[IRIS] AGU Special Session - Geodynamics of Indentor Corners

[IRIS]

Greetings!

We're hoping you might consider submitting an abstract to a special  
session we've organized for the Fall AGU meeting. The session(T33) is  
titled "Geodynamics of Indentor Corners." You'll find a description  
of the session below.

We'd like to draw your attention to a a few things about this  
session. First, we are quite interested in contributions that address  
geodynamic and tectonic issues related to how collisional orogens  
terminate (in a spatial sense). Related to that, we are particularly  
interested in how terminations of orogens are preserved and expressed  
in the geologic record. Finally, we'd like to welcome contributions  
from any of the broad range of disciplines that can provide data and  
insight into plate corners -- these include geochemistry and surface  
processes as well as the more traditional tectonic and geophysical  
viewpoints.

Even if we can't tempt you submit an abstract, please pass this  
notice along to colleagues you think might find this an interesting  
venue for their ideas.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.*

Regards

Peter Zeitler
Anne Meltzer
Bernard Hallet

*But do remember that the AGU abstract deadline is 7 September!


T33. Geodynamics of Indentor Corners  (Sponsor, Tectonophsyics; co- 
sponsor, Seismology)

Regions of plate convergence and continental collision are  
characterized by highly diffuse plate boundaries that result from  
indentor tectonics involving lithospheres of varying strength and  
age. Indentors will develop corners that can comprise on order a  
third of the collision zone and they are dynamic tectonic features  
that punctuate the ends of collisional orogens. The rapidly evolving  
complex geology and topography of such regions results from strong  
interplay between both lithospheric and surficial processes, which  
work to pervasively deform, metamorphose, and sculpt extreme relief  
into the continental crust at a range of scales. Dynamical models  
predict that such corners are likely to be regions of variable  
lithospheric deformation marked by steep lateral velocity gradients,  
partitioning of strain, and significant accommodation of crustal  
convergence by erosion and transport of material by surface  
processes. We invite contributions using short-timescale measurements  
(e.g. seismological, GPS, geomorphic observations) and measurements  
made over a longer range of temporal scales (e.g. petrological,  
structural, geochronological observations) to address key questions  
in the geodynamics of continental collisions and plate convergence,  
active and ancient: how do orogens and associated plateaus terminate,  
how do tectonic and surficial processes interact to shape the crust  
during orogeny, how is deformation partitioned at various scales, and  
how are indentor corners represented in ancient orogens?