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Scientific Advisory Structure Committees and Panels starting from October 2011
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Science Implementation and Policy Committee (SIPCOM)
The Science Implementation and Policy Committee (SIPCOM) is the
executive committee of SAS. It reports to the PGB and is tasked with
delivering both annual and projected long-range science operations
plans, assessing overall program success in meeting its scientific
objectives, and approving program scientific policies as requested by
the Program Governing Board.
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Proposal Evaluation Panel (PEP)
The Proposal Evaluation Panel (PEP) reports to the Science Implementation and Policy Committee (SIPCOM), and is responsible for evaluation of all proposals in the context of the themes and initiatives of the Science Plan. PEP shall be organized in four sub-panels in accord with the four main themes of the Science Plan. PEP is responsible for selection of the best and most relevant proposals for forwarding to the OTF and SIPCOM for development of annual and long-range schedules. PEP also advises SIPCOM on any shortcomings of the proposal pool with respect to themes and initiatives of the Science Plan and makes suggestions for stimulating proposal pressure in those areas. The Site Characterization Panel (SCP) will meet in conjunction with PEP and select SCP members will provide direct input to the proposal evaluations in the PEP sub-panels as needed.
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Environmental Protection and Safety Panel (EPSP)
The Environmental Protection and Safety Panel (EPSP) shall provide independent advice to the OTF, CMO, and the implementing organizations (IOs) with regard to safety and environmental issues that may be associated with general and specific geologic circumstances of proposed drill sites. The EPSP shall also provide advice on appropriate drilling technologies for avoidance of drilling hazards and protecting the environment. The panel reports directly to the Operations Task Force (OTF) and the SIPCOM.
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Site Characterization Panel (SCP)
The Site Characterization Panel (SCP) advises the PEP and OTF. The panel shall advise drilling proponents on the degree of completeness of the drill site characterization data package, and on its assessment of whether or not the scientific objectives of each drill site can be effectively achieved on the basis of the proposal and data package.
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Scientific Technology Panel (STP)
The Scientific Technology Panel (STP) advises PEP, the IOs, and the CMO. The STP may communicate directly with IOs and other panels and with SIPCOM in matters directly involving data and publications policies or other policy issues. The panel shall contribute information and advice with regard to handling of IODP data and information, methods and techniques of all IODP measurements, sample handling, curation, laboratory design, downhole measurements and experiments, and observatories. The STP shall also advise PEP on the technological feasibility of selected proposals as requested by the PEP chair.
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Operations Task Force (OTF)
The OTF is a hybrid committee between SAS, the CMO and the IOs, and works as an integrated part of the SAS on expedition implementation. Its prime mission is to formulate the most efficient expedition schedules, including details of science operations, and the required budgets. It will address drilling schedules on an annual basis as well as on a multi-year, long-range planning basis. It conducts its work in this regard on the: (1) basis of the long-range and overall programmatic priorities determined by SIPCOM; (2) science assessment made by PEP; (3) site characterization readiness as reported by SCP; (4) technical feasibility as reported by the STP; and (5) within the fiscal and operational constraints provided by the funding agencies (NSF, on behalf of the lead agencies and IWG+). Its recommendations for annual expedition schedules are reported to SIPCOM along with a safety evaluation by the EPSP for final selection (if multiple scenarios) and approval of the science plan to be included in the Annual Program Plan (APP). It also prepares background material on long-range drilling plans to be developed by SIPCOM on an annual basis.
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Engineering Development Panel (EDP)
The Engineering Development Panel (EDP) reports to the Science Planning Committee (SPC), and may communicate directly with IODP Management International (IODP-MI). The panel shall provide advice on matters related to the technological needs and engineering developments necessary to meet the scientific objectives of active IODP proposals and the IODP Initial Science Plan (ISP) to the SPC; through the SPC, to the Science Planning and Policy Oversight Committee (SPPOC) and IODP-MI; and, through IODP-MI, to the implementing organizations (IOs).
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Environmental Protection and Safety Panel (EPSP)
The Environmental Protection and Safety Panel (EPSP) reports to the Science Planning Committee (SPC). The panel shall provide independent advice to the SPC, IODP Management International (IODP-MI), and the implementing organizations (IOs) with regard to safety and environmental issues that may be associated with general and specific geologic ircumstances of proposed drill sites. The EPSP shall also provide advice on appropriate drilling technologies for avoidance of drilling hazards and protecting the environment.
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Detailed Planning Group on Rapid Response Drilling following the Tohoku Earthquake (RRD-DPG)
The March 2011 Tohoku earthquake generated the largest slip of any recorded earthquake. It surprised both scientists and the public by surpassing previous estimates for earthquake magnitudes on the Japan margin. The resultant tsunami devastated northeastern Honshu, Japan. In the wake of this disaster, the scientific community has an obligation to learn as much as much as possible from the earthquake about the mechanisms that generate such catastrophic events.
