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

这项行动资助了缅因大学的劳伦·惠勒于2013年夏天在新西兰惠灵顿下赫特的GNS科学中心开展一项地球科学研究项目。该项目的题目是“模拟新西兰中南岛从末次极大期到现在的冰川对造山的影响”。主持会议的科学家是费德拉·厄普顿博士。该项目利用三维数值模型研究了冰川块的加载和卸载对新西兰南岛中部构造的影响。南岛是一个被高度研究的地区，其构造和冰期-间冰期都受到实地观测和数值模式的很好约束。这些模型使我们有机会了解从末次盛冰期到现在，冰川作用是如何影响造山运动的（地形和应变变化）。这种工作正在阿拉斯加东南部进行。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的地区，通过比较这两个地区，可以了解冰川作用是如何影响多个山脉的造山活动的。由于新西兰和阿拉斯加东南部的空间变化，使用单一的二维横截面（通常是这样做的）来模拟这些系统是不够的，通过山脉来表示力学。这在力学受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是不同的。在三维空间上模拟冰川作用对构造的影响不仅是科学文献和学界的一个新补充，而且更准确地代表了该地区。EAPSI奖学金的广泛影响包括为研究员提供美国以外的第一手研究经验；介绍该地区的科学、科学政策和科学基础设施；以及对社会、文化和语言的了解。这些活动符合美国国家科学基金会的目标，即在其科学家、工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期培养国际合作，从而确保美国科学劳动力具有全球意识。此外，缅因大学地球与气候科学学院参与了与当地社区的协同活动。这次经历提供了与当地初中和高中开展外展项目的机会。地球与气候科学学院经常将研究项目纳入本科课程模块。这个项目的成果和研究可以作为缅因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.