CALL for GRANTS International Rock Coast Conference 2020

The International Association of Geomorphologists offers 1 grant of 400 euros to favour the participation of Young Geomorphologists* worldwide (except those based in Italy) in the International Rock Coast Conference 2020 (Trieste, Italy, 27-28 August 2020). The meeting is intended as a forum to discuss advances in the study of rock coasts and will include a range of presentations relevant to Rock Coast Geomorphology. The organizing committee, part of the IAG Working Group on Rocky Coasts, will review proposed papers and posters titles and abstracts, and, if successful the author(s) will be invited to present their work at the Conference.

Applications from candidates who already achieved one or more IAG grants totalling 500 euros or more in the past 3 years will not be eligible.

 

The grant will include free registration to the Conference.

For further information on the Conference, please visit the website at:

http://www.irc2020.it/

 

Candidates for IAG GRANTS are requested to submit the following files before 20 March 2020 (the IAG grant winner will benefit of an extension of the deadline for the abstract submission):

– Application form pdf;

– Short CV (maximum 2 pages long), including up to 10 papers;

– Certificate of the highest degree achieved (with the date of achievement)

– Abstract submitted (or to be submitted) to the Conference

 

The above mentioned documents should be submitted to the IAG grant office at iaggrantoffice@gmail.com (please specify IAG Grant – RockCoast2020) in the subject of the accompanying e-mail).

 

An e-mail confirming the reception and eligibility of the application will be sent to each candidate. In case of missing reception of the confirmation e-mail, please contact the IAG grant office at iaggrantoffice@gmail.com.

 

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Commission appointed by the IAG Executive Committee. For further information on the IAG Grants, feel free to contact the IAG Training Officer.

 

Marta Della Seta

IAG Training Officer

marta.dellaseta@uniroma1.it

 

* Undergraduate or postgraduate – Masters/PhD students or scientists who has received their highest degree, i.e. BSc, MSc, or PhD, within the past seven years. Provided parental leave fell into that period, up to one year of parental leave time may be added per child, where appropriate.

CALL for GRANTS Geomorphometry Conference 2020

The International Association of Geomorphologists offers 1 grant of 400 euros to favour the participation of Young Geomorphologists* worldwide (except those based in Italy) in the Geomorphometry Conference 2020 (Perugia, Italy, 22-26 June 2020). The event is hosted by the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection of the Italian National Research Council (CNR IRPI) and the Department of Physics and Geology of the University of Perugia.

Applications from candidates who already achieved one or more IAG grants totalling 500 euros or more in the past 3 years will not be eligible.

 

The grant will include free registration to attend the Conference.

For further information on the Conference, please visit the website at:

http://www.geomorphometry2020.org/homepage

 

Candidates for IAG GRANTS are requested to submit the following files before 20 March 2020 (the IAG grant winner will benefit of an extension of the deadline for the abstract submission):

– Application form pdf;

– Short CV (maximum 2 pages long), including up to 10 papers;

– Certificate of the highest degree achieved (with the date of achievement)

– Abstract submitted (or to be submitted) to the Conference

 

The above mentioned documents should be submitted to the IAG grant office at iaggrantoffice@gmail.com (please specify IAG Grant – Geomorphometry2020) in the subject of the accompanying e-mail).

 

An e-mail confirming the reception and eligibility of the application will be sent to each candidate. In case of missing reception of the confirmation e-mail, please contact the IAG grant office at iaggrantoffice@gmail.com.

 

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Commission appointed by the IAG Executive Committee. For further information on the IAG Grants, feel free to contact the IAG Training Officer.

 

Marta Della Seta

IAG Training Officer

marta.dellaseta@uniroma1.it

 

* Undergraduate or postgraduate – Masters/PhD students or scientists who has received their highest degree, i.e. BSc, MSc, or PhD, within the past seven years. Provided parental leave fell into that period, up to one year of parental leave time may be added per child, where appropriate.

CALL for GRANTS 4th International Symposium of Living with Landscapes

The International Association of Geomorphologists offers 1 grant of 270 euros to favour the participation of Young Geomorphologists* based in Europe and Africa (except Egypt) in the 4th International Symposium of Living with Landscapes (Dahab, South Sinai, Egypt, 1-5 November 2020). The Symposium is organized by the Egyptian Society of Environmental Change (ESEC) with the auspices of the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG/AIG).

