Pan-American Advanced Studies Institute Workshop
Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Welcome

This Advanced Studies Institute is designed to enable post-docs and graduate students who already have mastered the fundamentals of seismology to begin collaborating in frontier seismological research. The objectives are to

• Develop understanding of the principles of earthquake hazard analysis, particularly site characterization techniques;
• Facilitate future research collaborations.

Individual are encouraged to apply by the deadline listed among the important dates. Financial support will be available for selected participants. Women, under represented minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Pan-American Advanced Studies Institutes (PASI) Program is a jointly supported initiative between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Description

The Institute is divided into three main sections. The first section comprises overviews on the fundamentals of earthquake hazard analysis and lectures on the theory behind methods of site characterization. The second section takes place in the field, where participants will acquire new data of the types typically used in site characterization, using instrumentation provided for their use. The third section will consist of computer-based analysis projects in which participants apply the techniques they have learned to the data they have collected.
Institute participants will hear introductory lectures, then break into small groups to acquire data, and re-form into larger groups to process and analyze the data on their own lap-top computers. Participants will make presentations to the assembled group of all participants describing their techniques and results. This approach is anticipated to seed future collaborations among the participants, the faculty and organizers.

All lectures will be presented in English. The practical component of the PASI will welcome the participation of local students and young scientists and engineers to support the participant teams in navigating local urban logistics.

Software for HVSR and SPAC Analysis

For the HVSR and SPAC methods, data analysis will be done with selected packages from the GEOPSY project, which is described at http://www.geopsy.org/.  This software is freely available and can be used by anybody at any time.

Software for MASW and ReMi Analysis

For the MASW and ReMi methods, data analysis will be done with the SeisOpt ReMi software package from Optim™ Software and Data Solutions, which is described at http://www.optimsoftware.com/products/seisopt-remi/.  The underlying algorithms can be used freely by anybody, but SeisOpt ReMi is a proprietary commercial implementation. Participants will be licensed to use SeisOpt ReMi on their own computer during the Institute, and each participant’s home institution will receive a license for ongoing, unsupported use of SeisOpt ReMi on one computer.

Computer

Each participant will be expected to use their own computer run data processing programs, which will be made available on site. SeisOpt ReMi is available only for the Microsoft Windows operating system and, to facilitate collaboration among the participants, all participants are expected to use the Windows version the GEOPSY packages during the Advanced Studies Institute. Thus, each participant must bring a lap top computer that operates Windows or that can run a Windows virtual machine. The computer hardware should include

• at least 4 gigabytes of memory,
• a fast 64 bit processor (such as the Intel i3, or better),
• a disk with at least 100 gigabytes of space available,
• USB 2.0 port to download data,
• Ethernet and wireless network capability to exchange information.
 

Location
The Advanced Studies Institute will be held at the Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel. The hotel’s location within Santo Domingo and the amenities of the hotel are described on its web site, http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sdqgw-renaissance-santo-domingo-jaragua-hotel-and-casino/

Travel
In most cases, participants will have to pay their own travel costs, including airfare to Santo Domingo, transfers between the airport and the hotel, and meals while en route. Las Américas International Airport is served international airlines, with direct flights to major cities in the region and the U.S. The airport is approximately 25 miles from the hotel; one-way taxi fare is approximately US$25.

Lodging
Shared lodging (two participants per room) at the Jaragua Hotel will be pre-paid for participants who apply, are accepted, and register before the deadline. The organizers cannot pay for single-occupancy lodging or for lodging at another hotel. Each participant is expected to arrive at the hotel on Sunday 14 July and to depart the hotel on Friday 26 July. The organizers cannot pay for additional nights of lodging.

Meals
Meals will be provided during the Advanced Studies Institute. Breakfast in the hotel dining room is included with the cost of the lodging room. Participants will have access to the hotel’s buffet lunch each day, except that other arrangements may be made on days in the field for data acquisition. Group dinners at nearby restaurants will be paid for by the organizers each evening. The organizers cannot pay for alcoholic beverages or for meals taken separately from the group.
 

Monday 15 July

Introduction to the Advanced Studies Institute,
Ray Willemann (IRIS Consortium)

Overview of Regional Tectonics and Seismicity,
Jay Pulliam (Baylor Univ.)

Seismic Hazards of Hispaniola,
Eugenio Polanco (Univ. Autonoma de Santo Domingo)

Overview of Seismic Source Modeling,
Victor Huérfano (PRSN, Puerto Rico Seismic Network)

Integrating Site Characterization Data into Microzonation Maps,
Michael Schmitz (FUNVISIS)

Tuesday 16 July

Introduction to Seismic Surface Waves: Their Generation and Propagation,
Michael Pasyanos (Lawrence Livermore National Lab.)

Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR),
Carlos Huerta López (Univ. Puerto Rico, Mayaguez)

Wednesday 17 July

Spatially Averaged Coherency (SPAC),
Morgan Moschetti (U.S. Geological Survey)

Multi-channel Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW),
John Louie (Univ. Nevada, Reno)

Refraction Microtremor Measurements (ReMi),
John Louie (Univ. Nevada, Reno)

Thursday–Sunday 18–21 July

Data Acquisition: MASW & ReMi, SPAC & HVSR,
All participants, led by members of the organizing committee

Monday–Wednesday 22–24 July
Software Introductions and Tutorials
Data Processing and Interpretation

Thursday 25 July
Participant Research Symposium and Future Research Roundtable
 

Notice:
The registration period for this workshop closed at Wed, May 15, 2013 - 12:00:00 PM.

Notice:
The abstract submission period for this workshop closed at .

Notice:
The whitepaper submission period for this workshop closed at .

Notice:
The webinar registration period for this workshop closed at .

Last Name First Name Institution
Brown Lyndon University of the West Indies, Jamaica
Gonzalez Carlos Valdés University Nacional Autónoma de México
Huérfano Victor Puerto Rico Seismic Network
Louie John University of Nevada, Reno, U.S.A.
Mora Mauricio University de Costa Rica
Moschetti Morgan U.S. Geological Survey
Polanco Eugenio University Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Protti Marino University Nacional de Costa Rica
Pulliam Jay Baylor University, U.S.A.
Salazar Walter University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago
Schmitz Michael FUNVISIS, Venezuela
Willemann Ray IRIS Consortium, U.S.A.

Notice:
The scholarship application period for this workshop closed at .

Important Dates
  • Registration:
    Mar 31st – May 15th
  • Workshop Location