We’re pleased to congratulate our German National Scientific Member who, after two years of discussion have officially been established as the German Society for Geomorphology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Geomorphologie – DGGM). The vote to establish the society was unanimous and was celebrated in a joint meeting with colleagues from Austria and Switzerland on Friday 5th November 2021.

On 17th December, a virtual meeting was held for those interested in developing the Sociedad Chilena de Geomorfologia – Chilean Association of Geomorphology for which the IAG gave its auspices. The meeting started with a presentation of the results of a survey conducted in 2018 among persons interested in the formation of the association. Mauro Soldati, president of the IAG, spoke about the structure and functioning of the IAG, highlighting the opportunities for training and networking associated with being a national scientific member of the IAG. Jorge Rabassa, Senior Researcher CADIC-CONICET, spoke about his experiences from the Asociación Argentina de Cuaternario y Geomorfología. Andrea Coronato, co-opted member of the IAG Executive Committee with responsibility for relations in Latin America, also referred to the opportunities and challenges associated with forming a Chilean association of geomorphology, highlighting that it would be an important achievement for the country’s geo-scientific community.

Thirty people participated in the virtual meeting, which was streamed through the UAH TV Digital platform, which has now had more than 100 views. In January 2021, the first meeting of the Chilean Society of Geomorphology is expected to take place, leading to the election of a board of directors and the development of a work plan 2021 – 2022 to integrate the country into the IAG.

You can access a recording of the December meeting at this link.

We welcome another addition to the IAG-endorsed Springer book series “World Geomorphological Landscapes” entitied “Landscapes and Landforms of Switzerland” edited by IAG committee member Emmanuel Reynard.

We’re pleased to announce the publication of Landscapes and Landforms of Norway edited by Achim Beylich and part of the  IAG-endorsed Springer book series “World Geomorphological Landscapes”. A fantastic boost for the newly accepted IAG members GeoNor and GeoNorth.

We were sad to learn of the recent passing of Professor Antony (Tony) R. Orme and we include a tribute written by Glen MacDonald (UCLA), below.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the passing of Professor Antony (Tony) R. Orme.  Professor Orme received his undergraduate degree and doctorate from the University of Birmingham. He then went University College, Dublin (National University of Ireland), from 1960 to 1968. Professor Orme served at UCLA from 1968 to 2010 as a faculty member in the Department of Geography. Upon official retirement he quickly rejoined the ranks as Director of the UC White Mountain Research Center from 2012 to 2016.  This is almost half a century of dedicated service to UCLA.

Professor Orme was a geomorphologist and worked in a number of systems – literally from the mountains to the sea. He was particularly fond of coastlines. His first publication was on the raised beaches and strandlines of South Devon. He was also keenly interested in the history of geology and geomorphology and published scholarly pieces on that topic.  One of his final articles was on the topic of dynamic geomorphology and its historical convergence towards modern practice. A very astute synthesizer and editor, Professor Orme served as an editor for a number of journals, books and book series. He was the Founding Editor of Physical Geography and remained Honorary Editor until his death.  In addition, Professor Orme was a gifted artist, cartographer and scientific illustrator who could visually bring to life the objects of his study. During his career Professor Orme not only rose to the rank of Full Professor, but was Chair of the UCLA Department of Geography from 1974 to 1977. He was then appointed Dean of Social Sciences from 1977 to 1983.   His final administrative role, as Director of the UC White Mountain Research Center, was nothing short of transformative. At the Center he undertook a highly successful reorganization and renovation of operations and facilities.  With multiple research stations,  extending to over 14,000 feet in elevation, this would have been daunting to many.  He tackled it with gusto. Professor Orme’s achievements at the White Mountain Research Center was in many ways and incredible capstone to a distinguished career of research, education and service.

Professor Orme was honored by a number of prestigious awards including  Honorary Life Member and Honorary Fellow of the British Society for Geomorphology, Founders’ Medal and Frost Lecturer, British Geomorphological Research Group,  Mel Marcus Distinguished Career Award from the AAG Geomorphology Specialty Group, and  the UCLA Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorship Award.

One of Professor Orme’s greatest contributions was as an inspiring teacher and mentor of graduate students.  Over his career at UCLA he supervised over twenty doctoral dissertations.  Undergraduate and graduate students who took his courses decades ago still recall their time with him fondly, particularly if they were fortunate enough to take a field course. His geological and geomorphological was encyclopedic and his enthusiasm infectious.  Professor Orme will be greatly missed, but leaves a rich and enduring legacy of achievement.

Professor Orme is survived by his wife Amalie, a Professor of Geography at CSU Northridge, his sons Mark and Kevin, and daughter Devon. His daughter, who is an Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences at Montana State University, recently gave birth to a daughter.  No information on a memorial is available at this time.

Glen Sproul dit MacDonald FRSC

Co-Vice Chair of Geography

UCLA Geography John Muir Memorial Chair and

UCLA Distinguished Professor

Director, UC White Mountain Research Center

Chair, UCLA Canadian Studies Program

glen@geog.ucla.edu

We’re pleased to announce that the IAG and the Geological Society of America have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which establishes our aim to work together in cooperation and friendship to further their shared aims of promoting the geological sciences and supporting geosciences professions.

The IAG will identify GSA as one of its Associated Societies, and as such will promote GSA’s mission and activities. Similarly, GSA will identify IAG as one of its Associated Societies, and as such will promote IAG’s mission and activities.

We aim to extend the benefits of members to both organizations, exchange information on key programs and initiatives, expand membership of both organizations through possible joint programs, organize joint meetings/sessions and share additional educational opportunities, professional services, and student programs.

Employees and PhD students of the Department of Geomorphology, Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wrocław decided to celebrate Geomorphology Week 2020 (2-8th March) and proposed a wide range of attractions to promote geomorphological topics in an unusual way.

Fig. 1 Posters promoting the celebration of the Geomorphology Week at the University of Wrocław. Designed by: Kacper Jancewicz and Wioleta Kotwicka.

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#IntGeomorphWeek2020

We are pleased to launch the International Geomorphology Week of 2020! Proposed at our last Council Meeting, the initiative has been taken up by Young Geomorphologists Forum of the Indian Institute of Geomorphologists who have planned their annual event for this week!

2020 is the first year the International Geomorphology Week has been run, so we want to use the coming year to gather ideas about what we should be doing in 2021. Get in touch with us and start planning your 2021 event now! We aim to make this week a focus for the geomorphological community, so all ideas and initiatives are welcome.

Geomorphology week of the year will be held during the first week of March each year. The week has the aim to promote specific actions with relevance to geomorphology, both at the levels of the IAG as well as each National Scientific Member. Any geomorphological activities held during this week can be declared as part of the International Geomorphology Week.