Geologicial Society of America   Penrose CONFERENCE    Subduction to Strike-SlipTransitions on Plate Boundaries 18-24 January 1999 Puerto Plata Village Caribbean Resort Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Conference Sponsorship		Conference Registration
Purpose		Keynote Talks/Posters and Abstract Format
Location/Tips for Travel in the DR		Geological References on the DR/Field Trip Info
Convenors		Finalized Agenda

    Support for this meeting has been graciously provided by the Geological Society of America, the National Science Foundation, the Petroleum Research Fund, the United States Geological Survey and the National Aeronautical and Space Agency.

PURPOSE 

    The purpose of the Conference is to foster discussion of new ideas and develop associations between ideas drawn from different disciplines in earth science.  Talks and discussions will focus on a better characterization of the tectonic controls and deformational effects of subduction to strike-slip transitions areas.  Experts in geology, seismology, paleoseismology, geodesy, modeling of geological and geophysical data, and deep seismic imaging will discuss deformation at all levels in lithosphere and mantle of subduction to strike-slip transition areas.  This information will provide insights into the seismogenic mechanisms for the large and commonly destructive earthquakes that affect these areas.

    Participants will focus on the manifestation of both tectonic styles in tectonically active areas including the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and eastern Venezuela, Panama and Costa Rica, the Scotia Sea, northern California, eastern Alaska, the western Aleutian arc and Kamchatka, Japan, the Marianas trench, New Guinea and Irian Jaya, New Zealand and the Macquarie Ridge, Indonesia, and the Alpine-Mediterranean area.  Experts on other transition areas ore on non-site specific modeling work are welcome as participants.

Discussion topics by keynote speakers and participants will include the following:

1. How is plate motion partitioned between outboard subduction systems and inboard strike-slip systems, and how do these features interact to produce the observed patterns of diffuse seismicity and active faulting?  Is there any evidence for linked seismic events in the two systems?
2. Why are strike-slip to subduction transition areas characterized by deep trenches that are the sites of some of the world's largest gravity minima?
3. How does the behavior of subducted slabs in subduction to strike-slip transition areas affect upper crustal deformation in the transition region?  What is the role of slab rupture at depth, interaction of two opposed slabs at depth, extension of subducted slabs and completely detached slabs like the ones present in the mantle beneath the Dominican Republic?.
4. What is the sedimentary and structural record of subduction to strike-slip transition along ancient plate boundaries?  Is there a systematic and predictable progression of structures that indicates that such a transition has occurred?  What clues from these ancient events can be used to better understand active boundaries?
5. What are the seismic and tsunami hazards associated with subduction to strike-slip transition areas?  Can answers to tectonically related questions 1-4 above be used to better understand and perhaps reduce these hazards?

Accommodations

    The Conference will be held at the Puerto Plata Village Caribbean Resort located in the Playa Dorado area on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.  The resort is 12 miles (10-15 minute drive) from the Puerto Plata International Airport in the Dominican Republic.  Because taxis are plentiful and inexpensive we suggest that you take a taxi from the airport to the hotel.

    The Puerto Plata Village has 282 hotel rooms arranged in a low-rise villa style.  In addition to excellent meeting facilities, the complex includes a swimming pool, tennis courts and a beach club featuring water sports.

    For those participants who wish to arrive early or stay after the conference, the rate would be $85 US single (including applicable taxes), and $70 per person, double.  Individuals should make their own reservations directly with the hotel.

Puerto Plata Village Caribbean Resort
P. O. Box 716
Playa Dorado
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Phone:  809-320-4012
Fax:  809-320-5113
email:  pvillage@aacr.net

    Daily flights from Miami, FL, San Juan, PR and New York's JFK airports service the Puerto Plata International Airport.  Airlines include:  American, Trans World Airlines and APA International Airlines.  Participants are encouraged to book their flights as soon as possible, as January is a high season in this center for tourism in the Dominican Republic.

