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: Dimitrios Tsoulis (Greece, IAG)

Co-Conveners: Sten Claessens (Australia, IAG), Maurizio Fedi (Italy, IAGA)

 

Description

Heterogeneous datasets of increasing spatial resolution, describing the shape and structure of the Earth and other celestial bodies, are currently available, as well as their gravity and magnetic fields at different scales, from near to the surface to satellite altitudes. This brings about new developments in the theory and methods of potential fields. Densely sampled Digital Elevation Models, global crustal models and the abundance of potential field models, now beyond degree and order 5480, provide a dynamic framework for revisiting and updating the methodological apparatus dealing with the theoretical and numerical aspects of potential functions and of their spatial derivatives. The symposium welcomes contributions falling into this topic and deal with new theoretical or methodological advances in potential fields. Terrain modeling and reductions at all spatial scales, spherical harmonic analysis and synthesis, spheroidal and ellipsoidal harmonics, ultra-high degree/order expansions, and analytical, numerical and multiresolution techniques in potential field modeling are some of the encouraged keywords. Also welcomed are contributions about the interpretation/inversion of potential fields and their ability to reconstruct the sources of the anomalies.

 

Convener: Adrian Jäggi (Switzerland, IAG)

Co-Conveners: Rodrigo Abarca Del Río (Chile, IAG), Andreas Güntner (Germany, IAHS), Augusto Getirana (USA, IAHS), Fabrice Papa (France, IAHS)

 

Description

Changes in continental water storage (liquid water, snow or ice) control the regional water budget, are fundamental for assessing water resources, and may trigger hydrological extreme events (floods and droughts) that often claim a high toll on infrastructure, economy and human lives. Satellite gravimetry such as the past GRACE mission and the currently operating GRACE Follow-On mission (GRACE-FO) has been shown to be a unique monitoring concept to describe large-scale water storage variations and hydrological extreme events. To use the mass redistribution products from satellite gravimetry for the rapid monitoring of hydrological extreme events and for hydrological forecasting, the time resolution of these products has recently been increased and in parallel the latency decreased, essentially towards near real-time.

In this symposium we aim to bring together the satellite gravimetry and other remote sensing techniques with the hydrology community to exploit the near real-time monitoring of water mass changes. We solicit presentations on the latest achievements on generating and assessing near real-time mass redistribution products from GRACE/GRACE-FO, or on using these data for describing hydrological extremes or for early-warning and forecasting applications of extremes and water resources, also including longer time scales such as seasonal forecasts of river discharge and other hydrological variables. Presentations to complement ground-based networks with satellite-based observation methods for near-real time water storage monitoring at large scales, including altimetry, optical or radar data, for instance, are welcome as well.

 

Convener: Annette Eicker (Germany, IAG)

Co-Conveners: Rosa Paccione (Italy, IAG), Sonia Seneviratne (Switzerland, IAMAS), Stephen Price (USA, IACS), Benoit Meyssignac (France, IAPSO)

Invited Speakers: Anny Cazenave (France), Natalya Gomez (Canada), Gottfried Kirchengast (Austria)

 

Description

The growing record of (space-)gravimetric and geodetic data (GRACE, GNSS, radar altimetry, InSAR, VLBI, tide gauges…) provides a new view on Essential Climate Variables such as tropospheric water vapor, water storage and ice mass changes, steric and barystatic sea level, sea surface winds, waves, sea ice extent/thickness, or the Earth’s energy imbalance. These observations have the advantage to be globally homogeneous, and independent from other data commonly used to develop and evaluate climate models.

Geodetic time series reveal a complex picture of natural climate variability, long-term climate change and anthropogenic modifications. Combined with other observations or re-analyses, they provide excellent tools to assess climate models and improve our understanding of land- and ocean-atmosphere interactions.

We invite contributions dealing with (1) using geodetic data to characterize, analyse, and understand current climate change, (2) evaluating climate models against geodetic data, (3) using these data to constrain and improve climate projections, (4) creating long and consistent geodetic time series, (5) climate modelling of geodetically observable variables, and (6) the prospects of future missions.

