On Thursday, 10:30--11:30, we broke up into working groups.  Members of separate groups were chosen to ensure a mix of disciplines within each group.  The organizers asked that each group consider preliminary questions that had been formulated, prioritize them, and discuss what to them are the three most important questions.  In discussing the three most important questions, each group considered the challenges and opportunities represented, and possible solutions or paths forward.  After this, from 11:30--12:00, we reconvened.  Each group gave a brief presentation about their prioritized list, the three most important questions, and their proposed responses.



=== The Original List of Questions ===

__'''General/Research'''__

 # Should we try to settle on a common vocabulary?
 # What is the current status of a common vocabulary?
 # What could we answer about the YTT (or other volcanic system) collaboratively?  
  # How could we make sure that we all collect, analyze and report data that are useful to other groups studying this problem? 
  # Given limited resources and time, how could we collect and make available data that others could use?
 # How do we know what is useful to other researchers?
 # How do we identify who else might be interested?
 # How can we share yet safeguard IP?


__'''Tephra deposits: extracting information from the field and cores'''__

 # What should be recorded/observed in the field?
 # How should the uncertainty in the field measurements be recorded?
 # How do we distinguish between primary and reworked deposits?
 # What is the influence of the environment of deposition on the tephra deposit?
 # What is the influence of the collection method on the deposit?
 # What is the impact of time on a deposit?  How does this affect data recording?
 # Are there some general guidelines on what to record and how to measure?



__'''Characterizing tephra deposits: mineralogy and geochemistry'''__

 # How to prepare/mount the sample?
 # Pros/cons of the different techniques and when to use them?
 # What should one be careful about (e.g. sodium)?
 # How many minimum measurements should be made?
 # Impact of time on the geochemistry?
 # How should shard analyses be treated and used once generated?
 # How do we summarize geochemical information?
 # What is the proper place of statistics in data analysis and interpretation?


__'''Dating tephra and tephra-bearing sequences'''__

 # How to prepare sample?
 # Which technique to use: pros/cons and when to use?
 # What should one be careful about?
 # How to report the age (e.g. uncertainties, ...)?
 # How can different ages be used together?


__'''Modelling volcanic plumes and tephra dispersal'''__

 # Why might I want to use a model of tephra dispersal?
 # Which model for what task? Pros/cons
 # What are the inputs needed for the different models?
 # What are the uncertainties in the results?
 # How can a tephra dispersal model be used to help me understand a deposit?


__'''Characterizing the eruption from tephra deposits'''__

 # What can we learn about the eruption (e.g. height, style, ...)?
 # What inputs are needed (e.g. especially primary thickness)?
 # What are the uncertainties?
 # Why is this important?
 # General guidelines?


__'''Correlation'''__

 # How do I correlate? Which techniques?
 # What is the proper use of statistical tools and use of uncertainties?
 # Intercontinental correlation -- how does this work best?
 # What is the importance of using the same vocabulary and similar ways to process information?
 # How can the data best be made available to archeologists, paleoclimatologists, etc., who need a correlation target?


__'''Tephra databases and eruption catalogs'''__

 # What is the importance of databases and catalogs?
 # What is to be recorded in them?
 # How do I reference authors?
 # What is the link between the different databases/catalogs?
 # How can we let others know about them?