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Detailed Planning Group on Asian Monsoon (DPG)
Understanding how tectonic evolution and uplift of the Himalaya and Tibet region affect the monsoonal system has high scientific and societal values. The DPG on Asian Monsoon and Cenozoic Tectonic History is charged to develop an optimal plan to advance the understanding of the Asian monsoon and Cenozoic tectonic history that coordinates, organizes and prioritizes a drilling plan, the erosion and uplift proxies to be used, and an integration of post-cruise science. Specifically, the DPG shall identify how the current strong source-to-sink component originally presented in Proposal 713-MP ("Mission Monsoon") can be retooled to more clearly identify the proxy toolbox that will allow differentiation between uplift and erosion on one side and monsoon on the other.
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Hotspot Geodynamics Detail Planning Group (HG DPG)
Volcanic chains associated with deep-seated mantle plumes potentially provide valuable information on mantle geochemistry and geodynamics, particularly in establishing the existence and magnitude of true polar wander. Several current IODP proposals (620-Full3 Hotspot Seamounts, 636-Full2 Louisville Seamount, 669-Full Walvis Ridge Hotspot) focus on drilling hotspot chains to address themes related to hotspot- generated volcanic lineaments, including hotspot motion, the temporal evolution of hotspot mantle sources, plate-motion reference frames, and mantle-plume models. The Hotspot Geodynamics DPG should review current approaches and produce a written report that lays out an optimal drilling, logging, and post-expedition science plan for addressing the above objectives.
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Industry-IODP Science Program Planning Group (IIS-PPG)
The Industry-IODP Science Program Planning Group (IIS PPG) reports to the Science Planning Committee (SPC). The IIS PPG shall identify subjects of cooperative scientific research between the IODP and selected industries, and promote development of IODP drilling proposals to address these objectives within the context of the IODP Initial Science Plan (ISP). Industrial sectors of interest may include oil and gas and related services, mining, biotechnology, and research and development organizations in these fields.
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Science Planning Committee (SPC)
The SPC focuses on the long-term science planning activities necessary to achieve the objectives of IODP as expressed in the ISP. In this capacity, SPC prioritizes, or ranks, scientific and technological objectives to optimize the scientific returns from multi-platform drilling, sampling, and related experiments. These rankings are based in part on input and advice from the other SAS panels.
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Science Advisory Structure Executive Committee (SASEC)
The IODP Scientific Advisory Structure (SAS) Executive Committee (SASEC) shall be a committee created by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Management International (IODP-MI) in accordance with the terms and conditions of IODP-MI's bylaws. This committee succeeds the IODP Science Planning and Policy Oversight Committee (SPPOC), which was established in September 2003.
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Science Steering and Evaluation Panel (SSEP)
The Science Steering and Evaluation Panel (SSEP) reports to the Science Planning Committee (SPC). The panel shall interact with proponents (and Program Planning Groups, or PPGs, as necessary) to nurture submitted drilling proposals to maturity, and send mature proposals for external review before forwarding them to the SPC. Within the context of the IODP Initial Science Plan (ISP), important thematic (and initiative) areas of investigation addressed by proposals that shall be considered by these panels include: the deep biosphere and subseafloor ocean (deep biosphere; gas hydrates); environmental changes, processes and effects (extreme climates; rapid climate change); solid earth cycles and geodynamics (continental breakup and sedimentary basin formation; large igneous provinces (LIPs); 21
st century Mohole; and seismogenic zone); and additional themes (and initiatives) that may arise from future scientific planning and assessment.
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Site Survey Panel (SSP)
The Site Survey Panel (SSP) reports to the Science Planning Committee (SPC). The panel shall advise drilling proponents, the Science Steering and Evaluation Panel (SSEP), and the SPC on the degree of completeness of the drill site characterization data package, and on its assessment of whether or not the scientific objectives of each drill site can be effectively achieved on the basis of the proposal and data package.
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Scientific Technology Panel (STP)
The Scientific Technology Panel (STP) reports to the Science Planning Committee (SPC), and may communicate directly with IODP Management International (IODP-MI). The panel shall contribute information and advice with regard to handling of IODP data and information, methods and techniques of IODP measurements (including factors that impact measurements, such as sample handling, curation, etc.), laboratory design, portable laboratory needs, downhole measurements and experiments, and observatories to the SPC; through the SPC, to the Science Planning and Policy Oversight Committee (SPPOC) and IODP-MI; and, through IODP-MI, to the implementing organizations (IOs)
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