The IUGG Electronic Journal Volume 17 No. 2 (1 February 2017)

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF GEODESY AND GEOPHYSICS

UNION GEODESIQUE ET GEOPHYSIQUE INTERNATIONALE

The IUGG Electronic Journal

Volume 17 No. 2 (1 February 2017)

This informal newsletter is intended to keep IUGG Member National Committees informed about theactivities of the IUGG Associations, and actions of the IUGG Secretariat. Past issues are posted onthe IUGG website (http://www.iugg.org/publications/ejournals/). Please forward this message tothose who will benefit from the information. Your comments are welcome.

Contents

1. Geoscience International

2. Finance Committee renewed

3. Frequently Asked Questions about IUGG

4. Report on the Second Snow Science Winter School

5. Report on the Workshop of the IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Lakes

6. News from the International Council for Science

7. Awards and honors

8. IUGG Association Scientific Assemblies 2017

9. CTBT Science and Technology Conference 2017

10. Meeting calendar

1. Geoscience International

International geoscientific unions (geounions) have been coordinating and promoting internationalefforts in Earth and space sciences since the beginning of the 20th century. Thousands of scientistsfrom many nations and specific scientific disciplines have developed ways of cooperation throughinternational unions and learned how to work together to promote basic geosciences. The geounionshave been initiating, developing, and implementing international cooperative programs, settingscientific standards, developing research tools, educating and building capacity, and contributing toscience for policy. The role of geounions in and their added value to the promotion of geosciencesinternationally are analyzed in a new paper published in the journal History of Geo- and SpaceSciences. The history of the geounions and the development of international cooperation ingeosciences are reviewed in the paper in the context of scientific and political changes over the lastcentury. History is considered here to be a key element in understanding and shaping the future ofgeounions. Scientific and organizational aspects of their activities, including cooperation withinternational and intergovernmental institutions, are analyzed using the example of IUGG. Thegeounions' activities are compared to those of professional societies of geoscientists (e.g., theAmerican Geophysical Union, European Geosciences Union, and Asia Oceania GeosciencesSociety). Future development of scientific unions and their role in the changing global landscape ofgeosciences are discussed. The paper is an open access article, and can be downloaded fromhttp://www.hist-geo-space-sci.net/7/103/2016/hgss-7-103-2016.pdf

2. Finance Committee renewed

Because of the vacancy occurring after the death of David Collins, Chair of the Finance Committeeand according to the Union By-Law 12c, the Executive Committee appointed Nasser Abou-Ashour(an IUGG Council Delegate) as a new Member of the Finance Committee for 2017-2019. The IUGGCouncil endorsed the appointment on 19 January 2017. The Finance Committee elected Jan Krynskyas Chair of the Committee. The Finance Committee consists now of 4 people: Nasser Abou-Assour(Egypt), Jan Krynsky (Poland), Corina Risso (Argentina), and Virendra Tiwari (India).

3. Frequently Asked Questions about IUGG

Would you like to learn more about IUGG, its benefits and the activities IUGG is involved in?Check out our new brochure answering frequently asked questions:http://www.iugg.org/about/IUGG_FAQ.pdf.

4. Report on the Second Snow Science Winter School

The Second Snow Science Winter School (SSWS2) took place in Preda and Davos, Switzerland from14 to 20 February 2016. It was organized by the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche ResearchSLF Davos, Switzerland, and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The school aimed at teachinggraduate students modern snow measurement techniques. In addition to the lectures, all traditionaland modern field instruments were available for the students to get hands-on experience in the field.During the SSWS2, advanced techniquessuch as micro-tomography, measurement of specific surfacearea by reflection and spectroscopy, near-infrared photography and high-resolution penetrometrywere taught.

The main purpose of the school was to allow students to learn current and emerging techniques forobjective characterization of the snowpack for various applications. Traditional methods for snowquantification were also covered. The teaching method adopted was a hands-on approach in a realenvironment, supported by introductory lectures. Field exercises typically took place after morninglectures and in the afternoon. For the field exercises and subsequent reporting, the students wereassigned to small groups of 3-4 people. The groups learned to study different kinds of snowpack(forest area, open area, above tree-line area) with different instruments. In addition, during the halfdaytrip to Davos, the students had the possibility to visit the cold lab. After each field day, studentswere required to use time with their group to summarize their measurements and to start analyzingthe measured data. The groups of students operated independently, relying on skills acquired on thefirst day to operate instruments and apply correct field measurement protocols. Lecturers monitoredthe process correcting for possible errors, so a consistent field dataset from eight groups was acquired.The SSWS2 was supported by IUGG and IACS.

26 students were selected from 64 applicants. The number of male and female students was almostequal. Of the selected students, 4 were post-docs, 20 PhD students, and 2 advanced Master students.The students came from Asia, Europe, and North America. The high number of applications clearlyshows a significant interest in the subject. The eight groups presented their results in written reports,which were reviewed by the lecturers. The reports showed a good understanding of the applicabilityof the methods in different environments, their ease of use and limitations. All students were very positive about the winter school, and expressed their satisfaction with the program. The main minorconcern was that time was too limited for working with the data during the winter school. This willbe considered for the third School to be held in Finland from 12 to 18 February 2017. The lecturersare convinced that this school will form a well-educated base of snow scientists with in-depthknowledge of quantitative methods to measure snow properties.

