Convener: Masaki Kanao (Japan, IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Douglas Wiens (USA, IASPEI), Timothy C. Bartholomaus (USA, IACS), Mirko Scheinert (Germany, IAG)

Description

In high latitude and elevation regions, the Earth’s glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, and snowpacks are undergoing rapid change. However, our understanding of the processes governing these changes are hindered by a lack of observations with sufficient temporal and spatial resolution, in these generally remote landscapes.  Fortunately, many of the cryospheric processes of interest produce ground vibrations.  Analysis of these seismic signals can yield insight into the relationship between environmental forcings and the response of ocean - cryosphere - solid earth systems.  The properties of these systems, such as mantle rheology or till thickness, can also be inferred from both passive and active studies. Impulsive events with small magnitudes (icequakes) and M = 5 teleseismically detected glacial earthquakes can be generated by calving or basal slip.  Continuous study of their time and space variability informs our understanding of climate change. In this joint symposium between IASPEI and IACS on "Cryoseismology," we invite submissions which cover the full gamut of seismology on and regarding the frozen earth. We encourage contributions treating the observation and modeling of seismic signals involving dynamics of ice sheets, sea ice, icebergs and glaciers, as well as changes to the thermal and physical structure of permafrost and snow.

Convener: Massimiliano Pittore (Germany, IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Aldo Zollo (Italy, IASPEI), David McCormack (Canada, IASPEI), John LaBrecque (USA, IAG), Alan Thomson (UK, IAGA)

Description

Damaging phenomena related to a variety of geo-hazards constantly threaten people, the built environment and its vulnerable infrastructure on a global scale. These phenomena depend on the type of underlying geologic process and may unfold across different spatial and temporal scales. The increasing urbanization and subsequent socio-economic development continuously raise the bar for the Civil Protection authorities and decision makers striving to control and reduce the associated risk. The development of Early Warning systems has been often proposed as a technological solution for mitigating the impact of geo-hazards. The development and implementation of such systems depends on understanding, modelling and monitoring the underlying natural processes.

The Symposium aims at bringing together scholars and practitioners with mutual interest in modelling, computational and experimental methods and technological advances from the design to the practical implementation of early warning systems for a broad range of geo-hazards. The symposium encourages original research, benchmark studies and practical examples with particular emphasis on open questions, unsolved issues and societal impact. The overall goal is to foster a holistic, multi-disciplinary discussion addressing the key challenges for the design and development of next generation early warning systems in the context of the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to: Multi-source real-time data collection, sensors fusion; dynamic, evolutionary process modelling; decision-making strategies; rapid response and performance-driven approaches; from forecasting to nowcasting to early warning; industrial and mission-critical applications; (Near) real-time risk mitigation; Cost-benefit analysis and socio-economic impact; practical case studies.

> U02

Convener: Yajing Liu (Canada, IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Michael Bostock (Canada, IASPEI), Kelin Wang (Canada, IASPEI), Lucinda Leonard (Canada, IAG), Simon Peacock (Canada, IAVCEI)

Description

Subduction zones encompass a range of significant processes contributing to the long-term evolution of the Earth. Megathrust earthquakes along subduction margins define a major geohazard capable of catastrophic damages, as evidenced by the 2011 Japan and 2004 Indian Ocean earthquakes, that are stark reminders of what is likely in store for Cascadia. However, our understanding of subduction zone processes and ultimately characterization of geohazards is hampered by a lack of observations, in particular offshore. For Cascadia, this data gap lies directly above the seismogenic zone and its downdip transition to slow earthquake phenomena, where material properties evolve due to hydro-mechanical variations and metamorphic reactions. In recent years, improvements to permanent monitoring networks and dense temporary deployments have focused on a 4D characterization of stress, strength and fluid pressure evolution in subduction zones. In this session we invite contributions from a broad range of disciplines that address first-order questions about how megathrusts work, based on onshore/offshore surveys and integration of observation and modeling approaches for global subduction zones.

