Penrose Conference: Kinematics and Geodynamics of Intraplate Dextral Shear in Eastern California and Western Nevada

Central Washington University, Ellensburg WA

Investigators

Abstract

A Penrose Conference - "Kinematics and geodynamics of intraplate dextral shear in eastern California and western Nevada" - is being held in Mammoth Lakes, California in April of 2005. This conference provides a forum for experts from a number of geoscience disciplines to discuss the recent kinematic and geodynamic evolution of intraplate dextral shear in the Eastern California shear zone and Walker Lane belt. The shear zone is an intraplate boundary that accommodates a large portion of the modern-day motion between the North American and Pacific plates. This project is supporting participation of gradutate students and invited keynote speakers. Participants in this conference are discussing: (1) the geological and geophysical datasets that bear on understanding accommodation of intraplate deformation; (2) the integration of these different data sets into a spatially and kinematically coherent and comprehensive view of intraplate deformation through time; (3) the forces that drive deformation; (4) the uncertainties associated with interpretations; and (5) future research directions.