Workshop Report - Ridge 2000 Program

NEXT STEPS TOWARD A RIDGE INITIATIVE
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The workshop participants were unanimous in their agreement
that a major interdisciplinary investigation of the mid-ocean
ridge system would be both feasible and of outstanding scientific
merit. It was further recommended that the initial planning
steps for such an initiative should be taken during the coming
year.
The next steps necessary for the development of a RIDGE initiative
as identified by the workshop steering committee are as
follows:
1. Distribute the workshop report and solicit comments.
This report is being widely circulated within the U.S. scientific
community to provide potentially interested participants with
the background and recommendations of the workshop. It is to be
stressed that this report is not a scientific plan. It consists
of the opinions and ideas of workshop participants. Recipients
of this report are asked to provide their own answers to the
questions addressed by the workshop participants and to comment
on the results. These responses will be incorporated in the
development of the program plan.
2. Form a RIDGE Steering Committee. The Committee should
provide oversight for early planning and advise appropriate
U. S. funding agencies on program implementation.
3. Establish RIDGE working groups. It is planned that
these working groups will assist in the formulation of the
program and will consider aspects critical to further planning.
It is suggested that the working groups focus on the following
topics:
a. Mapping and sampling,
b. Advanced measurement, and
c. Theory and laboratory experimentation.
4. Initiate an annual summer RIDGE forum for the purpose
of encouraging scientific exchange. evaluating program progress
and reviewing scientific objectives. This forum would be open
to interested participants.
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