List of Sessions for the 2009 GSA Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon
Pardee Symposium:
“First Global View of the Geology of Mercury: Dynamic Landscapes on the Innermost Planet,” Chairs: Sean Solomon and Louise Prockter.
Topical Sessions:
“Cryovolcanism in the Solar System,” GSA Planetary Geology Division, Louise Prockter, A. Dominic Fortes - We encourage papers that advance our knowledge of cryovolcanic processes in the solar system, including studies of composition, rheology, morphology, stratigraphy, and thermal and dynamical modeling of surface features and plumes. (Planetary Geology; Geochemistry, Organic; Volcanology – T90).
“Eruptive Deposits as Keys to Understanding Volcanic Systems on Planetary Bodies,” GSA Planetary Geology Division, Nicholas Lang, David Williams - This session is geared towards understanding how the physical properties of volcanic landforms and deposits (composition, morphology, age, and distribution-can be used to constrain magmatic processes (magma generation, movement, and storage-on all planetary bodies. (Planetary Geology; Volcanology; Petrology, Igneous – T91).
“Glacial Mars,” GSA Planetary Geology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division, Roger J. Phillips, James W. Head - Mars is a glacially active planet and has been that way for hundreds of millions of years. This session will review our present understanding of glacial Mars and present new results from ongoing Mars missions. (Planetary Geology; Quaternary Geology; Geomorphology – T93).
“Impact Cratering from the Microscopic to the Planetary Scale,” GSA Planetary Geology Division; International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP); GSA Sedimentary Geology Division; GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division; GSA Geophysics Division; Paleontological Society; GSA International Division Christian Koeberl, Jared Morrow - This session welcomes contributions on any aspect of the study of terrestrial impact craters, from their formation to structure, from ejecta to shock deformation, from geological to biological effects, including comparative planetology, and recent controversies. (Planetary Geology; Geophysics/Tectonophysics/Seismology; Stratigraphy – T94).
“Impact Cratering in the Solar System: Implications for Planetary Ages and Processes,” (The G.K. Gilbert Award Session) GSA Planetary Geology Division, Louise Prockter, Jay Melosh - Impact cratering is a fundamental geological process throughout the solar system. We encourage contributions on any aspect of planetary impact cratering, including impact flux modeling, crater age dating, morphology, and laboratory studies. (Planetary Geology – T95).
“Volcanic Caves: Geological and Microbiological Terrestrial Analogs of Potential Extraterrestrial Conditions,” GSA Planetary Geology Division; GSA Geobiology & Geomicrobiology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute; NASA George Veni, Carlton C. Allen - Volcanic caves provide unique insights into the origin of volcanic terrains and their extraterrestrial counterparts. Accurate interpretation is crucial as they are considered for possible human habitation and as potential optimal environments for microbial life. (Planetary Geology; Volcanology; Geomicrobiology – T96).
“Using Planetary Examples to Teach about Terrestrial Volcanoes,” GSA Planetary Geology Division; GSA Geoscience Education Division; On the Cutting Edge Leadership Development in the Geosciences (an NSF-funded program), Jayne C. Aubele, Barbara Tewksbury - We encourage abstracts that review and provide ways of integrating volcanoes from other planets into geosciences courses to enhance students' understanding of terrestrial geology and allow students to expand their skills to multiple planetary environments. (Geoscience Education; Planetary Geology; Volcanology – T113).
Note that we especially encourage students to submit abstracts to any of these sessions!