Convener: Takuya Nishimura (Japan, IASPEI), Yoshiyuki Tanaka (Japan, IAG)

Description

In the past two decades, space geodetic techniques such as GNSS and InSAR have provided a detailed image of lithospheric deformation caused by earthquakes. Accumulating geodetic data, including those associated with recent giant earthquakes in Sumatra, Chile and Japan, have manifested peculiar deformation patterns that occur at different stages in an earthquake cycle. Fine-scale deformations mapped by LiDAR and InSAR revealed complexity of surface deformation related to deep seismic sources. Recent advances of marine geodesy and improvements in the networks of borehole tilt/strainmeters and seismometers have enabled us to monitor faint, small-scale wide-frequency phenomena due to slow and fast earthquakes in a subduction zone. Studies based on such a wide variety of deformation data as well as terrestrial and satellite gravity data have dramatically improved insights on earthquake rupture process, seismicity modulated by small stress perturbations, rheology of lithosphere and asthenosphere and frictional property and fluid migration in a fault zone.

In this interdisciplinary symposium, we welcome presentations of new results on geodetic and seismological measurements and modeling related with fast and slow earthquakes, postseismic transients, interseismic elastic strain accumulation and permanent inelastic deformation.

Convener: Kerry Gallagher (France, IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Nico Sneeuw (Germany, IAG), Andrew Bell (UK, IAVCEI)

Description

Probabilistic and statistical approaches to modeling different types of Geoscience data have become more popular in the last 15--20 years, partly due to advances in methodological approaches and algorithms, and also due to increasing computing power. Different applications include analysis of large and/or complex data sets, inverse modeling, model choice, assessment of multiple forward modeling scenarios and forecasting, all potentially allowing for uncertainties in observations, model formulations and estimation of model parameters. In this symposium, we solicit submissions addressing new methods, comparisons of methods and application/ case studies of probabilistic/statistical techniques aimed at improving how we can identify and extract information from data and models in the general context of the Geosciences.

Papers from the session will be considered for publication in the journal of Mathematical Geosciences

> U03

Convener: Josep Batlló Ortiz (Spain, IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Alberto Viglione (Austria, IAHS), József Ádám (Hungary, IAG), Edward Cliver (USA, IAGA), Kris Harper (USA, IAMAS), Bruce Raup (USA, IACS), Florence Fetterer (USA, IACS), E. Pattabhi Rama Rao (India, IAPSO), Roberto Carniel (Italy, IAVCEI)

Description

Studying a changing world needs long series of data. Moreover, reanalysis of old geophysical/geodetic data in the light of our present knowledge has become an important tool for understanding topics such as solar variability, climatic change, tectonics, earth rotation, and extreme natural events (e.g., magnetic storms, hurricanes, rainfall, floods, earthquakes etc.). Those old data are in analogue form and, many times, are contained in unique documents. Historical information may also be retrieved from documentary evidence such as narrative sources and legal-administrative institutional documentation (e.g. chronicles, newspapers, private and official protocols and correspondence, account books, etc.). Techniques and methodologies for preservation, dissemination, interpretation, homogenisation and use of such data, as well as for their present scientific use are important topics for advancing of our understanding of the changing Earth and of past extreme events. Different approaches have been devised to deal with different data and problems. Sharing the already large accumulated experience in the different fields covered by the IUGG shall contribute to improve our preservation and dissemination tools, our analysis methods and, ultimately, to further research results. This symposium welcomes contributions on:

(a) Locating, assessing, preserving, and disseminating historical data about sunspots, polar motion, time and temperature measurements, magnetograms, seismograms, eruptions, glacier extent, tide gauge records, aurorae, flood/drought events and many others and

(b) Methodologies and study cases using these historical data to advance our understanding of the Earth.