Secondly, the call is extended to other YGs* from countries among the National Members of IAG with a regular position (payments of annual fees).

Applications from candidates who already achieved one or more IAG grants totalling 500 euros or more in the past 3 years will not be eligible.

The grant will include free registration to attend all scientific sessions of the symposium for two days (2-3 November 2020) plus free one-day field trip on 4 November 2020, in addition to special price for accommodation between 1-5 November 2020 (20 euros/night in suitable hotel).

For further information on the Symposium, please visit the website at:

www.dahab2020.com

Candidates for IAG GRANTS are requested to submit the following files before 20 March 2020:

– Application form pdf;

– Short CV (maximum 2 pages long), including up to 10 papers;

– Certificate of the highest degree achieved (with the date of achievement)

– Abstract submitted (or to be submitted) to the Symposium

The above mentioned documents should be submitted to the IAG grant office at iaggrantoffice@gmail.com (please specify IAG Grant – Dahab2020) in the subject of the accompanying e-mail).

An e-mail confirming the reception and eligibility of the application will be sent to each candidate. In case of non-receipt of the confirmation e-mail, please contact the IAG grant office at iaggrantoffice@gmail.com.

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Commission appointed by the IAG Executive Committee. For further information on the IAG Grants, feel free to contact the IAG Training Officer.

Marta Della Seta

IAG Training Officer

marta.dellaseta@uniroma1.it

* Undergraduate or postgraduate – Masters/PhD students or scientists who has received their highest degree, i.e. BSc, MSc, or PhD, within the past seven years. Provided parental leave fell into that period, up to one year of parental leave time may be added per child, where appropriate.

Reports by Grant Holders – IAG GRANTS for Windsor 9-12 December 2019

Gregor Luetzenburg and Francis Matthews were awarded grants by the IAG to attend the BSG Post-Graduate Training Workshop held in Windsor, UK from 9th to 12th December 2019. Their full reports can be found here:

Here are some highlights:

From Francis: “Upon arrival, the impressive buildings and outdoor grounds set a relaxing scene and give the feeling of being on a quintessential English country estate. After an initial gathering on Monday afternoon over one of many cups of tea and cake, we were given a talk about the rich history of Cumberland Lodge…”

From Gregor “Twenty-two early PhD students stayed in a royal ambience and we philosophized about the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of our PhD projects.”

From Francis: “Alongside important learning, the workshop gave the brilliant opportunity to have fun and bond with other PhD colleagues”

From Gregor: “Delicious food as well as tea in the afternoon and beer in the evening offered the perfect framework to exchange ideas, network with fellow PhD students and chat about life in academia. “

Auspices for the 4th International Symposium of Living with Landscapes

The IAG are pleased to provide their auspices for the 4th International Symposium of Living with Landscapes which will be held in Dahab Egypt from 1st to 5th November 2020. Registration and abstract submission are open at the website, here. The deadline for submitting abstracts will be 10th May 2020 and for final registration payment 10th September 2020. Please find further details in the first circular, here.

Grants awarded to Young Geomorphologists for the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration

The International Association of Geomorphologists offered 2 grants of 500 euros to favour the participation of Planetary Geomorphologists in the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration organized by the Planetary Science Institute- York University and the Space Research and Planetary Sciences-University of Bern, among others, with the support of the Centro Austral de Investigaciones Cientificas (CADIC-CONICET). The Conference is the latest in a continuing series of conferences intended to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas regarding the polar regions of Mars. The focus will also be on terrestrial analogs that can enhance the interpretation of remote sensing data from Mars, and on concepts for future missions.

For further information on the Congress, please visit:https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/marspolar2020/

The selection for Grants was made by the international committee appointed by the IAG. The selection committee consisted of geomorphologists with affiliations not represented among the applicants. The IAG offered 2 grants of 500€ that have been awarded to the following candidates:
1) Mauro Gabriel SPAGNUOLO (Argentinian based in Argentina)
2) Prakhar SINHA (Indian based in USA)
Congratulations to them!

Urban Geomorphology WG at Geomorphometry 2020

— UPDATE, the conference has been postponed until June 2021, please check the conference website for updates —

The Geomorphometry 2020 Conference is scheduled from 22 to 26 June 2020 in Perugia (Italy). The IAG Working Group Urban Geomorphology is encouraging submissions for the topic “Geomorphometry for urban areas and cultural heritage”.

