EarthScope Committees
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Goals of Thematic Working Groups
One element of the community model for EarthScope is a set of Thematic Working Groups, one for each of the EarthScope Science Themes:
• Convergent Margin Processes
• Crustal Strain and Deformation
• Continental Structure and Evolution
• Faults and Earthquake Processes
• Deep Earth Structure
• Fluids and Magmas
•Complete TWG Member List
•TWG Online Community
Such working groups are important for building a successful EarthScope Science community. The challenge is to achieve integration of EarthScope science activities, beyond the scope of the individual PI, sponsored project, tool, or discipline. Towards this end, the members of the Thematic Working Groups will advocate, communicate and coordinate scientific advances within their theme to further EarthScope Science.
Structure of Thematic Working Groups
1. Each Thematic Working Group (TWG) will have two co-chairs selected by the Earthscope Science Stering Committee (ESSC), with input from an open nominating process.
2. General membership of each TWG is open to all scientists involved in EarthScope Science through an open and on-going solicitation on the EarthScope website. All EarthScope scientists are encouraged to self-identify with one or more TWG. EarthScope funded PI's will be invited routinely to join one or more TWG. Co-chairs are responsible for seeking and maintaining appropriate membership.
3. Two members of the ESSC will be tasked with overseeing the working groups, including communicating ESSC questions and activities to the working groups and informing the ESSC of the activities and concerns of the working groups.
4. A clear line of communication will exist between the TWGs and the EarthScope Science National Office (ESNO) for purposes of updating web content, convening workshops, and other activities needed to foster and coordinate integrated science activities aimed at addressing the scientific themes of the TWG.
5. Thematic Working Groups are encouraged to work via email and phone, and also to convene at AGU, the EarthScope National Meeting, or other widely-attended venues. TWG's may seek funding to convene a dedicated meeting.
Responsibilities of Thematic Working Groups
1. Instigating and focusing scientific interaction and discussion within the EarthScope community around the science themes of the TWG. Fostering integration and synthesis of multi-disciplinary science activites to address science themes of the TWG.
2. Working with ESNO and ESSC to generate (and review) scientific content for the EarthScope web page. Identifying useful resources that would be appropriate for inclusion on the "Resources for Science" web area (for/with ECISC, ESNO).
3. Generating annual one-page research summaries of EarthScope science progress within the TWG for submission to the ESSC and for posting on the web site.
4. Proposing to the ESSC and ESNO ideas for thematic workshops and special sessions at professional meetings. Helping to organize the scientific content and the participation of the EarthScope community in such meetings.
5. Staying cognizant of funded ES (and non-ES) proposals relevant to the theme with the purpose of (a) keeping track of new work within the "theme" and (b) identifying and recruiting new working-group members.