A Vision for NSF Earth Sciences 2020-2030: Earth in Time

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) recently released the report “A Vision for NSF Earth Sciences 2020-2030: Earth in Time”. The Division of Earth Sciences would like to thank the committee for their work in producing this report. They gathered community input through different mechanisms to generate a document that represents a wide range of perspectives. We also would like to thank the NASEM staff who worked with the committee in delivering a thoughtful report. At NSF, we are eager to study the report in detail and start building strategies to respond to their recommendations.

COVID-19 Information for the Geosciences Research Community

Dear NSF Geosciences Community,

Staff throughout the GEO Directorate want to express our hope that you, your family, friends, colleagues, and students are well and safe during these unprecedented circumstances. Rest assured that the agency is operational, and we are working with our many partners to support the important scientific research conducted by all of you. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we, along with you, transition to this new reality, and work together to address your questions and concerns. Our support to you is unwavering. We are all in this together.

Sincerely,
William E. Easterling
Assistant Director for Geosciences

Scott Borg
Deputy Assistant Director for Geosciences

Click here for further information.

From the Division Director - On the Passing of Former Program Director Dr. Doug James

Dear Earth Sciences Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this note on behalf of the Division of Earth Sciences at NSF. Many of us had the fortune to work with Doug while he managed the Hydrologic Sciences Program. And although we interacted with him in different ways, all of us remember his selflessness, kindness, willingness to share his views, and commitment to the scientific community. There is no doubt that Doug has left a major legacy through a robust and solid research program at NSF, through the mentoring of many early career scientists and program directors, and through his writings on the role that hydrologic sciences should play in society.

Sincerely,
Dr. Lina Patino

Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Wade, who began her Acting Section Head appointment on April 13. The Disciplinary Programs Section of EAR will benefit from Dr. Wade's vast experience and great initiative. The Division would like to thank Dr. Dena Smith-Nufio for serving as Acting Section Head with strong leadership and great success.

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Tina Hunter has been selected to serve on a detail assignment as EAR's Operation Specialist. EAR will benefit from Tina's mission support experience working with a wide range of programs, including Geophysics, Instrumentation and Facilities, SAGE/GAGE and SCEC. This portfolio has given Tina a unique perspective of EAR's awards. In addition to the programmatic activities, Tina brings a wealth of knowledge of NSF's e-business systems, leadership experience, and budget management expertise.

EAR would like to thank Dr. Margaret Fraiser for her contribution to the Division as a Program Director for over two years. Dr. Fraiser worked for the SGP and FRES programs and contributed to many broadening participation measures. The division extends its best wishes to her in her new endeavor. She is sure to be a great asset in her new role as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at AGU. Margaret can be reached at mfraiser@agu.org

EAR welcomes Dr. Jessica Robin as the new Head of the Integrated Activities Section in the Division of Earth Sciences. Dr. Robin has served NSF and the scientific community for many years. EAR will benefit from her experience working with high profile programs, building coalitions and consensuses, and making strategic decisions. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Division to complement our current capabilities.

EAR hosted virtual office hours in April focused on NSF’s COVID-19 guidance to the research community.  In case you missed it, the webinar presentation slides can be found here.  In addition, the NSF Coronavirus website includes NSF guidance for grantees, panelists, and reviewers, as well as Frequently Asked Questions, and links to additional NSF guidance and Federal resources.  NSF’s Office of Polar Programs website also includes information on How USAP is responding to COVID-19 challenges and planning for the upcoming season.

The EAR Communications Team has developed four activity worksheets aimed at elementary school students. Topics include paleobiology, plate tectonics, photomicrographs, and the hydrologic cycle. The worksheets are available for download here.

EAR will host virtual office hours on Thursday, May 21 from 3:00-4:30 pm EDT, focused on “Navigating the NSF System”.  This is a good opportunity for first time proposers and early career scientists to gain insight to the ins and outs of the grant proposal process.  Register for the webinar here.

New ICURC Solicitation - NSF 20-570
IUCRCs are a great opportunity to bring funds for research and student/faculty support to your discipline and to provide employment conduits into member companies for students and postdocs involved in the research projects.  The deadline for preliminary proposals for planning grants and new Centers is July 7 with full proposals due September 8.

FY21 Convergence Accelerator Call for Ideas - Deadline Friday, May 29
Submit a short concept for the 2021 NSF Convergence Accelerator tracks. Those submitting an idea are strongly encouraged to submit a workshop proposal to further develop their concept and start to build their team and engage stakeholders. More information on this opportunity and Convergence Accelerators can be found here.

Career Opportunities

The Directorate for Geosciences is looking for a new Deputy Assistant Director. For those interested, please apply through USAJobs.

EAR-funded Research in the News

Sediment loading is key to predicting post-wildfire debris flows
Geology
NSF CAREER Award 1848321

How did marine animals become so diverse?
Science
NSF CAREER Award 1151022

Scientists determine early Earth was a ‘water world’ by studying exposed ocean crust
Nature Geoscience
NSF EAR 1725784

Sinking seamounts make and muffle earthquakes
Nature Geoscience
NSF EAR 1616664

Recovering phosphorus from corn ethanol production helps reduce groundwater pollution
Cereal Chemistry
NSF EAR 1739788

Earth's mantle, not its core, may have generated planet's early magnetic field
Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.
NSF CSEDI Collaborative Research 1361228

The life and death of one of America's most mysterious trees
American Antiquity
NSF GEO 1114898

California's air quality regulations help farmers prosper
Nature Food
NSF EAR 1639318

Co-occurring contaminants may increase North Carolina groundwater risks
Environ. Sci. Technol.
NSF EAGER 1733637p>

Stream pollution from mountaintop mining doesn’t stay put in the water
Environ. Sci. Technol.
NSF EAR 1417405

Changes in snowmelt threaten farmers in western United States
Nature Climate Change
NSF INFEWS/T1 1639318

Tectonic plates started shifting earlier than previously thought
Science Advances
NSF CAREER Award 1847042

Researchers discover 66-million-year-old badger-like animal
Nature
NSF EAR 1664432

Fiber Optic Seismic Array in Pasadena Tracked the Rose Parade
Seismol. Res. Lett.
NSF CAREER Award 1848166

Community News

40^th anniversary of Mt. St. Helens eruption
May 18, 2020 marks the 40^th anniversary of the big 1980 Mount Saint Helens’ eruption. Re-live the action by reading this USGS professional paper documenting the precursors, eruption, and aftermath. Also, check out the GEOPRISMS community page for an updated story about iMUSH (imaging magma under St. Helens), a 4 year collaborative research project funded by GeoPRISMS and EarthScope.

Ethan Baxter, EAR PI from Boston College, is developing a video series titled "Every Rock Has A Story" aimed at students, grades K-4. The series is designed to help students, parents, and teachers explore, draw, learn, and get excited about rocks and the Earth.

There is still time to register for the 2020 Goldschmidt Virtual Conference which will take place June 21-26. For more information, please visit the conference website.

Giant Screen Films, who produced the NSF-funded Dinosaurs of Antarctica, has made their other well-known dinosaur IMAX film, “Dinosaurs Alive!” (NSF 0337269) available free for streaming until June 15th. NSF News Release 09-236 details some of the funded research that was featured in the film.

Check out their film and others:
Dinosaurs Alive!
Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
Wild Ocean