Tips for Travel in the Dominican Republic

Official Language:  Spanish
Currency:  Dominican Peso
 
• The US State Department provides a Consular Information Sheet regarding travel in the Dominican Republic.
• The US Center for Disease Control provides information about recommended health precautions when traveling in the Caribbean
• For local and regional maps, see MapQuest's International Maps , also recommended:
Dominican Republic, 1:6000,000 Road map, Berndtson and Berndtson, Furstenfeldbruck, Germany
•  If you need to exchange money, consult the Currency Converter.
•  If the local language is not your native tongue, see Languages for Travelers.
•  Recommended travel book for the Dominican Republic:

            Dominican Republic Handbook, Gaylord Dowd, Moon Travel handbooks, Moon Publications,  Chico, California, 384 pp.
 
• Personal security outside of the hotel complex.  The hotel is part of a gated area (Playa Dorada hotel complex and private beach) with its own uniformed security force.  If you venture outside of the complex, you will need to adopt a more streetwise attitude appropriate for any urban area.  A few tips:
•  it's best to venture out in groups and not by yourself;
• you will act as a magnet for many local people who will try to sell you goods or services. The best attitude in dealing with persistent salespeople is to politely ignore them, avoid direct eye contact, and continue on your way. Make sure you keep a firm grip on purses, backpacks and cameras if in crowded public areas;
• before getting in a cab, make sure that you establish the fare with the driver and pay immediately.  If you can't make yourself understood, look for another driver.  Prices from the hotel to surrounding attractions are fixed and posted on a boards at the entrance.
 
• Safeguarding valuables while in the hotel.  "Crimes of opportunity" by cleaning or other hotel staff might occur unless you take precautions.  First of all, try to bring as few valuables as possible to the meeting  (jewelry, etc.).  Convert your money to travelers checks which can be  cashed for pesos at the airport, in the hotel or at a bank.  Make a list of these numbers, the number to call if they are stolen, and your passport  number are separate from the checks.  If you have valuables you dont feel  comfortable with leaving in your hotel room, you can check these into the  hotel safe at the front desk.  You should get a receipt from the clerk on the dropoff of these items.

To avoid having valuables disappear from your hotel room, don't leave valuables out in the open when you are gone for the day.  I would suggest  buying a sturdy suitcase lock and keeping valuable locked in your suitcase or on your person while at the meeting.

Another problem area can be the beach.  If you go in the water, make sure that someone remains onland to watch over your belongings.

These types of problems are not unique to the Dominican Republic but are found throughout the developing world where average incomes are low and unemployment is high.
 
 

CONFERENCE CONVENORS AND COORDINATOR

Lois Elms
Western Experience
926 Hover Ridge Circle
Longmont, CO  80501  USA
303-485-0083
FAX:  303 485-5291

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION 

Registration deadline is November 13, 1998.  The registration fee for the conference is $685 for members of GSA, $695 for non-members which includes accommodations, based on two persons per room, for the nights of January 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, meals beginning with dinner on January 18 through breakfast on January 24; registration materials, coffee breaks, field trips, and all other conference costs except personal incidentals. After November 13, a late fee of $95 will apply.  Because we do have a waiting list, if we do not hear from the invited participants by the deadline, we will assume that you are not planning to attend, and will invite the next person on the list.

    Please note, we are unable to accept credit cards for payment of the registration fee. Please send check or money order, made payable to GSA Puerto Plata Penrose, along with registration form to Lois Elms, Western Experience, 926 Hover Ridge Circle, Longmont, CO 80501, USA.

Policy on non-registered spouses and friends:
    We appreciate your cooperation in not bringing family members or non-registered friends to the meeting for two reasons: 1) most of us will be sharing rooms with other participants; and 2) the GSA rules for Penrose meetings do not allow this practice since it tends to distract participants from the science program and field trip. If you have family or friends coming after the meeting, please ask them to arrive no earlier than the morning of Sunday, January 24 (the official end of the meeting).  Your  cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

This page is maintained by N.R. Grindlay