U.S.-Japan Joint Seminar: The Relation Between Foreshocks and the Initiation of Large Earthquakes

9910066维达尔该奖项支持美国科学家参与美国-日本关于前震与大地震发生之间关系的讨论会，拟于2000年10月1日至2日在日本京都举行。 共同组织者是加州大学洛杉矶分校的约翰·维达尔教授和日本京都大学的詹姆斯·莫里教授。 研讨会的目的是调查前震和随后的主震之间的关系，特别关注前震如何可以（或不能）用于地震预测。 近年来，美国和日本对前震观测统计的研究都取得了进展。 此外，两国的高质量地震仪器对地震破裂开始过程的细节进行了更好的观测。 最后，正在积极进行关于破裂的成核和增长的理论研究。 研讨会将由两部分组成。 一是整合和组织前震发生观测。 通过一致的数据汇编，他们将比较前震的空间和时间分布，并将其与随后的大事件的破裂联系起来。 第二个目的是利用前震观测和有关破裂起始的理论模型，探索地震开始时的物理过程。 其目的是更好地了解破裂启动的机制，以及评估地震预测可行性的策略。 研讨会的组织者作出了特别努力，让年轻的研究人员既参加研讨会，又作为观察员参加。 与日本专家在这一领域的想法和数据交流将使美国参与者能够推进自己的工作，并为未来的合作项目奠定基础。 会议信息的传播将得到加强。

9910066VidaleThis award supports the participation of American scientists in a U.S.-Japan seminar on the Relation Between Foreshocks and the Initiation of large Earthquakes, to be held in Kyoto, Japan from October 1-2, 2000. The co-organizers are Professors John Vidale at the University of California, Los Angeles and Professor James Mori at Kyoto University in Japan. The purpose of the seminar is to investigate the relationship between foreshocks and their subsequent mainshock, with special focus on how foreshocks can (or cannot) be used for earthquake prediction. Recently, research on the observed statistics of foreshocks has advanced in both the U.S. and Japan. Also, there have been improved observations of the details of the initiation process of earthquake ruptures on high-quality seismic instruments in both countries. Finally, theoretical studies on the nucleation and growth of ruptures are being actively pursued. The seminar will consist of two parts. The first purpose is to integrate and organize observation of foreshock occurrence. With consistent data compilation, they will compare spatial and temporal distributions of foreshocks and relate them to the ruptures of the subsequent large events. The second purpose is to explore what can be learned about the physical processes at the beginning of earthquakes, using the foreshock observations and related theoretical models of rupture initiation. The goal is to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms of rupture initiation, and a strategy to evaluate the feasibility of earthquake prediction. Seminar organizers have made a special effort to involve younger researchers as both participants and observers. The exchange of ideas and data with Japanese experts in this field will enable U.S. participants to advance their own work, and will set the stage for future collaborative projects. Dissemination of information from the meeting will be pu