Bridging Two Continents

Second Joint Scientific Meeting of GSA and GSC
1-2 November 2015
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
(To be held in conjunction with the GSA Annual Meeting& Exposition, 1-4 November 2015)

Second Circular
To promote and encourage greater understanding of Earth Sciences, the Geological Society ofAmerica (GSA) and the Geological Society of China (GSC), at the suggestion of the International
Section of GSA, initialed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2011 on holding two joint
scientific meetings in the second decade of the 21st century.
The first meeting, Roof of the World, was held in Chengdu, China, 17-19 June 2013. This very
successful meeting brought together many world-class scientists from the two societies todiscuss a wide range of topics including: Evolution of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Continental
Deformation and Deep Lithosphere Processes, Intra-Continental Deformation and its Relationships
to Geo-hazards, Accretionary Orogenesis, Deep Earth Processes through Geochemistry, Mineral
Deposits, Basins and Petroleum Resources, the Permian-Triassic Mass Extinction, Ultra Highpressure Metamorphism, Ophiolites, Carbon Sequestration, Water Resources and Hydrogeology,
Gas Hydrates, Critical Transitions in Earth’s History, and Foreland basin tectonics.
The second joint meeting will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. during the 2015 GeologicalSociety of America’s Annual Meeting & Exposition. This GSA-GSC joint scientific meeting will be a“meeting within a meeting” and will be held on Sunday, 1 November - Monday, 2 November 2015 atthe Baltimore Convention Center. A pre-meeting field trip will also be held covering the North
American Cordillera. The duration of the field trip is 3 days.

1. Sponsors & Organizing Committee
Sponsors:
Geological Society of America
Geological Society of ChinaOrganizing Committee:
Geological Society of America (GSA)
An Yin (UCLA)
Melissa Cummiskey (GSA)
Juhn G. Liou (Stanford University)
I-Ming Chou (USGS)
Larry Brown (Cornell University)
Paul Kapp (University of Arizona)
Allen Glazner (University North Carolina)
Brendan Murphy (St. Francis Xavier University)
Joe Meert (University of Florida)
Mike Oskin (UC Davis)
John Wakabayashi (California State University, Fresno)
Laura Webb (University of Vermont)
Y. Dilek (Miami University)
J. Gilotti (University of Iowa)
Geological Society of China (GSC)
Xianlai Meng (GSC)
Lixin Zhu (GSC)
Ziguo Hao (GSC)
Shuwen Dong (Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences)
Jingsui Yang (Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences)
Xianhua Li (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Lin Ding (Institute of Tibetan Plateau, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Chengshan Wang (China University of Geosciences-Beijing)
Di-Cheng Zhu (China University of Geosciences-Beijing)
Ming-Guo Zhai (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Jing Liu-Zeng (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Earthquake Administration)
Chengshan Wang (China University of Geosciences – Beijing)
Wenjiao Xiao (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Yongfei Zheng (University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China)
Lifei Zhang (Peking University)

2.

Meeting Dates
1-2 November 2015

3.

Meeting Venue
Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.

4. Important Dates
June 2015:
11 August 2015:
20 September 2015:
28 September 2015:
5 October 2015:

Registration Opens
Deadline for abstract submission
Last day to cancel housing reservation without penalty.
Deadline for discounted registration fees, field trip sign-up, and guaranteed
hotel prices (based on availability).
Deadline for registration cancellation.

5. Registration Fees:

Professional
Student
Guest or Spouse
Pre-Meeting Field Trip(additional cost)

Early
US$415
US$170
US$85

Standard/On-site
US$595
US$205
US$90

US$785

N/ARegistration fees cover meeting materials, Icebreaker, Exhibit Opening Reception, tea/coffee
breaks, GSA/GSC Luncheon (Monday, 2 Nov), featuring Dr. James Hansen, closing reception,and other related activities during the meeting. This fee will also cover you to attend the entire
GSA Annual Meeting & Exposition as well as all Bridging Two Continents events.
The latest exchange rate from U.S. Dollar (USD) to Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB):
1 United States Dollar = 6.07721Chinese Yuan

