Dear Colleagues, <div> We would like to invite you to a workshop called “Long term deformation in the Central U.S.,” to be held 27-28 September, 2007, at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN, U.S.A.  The workshop will be sponsored by the USGS and Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI), University of Memphis. Large earthquakes in stable continental interiors, although rare, are puzzling exceptions to the plate tectonic theory. Controversies abound as to the causes, rates, magnitudes, and hazard posed by such events.  This workshop focuses on the current understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of deformation and how existing data constrain models of intraplate deformation. Ultimately we hope to produce a science plan outlining key studies that have the potential to enhance knowledge of past and present-day deformation for the next generation of models. The workshop seeks to bring together experts of different disciplines with expertise in geological and geophysical data acquisition, interpretation, and state of the art modeling of crustal deformation in order to formulate key scientific questions, to identify study areas, to coordinate geophysical and geological surveys, proposals, and to complement existing efforts (EarthScope, borehole observatories, and others).  We hope to include experts in paleoseismology, active and passive source seismology, GPS, geologic mapping, geomorphology, sedimentology and geodynamics. If you wish to attend, please send an e-mail by August 15, 2007 to Buddy Schweig (schweig@usgs.gov) or Beatrice Magnani (mmagnani@memphis.edu).  Additional information will be sent out later to those who express interest. Thank you very much. Beatrice Magnani and Buddy Schweig __________________________________________________________________ Eugene Schweig Central and Eastern U.S. Coordinator Earthquake Hazards Program Office U.S. Geological Survey address:                                                 U.S. Geological Survey                                     (901) 678-4974 3876 Central Ave., Ste. 2                        Fax: (901) 678-4897 MEMPHIS, TN  38152-3050 ___________________________________________________________________ </div>