Shaping continents, shaping landscapes, shaping policy

Geological Society of America Southeastern Section Meeting, Asheville, N.C., USA, April 1-2, 2012

Boulder, Colorado, USA – The 61st meeting of The Geological Society of America's Southeastern Section will showcase the diverse geology of the Southeast with an eye toward shaping policy and the future of geoscience. Asheville is at the center of world-renowned scenic wonders, including Pisgah National Forest, the magnificently engineered Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Great Smoky Mountains, with geologic venues ranging from ancient orogenic belts and exotic mineral districts to active landslides, karst landscapes, and unique fossil sites.

The meeting is hosted by the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources at Western Carolina University at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel in historic downtown Asheville, North Carolina.

SPECIAL EVENT

Keynote Address: Landslide Hazard Mapping 2005-2011: Findings and Lessons Learned.

Speaker: Richard M. Wooten, Senior Geologist, Geohazards and Engineering Geology, North Carolina Geological Survey.

When: Sun., 1 April, 5:30-6:30 p.m. http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/se/2012mtg/events.htm#top

Selected Highlights of the Scientific Program

The scientific program is composed of three symposia, oral and poster presentations organized into 15 themed sessions, and an array of general discipline of research. Go to http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/se/2012mtg/techprog.htm to learn more.

Sunday, 1 April
The 23 August 2011 Virginia MW5.8 Earthquake: Highlighting Earthquake Hazards throughout the Southeastern United States.

David B. Spears, Virginia Dept. of Mines, Minerals and Energy; Russell A. Green, Virginia Tech; and Mark W. Carter, U.S. Geological Survey, presiding.

The 23 Aug. 2011 magnitude 5.8 earthquake near Mineral, Virginia, on was among the largest on record for the eastern U.S.; it was felt over much of eastern North America, from northern Florida to southern Canada and west to Illinois. Presenters address the role of geoscientists in educating and preparing the public for such events and consider multiple aspects -- geology, seismicity, geotechnical engineering, and public policy -- of the Central Virginia Seismic Zone.

Abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012SE/finalprogram/session_30255.htm, 8 a.m. to noon (session 5).

Paper 5-11: The Limits of Our Knowledge -- Making the Public Aware of What We Don't Know about Earthquakes. Richard J. Diecchio, George Mason University: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012SE/finalprogram/abstract_202005.htm.
See related afternoon poster session: (authors present from 2:30-4:30 p.m.) http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012SE/finalprogram/session_31032.htm.

Monday, 2 April
Coastal Response to Sea Level and Climate Changes.

Katie Peek, Western Carolina University, and David Mallinson, East Carolina University, presiding.

Changes to coastal systems will likely have enormous economic ramifications related to the disruption of biological, hydrological, and terrestrial resources, and accelerated rates of shoreline erosion. The key to understanding the fate of coastal systems in the future is to examine modern processes and the changes that have occurred in the past in response to sea-level rise and variability in storm patterns.

Abstracts: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012SE/finalprogram/session_30253.htm, 1:30 to 5 p.m. (session 26).

Paper 26-8: Examining the Physical and Economic Impacts of Sea-Level Rise at the Community Level: Hilton Head Island, SC. Adam Griffith, Western Carolina University; Robert S. Young, Western Carolina University; Joseph Staton, University of South Carolina; and Daniel Morgan, Beaufort County GIS Dept: http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2012SE/finalprogram/abstract_202300.htm.

Find complete meeting information at www.geosociety.org/Sections/se/2012mtg/index.htm. Find local contact information at www.geosociety.org/Sections/se/2012mtg/contact.htm.

MEDIA REGISTRATION

Eligibility for media registration is as follows:

Working press representing bona fide, recognized news media with a press card, letter or business card from the publication.
Freelance science writers, presenting a current membership card from NASW, ISWA, regional affiliates of NASW, ISWA, CSWA, ACS, ABSW, EUSJA, or evidence of work pertaining to science published in 2011 or 2012.
PIOs of scientific societies, educational institutions, and government agencies.

Present media credentials to Beth Engle onsite at the GSA registration desk to obtain a badge for media access. Complimentary meeting registration covers attendance at all technical sessions and access to the exhibit hall. Journalists and PIOs must pay regular fees for paid luncheons and any short courses or field trips in which they participate. Representatives of the business side of news media, publishing houses, and for-profit corporations must register at the main registration desk and pay the appropriate fees.

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For additional information and assistance, contact Christa Stratton, GSA Director of Communications, at the address above.

www.geosociety.org

The Geological Society of America, founded in 1888, is a scientific society with more than 25,000 members from academia, government, and industry in more than 100 countries. Through its meetings, publications, and programs, GSA enhances the professional growth of its members and promotes the geosciences in the service of humankind. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, GSA encourages cooperative research among earth, life, planetary, and social scientists, fosters public dialogue on geoscience issues, and supports all levels of earth science education.

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