For abstract submission and further details on the conference please see their website: http://www.geomorphometry2020.org and for any additional session information, please contact Laura Melelli (laura.melelli@unipg.it).

IAG working groups at EGU 2020

The IAG working groups have the following sessions at the European Geosciences Union general assembly to be held on 3-8 May 2020 in Vienna, Austria:

GM3.6 Connectivity in hydrology and sediment dynamics: concepts, measuring, modelling, indices and societal implications

GM4.5 Denudational hillslope and fluvial processes, source-to-sink fluxes and sedimentary budgets under changing climate, anthropogenic impacts and other disturbances

GM6.7 Submarine geomorphology

GM11.1 Planetary Geomorphology

GM12.1 Essential variables influencing geodiversity: contributions to geoheritage in response to global change

GM12.4 Co-production and evolution between geomorphological dynamics and human influence https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2020/session/35708

Key deadlines:

Field trip registration open for 36th International Geological Congress in India

The IAG are pleased to provide their auspices for the 36th International Geological Congress on 2-8 March 2020 in Delhi, India. We draw your attention to the field trips in the programme which should be booked on registering: https://www.36igc.org/all-field-trips.

Of particular interest to geomorphologists are:

Trip #5.NER005: Unfolding of Quaternary History and Associated Geoarchaeological Remains of Tripura, Northeastern India

Trip #9.ER005: The Teesta Chronicle: Tectonics – Climate and Human-Landscape Dynamics flier

Trip #11.ER008: Landslide failure mechanisms, hazard and risk scenarios in Darjeeling Himalayas

Trip #32.WR004: Thar Desert: its Evolution and Geoheritage

Trip #48.NR010: Ladakh- an archive for Quaternary landscape, climate and neotectonics

Abstract submission open for ICAR 2020, Swakopmund, Namibia 12th-17th July 2020

We are pleased to announce that abstract submission is open for the International Society for Aeolian Research Conference to held under the IAG auspices in Swakopmund, Namibia from 12th to 17th July 2020. https://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/events/icar2020/index.html

The biennial conference draws together delegates from across the globe researching the processes of and phenomena associated with the erosion, transport, deposition and effects of windblown sediment and landforms on Earth and other planetary bodies. Recent conferences have been held in Bordeaux (2018), Mildura (2016), and Lanzhou (2014).

ICAR 2020 will cover a broad spectrum of research topics in aeolian science and will include the following sessions:

  1. Mechanics and processes of aeolian sediment transport

Convenors: Cheryl McKenna-Neuman; Ian Walker; Andreas Baas

  1. Sand dune dynamics and processes

Convenors: Patrick Hesp; Clement Narteau; Lu Ping

  1. Dust emission, transport, deposition and effects

Convenors: Martina Klose; Richard Reynolds; James King

  1. Aeolian palaeoenvironments

Convenors: Kathryn Fitzimmons; David Thomas; Paul Hesse

  1. Anthropogenic interactions with aeolian systems

Convenors: John Leys; Nick Webb; Johannah von Holdt

  1. Planetary aeolian systems

Convenors: Ryan Ewing; Philippe Claudin; Lori Fenton

Participation is encouraged from a wide scientific base to include current research in modelling, laboratory and fieldwork environments. Register your interest on the website to receive direct updates about the conference over the coming months: https://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/events/icar2020/interest.html

Important dates:

October 2019: call for abstracts

January 2020: deadline for abstract submission, registration opens

February 2020: selection of abstracts for presentation

April 2020: registration closes

12th July 2020: ICAR 2020 begins!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the organisers at: icar2020@ouce.ox.ac.uk

The organising committee

Giles Wiggs (Oxford, UK)

Joanna Nield (Southampton, UK)

Matthew Baddock (Loughborough, UK)

Frank Eckardt (Cape Town, SA)

Greg Okin (UCLA, USA)

Martin Hipondoka (UNAM, Namibia)

First Circular for the Regional Conference on Geomophology, Mashhad, Iran 26-28 Oct 2020

We’re pleased to announce the first circular for the Regional Conference on Geomophology, which will be held in Mashhad, Iran on 26-28 October 2020. The circular, here, contains preliminary information on the programme, fieldtrips and sessions. Important dates:

Call for abstracts & opening of registration: 10 December 2019
Abstract submission deadline: 15 June 2020

Report on the 16th East Eurasia International Workshop 16-20 September 2019

The IAG provided auspices for the 16th East Eurasia International Workshop. The workshop and field excursion to Khangai Region were successfully and fruitfully finished during 16-20 September  2019 in Mongolia.