> U04

> U07

Convener: Thomas James (Canada, IAG)

Co-Conveners: David Eaton (Canada, IASPEI), Stéphane Rondenay (Norway, IASPEI), Jeff Freymueller (USA, IAG), Alison Kirkby (Australia, IAG), Tilo Schöne (Germany, IAG)

Description

Large-scale integrated geophysical programs that combine seismology, GNSS, InSAR and other methods are providing valuable new insights about Earth Systems processes through synoptic imaging and monitoring capabilities. Ongoing or recent programs including EarthScope, SINOPROBE, AlpArray and IPOC have made many significant contributions to Earth System monitoring, with applications ranging from tectonic processes, hazards, resources and global change. EarthScope’s USArray program, for example, has changed how the general public can envision earthquakes along with refining the capacity for tomographic imaging deep into the mantle, whereas Australian federal programs such as AusLAMP have provided critical pre-competitive framework for resources exploration. Various types of instrumentation have contributed to outcomes that were not foreseen at the outset; for example, GPS reflected rays are now being used for monitoring vegetation growth, soil moisture, snow and sea ice accumulation.  Canada’s LITHOPROBE program was among the first to integrate high-resolution geophysical methods with a variety of other approaches to address geoscientific problems at the plate scale. Canada is now working towards initiating the CCArray  and EON-ROSE programs, which will expand on the exceptional outcomes from the EarthScope program. This symposium welcomes submissions that focus on new scientific insights and serendipitous applications arising from integrated geophysical array programs.

Convener: Vladimir Cermak (Czech Republic, IASPEI), Makoto Taniguchi (Japan, IAHS)

Description

Subsurface temperature field reflects time changes in the ground surface conditions, produced by the changing climate in general. On the local scale other events may modify the downward propagation of this “climate” signal, such as e.g. long-term changes in the vegetation cover, land use, urbanization and other human activities. Borehole climatology developed in the past several decades contributed to the reconstructions of the climate of the past several millennia and proved to be a suitable research tool. We want to invite contributions discussing theoretical aspects of borehole temperature inversion methods as well as papers summarizing new practical inversion results obtained on local, regional and global scales. Welcomed are evidences of the repeated measurements of temperature-depth profiles as a useful direct tool to understand the ongoing global warming, various geothermal aspects of the changing climate (heat island effect) in large megapolis as well as urbanization and its global warming impacts.

Convener: Andrea Förster (Germany, IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Rainer Kind (Germany, IASPEI), Alan Jones (Canada, IAGA), Gianluca Gola (Italy, IAVCEI)

Description

Geotherms are fundamental for the quantification of the Earth’s thermal structure and the understanding of tectonophysical processes. They are numerical models that require a sound understanding of surface heat flow, and sensu stricto terrestrial heat flow, rock thermal conductivity (which is pressure and temperature dependent) and radiogenic heat production. For stabilized crust, known values of mantle heat flow can help to constrain those thermal properties of the crust. The ambiguity of the lithospheric thermal regime is large owing to uncertainties in the quantification of the governing parameters, for example the lithosphere structure and composition and the lithosphere-asthenosphere depth.

Uncertainties also arise from the different laboratory measurements deployed in constraining the heat flow and rock thermal properties. Other problems are linked with transient thermal processes not depicted yet by surface heat flow. It is therefore desirably to seek for independent evidence to verify the thermal

field, which is e.g. by xenolith-derived thermo-barometry data, data on the cut- off depth of earthquakes, by seismology and electromagnetic surveys. We therefore welcome papers that address an integration of the thermal field with geophysical imaging techniques to answer fundamental questions in rheology and geomechanics, and young geodynamic processes.

Convener: Jiuhua Chen (USA, IASPEI/IAVCEI))

Co-Conveners: Tomo Katsura (Germany, IAVCEI), Sergio Speziale (Germany, IASPEI)

Description

Research progress in field-based observations, laboratory experiments, and theoretical modeling advance our understanding of the structure and dynamics of the Earth’s interior. This interdisciplinary symposium will bring together new results from seismological and electrical sounding directed towards elucidating the structure of the mantle and core (including discontinuities, anisotropy and attenuation), observations of the Earth's magnetic field and its relationship to planetary heat flow, relevant research on earth materials (including phase equilibria, element partitioning, deformation and the development of texture, the influence of volatiles on partial melting, seismic and electrical properties, and rheology), and numerical modeling of properties and processes on distance scales ranging from atomic to global, and on timescales ranging from accretion and core formation to the present.

Convener: Jon Aurnou (USA, IAG)

Co-Conveners: Michael Bergman (USA, IAG), Carla Braitenberg (Italy, IAG), George Helffrich (Japan, IASPEI), Tine Thomas (Germany, IASPEI)

Description

This symposium seeks contributions covering from core to mantle, including observations, material properties, structure and dynamics. In the mantle, composition, rheology, density, electric and magnetic properties are required to define the dynamical evolutionary path through space-time. The recent satellite missions GRACE, GOCE and SWARM, and novel teleseismic methods give new insights into deep Earth physical properties and state. Models of mantle convection and the interaction with lithospheric plates and subducted relics use these data as input to define the models in greater detail. Geodetic and seismic data provide inputs necessary for constraining possible stable layers in the outer core, with high resolution models of the geomagnetic field required to make further progress in our understanding of core dynamics and dynamo generation. Seismology and mineral physics continue to work in tandem to further our understanding of inner core structure and dynamics. We also welcome studies concerning global-scale coupling, including the dynamical interaction between the inner, outer core, the mantle and earth rotation.

> U05

Convener: Sabrina Sanchez (Germany, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Marie Bocher (Switzerland, IASPEI), Matthias Morzfeld (USA, IAGA/IAMAS), Takemasa Miyoshi (Japan, IAMAS), Entcho Demirov (Canada, IAPSO), Julien Brajard (France, IAPSO/IACS), Salvatore Grimaldi (Italy, IAHS), Pavel Novak (Czech Republic, IAG)

Description

Data assimilation has become a valuable tool for improving our understanding of the Earth and its different dynamical layers, such as the core, mantle, oceans, atmosphere and magnetosphere. By merging sparse observations, complex physical models and their respective errors, data assimilation attempts to unveil hidden features of a given system as well as predicting its evolution. Although its long-term development in the field of meteorology has led to a well-established framework, data assimilation methodologies still bear considerable challenges. Amongst those we can cite the numerical stability of ensemble-based methods such as the Ensemble Kalman Filter, the identification and handling of model errors and biases, the hybridization of variational and sequential approaches, and the usage of multi-model ensembles for parameter estimation. Moreover, in many fields of application, such as core and mantle dynamics, as well as volcanism and space weather, data assimilation remains fairly exploratory. However, these novel applications can provide a platform for further analysis of the aforementioned challenges. This symposium aims at promoting a constructive dialogue between the different geophysical communities with a shared interest in the development of innovative strategies in data assimilation. We therefore particularly encourage the participation of contributions connected to emerging research fields of geophysical data assimilation, as well as the development of libraries, testbeds and computationally efficient data assimilation schemes.

> U03

Convener: Fernando Poblete (Chile, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Leonardo Sagnotti (Italy, IAGA), Matthias Morzfeld (USA, IAGA/IAMAS), Marie Bocher (Switzerland, IASPEI), Haluk Ozener (Turkey, IAG)

Description

This symposium aims to bring together a wide range of investigations related to paleomagnetism, magnetic anisotropy, gravimetry, seismic, volcanologic and other geophysical studies intended to unveil tectonic and geodynamic processes at different scales and their links to Earth Dynamics. Thus, presentations may include:

• Characterization of subsurface structures and implications in tectonic evolution
• Tectonic evolution of subduction related orogens
• Geodynamic processes in a collisional setting
• Geodynamic processes at convergent/divergent plate margins
• Plate kinematics

Convener: Masahito Nosé (Japan, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Simon Flower (UK, IAGA), Yasuhiro Murayama (Japan, IAMAS), Helle Pedersen (France, IASPEI), Attilio Castellarin (Italy, IAHS), Gabriel Guimarães (Brazil, IAG), Toru Suzuki (Japan, IAPSO), Aude Chambodut (France, UCDI), Giuseppe Puglisi (Italy, IAVCEI)

Description

A number of national and international geoscience research infrastructures have been created in recent years, for example, EPOS (the European Plate Observing System), Copernicus (European Union's Earth Observation Programme), IUGONET (the Inter-university upper atmosphere global observation network), EarthCube (the ‘system of systems’ infrastructure for geosciences) and AuScope (the Autralian geoscience and geospatial infrastructure). At the same time the World Data System is evolving and certification of data repositories (ICSU-WDS, CoreTrustSeal) is becoming an important concern. Together these initiatives make it possible for users to easily access huge archives of disparate geoscience data and metadata in a secure and reliable manner, a task that was complex and time consuming before these initiatives were available.

Clear licensing of geoscience data gives users clarity over how they can use and share the data, protects the rights of data providers and promotes integrated research. Data publication and citation will benefit data suppliers by giving them proper credit, professional recognition and rewards for their works, in a similar manner to the way that publication of scientific results benefits scientific researchers. Licensing, publication and citation of data are becoming a requirement for contribution to geoscience infrastructures. The system of licensing, producing, publishing, and citing of geoscience data is a structure for persistent intellectual content identification and management as well as for connection of users with content suppliers.

This symposium solicits contributions presenting actual practices and future plans of data licensing, producing, publication, and citation of scientific data, and possible related topics.

Convener: Foteini Vervelidou (Germany, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Stavros Kotsiaros (USA, IAGA), Robert Tenzer (Hong Hong, IAG), Jörg Ebbing (Germany, IAG/IAGA), Rob Govers (Netherlands, IASPEI/IAG), Javier Fullea (Ireland, IASPEI), Magdalena Scheck-Wenderoth (Germany, ILP), Silvia Massaro (Italia, IAVCEI)

Description

This symposium focuses on the structure and dynamics of the Earth’s lithosphere. Multiple geophysical observations help us probe the Earth’s lithospheric structure and understand its dynamic behavior. These include the magnetic and gravity field, electromagnetic induction, heat flow and seismological data.

The lithospheric magnetic field reflects properties like composition and temperature and carries information about tectonic, chemical, and thermal alterations that magnetized rocks have undergone throughout their history. Gravity field, apart from information on composition, reveals information about mass exchange mechanisms related to dynamic processes like sea level rise, glacial retreat, and lithospheric flexure. Magnetotelluric studies image Earth’s electrical conductivity from the near-surface to deep within the mantle. Seismological methods including receiver functions map the location of major interfaces like the Moho and the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundary. Seismic velocities can be inverted for density and temperature, and seismic attenuation and seismic anisotropy are correlated with temperature and strain, respectively. Global heat flow measurements help constrain the lithospheric geotherm and Earth’s energy budget. These geophysical data sets provide us with a highly valuable data pool for the study of the Earth’s lithosphere and its mechanical strength.

We solicit contributions focused on any related geophysical data set or combinations of them with the ultimate goal of enhancing our knowledge about the structure, composition and dynamics of the Earth’s crust and uppermost mantle. In this respect, we welcome contributions from studies focusing on data collection and processing, global or regional modeling and interpretation of data and models in terms of tectonic, geological or geophysical implications.

> U04

Convener: Alan Jones (Canada, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Max Moorkamp (UK, IAGA), Juan Carlos Afonso (Australia, IASPEI), Jan Dettmer (Canada, IASPEI)

Description

Combining complimentary data sets typically reduces the ambiguity of inversion results and facilitates subsequent interpretation. Hence, integration of multi-disciplinary data has become popular in many disciplines including hydrogeophysics, mineral exploration, sub-basalt and sub-salt problems, gas hydrate investigations, and studies involving deep crustal and mantle structures. Still, many questions remain: Which types of data should be inverted together? How to balance their influence in the inversion? How can we assess the differences between joint inversion, cooperative inversion and other integrated interpretation strategies?

This symposium welcomes research using joint inversion or other approaches to combine different types of geophysical data. Both case studies and technical contributions are welcome

> U03

Convener: Jacques Zlotnicki (France, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Malcolm Johnston (USA, IAGA/IASPEI), Takeshi Hashimoto (Japan, IASPEI/IAVCEI), Xuhui Shen (China, IASPEI), Yoichi Sasai (Japan, IAVCEI)

Description

Changes in inter-related crustal stress, deformation, pressure/temperature of electrically conducting fluids and pore pressure in crustal rocks all occur in both volcanic regions and regions of seismic and aseismic fault failure. All these processes generate electric and magnetic (EM) fields. Furthermore, global EM effects are observed in the atmosphere and ionosphere with explosive ash eruptions. While co-eruptive effects and co-seismic fault failure effects in EM fields, deformation, seismicity and geochemistry are readily observed and modeled, the inter-relation between various parameters during periods of volcanic unrest and aseismic activity that are driven by perhaps the same underlying physics is much less clear. This symposium focuses on bringing together examples of multi-parameter land and satellite observations during volcanic activity and earthquake rupture (Part 1), non-eruptive volcanic activity (Part 2) and aseismic fault activity (Part 3) in order to identify the dominant but perhaps changing physical processes involved. Knowledge of the non-uniform EM tomography of volcanoes and fault systems is a necessary prerequisite for modeling these different processes.

Convener: Nikolay Palshin (Russia, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Ute Weckmann (Germany, IAGA), Sergei Lebedev (Ireland, IASPEI), Irina Artemieva (Denmark, ILP)

Description

Cratons record a long history of tectonic events. The result is a complex, stable collage of lithosphere fragments that can continue, however, to experience deformation and modification. Understanding the evolution, composition and structure of cratons remains a challenge, which includes the details of accretion and orogenesis, the roles of inherited structures and lithosphere thinning in past and ongoing deformation, and the mechanisms of craton construction, modification and stabilization.

This symposium seeks contributions that address structure, composition, evolution and the dynamic processes that have shaped cratonic lithosphere based on a range of approaches, including seismology and electromagnetic methods and other geophysical methods; geochemistry, petrophysics and geodynamic modelling. We particularly welcome integrated geophysical imaging techniques that cross disciplinary boundaries and those that link lithosphere dynamics with processes occurring at the Earth’s surface and the deeper mantle.

Convener: Manoj Nair (USA, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Rick Saltus (USA, IAGA), Edgar Bering  (USA, IAGA), Barbara Leichter (Austria, IAGA), Christophe Cudennec (France, IAHS), Isabelle Ansorge (South Africa, IAPSO), Laura Gallardo (Chile, IAMAS), Raju Sarkar (Bhutan, IASPEI), Paul Denton (UK, IASPEI), John Taber (USA, IASPEI),

Description

This Symposium calls for papers describing innovations in geoscience instruction methods and citizen science initiatives. Papers are welcome describing advances in all levels of instruction, including secondary and higher education. We are particularly interested in papers about inventive approaches to inquiry-based learning in all geosciences. Involving students and the public in designing experiments and collecting data has been shown to foster a scientific identity, to increase overall interest in science, and to improve the perceived value of scientific research. Papers are welcome on all aspects of education and citizen-science including methodology, data-collection, non-traditional areas of curriculum, case studies, etc. In particular we invite contributions that describe ways to broaden the public understanding and appreciation of science and to attract non-traditional and under-represented students into the sciences.

Convener: Matt King (Australia, IACS/IAG)

Co-Conveners: Pippa Whitehouse (UK, IACS/IAG), Martin Horwath (Germany, IAG), Bert Wouters (Netherlands, IACS), Anya Reading (Australia, IASPEI)

Description

Measurements of solid Earth, sea-level and ice-sheet change are influenced by a complex interaction of processes occurring over a large range of spatial and temporal scales. Proxy observations that constrain past ice sheets are influenced by glacial isostatic adjustment and changing mantle dynamic topography. Present-day observations of solid Earth deformation in one location are affected by present and past changes in global surface loading. Recent work highlights the role that solid Earth deformation has to play in controlling ice-sheet change, while seismological investigations are revealing crucial spatial variations in Earth rheology. In this symposium, we showcase model- and data-driven efforts to understand feedbacks between surface load changes and the solid Earth over all timescales.

Topics include:

• observations of mass changes in the cryosphere and oceans, and their interaction with solid Earth deformation
• influence of mantle dynamic topography and glacial isostatic adjustment on paleo observations of sea level or ice sheet behaviour
• seismic studies of the rheology of the solid Earth in the context of sea-level and ice-sheet studies

Convener: José Fernardez (Spain, IAG)

Co-Conveners: Patrick Whelley (USA, IAVCEI), Mark Bebbington (New Zealand, IAVCEI), Jacob Richardson (USA, IAVCEI), Martyn Unsworth (Canada, IAGA), Philippe Jousset (Germany, IASPEI), Simone Cesca (Germany, IASPEI)

Description

A range of important geological processes occur beneath volcanic belts. Subsurface fluxes of magma and hydrothermal fluids have generated both the continental and oceanic crust and formed many mineral deposits. However, the crustal structure of volcanic belts is not fully understood. This symposium seeks to advance this research area by gathering researchers studying the subsurface structure of active volcanic systems. We welcome all contributions that present (a) geophysical studies of volcanic belts and (b) geological studies that seek to interpret geophysical models in terms of laboratory experiments, (c) Geodetic measurements, imaging and topography of volcanic belts, and (d) multidisciplinary studies on volcanic belts.

Convener: Katherine Boggs (Canada, IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Maite Agopian (USA, IASPEI), Beth Bartal (USA, IAVCEI), Josef Zens (Germany, IAG), Chris King (UK, IUGS-COGE)

Description

Earth systems are complex and public awareness is critical for balancing societal demands for minerals and water with sound environmental practices, as well as building resilience to natural hazards and a changing climate.  Increasingly over the past decade large geophysical programs such as EarthScope, SINOPROBE, IPOC, AlpArray and AusLAMP have produced “Big Data” which is becoming more and more openly available for teaching in K-16 classrooms and citizen science research programs.  Strong partnerships between scientists, data scientists, teachers and non-academic communities are critical for successfully guiding such citizen scientist and educator use of these data products.  Such approaches are important for both recruiting the geophysicists of the future and for developing critical skills for our future generations.  Key among these skills is the ability to assess and recheck claims made about environmental issues by interested parties, thus enabling evidence-based decision-making processes. This symposium invites contributions from scientists, educators, communicators and those who design, facilitate, fund or deliver such programs.

Convener: Vasily V. Titov (USA, IAPSO)

Co-Conveners: Fumuhiko Imumura (Japan, IAPSO), Maria Ana Baptista (Portugal, IAPSO), Alexander Rabinovich (Russia, IASPEI), Joan Marti (Spain, IAVCEI)

Description

Tsunamis present persistent hazard for growing coastal population around the world. Tsunami events of this century vividly illustrated increasing risk of such disasters for coastal population and infrastructure. As the response to these deadly tsunamis of the XXI century, many new tsunamis  forecast and warning capabilities have been developed and implemented. Tsunami warning systems have expanded from the Pacific to all world oceans, and now provide tsunami warning capabilities based on expanded set of real-time observations for virtually all vulnerable coastlines.

The global warning system presents new challenges for tsunami science. Newly available real-time data provide large volume of high-quality observations that require new methods and data-assimilation tools for use in data-based forecast products. New modelling and analysis methods are required to take advantage of the new computational and observational capabilities, to convert scientific and modelling results into actionable and effective forecast and warning. The tsunami science now has the opportunity to make all coastal communities resilient to tsunami threat. The symposium will discuss progress and challenges of all aspects of tsunami research and practical warning applications.

> U02

Convener: Jürgen Neuberg (UK, IAVCEI/IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Jeff Johnson (USA, IAVCEI), David Fee (USA, IASPEI), Läslo Evers (Netherlands, IASPEI)

Description

Volcano seismology requires often special consideration due to the fact that the source mechanisms as well as wave propagation effects are significantly different from conventional tectonic earthquakes. Particularly for open volcanic systems, acoustic monitoring provides additional information and constraints regarding magmatic processes. Hence, seismic and acoustic monitoring of active and dormant volcanoes remains the key element of any monitoring program undertaken by volcano observatories or research institutions.

Major advances have been made in the last years allowing us to identify several categories of seismic and acoustic events, and interpret them in terms of different magmatic or tectonic processes encountered on a volcano. Attempts based on multi-disciplinary methodologies turned out to be particularly successful.

This symposium is dedicated to latest developments in volcano seismic and acoustic monitoring techniques, as well as the interpretation and modelling methodology in a wider volcanological context.

We invite contributions for both oral and poster presentations that deal with any aspects relevant to seismic or acoustic monitoring, new methodologies as well as case studies from a variety of volcanic settings. This includes advances in instrumentation, as well as theoretical approaches. Particularly welcome are studies that combine seismic and acoustic monitoring and modelling techniques with other disciplines such as ground deformation, gas monitoring, petrology and fluid dynamics of magmatic systems.

Convener: Yan Lavallee (UK, IAVCEI)

Co-Conveners: Michael Manga (USA, IAVCEI/IASPEI), Jiuhua Chen (USA, IASPEI)

Description

An increasing body of work is demonstrating that geochemical exchanges and petrological reactions may be strongly influenced by differential stresses and the resultant strain. In these systems a range of controlling processes and factors have been invoked or constrained, ranging from pressure solution, anisotropic diffusion, advection, shear heating, strain of the material micro- and macro- structure, and cage jumps (in colloids). Sharing these observations and interpretations between the different sub-disciplines of geoscience will help advance the next-generation petrological, mechanical and rheological models. In this symposium, we invite observational, experimental and modelling contributions in petrology, rheology, and rock physics that explore the nature of these anisotropic physico-chemical processes in relation to rocks, magmas, glasses and single-phase crystals. The discussions should aim to shed light on the implications for geological processes such as volcanic eruptions, diagenesis, metamorphic reactions, and engineering applications.

Convener: Lori Kennedy (Canada, IAVCEI/IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Boris Kaus (Germany, IAVCEI/IASPEI), Jeff Freymueller (USA, IAG/IAVCEI)

Description

Tectonic deformation is often distributed across very broad plate boundary zones, especially in continental crust. However, within these broad zones there are almost always regions of significant strain localization, such that major fault systems accommodate the majority of the total plate motion. Strain localization can be controlled by pre-existing lithospheric weaknesses, plate boundary geometry and applied forces, thermal weakening through volcanism, or a combination of factors. The extent to which strain is localised or distributed has important impacts on long-term tectonics, and on the spatial distribution of earthquake hazards. At depth, the extent of strain localization within the mantle may have important impacts on the earthquake cycle. This session will combine observational, experimental, and theoretical studies using a variety of techniques to address the mechanical properties of the lithosphere and asthenosphere within plate boundary zones, and the processes that relate to localization of strain within the crust and mantle.

Convener: Shaopeng Huang (China/USA, IAVCEI/IASPEI)

Co-Conveners: Massimo Verdoya (Italy, IASPEI), Jacek Majorowicz (Canada, IASPEI), Guangzheng Jiang (China, IASPEI)

Description

Terrestrial heat flow is a measure of the thermal energy flux from the interior of the Earth. This parameter provides fundamental information on the Earth’s energy budget, subsurface thermal structure, lithosphere thermo-tectonic history and bulk chemical composition (especially concerning the radiogenic heat-producing elements of the crust). Moreover, analyses of heat flow data are essential to evaluate the potential of geothermal energy and to reconstruct paleoclimate change on regional and global scales. Heat flow data are conventionally determined from the combination of geothermal gradient, obtained from underground temperature logs, and rock thermal conductivity measurements, often derived from laboratory experiments. High-quality heat flow measurements require appropriate raw data reduction, because both geothermal gradient and thermal conductivity are subject to site-specific perturbations associated with geological, geographical, hydrological, and even climatic settings. The major objective of this symposium is to provide a forum for discussions on all aspects related to the terrestrial heat-flow measurements and interpretation. We welcome contributions that describe results in theoretical and/or experimental works, as well as on the use of heat flow and underground thermal data for the exploration of geothermal energy.