Submitted by Cecilia Cetti, SSWS2 organizer

5. Report on the Workshop of the IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Lakes

On 21 August 1986, a lethal CO2 cloud burst from the bottom waters of Lake Nyos in the NorthwestRegion of Cameroon killed 1,734 people and over 3,500 livestock. Intensive discussions on thephysical and chemical processes behind this gas escape from Lake Nyos led to setting up theInternational Working Group on Crater Lakes (IWGCL), which became the IAVCEI Commission onVolcanic Lakes (CVL). To commemorate this event, CVL organized its 9th workshop (CVL9) inCameroon’s capital Yaounde from 14 to 16 March 2016. CVL9 was inaugurated by H.E. MadeleineTchuinte, the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation. CVL9 was organized by the Instituteof Geological Research and Mining of Cameroon backed by the CVL steering committee. 32 talkswere presented during the first three days of the workshop. The attendance of local researchers andstudents was impressive. CVL9 showed that the initial controversy on Lake Nyos has been replacedby harmony and agreement. The decades-long dedication and project management by the Japaneseteam is an https://www.viagrapascherfr.com/viagra-prix-france-quel/ example of international collaboration and capacity building, unique and exemplary,beyond any border or socio-economic limit. Currently, a self-sufficient team of Cameroonian expertshas returned home after doing their PhDs in Japan.

Lake Nyos was visited on 19 March 2016 for a multi-disciplinary sampling and measurementcampaign, and to learn about the impact the 1986-event had on society. On 22 March, Lake BarombiMbo, the largest maar lake in Cameroon, was sampled at depth for the first time. The meeting showedthat the CVL is an active group of passionate researchers assuring creative and socially responsibleresearch. The CVL Steering Committee recognized Minoru Kusakabe for his role as the “CVLfounding father” and career-long dedication to Lake Nyos and, especially, for his open-headedness towards local researchers. In his name and example, the CVL will award the “Kusakabe Award”every three years. The CVL Steering Committee was confirmed and recruitment of young researchersfor future follow-up in the CVL guidance has started. The CVL Members should select the site forCVL10 in 2019. Bids have been received from Italy, Mexico, and New Zealand.

Submitted by Dmitri Rouwet, CVL Chair

6. News for the International Council for Science

Members of Strategy Working Group and Transition Task Force appointed to developframeworks for possible ICSU-ISSC merger

The International Council for Science (ICSU) and International Social Science Council (ISSC)announced the list of selected members of the Strategy Working Group (SWG) and Transition TaskForce (TTF) that will develop modalities for a possible merger of the two councils. Following an inprinciplevote in favor of a merger by members of ISSC and ICSU at a joint meeting in October 2016,the members of two organizations mandated the TTF to develop a proposed structure and governancearrangements for the future organization resulting from a possible merger. ICSU and ISSC membersfurther agreed to develop the SWG in order to prepare a high-level strategy for the new organization.The SWG and TTF will draft relevant documents to be submitted to ICSU and ISSC Members in July2017 for approval at the joint ICSU-ISSC meeting in Taipei in October 2017. If a merger is approvedin Taipei, this document will guide the establishment of new structures and statutes for the neworganization. The list of the members of the Committees can be found at: http://www.icsu.org/newscentre/news/top-news/members-of-strategy-working-group-and-transition-task-force-appointed-todevelop-frameworks-for-possible-icsu-issc-merger

ICSU publishes independent mid-term review of Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR)programme

ICSU has published the 2016 Review of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) program,led by an independent panel whose conclusions are intended to inform the next 3-4 year phase of theprogram. The review concludes that “upon its establishment, IRDR was a well-conceptualized, timelyand innovative - potentially even pioneering - initiative in the increasingly important domain ofdisaster risk reduction.” However, “progress has been slow, and the program foci and results toolimited to meet the goals of the Science Plan and the expectations created by the program.” Reasonsfor the disappointing results include: (i) decisions during inception prompted by challenges in howsuch Interdisciplinary Bodies are set up; (ii) fast turnover in Executive Directors at the internationalprogram office in Beijing (the first such office set up outside Europe by ICSU); (iii) a series ofgovernance, leadership and management weaknesses, including a failure to raise sufficient programfunds to give life to its strategic intent. Nevertheless, the review panel concluded that IRDR remainsa very worthwhile endeavor, as it maintains a significant niche and comparative advantage thatcontinue to provide a good value proposition for stakeholders, both scientific and non-scientific. “Itremains well positioned in an important area of work, and has been making fair progress in spite ofsignificant obstacles.” The policy relevance of the program has been underscored by the preparationfor and adoption of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk reduction in 2015 by the world’sgovernments. IRDR played a key role in advocacy for science and the scientific communitythroughout that process. The panel singled out two key choices that need to be made if IRDR “is tobe more than ‘just another scientific program’”. First, initiate completely new areas based on newlyidentified knowledge gaps that present major or intractable challenges for the field. Second strengthen, amplify and accelerate activities around its existing foci, and thus move further in linewith the scope and intent of the initial Science Plan. The report presents key recommendations forimprovement of IRDR activities. More information on the report can be found at:http://www.icsu.org/news-centre/news/top-news/icsu-publishes-independent-mid-term-review-ofintegrated-research-on-disaster-risk-irdr-programme.