More than 60 registered participants from 7 nations including China, Korea, Germany, Russia, Mongolia,  Japan, Taiwan, presented 24 oral and 28 posters sessions presentations on Quaternary geology, geography, geomorphology and environmental sciences.

In the Khangai regions field excursion, 55 persons including guides and staffs of Institute Paleontology and Geology, and NMU were Khangai regions of Late Paleozoic to Early Mesozoic granite and granodiorite plutons. Late Cenozoic numerous high potassium alkaline basaltic provinces (e.g., Khangai, OrkhonSelenge and Tariat-Chuluut) which covered by the unconsolidated Quaternary sediments are distributed throughout the Khangai Region. We visited to Elsen Tasarkhai sand dune. Elsen tasarkhai is a part of the Ikh Mongol sand dunes, which stretches along the Tuv, Uvurkhangai and Bulgan provinces. The sand dunes are totally 80 km long and about 5 km wide. The main road separates this sand dune into two parts, Mongol Els on the south and Khugnu Tarnyn Els on the north. Also we were in Kharkhorin soum.  Erdenezuu monastery is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia, which is located in the Kharkhorin soum, Uvurkhangai province.

The Chuluut Lava River (The Tariat volcanic field (55 km x ~ 12 km) is situated in the uplifted region on the northern slopes of the Khangai mountainous region. It includes basaltic lava flows in the Tariat graben and in adjacent river valleys (Chuluut and Suman) as well as a number of eruption centers (Khorgo, Shavariin Tsaram and Tsagaan). Volcanic activity started there in the Late Miocene with basaltic flows filling topographic lows, and continued until a few thousand years ago (Yarmolyuk et al., 2008).

Khorgo volcano. Tariat soum, Arkhangai province. The Khorgo Volcano is a dormant volcano located on the eastern shore of Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake in the Tariat volcanic field. The volcano Khorgo has a dimension of 1200 m base diameter and a height of 120 m. On top of the cone sits a 180 m wide crater. The cone is composed of cinders, agglutinates, and bombs. Some bombs are as large as 6 m across. No lava is found within the crater. The Khorgo volcanic cone is partially filled with lava. A few large bombs have rolled down into the lateral crater from the slope of the central volcanic cone. Near the lateral crater is a lava dome, some of which has propagated onto the crater slope (Chuvashova et al., 2007).

It was really nice meeting and field excursion for participants of EEIW. The contribution and support of the IAG in this event was sincerely appreciated.

Oyunchimeg, (Ph.D)
Leading Research Scientist
Institute of Paleontology and Geology

Mongolian Academy of Sciences

Report from Geomorphological and Sedimentological Summer School Bachotek, Poland 24-28 June 2019

On June 24-28, 2019, the Geomorphological and Sedimentological Summer School was held in Bachotek (Brodnica Lake District, Poland). The workshop focused on issues related to slope processes, forms and deposits of the postglacial area of North Poland. The School was organized by the Department of Quaternary Geomorphology and Paleogeography of Faculty of Earth Sciences Nicolaus Copernicus University from Toruń, with the participation of the Glacial Geomorphology Commission of the Association of Polish Geomorphologists and the Section of Lithology and Genesis of the Quaternary Sediment of the Quaternary Research Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The School’s scientific leader was Tomasz Karasiewicz (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń). Almost 17 participants attended the Summer School activities. Among them were young scientists from Poznań, Katowice, Gliwice, Kraków, Lublin, Łódź, Knyszewicz, Toruń, Gdańsk and Chojnice, as well as three doctoral students from abroad, i.e. from Tbilisi and Moscow.

