WHAT WOULD A LARGE-SCALE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH ARRAY FOR FIELD GEOSCIENTISTS LOOK LIKE?

Most geologic field work is currently organized and completed by a single PI or small collaboratives groups. The existing model minimizes coordinated planning among PIs and international collaborators, and duplicates efforts associated with travel, permitting, purchasing and shipping of field equipment. This model also leads to the production of relatively small data sets and does not require uniform data collection and reporting standards, thereby limiting opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer. Finally, this model creates barriers to participation for scientists without a pre-existing collaboration network, limiting diversity. In contrast, a community data collection model, like those undertaken by organizations such as IODP, USGS, and NASA, provides opportunities to: increase cost effectiveness of field work; collect large quantities of standardized data usable across disciplines; positions field geosciences to take undertake “big data” analysis; increases the accessibility of field data and samples to researchers; allows for greater and more respectful engagement with stakeholders and local organizations; generates a physical hub for community interactions, workshops & training.

SZ4D seeks input from the scientific community on needs, opportunities, and challenges in developing a community-based field program. The SZ4D initiative is an NSF-funded research coordination network whose goal is to develop a framework for large scale investigation of the processes that underlie subduction hazards. SZ4D integrates across geological, experimental, geophysical, and modelling fields, and addresses processes related to the location of volcanoes and the occurrence of eruptions, where and when do large earthquakes happen, how do faults work, and surficial hazards and landscape evolution. Existing needs identified by the community include, but are not limited to: 1) Support for logistical coordination, travel, and instrumentation. 2) Facilities and support for local sample processing and analysis. 3) Management of hazardous activities and emergency situations. 4) Facilitation of the collection, archival, and distribution of publicly available data and samples. 5) Facilitation of respectful communication and interaction with local stakeholders.