6. Hotel Information
Hotel reservations can be made through the official GSA housing bureau, Visit Baltimore
Housing Services. You are able to book online and choose from any of the hotels in the GSA
housing block listed below. Please note: Space and rates are available on a first-come, firstserved basis. Book early to get the best choices.
To book online, go to:
http://community.geosociety.org/gsa2015/attendeeinfo/reservations
Baltimore Harbor Hotel**Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor@ Camden Yards$179 S/DDays Inn Inner Harbor
Hampton Inn Baltimore-Dtwn /Convention Center**$139 S/D$159 flat rate

Hilton Baltimore (HQ Hotel)$215 S/D

Holiday Inn Inner Harbor
Hyatt Regency Baltimore$175 S/D$209 S/D$209 S/D

Lord Baltimore Hotel
Renaissance Baltimore
Harborplace Hotel$179 S/DSheraton Inner Harbor$189 S/D$209 S/D* S/D = Single/Double Rate. Additional fees will be added for more than 2 people staying in the room.
**These properties include breakfast in their rate.

7. Guideline for Abstract Preparation and Submission
Before beginning the submission, please view some information on Preparing an On-LineSubmission. A fee of US$45 for professionals and US$25 for students will be charged for eachabstract submission; Please review the two-abstract rule; If you want to edit an abstract you
have submitted for this meeting, you can reenter your abstract by going to
http://gsa.confex.com/, and entering your abstract ID and password. Please make note of yourID and password found in the upper left-hand corner on your abstracts submittal page. To begin
your abstracts submission, please select the Topical Session (T1-T8) which you wish to submit
your paper.
Guidelines:
Write the body of your abstract.

Please keep it to 2000 characters or less, not counting spaces. (The online abstractsystem will not accept it if it exceeds 2000 characters.)
If you want to include a table/figure with your abstract, you can. But understand that thetable/figure might reduce the number of words allowed in your abstract. Taken together,
the words and tables/figures should take up no more space than would be occupied by asimpler abstract of 2000 characters alone.
Check the spelling of the abstract’s body and title using your own word processor.
Then read it again and make sure that it is something the whole world should see. (Wewon’t check or edit it for you.)
Copy and paste your abstract text directly into the text box for the "copy/paste" option. All
your formatting will be preserved.
For typing and pasting, add an extra line between paragraphs or they will run together
when displayed. (You can do this before copying, or after pasting, or while typing).
If you're not happy with the way your abstract looks after you've saved the text, then go
back and try editing it in the textbox provided.



8. Topical Sessions
T1. Bridging Two Continents: Active Intracontinental Tectonics in Asia and North Americaand the Associated Geohazards
Jing Liu-Zeng, An Yin, Mian Liu
Intracontinental tectonics, exemplified by the diffuse crustal deformation in central Asia and thewestern U.S., and mid-continental earthquakes in North China and the eastern-central U.S., remains

enigmatic. This session seeks researchers from all disciplines to exchange data and ideas to better
understand active intracontinental tectonics and associated geohazards.
Tectonics/Tectonophysics
Submit an abstract to this session

T2. Bridging Two Continents: Advances in Crustal Subduction and Ultrahigh-Pressure
Metamorphism
Jane A. Gilotti, Yongfei Zheng
GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division; Mineralogical Society of America; GSA Mineralogy,Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; Geochemical Society
Presentations that explore the mineralogical, petrological, geochemical, geochronologic, andtectonic aspects of crustal subduction and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism are welcome. Papers
presenting theoretical, analytical, or conceptual advances toward the understanding of deep
subduction-zone processes are encouraged.
Petrology, Metamorphic | Tectonics/Tectonophysics | Geochemistry |Submit an abstract to this session

T3. Bridging Two Continents: Comparative Studies of Accretionary Orogenesis in the Central
Asian Orogenic Belt, North American Cordillera, and Other Orogenic Belts
John Wakabayashi, Wenjiao Xiao, Laura E. Webb
GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division; Mineralogical Society of America; GSA Mineralogy,Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division
We seek contributions on aspects of the accretionary orogenesis of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt
and the North American Cordillera. Comparative studies or research on either belt, or on otheraccretionary orogens, are welcome.
Structural Geology | Tectonics/Tectonophysics | Sediments, Clastic
Submit an abstract to this session