On the first day of Summer School, participants learned about issues related to geomorphological and soil science processes occurring on young glacial slopes. The first lecture was given by Tomasz Karasiewicz and Lucyna Tobojko on the subject: “Geological and geomorphological characteristics of the research area as well as morphology and evolution of erosive cuts in the slopes of the Drwęca Valley near Bachotek“. This lecture was an introduction to the geomorphological and geological issues of the area of fieldwork and the thematic scope of the Summer School. Another lecture entitled “Postglacial evolution of erosion and denudation valleys in selected edge zones of the West Pomeranian Lake District” was presented by Renata Paluszkiewicz (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań). Its concerned the conditions, formation, morphometry and development of erosion and denudation valleys located within four test fields in the central part of the West Pomeranian Lake District. In the third speech by Marcin Świtoniak (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń) the listeners were acquainted with The influence of slope processes on soil properties of young glacial landscapes. At the end of the first day of classes Marek Majewski (Pomeranian University in Słupsk) presented the results of research on sediments and slope processes from the vicinity of Lake Jasień in the eastern part of the Polanowska Upland (West Pomeranian Lake District) in the lecture entitled “Selected features of slope sediments against the backdrop of soil sediments“. On the second day of the School, after classes in the field, the lecture on “Modelling of slope processes” was conducted by Paweł Molewski (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń).

During the next three days the School’s participants conducted field research in the vicinity of Bachotek, on the slopes of the Drwęca Valley. The valley slopes on this section are cut by numerous small valleys, three of which have been the subject of detailed investigation. After getting acquainted with cartographic data, local recognition of terrain morphometry (zero-order catchment areas), participants were divided into three teams and began field work in selected erosion forms. Each group had the task of preparing drafts / exposures representing the diversity of slope sediments in the longitudinal profile of individual forms. During the fieldwork, on the third day, an example of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) of one of the studied erosion and denudation valleys on the slope of the Drwęca Valley was performed. In the afternoon session, participants listened to a speech by Sebastian Tyszkowski (Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Toruń) “Potential of terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) in geomorphological studies“. After the lecture, practical classes using data obtained during scanning and their processing in computer programs.

The fourth day was the last field day, during which the each research teams presented (within prepared sites) gathered previously information about the slope and base sediments as well as sedimentation structures. There was a lively discussion on the features of slope sediments and geomorphological and soil science processes in the analyzed denudation and erosion valleys. Sediment samples were also taken for laboratory analyzes. The combination of geomorphological and soil science approaches in sediment analysis has allowed for extremely interesting interpretative results. Discussion in the field of jointly prepared open pit/excavations was inquisitive, kind and inspiring. On the last day, during auditorium classes, School participants presented information about their own research projects. Due to the high scientific value of data collected during the workshops, their participants decided to develop and prepare publication containing the results of the fieldwork in Bachotek.

 

Małgorzata Mazurek
Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań

CALL for GRANTS for BSG Post-Graduate Training Workshop 2019

CALL for IAG GRANTS for the BSG Post-Graduate Training Workshop

Windsor, UK, 9-12th December 2019

The International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG/AIG) offers 2 grants of 300 (three-hundred) Euros to PhD STUDENTS in GEOMORHOLOGY from EUROPE (except UK) who are willing to take part in the BSG Post-Graduate Training Workshop (Windsor, UK, 9-12th December 2019). PhD students at an early stage of their PhD programme are encouraged to apply. The Workshop is organised by the British Society for Geomorphology (BSG) and recognised by the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG). The course will provide PhD students with elements of training for research and with an opportunity to meet others at an early stage of their training when they were wrestling with the problems of research design etc.

The workshop has been running at the fantastic Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park for over 30 years – many notable researchers and academics have been and benefited from this course!

The content is non-technical, but provides training in project management, group work, dealing with large data sets, fieldwork, lab and numerical modelling, gaining funding as well as publication and future career development. Students will also meet a wide variety of academics and facilitators who are practicing researchers as well as the BSG postgrad representatives on the Executive. The BSG chair normally gives an entertaining evening talk.

The cost of the course is heavily subsidised for BSG postgraduate research members (non members need to join the BSG at the excellent value postgraduate rate of £45 for four years). This provides full evening meals, lunches, tea/coffee breaks (Monday afternoon to Thursday lunchtime) and accommodation in the ‘up market’ environment of Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park. As well as being a former home to royalty, Cumberland lodge features in several feature films including the Kings Speech.

For further information on the Workshop, please visit the BSG website at:

https://www.geomorphology.org.uk/workshops/windsor-postgraduate-workshop-2019

Candidates for IAG GRANTS are requested to submit the following files before 8 NOVEMBER 2019:

  • Application form linked here PDF DOC
  • One page CV
  • Title and brief summary of PhD research project.

Files should be submitted to:

Marta Della Seta, IAG Executive Committee Member

e-mail: iaggrantoffice@gmail.com

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Commission appointed by the IAG/AIG Executive Committee.

Prof. Marta Della Seta

IAG Training Officer

CALL for GRANTS for the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration

Call for Grants for the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration

Ushuaia, Argentina, 13-17 January 2020

The International Association of Geomorphologists offers 2 grants of 500 euros to favour the participation of Young Geomorphologists* (Planetary Geomorphologists) from Latin America but not mainly based in Argentina in the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration organized by the Planetary Science Institute- York University and the Space Research and Planetary Sciences-University of Bern, among others, with the support of the Centro Austral de Investigaciones Cientificas (CADIC-CONICET).

Secondly, the call is extended to other YGs* (Planetary Geomorphologists) from the National Members of IAG with a regular position (annual fees have been paid and are therefore listed on our website).

Applications from candidates who already achieved one or more IAG grants totalling 500 euros or more in the past 3 years will not be eligible.

The Conference is the latest in a continuing series of conferences intended to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas regarding the polar regions of Mars. This group is international and interdisciplinary, and welcomes any interested scientist with relevant theoretical, experimental, or field experience. The focus will also be on terrestrial analogs that can enhance the interpretation of remote sensing data from Mars, and on concepts for future missions.

For further information on the Congress, please visit:

https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/marspolar2020/

Applicants (with a specific interest in Planetary Geomorpology to be proved by their CV) are requested to submit the following files before 15 November 2019:

  • Application form linked here: PDF, DOC;
  • Short CV (maximum 2 pages long), including up to 10 papers;
  • Abstract submitted (or to be submitted) to the Conference

The above mentioned documents should be submitted to the IAG grant office at iaggrantoffice@gmail.com (please specify IAG Grant – MarsPolar2010) in the subject of the accompanying e-mail).

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Commission appointed by the IAG Executive Committee. For further information on the IAG Grants, feel free to contact the IAG Training Officer.

Marta Della Seta

IAG Training Officer

marta.dellaseta@uniroma1.it

* Undergraduate or postgraduate – Masters/PhD students or scientists who has received their highest degree, i.e. BSc, MSc, or PhD, within the past seven years. Provided parental leave fell into that period, up to one year of parental leave time may be added per child, where appropriate.

The IAG is now registered as an international non-profit organisation

A milestone in the history of the International Association of Geomorphologists:
The IAG is registered as an international non-profit organisation

It is our immense pleasure to announce that a major step has been made earlier this year, regarding the legal status of the International Association of Geomorphologists. Not all of you may be aware that when the IAG was established in the 1980s, it was done by agreement between the founding parties – national geomorphological societies – without a corresponding legal foundation. For many years this status was sufficient to maintain the aims of the Association and to function as a scientific organisation, and the IAG was not different from many other international scientific associations. However, times have changed and especially transboundary transfers of finances have become difficult for societies with no official legal status. Within the IAG, this problem was recognized a number of years ago and options were explored in order to achieve solid legal fundament for the Association, without losing its impressive heritage, traditions and spirit. After considering various possibilities based in different countries, action was initiated last year (2018) towards the registration of the IAG as a full capacity, scientific, non-profit organisation. Spain was found to be the best choice for formal registration of the IAG. Accordingly, we submitted the necessary documents to the Spanish Ministry of Interior, including the Constitution of the IAG. Beforehand, we had also informed the National Scientific Members about this motion, calling for feedback and advice. On 4 March 2019 the Spanish Ministry communicated the decision that the IAG was formally established, and has all capacities to act internationally and open and maintain its own bank account.

To fulfil the legal requirements, we had to adjust the existing Constitution to comply with Spanish Law 1/2002 of March 22. Some statements in the IAG Constitution were inconsistent with these requirements. Therefore, having no power to change the Constitution without the approval of the IAG Council, a new Constitution was drafted, modelled to the closest extent possible on the existing Constitution. We decided to do so in order to speed up the process which otherwise would take another three years to complete. The new Constitution will be presented to the national delegates for formal approval at the IAG Council Meeting at the Regional Conference on Geomorphology in Athens, in September 2019, in order to complete the key step in the history of the International Association of Geomorphologists. For the first time since its foundation, the IAG has become a formally recognised, legitimate body representing geomorphologists across the world. This may seem like unnecessary bureaucracy, but to fulfil our goals and continue operations this was absolutely necessary. In fact, we are now approached by other scientific organisations seeking advice in this respect.

As a consequence, in future the IAG will be entitled to participate as a fully-recognized and registered association in a variety of actions, projects and initiatives for which it was not eligible before. We are confident that our Association and the wider international geomorphological community will benefit from new opportunities thanks to the new status of the IAG.

Thus, we are delighted to inform you of this important achievement and we all look forward to a bright future of the Association, in a world which is becoming more and more complex and turbulent.

Mauro Soldati
IAG President and on behalf of the IAG Executive Committee

PS: the announcement is available on IAG letterhead paper at the following link

http://www.geomorph.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/IAG-presidential-announcement-08_2019.pdf

CALL for GRANTS for the 12th International Conference on Permafrost (ICOP 2020)

Call for Grants for the 12th International Conference on Permafrost (ICOP 2020)

Permafrost environments under persistent warming: Challenges for scientific assessment and engineering practice

Through the IPA-IAG Agreement, the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG) offers 2 travel grants of 300 euros to Early Career Researchers to take part in the 12th International Conference on Permafrost (ICOP 2020) to be held 22-26 June 2020 in Lanzhou, China. The International Permafrost Association (IPA) will cover the conference registration fee of the grant winners.

The grants will be devoted to support the active participation (oral or poster presentation) of 2 Early Career Researchers* whose interests intersect with those of the two associations, generally in the area of permafrost and periglacial geomorphology.

The submission and acceptance of an abstract and the active participation in the conference (with oral or poster presentation) are mandatory to receive this support. Early career researchers based in the organizing country for the international conference are not eligible for this support.

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents by 15 January 2020:

  • Completed application form: PDF or DOCX
  • Copy of valid passport or identity card
  • Short CV (maximum 2 pages long), including up to 10 papers related to the Conference themes
  • Abstract submitted to the conference.

The above mentioned documents should be submitted to the IAG Training Officer (Marta Della Seta) at <iaggrantoffice@gmail.com>  (please specify IPA-IAG Grants – ICOP 2020 in the subject of the accompanying e-mail).

The 12th International Conference on Permafrost will be held in Lanzhou, China on the Lanzhou University Campus. Lanzhou is the permafrost research hub of China and the location of the Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute and the State Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, both groups of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The conference will include scientific sessions, keynote lectures, and a Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN) workshop held before the conference. There will be a local field trip day during the conference, and multiple multi-day field trips following the conference covering the following areas: the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Northeast China, the Qilian Mountains, and the Ordos Loess Plateau.

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Commission appointed by the IAG and IPA Executive Committees.

Hanne Christiansen

IPA President

Mauro Soldati

IAG President

*An early career researcher is defined as an individual currently enrolled as a student in a post-secondary institution or having completed their most recent post-secondary degree within the last six years and not holding a tenure-track or tenured professorial appointment.

Report on the 8th edition of Italian Young Geomorphologists’ days

The VIII edition of Italian Young Geomorphologists’ days “Sharing experiences on geomorphological research in different morphogenetic and morphoclimatic environments” was held from 26th to 28th June 2019 at the Sala Napoleonica, University of Milan, and at Veny Valley (AO). The congress was jointly organized by Italian Association of Physical Geography and Geomorphology (AIGeo), Earth Sciences Department of University of Milan and Earth Sciences Department of University of Turin, under the auspices of the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG), Italian Geological Society (SGI), Italian Galciological Committee (CGI) and Italian Association for Quaternary Research (AIQUA), and sponsored by Beta Analytic.

The meeting was attended by a total number of about 80 participants, of which about 60 were young geomorphologists, from 11 different countries (Austria; Brazil; Costa Rica; France; Greece; India; Italy; Poland; Romania; Russia; Switzerland). Moreover, 7 grants were awarded by the IAG to young geomorphologists coming from all over the world. Reports from Anita Bernatek-Jakiel, Elisa Giaccone, Anna Karkani, Nicusor Necula and Adolfo Quesada-Román can be accessed by clicking on their names. For French-speakers Monique Fort has also published a report in the bulletin of the Groupe Français de Géomorphologie, here. For Polish-speakers Anita Bernatek-Jakiel has written a report here.