 

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: Xiaoli Deng (Australia, IAG)

Co-Conveners: Fabio Raicich (Italy, IAPSO)

 

Description

As the climate continues to warm, it is important to precisely measure sea level changes and its different components at both global and regional scales. This IAG-led Joint Symposium JG6 symposium invites contributions from studies that monitor and observe sea level changes on multiple scales employing satellite altimetry, GNSS at tide gauges, GNSS reflectometry, airborne laser scanning, satellite gravimetry and in-situ measurements.

Topics to be covered, but not limited to, include (1) precise mapping and monitoring of the sea level variability on different time and spatial scales; (2) relationship between the sea levels from satellite altimeters (since 1993) and terrestrial water storage estimates from GRACE satellites (since 2002); (3) separation of inter-annual and decadal-scale sea level variability from now 25-year altimeter records for a robust estimate of the long-term sea level trends;  (4) climate contributions to sea level rise, and (5) the estimation of the sea level budget.

 

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: 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: Enrico Camporeale (Netherlands, IAGA)

Co-Conveners: Sarah Gibson (USA, IAGA), Kyung-Suk Cho (Korea, IAGA), Giuseppe Consolini (Italy, IAGA), Christina Plainaki (Italy, IAGA), Donald Hassler (USA, IAMAS), Earle Williams (USA, IAMAS), Klaus Börger (Germany, IAG)

 

Description

We encourage contributions pertaining to recent progress in the effective incorporation of data into space weather modeling and prediction at any point along the chain from sun to planets. Moreover, we welcome approaches that are less traditional in the space weather community but possess potential for significant progress in forecasting and understanding space weather, and that draw upon "lessons learned" or "best practices" from applications to non-space-weather problems.

 

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: Chris White (Australia, IAHS)

Co-Conveners: Harald Kunstmann (Germany, IAHS), Berit Arheimer (Sweden, IAHS), Neil Holbrook (Australia, IAMAS), Laurent Longuevergne (France, IAG), Johannes Cullman (WMO)

 

Description

With climate change and decreasing water availability per capita being one of the crucial challenges for society in the 21st century, there is the urgent need to develop and initiate adaptation measures. The provision of state of the art climate- and hydrology information for services has been initiated for different regions worldwide in order to approach the manifold demands of stakeholders, particularly in water management, agriculture, energy production or civil protection. This symposium invites for abstracts that address the challenges faced in both climate- and hydrological service provision when bridging from science to practice and finally to the derivation of adaptation measures. This comprises particularly contributions on 1) provisions of high-quality real-time and historical data from national and international databases, 2) hydrometeorological forecasts and particular subseasonal to seasonal predictions, 3) high resolution downscaling efforts of global climate scenarios, 4) development of bias-correction techniques for provided hydrometeorological fields, 5) solutions for digital and open data access, 6) development of methods to overcome limitations due to limited observation data density or –quality, 7) efforts to improve structure and parameterization of models, 8) improved ways to communicate scientific results and uncertainty to decision makers to increase chances of uptake, 9) examples and descriptions of case studies and initiatives worldwide, including the role of local and national legislations that help the adaptation process.

 

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: Philip Woodworth (UK, IAPSO)

Co-Conveners: Richard Ray (USA, IAPSO), Andreas Richter (Argentina, IAHS), Jean Paul Boy (France, IAG), Jeffrey Forbes (USA, IAMAS)

Invited speakers: Richard Ray (USA), Brian Arbic (USA), Steven Balbus (UK), Duncan Agnew (USA), Jens Oberheide (USA), Luciano Iess (Italy), Andreas Richter (Argentina)

 

Description

The symposium will be open to any aspect of the science or history of the tides of the ocean, solid earth and atmosphere and of lakes and planets. The science will include the present accuracy of coastal, regional and global ocean tide models, tidal dissipation and its role in geophysics, internal tides and their role in mixing the ocean and in the global ocean circulation, secular changes in tides, new techniques for measuring tides and analysing the data, the role of tides in the origin of life on earth and palaeotides. It will also be open to presentations on earth and atmospheric tides, the tides of lakes and planets and many other aspects of tidal science. The symposium will provide a fitting mark of the 100th anniversary of the Liverpool Tidal Institute which led to many advances in tidal science in the 20th century.

 

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: 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.