HR: 1400h
AN: G43A-05    [Abstracts]
TI: The GEORED and Plate Boundary Observatory Engineer Exchange Program
AU: * Feaux, K
EM: kfeaux@unavco.org
AF: UNAVCO, 6350 Nautilus Drive, Boulder, CO 80301, United States
AU: Mora-Paez, H
EM: hmora@ingeominas.gov.co
AF: INGEOMINAS, Avenida 12 de Octubre 15-47, Manizales, Colombia
AB: In early 2007, the Colombian Institute of Geology and Mining - INGEOMINAS initiated GEORED (Geodesia: Red de Estudios de Deformación) in order to increase the knowledge of the geodynamics of northwestern South America. GEORED is an essential tool for determining crustal deformation and is primary in the analysis of inter- plate and intraplate deformation and the present seismic cycle. Some of the objectives of the project are to improve the technical, scientific, and operational capabilities of Colombian scientists regarding tectonic and volcanic deformation in Colombia, to implement a Colombian GPS permanent network for the study of geodynamics, with near real-time data retrieval and processing, and to establish a high precision geodetic reference frame for multipurpose activities within INGEOMINAS. Phase 1 of GEORED, which includes the installation of 30 permanent GPS stations in Colombia, will commence in early 2007. The Plate Boundary Observatory (PBO), part of the larger NSF-funded EarthScope project managed by UNAVCO, will study the three-dimensional strain field resulting from active plate boundary deformation across the Western United States. PBO is a large construction project involving the reconnaissance, permitting, installation, documentation, and maintenance of 875 permanent GPS stations scheduled for completion in September 2008. PBO is currently in the fourth year of the project, with over 550 GPS stations completed to date. INGEOMINAS recently became a member of the UNAVCO consortium. UNAVCO has been working with INGEOMINAS by providing technical support for the GEORED project relating to GPS receiver specifications. In the spirit of collaboration and outreach, INGEOMINAS and UNAVCO will begin an engineer exchange program starting in early summer 2007. The purpose of this outreach program is to provide a mechanism for the exchange of ideas relating to GPS station construction techniques, hardware designs, data communications, and data archiving based upon the UNAVCO PBO experience and based upon the extensive INGEOMINAS experience in installing scientific instrumentation in remote locations and difficult conditions. The Plate Boundary Observatory and GEORED will provide a natural laboratory for training in GPS construction techniques.
DE: 1299 General or miscellaneous (1709)
DE: 8194 Instruments and techniques
DE: 8199 General or miscellaneous
SC: Geodesy [G]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly