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.

Convener: James White (New Zealand, IAVCEI)

Co-Conveners: Karin Orth (Australia, IAVCEI), Adam Soule (USA, IAVCEI), Evi Nomikou (Greece, IAVCEI), Steffen Kutterolf (Germany, IAVCEI), Rebecca Carey (Australia, IAVCEI), Chris German (USA, IAPSO)

Description

Seventy percent of Earth’s volcanoes are hidden beneath the surface of the oceans. Although largely ‘invisible’, submarine volcanoes are responsible for >75% of Earth’s magma output, and the eruptions put gas, heat, and volcanic material into the hydrosphere and atmosphere as well as greatly influence biogeochemical processes.

This symposium will include presentations of both terrestrial ancient marine volcanic environments modern-day submarine volcanic systems, with the aim of enabling cross-fertilization of ideas. We call for abstracts for field, laboratory and numerical studies of submarine volcanism. We also call for abstracts that combine innovative and emerging technologies that enable breakthrough developments for advancement of knowledge in submarine volcanism.

Convener: Sara Barsotti (Iceland, IAVCEI)

Co-Conveners: Antonio Costa (Italy, IAVCEI), Andrew Tupper (Australia, IAMAS)

Description

During volcanic eruptions tephra affect the surrounding environment by impacting the ground by pyroclasts fallout and the atmosphere by advected volcanic ash clouds. Our society, economy, environment is always exposed to discomforts and disruptions when similar events occur and assessing hazards associated to explosive eruptions is a crucial goal for the volcanological community. Simulating the dynamics of volcanic processes (from the magma migration to the explosion in the atmosphere) is now a well-established approach to investigate the phenomena and anticipate their possible evolution in time and space. Tephra hazard modelling is nowadays a viable tool to forecast in real-time those areas affected by contamination of ash in the atmosphere and on the ground. The aviation sector benefits significantly from these numerical tools as well as all that part of the population living nearby erupting volcanoes. However in time of crises is challenging to produce reliable forecast of an event for which estimates of the eruptive source parameters (like mass flow rate, total grain size distribution, plume height) are still unavailable or possibly affected by large uncertainty. The data assimilation process is an essential part of the operational response to constrain the ongoing scenario and adding credibility to the model results. At the same time assessing and communicating uncertainties associated with the measurements, observations and model results is fundamental when numerical products are provided to decision-makers and other stakeholders.

Operational tools need to be robust, fast, accurate and flexible. Large part of the research in the recent years have been investigating on how to improve the operational response by implementing new tool developed in more academic environments. In this symposium we welcome all contributions addressing those steps moved toward bridging science and operations within the tephra numerical modelling sector. Examples from experiences are kindly invited. Goals achieved and open questions will be essential for a fruitful discussion.

Convener: Ben Edwards (USA, IAVCEI)

Co-Conveners: Kelly Russell (Canada, IAVCEI)

Description

This symposium invites contributions that focus on methods for and examples of extracting paleoclimate records from volcanic sequences formed by interactions with ice on planets. Increasingly scientists who model past climates on Earth and on Mars need data to test their models for the timing, extent and thickness of now-extinct bodies of ice. Deposits formed during interactions between volcanoes and glaciers are one of the few records that can document the exact location of past glaciers, are generally amenable to geochronologic studies, and are relatively resist to erosion by subsequent processes. While the study of glaciovolcanic deposits has been ongoing for several decades, new studies are increasingly extracting more detail information about past ice extents and even paleohydrology. We invite contributions from field and laboratory studies whose foci are extraction of paleoenvironmental data from glaciovolcanic deposits.

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: 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: Marten Geertsema (Canada, IACS)

Co-Conveners: John J. Clague, (Canada, IACS), Michael Krautblatter (Germany, IACS), Lucia Capra (Mexico, IAVCEI),

Description

High mountains are currently experiencing some of the largest changes in climate on the planet. Climate warming is driving changes in geomorphic processes operating in mountains, with attendant large impacts on landscapes and ecosystems. This symposium features presentations on the hazards faced by people living and recreating in high mountains, notably avalanches, landslides, debris flows, earthquakes, outburst floods from glacier- and moraine-dammed lakes, volcano-ice interactions, permafrost thaw, and cascading processes. We welcome case studies and contributions featuring state-of-the art tools useful for assessing mountain hazards, including satellite and ground-based InSAR, LiDAR, unmanned aerial vehicles, and modelling using state-of-the art numerical codes.

Convener: Jim N. McElwaine (UK, IACS)

Co-Conveners: Dieter Issler (Norway, IACS), Federico Falcini (Italy, IAPSO), Roberto Sulpizio (Italy, IAVCEI)

Description

Gravity-driven flows ― subaqueous and subaerial, terrestrial and extra-terrestrial ― occur in a variety of types that nevertheless share many features. There is large potential for improving our understanding of these fascinating and practically important phenomena by comparing experimental data and mathematical modelling approaches across traditional subdiscipline boundaries.

This interdisciplinary symposium therefore aims to summarize our current understanding of, and identify future research challenges in, gravity-driven flows.

Contributions are welcomed on the following topics, among others:

• Novel field observations and measurements
• New experimental techniques
• General modelling frameworks for gravity-driven flows at different scales and level of detail
• Mathematical models of specific processes (e.g., flow-regime changes,
• erosion, entrainment and deposition, particle–fluid interaction, turbulence)
• Hazard assessment and mitigation methods

Convener: Michael Schmidt (Germany, IAG)

Co-Conveners: Lung-Chih Tsa (Taiwan, IAG), Robert Heinkelmann (Germany, IAG), Claudia Stubenrauch (France, IAMAS), Veronika Barta (Hungary, IAGA), Arnau Folch (Spain, IAVCEI)

Description

Satellite observations provide a continuous survey of our planet’s surrounding atmosphere, which is structured into distinct layers, according to e.g. temperature or charge state.

Ionosphere, plasmasphere and thermosphere are manifestations of space weather; its impacts and risks are gaining more and more importance in politics and sciences, since our modern society is highly depending on space-borne techniques, e.g. for communication and positioning.

Stratosphere and troposphere and their constituents are essential for life on our planet, and tropospheric water vapour is source of clouds and of precipitation, which in turn affect the large-scale circulation through heat transfer. The synergistic use of different instruments and modelling is leading to major advances in the understanding of our climate.

This symposium invites contributions on advances in observing and understanding our atmosphere – from troposphere to magnetosphere. Specific topics are:

• (near) real-time approaches to monitor and forecast the ionospheric state
• combination of various observation techniques and improvement of the representation of atmospheric key parameters
• interaction between atmospheric layers and Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry
• studies on space weather research and coupling processes in the upper atmosphere
• studies on empirical atmosphere models, e.g. for the upper atmosphere, and numerical weather models
• aerosol, cloud and radiation processes and interactions in the climate system
• use of synergetic satellite observations and modelling for a better understanding of cloud processes and feedbacks

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: John P. Burrows (Germany, IAMAS)

Co-Conveners: Maria Kanakidou (Greece, IAMAS), Franco Tassi (Italy, IAVCEI), Isabelle Panet (France, IAG)

Description

This symposium focuses on the impact of natural emissions, such as those from volcanoes, and anthropogenic fluxes on atmospheric composition, chemical transformation, dynamics and climate. In this context we welcome contributions from

i) laboratory and chamber studies

ii) field measurements;

iii) satellite observations;

iv) numerical modelling;

v) scientific and socio-economic assessments.

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: 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: 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: 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.