Conference and advanced school on quantification of earthquake hazards in the Caribbean: The Gonave microplate

The January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake occurred in the boundary region of the Gonave microplate, separating the Caribbean plate and the North American plate. This plate boundary is dominated by left-lateral strike slip motion and compression, and accommodates about 20 mm/y slip, with the Caribbean plate moving eastward with respect to the North American plate. Results of initial investigations into the Haiti earthquake sequence and recent studies related to the seismogenesis around the Gonave microplate suggest that seismic activity may likely continue at a high rate over the coming years. This highlights an urgent need to build capacity in modern methods for evaluation, monitoring and communication of seismic hazard in the Caribbean and in particular in the countries surrounding the Gonave microplate.

The two-week workshop will begin with a three-day international conference dedicated to the understanding of the deformation processes around the Gonave microplate and the related earthquake hazards, followed by an advanced school on the theory and applications of modern seismological and geodetic methods. The goals of the workshop are also to facilitate new initiatives for cooperation  in the Caribbean and develop networks for exchange of ideas and expertise. The workshop will include invited lectures, contributed papers and panel discussions.

The principal objective of the ICTP is to help researchers from developing countries through a programme of training activities within a framework of international cooperation. Participants should have an adequate working knowledge of English.