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Review of EarthScope Integrated Science (2001) / Chapter Skim
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5 Summary Observations and Recommendations
Pages 41-50

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From page 41...
... Recommendation: The committee strongly endorses the integrated approach to the investigation of the lithosphere and mantle underlying the United States proposed in the EarthScope initiative, including its four components: USArray, PBO, SAFOD, and InSAR. The committee concludes that the scientific rational for EarthScope is sound, that 41
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From page 42...
... Observation: Answering the key questions posed for the EarthScope science initiative will require the participation of scientists from across all the disciplinary programs of NSF's Geosciences Directorate. Fully exploiting the opportunities afforded by the new data collected in EarthScope not only will depend upon the analysis of geophysical data, but will require new geological mapping, new geochemical and geochronological studies, and new activities in a host of other disciplines.
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From page 43...
... IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT Observations: The overall scientific vision of EarthScope is a four-dimensional view of the North American continent beneath the United States, to be
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From page 44...
... Recommendation: The committee recommends that EarthScope look beyond the development of the facility to the operational phase of the scientific program, and develop a strategic science plan to accomplish its longterm scientific goals. Such a plan should include a scientific advisory structure encompassing all elements of EarthScope and all appropriate branches of the earth sciences to provide oversight and advice on the scientific directions of the program, and to coordinate its scientific activities.
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From page 45...
... EarthScope should build upon the considerable expertise that NASA and NSF have in the broader field of mass communications. Recommendation: Because EarthScope provides a unique opportunity that must not be missed, the committee recommends that the education and outreach aspects of EarthScope, as currently incorporated in EarthScope
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From page 46...
... The increasing urbanization of North America with its attendant demand for more high-speed highways, dams, bridges, and tracks for new high-speed inter-city trains requires a knowledge of the crust and its stability essential for our economic well-being and quality of life. Recommendation: As they continue to develop documents to inform the public about the project, the committee recommends that the EarthScope proponents forcefully communicate the role of EarthScope as an important source of the earth science information required by society for natural hazard mitigation, resource utilization, land-use planning and environmental protection.
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From page 47...
... Recommendation: The committee recommends that the EarthScope Working Group actively pursue coordination between the EarthScope and ocean geoscience programs, including NEPTUNE, to ensure that the establishment of EarthScope facilities and the deployment of GPSacoustic, strainmeter, and OBS arrays supported by the marine geological and geophysical community are complementary. Observation: Several large scientific programs are currently in the process of planning extensive educational and outreach efforts.
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From page 48...
... Recommendation: The committee endorses the intent of the EarthScope proponents to seek collaboration with colleagues in Canada and Mexico to extend the understanding of crustal and lithosphere dynamics beyond the political borders of the United States. The committee believes that EarthScope will provide a powerful stimulus for joint international scientific programs, in the same way as the transects compiled during the Decade of North American Geology (DNAG)
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From page 49...
... The potential scientific benefits of the total program to the earth sciences are of immense importance; the potential benefits to society of "applied science" stemming from the program are equally outstanding. EarthScope represents a truly visionary program for the earth sciences.
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Key Terms

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  • earthscope initiative
  • earthscope facilities
  • science community
  • earth science

  • earthscope vision
  • unique opportunity
  • project plan
  • earthscope project
  • advisory structure

  • disciplinary programs
  • funding priorities
  • scientific programs
  • draft earthscope
  • committee urges

  • programmatic funding
  • continental crust
  • earthscope management
  • earthscope provides
  • earthscope proponents

  • continent beneath
  • outreach efforts
  • political borders
  • total program
  • currently incorporated

  • ocean science
  • scientific program
  • immense importance
  • geophysical community
  • astronomy projects


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