Convened by Professor Zhen Sun, the International Workshop “Dynamics of subduction zone and transform faults: implications on earthquakes and tsunamis” was held in Guangzhou from May 30 to June 1, 2014.

    More than 80 researchers and graduate students from 15 institutes or schools attended this workshop, including professors Douglas Wiens (Washington University), Kelin Wang (Pacific Geoscience Centre, Geological Survey of Canada), Jian Lin (South China Sea Institute of Oceanology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution USA), Shiguo Wu (Institute of Oceanology) and Sanzhong Li (Ocean University of China).

    The workshop was themed into three sessions, “Mantle melting processes in the subduction zone”, “Dynamics of subduction zone” and “Features and dynamics of oceanic transform faults ”, which were hosted by professors Jian Lin, Zhen Sun, Shiguo Wu and Sanzhong Li, respectively. Prof. Douglas Wiens gave the topics on “Imaging mantle melting processes and the effect of water beneath island arcs and backarc spreading centers” and Prof. Jian Lin made the report on “Oceanic transform faults: Global variability and tectonics”. 15 other experts such as Professors Kelin Wang, Yajing Liu, Tianyao Hao, Xiaoqiu Yang et al. also presented their research achievements. The extensive and in-depth discussions between the participants have advanced their understanding on the dynamics of subduction zone and oceanic transform faults.

    The workshop aimed at helping young geologists systematically understand the dynamics of subduction zone and transform faults as well as the implications on earthquakes and tsunamis. It was the first workshop among the series named "Evolution of Oceanic Lithosophere and formation of Marginal Seas".And the second workshop is expected to be held in the near future.