Source: ICSU Newsletters

7. Awards and honors

Donald B. Dingwell, IAVCEI President, was awarded the 2016 Arthur L. Day Medal of theGeological Society of America (GSA). “Don’s research utilizes the fundamentals of physics andchemistry to provide our community with complete descriptions of silicate liquids, glasses, andmagmas. His diverse contributions to petrology, mineralogy, and geology have helped bridge the gapbetween “equilibrium” in largely static magma chambers, to highly disequilibrium, dynamic systems,where magmas flow, fracture, erupt, and disperse. The merit of his dedicated efforts has illuminateda myriad of magmatic and volcanic phenomena, forming the basis for the new field of experimentalvolcanology” (citation by Yan Lavallee). Congratulations to Don!

The Medal was established in 1948 through a donation by Arthur L. Day, Founding Director of theGeophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. It is awarded annually, or lessfrequently at the discretion of the GSA’s Council, to recognize outstanding distinction in theapplication of physics and chemistry to the solution of geologic problems, with no restriction to theparticular field of geologic research. It was Dr. Day's wish to provide an award to recognizeoutstanding achievement in research and to inspire further effort, rather than to reward a distinguishedcareer, and so it has been the longstanding practice of The Society to award this medal to geoscientistsactively pursuing a research career.

8. IUGG Association Scientific Assemblies 2017

The IUGG Associations will hold their Scientific Assemblies in 2017. Scientists of all nations areinvited to participate in the scientific events, to discuss their new findings, methodologies, andhypotheses, and to initiate, plan, and review collaborative research projects. The table below presentsthe places and dates of the Scientific Assemblies as well as the deadlines for abstract submission andearly-bird registration.

9. CTBT Science and Technology Conference 2017

The registration and abstract submission for the Science and Technology Conference (SnT2017) ofthe Preparatory Commission on Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) organization to beheld from 26 to 30 June 2017 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria, is open athttps://ctnw.ctbto.org/. Abstracts can be submitted for scientific oral or poster presentations. Thedeadline for abstract submission is Monday, 6 February 2017. The major goals of the SnT2017 are:(i) to enlarge the scientific community engaged in test-ban monitoring, including young scientists;(ii) to promote the wider scientific application of data that are used for test-ban verification; (iii) toenhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between the CTBT organization and the broaderscientific community; and (iv) to present to the scientific community the needs of nuclear testmonitoring and verification. For more information: https://www.ctbto.org/specials/snt2017/.

Submitted by W. R. Bell and N. M. Ozel, SnT2017 organizers

10. Meeting calendar

A calendar of meetings of interest to IUGG disciplines (especially those organized by IUGGAssociations) is posted on the IUGG website (http://www.iugg.org/calendar.php). IndividualAssociations also list more meetings on their websites according to their disciplines.

February

- 12-17, IACS, Wellington, New Zealand, IACS Scientific Assembly 2017. Web:http://www.climate-cryosphere.org/meetings/upcoming-clic/2017-cryosphere-in-achanging-climate-conference

- 17-19, IUGG, IAMAS, Mitzpe Ramon, Israel, The Atmospheric Global Electric Circuit(GEC)

- 20-24, IASPEI, Wellington, New Zealand, 10th International Workshop on StatisticalSeismology (StatSei10). Web: http://www.gns.cri.nz/Home/News-andEvents/Events/StatSei10/Welcome

March

- 1416, ICTP, IUGG, Antigua, Guatemala, Conference on the Science of Climate Change: afocus on Central America and the Caribbean Islands. Web: http://indico.ictp.it/event/7949/

- 27-30, German Geophysical Society (DGG), GFZ, Potsdam, Germany, DGG AnnualMeeting. Web: http://dgg2017.dgg-tagung.de/start/

April

-3-7,IAG,ISPRS, Rosario, Argentina, 1st International Symposium – Applied Geomatics andGeospatial Solutions. Web: http://www.geodata2017.com.ar/index.php/en-

18-21, IAHS, UNESCO, New Delhi, India, International Conference on the Status and Futureof the World's Large Rivers. Web: http://worldslargerivers.boku.ac.at/wlr/

- 23-25, IGU, La Paz, Bolivia, Geographies for Peace 2017. Web: http://iguonline.org/geographies-for-peace-geografias-para-la-paz-igu-ugi-thematic-conference-23-25-april-2017/

- 23-28, EGU, Vienna, Austria, European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2017. Web:http://www.egu2017.eu/

IUGG Electronic Journal Volume 17 Number 2 (1 February 2017)

Editors: Tom Beer, Alik Ismail-Zadeh (Editor-in-Chief), Franz Kuglitsch (Associate Editor), andKathryn Whaler.

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