Hi Chris,

I'm going to attend the June conference in Mammoth and I thought you might want to check this out in the event you're interested. It's free to join and they have a message board for discussion. I saw someone from UCSB on the list of those conversing. If you register now you can submit a poster up to April 30th, so maybe this is an oppotunity for you. The registration fee is $25.00 now, but not due until you arrive. Petra

Program information

Ridge 2000 is a multidisciplinary science research program focused on integrated geological and biological studies of the Earth-encircling mid-ocean ridge system and funded by the National Science Foundation. The program has two main themes:

Integrated Studies focus and coordinate research activities at a few carefully chosen sites in the Pacific, recognizing that the complex linkages between life and planetary processes at mid-ocean ridges can only be understood through tightly integrated studies that span a broad range of disciplines.
Time Critical Studies are designed to enhance detection of volcanic and other transient events on the mid-ocean ridge and to facilitate rapid-response missions that can observe, record, and sample critical transient phenomena. These studies are largely limited to the Northeast Pacific at this time.
The Ridge 2000 Science Plan gives details of these themes together with program objectives, scientific rationale, and many programmatic details.

The program is guided by a Steering Committee.

The Program Office facilitates interactions between scientists, organizes meetings, publishes Ridge 2000 literature including newsletters, and oversees a very active Education and Outreach Program, offering opportunities for Ridge 2000 scientists to more easily meet NSF’s Broader Impact criterion.

For further information, please join our mailing list or contact us directly.

http://www.ridge2000.org/science/index.php

• Ridge 2000