T4. Bridging Two Continents: Diamonds, Zircons and Native Elements in the Mantle: New
Discoveries and Models on the Properties and Petrogenesis of Oceanic Mantle Lithosphere
Yildirim Dilek, Paul T. Robinson, Juhn G. Liou, Jingsui Yang
GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Structural Geology andTectonics Division; MSA Mineral Physics; GSA Geophysics Division; Mineralogical Society of America;
Geochemical Society
Contributions on the processes of element fluxing, crust-mantle recycling, and petrogenetic
evolution of the mantle, based on studies of ophiolites and oceanic lithosphere and usingmineralogical, geochemical, and geodynamic data for modeling at nano, micro, and global scales arewelcome.
Mineralogy/Crystallography | Petrology, Metamorphic | Tectonics/Tectonophysics |Submit an abstract to this session

T5. Bridging Two Continents: Geologic Configuration of the Tibetan Plateau Region Prior tothe Indo-Asian Collision: Setting the Stage for Development of a High Elevation Plateau
Amy L. Weislogel, Delores M. Robinson, Chengshan Wang
GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division
Geoscientists from diverse disciplines will assess the complicated geologic record produced bysuccessive tectonic collisions, with the aim of piecing together the geologic history that culminatedin Earth’s largest and highest plateau.
Tectonics/Tectonophysics | Structural Geology | Sediments, Clastic
Submit an abstract to this session

T6. Bridging Two Continents: Mid-Latitude Climate during Cretaceous Greenhouse States:Comparison between East Asia and North America
Stephan A. Graham, Xiaoqiao Wan
Understanding Cretaceous greenhouse climate may be helpful for future climate predictions.
Comparison of the Terrestrial Songliao Basin in East Asia and the Western Interior Seaway Basin inNorth America facilitates integration of mid-latitude climate in the Cretaceous. Topics on basin
evolution and paleoclimate change are encouraged.
Paleoclimatology/Paleoceanography | Tectonics/Tectonophysics
Submit an abstract to this session

T7. Bridging Two Continents: New Insights into the Mechanisms of Continental Deformationfrom Sinoprobe Deep Seismic Reflection Profiling And Receiver-Function Studies Of The
LithosphereShuwen Dong, Larry Brown
International seismological observations recently achieved significant progress; the SinoProbe of
China continues to explore lithospheric structures from efforts of many scientists. This session
allows scientists to exchange new findings and insights, and stimulates cooperation and discussion
to better understand the mechanism of continental deformation and tectonics.
Tectonics/Tectonophysics |Submit an abstract to this session

T8. Bridging Two Continents: Supercontinents In Earth’s History: New Perspectives fromPrecambrian Geology of Asia and North America
Mingguo Zhai, J. Brendan Murphy, Joseph G. Meert
This session will concentrate on paleogeographic reconstructions of Precambrian
paleocontinent/supercontinents with specific emphasis on Asian and North American cratons,
early Earth geodynamic and tectonic processes, and the effect of supercontinent cycles on thedistribution of mineral resources and evolution of the hydrosphere and atmosphere.
Precambrian Geology | Tectonics/Tectonophysics |Submit an abstract to this session
9. Pre-Meeting Field Trip
This pre-meeting field trip will cover the North American Cordillera including the San Andreasfault, Franciscan mélange and coast Range ophiolite, and Great Valley Sequence and transverse
Geology. This field trip is for Chinese participants only.
Participants should plan to be in Los Angeles by Tuesday, 27 October. Day 1 of the trip will begin
on Wednesday, 28 October. The field trip ends the evening of Friday, 30 October. Participants
should plan to fly from Los Angeles, CA to Baltimore, MD no later than Saturday, 31 October toparticipate in the technical sessions on 1-2 November. Flights can be booked any time after 10:00
p.m. on Friday, 30 October.
Wednesday, 28 October – Friday, 30 OctoberDay 1: San Andreas fault
Day 2: Franciscan mélange and Coast Range ophiolite
Day 3: Great Valley Sequence and Transverse Range Geology
Cost: US$785
Cost includes: Transportation on field trip (airfare not included) plus field trip leader and drivers, 2nights lodging (28 & 29 October), 3 days lunch and snacks, printed field guide, and administrative
costs. Breakfast and dinner will be on your own as well as pre- and post-field-trip hotel nights.
5. Websites
http://www.geosociety.org/meetings/15china/ (Geological Society of America)
http://eng.cags.ac.cn（Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, 中国地质科学院）
http://www.geosociety.org.cn/ （Geological Society of China, 中国地质学会）
http://www.geochina.org (Overseas Chinese Earth Science and Technology Association, 海外华人地球科学与技术协会）