CHRONOS Mesozoic-Cenozoic Paleoceanography and Paleogeography Workshop: University of South Florida, Florida Marine Research Institute, St. Petersburg, October 27-28, 2004

The agenda and accomplishments of the workshop are summarized in the workshop report.

The virtual CHRONOS network is designed to integrate databases and visualization tools in a cyberinfrastructure platform that enhances access to Earth System History in the 21st century. The purpose of this workshop is to explore how CHRONOS and the Mesozoic / Cenozoic paleoceanography and paleogeography community can capitalize on this opportunity. To do so, input is needed from the community on eight major issues: (1) What critical questions can be addressed using the CHRONOS platform? (2) What data must be available on the CHRONOS system? (3) What analytical and visualization tools are needed? (4) How shall databases be integrated by the CHRONOS IT team? (5) How shall the education and outreach component of CHRONOS be enhanced? (6) How shall collaborations between CHRONOS and other programs (e.g., GeoSystems, IODP, SedDB) be developed? (7) How should a template be developed for data on Mesozoic / Cenozoic paleoceanography and paleogeography, and what features should be included? (8) What is an appropriate timetable for implementation of the CHRONOS concept in Mesozoic / Cenozoic paleoceanography and paleogeography?

The workshop will gather together key scientists to identify major sources of data that could be gathered to populate the CHRONOS platform, find out in what format they are, why they are important, and how they can be efficiently gathered. Participants will provide guidance and oversight on the content, structure, and utility of CHRONOS databases and help ensure an open source, online database and tools resource for public community access. The expected contributors have a large cumulative history of research on Mesozoic / Cenozoic paleoceanography and paleogeography, including originators of provocative hypotheses, authors of useful datasets, and researchers applying innovative techniques to understanding Earth System History. Workshop products will include a report to be published in a trade journal (e.g., EOS or Geotimes) and comments on a draft of a database schema prepared by CHRONOS IT team. These products will be posted on CHRONOS web site for public comment, with an implementation date.

Participants are strongly encouraged to fly into Tampa International Airport to ensure better rates.

Invited participants should inquire with a travel agent or with online travel reservation engines (e.g., Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity etc.) to locate the lowest possible fare.

For foreign nationals
If you are not a resident or citizen of the U.S., please inquire if you need to be issued a tourist visa. You can find information on entering the US at this website. Please check the section on Visa Waiver Program to find out if your home country participates in it. Please note that from October 26, 2004, all citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver program are required to have a visa unless they have a recent machine-readable passport. Please check with your authorities if you are unsure that your passport is machine-readable. If you need to apply for a visa, please do so ASAP since the procedure can take up to 3 months. If you need a letter to confirm that you are going to attend this CHRONOS workshop, please contact Cinzia Cervato

The airport is 25 minutes from the hotel and the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. Cabs are available, or Super Shuttle [(800) 282-6817 or (727) 572-1111].

A block of guestrooms has been reserved at the Hilton St. Petersburg. The rate for workshop participants is $95 + taxes per night. Please reserve your room online using this form and entering CHR as Group/Convention Code or calling the hotel at 727-894-5000 or 1-800-944-5500 to make a room reservation before September 26. Please note that the hotel is going to hold the rooms only until then and it is not guaranteed that they will be available after that date. The room block is called "CHRONOS workshop".

The workshop will be held in the Karen A. Steindinger Auditorium at the Florida Marine Research Institute. For more information visit http://www.floridamarine.org/about/

Please register on line if you would like to participate in the workshop. The registration deadline is September 26.

The workshop will begin at 8:30 AM on October 27 and end in the late afternoon on October 28. Participants should plan to arrive the evening of October 26.

If you have questions, please contact Ben Flower (bflower@marine.usf.edu) or Cinzia Cervato (cinzia@iastate.edu).

To be reimbursed for the travel expenses you have incurred to reach St. Petersburg, please complete the attached form with your personal details. If you reside overseas and would like to avoid paying a fee to cash a US cheque at your bank, please provide us with your complete bank account details (top right of form) and we will deposit the reimbursement of your travel expenses directly into your account. Please attach all of your original travel receipts (flight, taxi, shuttle). Your room charge for October 26-29 (three nights) will be directly billed to CHRONOS. You will be responsible for incidental expenses (phone calls, etc.).

Please mail the completed form and your original receipts to:
Cinzia Cervato
Iowa State University, Dept. of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences
253 Science I
Ames, Iowa 50011-3212, USA.