TROPICS Science Plan Development Workshop at Rutgers University

本次研讨会讨论的基本问题是大陆地壳的形成和生长？大陆动力学中最基本的问题之一 有一个长期的观察，大陆地壳的组成比玄武岩，但也比安山岩更多的镁铁质。 一种观点认为，玄武岩海洋高原（海洋大火成岩省？LIPS）可能是大陆形成的重要核。 PI认为，哥斯达黎加可能是一个玄武岩高原正在被弧岩浆作用转化为大陆地壳的例子。 他们的目标是确定哥斯达黎加地壳实际上正在接近被接受的程度。大陆航空？，那里没有更古老的大陆物质，以及弧岩浆作用在多大程度上改变了它的化学性质。参与这项工作的PI团队已经为研究计划的设计工作了一年多。 然而，迄今为止，该小组的所有成员都没有机会亲自互动。 这样的会议对于像这样的大型科学合作的成功运作至关重要。 该奖项为将于2008年秋季在罗格斯大学举行的为期两天的科学计划制定研讨会提供资金。 研讨会将追求两个主要目标：1.根据最近在哥斯达黎加开展（或计划开展）的工作，重新评估研究的目标和指标;2.制定具体的研究计划，沿着培训和推广计划。

The fundamental issue being addressed by this workshop is the formation and growth of continental crust ? one of the most fundamental issues in continental dynamics. There is a long standing observation that continental crust has a composition that is more silicic than basalt, but also more mafic than andesite. One idea is that basaltic oceanic plateaus (oceanic Large Igneous Provinces ? LIPS) may be important nuclei for continent formation. The PIs argue that Costa Rica may be an example of a basalt plateau that is being converted to continental crust by arc magmatism. Their objective is to establish that the Costa Rican crust is in fact now approaching what would be accepted as ?continental?, that no older continental material is there, and to what degree the arc magmatism has changed it chemically. The team of PIs involved in this effort has worked on the design of a research program for over a year. However, to date, all members of the team have not had a chance to interact in person. Such a meeting is crucial for the successful working of a large scientific collaboration such as this one. This award provides funding for a 2-day science plan development workshop, to be held at Rutgers University in the fall of 2008. The workshop will pursue two primary goals:1. Reassessment of goals and targets of study in view of the most recent work performed (or planned) in Costa Rica;2. Formulation of the specific research program, along with a training and outreach schedule.