NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute (EAPSI) for FY 2013 in New Zealand

这项行动资助缅因州大学的劳伦惠勒在2013年夏天在新西兰惠灵顿下赫特的GNS科学进行一个地球科学研究项目。 该项目的标题是“模拟从末次盛冰期到现在的冰川作用对新西兰南岛中部山脉形成的影响”。“主持科学家是Phaedra厄普顿博士，该项目正在利用三维数值模拟研究冰川物质加载和卸载对新西兰南岛中部构造的影响。南岛是一个高度研究的地区，和构造和冰川间冰期是很好的约束实地观测和数值模型。这些模型使我们有机会了解从末次盛冰期到现在，冰川作用如何影响造山作用（地形和应变变化）。目前正在阿拉斯加东南部开展这类工作。南岛冰川负荷的大小与阿拉斯加相当。新西兰和阿拉斯加东南部都是构造活跃地区，比较两者将有助于了解冰川作用如何影响多个山脉的造山作用。由于在新西兰和阿拉斯加东南部的空间变化，这是不够的，通过山脉使用一个单一的二维横截面（通常是这样做）来表示力学模型这些系统。这在一个力学受到冰川作用影响的地区尤其不准确，因为冰川的空间范围和厚度各不相同。模拟冰川作用对三维构造的影响不仅是科学文献和社区的新成员，而且更准确地代表了该地区。EAPSI奖学金的更广泛影响包括为研究员提供美国以外的第一手研究经验;介绍各自所在地的科学，科学政策和科学基础设施;以及社会，文化和语言的方向。这些活动符合NSF的目标，即在科学家，工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期进行国际合作教育，从而确保具有全球意识的美国科学工作者。此外，缅因州大学地球和气候科学学院参与了与当地社区的协同活动。 这种经验提供了机会，进行与当地初中和高中的推广计划。地球与气候科学学院经常将研究项目纳入本科课程模块。该项目的成果和研究可作为缅因州大学地球物理学和全球构造学课程的课程模块。

This action funds Lauren Wheeler of the University of Maine to conduct a research project in Geosciences during the summer of 2013 at GNS Science in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand. The project title is "Modeling the Effects of Glaciation from the Last Glacial Maximum to Present on Mountain Building in the Central South Island of New Zealand." The host scientist is Dr. Phaedra Upton.This project is examining the effects of glacial mass loading and unloading on the tectonics of New Zealand's central South Island using three-dimensional numerical modeling. The South Island is a highly-studied region, and the tectonics and glacial-interglacial periods are well constrained by both field observations and numerical models. These models give us the opportunity to develop a sense of how glaciation affects mountain building (topography and changes in strain) from the Last Glacial Maximum to present. Work of this kind is ongoing for southeast Alaska. The size of the glacial load on the South Island is comparable to those in Alaska. New Zealand and southeast Alaska are both tectonically active regions and comparing the two will develop a sense of how glaciation affects mountain building in multiple mountain ranges. Due to the spatial variation in both New Zealand and southeast Alaska, it is not sufficient to model these systems using a single two-dimensional cross section (as is often done) through the mountain range to represent the mechanics. This is especially inaccurate in a region where the mechanics are influenced by glaciation as glaciers vary in their spatial extent and thickness. Modeling the influence of glaciation on tectonics in three-dimensions is not only a new addition to the scientific literature and community but more accurately represents the region.Broader impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce. Furthermore, the University of Maine School of Earth and Climate Sciences is involved in synergistic activities with the local communities. This experience provides the opportunity to conduct an outreach program with local middle and high schools. The School of Earth and Climate Sciences often incorporates research projects into undergraduate course modules. The results and the research that stems from this project may be used as course modules in the Geophysics and Global Tectonics courses taught at the University of Maine.