Collaborative Research: Facility: Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System: Engaging a thriving community of practice in Earth-surface dynamics

Tulane University, New Orleans LA

Investigators

Abstract

Natural processes such as river floods, landslides, hurricanes, stream meandering, and coastal erosion continually alter Earth's landscapes, seascapes, and coastlines. These Earth-surface processes can be studied using computer modeling to simulate natural processes, perform controlled experiments on geological systems and compare theory with a rapidly growing body of data about Earth's environments. This project will support operation of the Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS) facility, which provides training and technology development that will take advantage of recent advances in both data and computing technology to understand Earth-surface dynamics. CSDMS combines intellectual merit, in the form of new and improved digital resources for Earth science research, and broader impacts, in the form of training and workforce development for students and early career scientists. Recent advances in both data and cyberinfrastructure have opened new possibilities for understanding the dynamics of Earth's surface. To unlock this potential, the CSDMS facility combines community capacity-building and technology development to bridge the gap between today's powerful cyber resources and the ability of the research community to take full advantage of them. CSDMS provides training, workforce development, online learning resources, and outreach programs, alongside innovative cyberinfrastructure that speeds the time to science by lowering technical barriers. CSDMS's intellectual merit lies in its contribution toward developing a quantitative, mechanistic understanding of a variety of Earth-surface processes. This goal is advanced in part through new technology, such as the ability to launch models from an online repository to a cloud-hosted computing platform, and new tools to make community software contributions more sustainable via shared, auto-tested repositories. CSDMS's broader impacts include education and workforce development, through programs such as a summer school in geoscience computing, annual scientific meetings, and onsite training visits that provide educational opportunities for students and early career scientists at a variety of higher-education institutions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.