
looks at the likelihood of worldwide loss of growing seasons following eruptions,
improvements in detecting eruptions, and a major new effort to create models
that describe the effect of eruptions on the atmosphere.
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