Opening Ceremony

On 26th the opening of the congress was followed by a key note held by the IAG president Prof. M. Soldati and Dr. M. Della Seta (IAG training officer) about the training program of the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG): state of the art and outlook for the future.

IAG president Prof. M. Soldati during his keynote

During the afternoon two sessions of oral presentations and one poster session occurred. The oral presentation sessions are about “Glacial and periglacial dynamics”, held by Dr. R.S. Azzoni and Prof. A. Zerboni, and “Geomorphological hazard assessment”, held by Dr. A. Masseroli and Prof. M. Fort, for a total of 8 oral presentations. The 46 contributions were presented during the miscellaneous poster session held by Dr. I.M. Bollati and Prof. M. Soldati.

Oral presentation at first scientific session on “Glacial and periglacial dynamics”

Coffee break and poster session

After the scientific sessions, the meeting participants moved to the City Centre for the Social Dinner.

Social dinner

On 27th the morning sessions starts with a key note about “Postglacial Relative Sea-Level databases from near- to intermediate-field regions. A key tool to quantify the on-going isostatic signal and future sea level rise along global coastlines” held by Dr. M. Vacchi.

Dr. M. Vacchi during his keynote

During the morning two oral presentation session took place: the first was about “Coastal dynamics” held by Dr. M. Vacchi. and Dr. G. Amato and the second was about “Fluvial and Lacustrine dynamics” held by Dr. G.S. Mariani and Dr. M. Materazzi, for a total of 7 oral presentations. In the afternoon, the election of AIGeo Junior Council took place and the new elected coordinators are: Mauro Bonasera, Ciro Cerrone, Anna Masseroli and Mariacristina Prampolini. Successively, the meeting of the YGs national delegates on “Building the IAG Network of Young Geomorphologists’ Groups “, supported by the IAG,  took place. During the meeting the YGs national delegates, financially supported by IAG, coming from 7 countries (Costa Rica-A. Quesada-Román; France- A. Dousseron; Greece- A. Karkani; Italy-C. Cerrone; Poland- A. Bernatek-Jakiel; Romania- N. Necula; Switzerland-E. Giaccone) and all the meeting participants discussed about the future role of young geomorphologist in IAG with Prof. M. Soldati and Dr. S. Conway.

IAG president Prof. M.Soldati, Dr. S. Conway, YGs national delegates and AIGeo Junior Council

On 27th June afternoon, as soon as the meeting and election of the AIGeo Junior Council & Meeting of the YGs’ delegates finished, about 40 participants from Italy, Switzerland, Romania, Costa Rica, France, India, Russia, Austria and Brazil moved to Courmayeur (Valle d’Aosta Region, Italy) by bus. We were hosted in shared rooms at “Rifugio Monte Bianco”, located at 1700 m a.s.l. and surrounded by the breathtaking landscape of the Mont Blanc massif.

Dinner at “Rifugio Monte Bianco”

After a delicious traditional dinner, Susan Conway from the Universitè de Nantes took an interesting “lesson under the stars” on the geomorphological “Mars-forms”, to discover periglacial geomorphology from the Alps to … Mars!

Lecture by Dr. Susan Conway

The following day, the field-trip, organized by the University of Turin, along the Veny Valley on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif (4808 m a.s.l.), NW-Alps, took place starting from the Rifugio.

Prof M. Giardino during the field trip explanation

The field trip started with an introduction on the main geological and geomorphological aspects held by Prof. M. Giardino (University of Turin) and Prof. Philip Deline (University of Savoie Mont Blanc). Then we moved along the “Sentiero Balcone” (Balcony path), an ideal trail, following the right hydrographic side of the Veny Valley, that allows to have a very good view not only of the Miage Glacier, the most important debris covered glacier of the Italian Alps, but also of others landforms and processes such as glacial cirques, moraines and landslides. From the Balcony, we saw a clearly ongoing active process of rock avalanche!!

Panoramic view

Successively, we descended to the Plan Combal to see closely the moraines of the Miage and discuss the recent evolution, in terms of retreatment, of the glacier.

View of the Miage glacier from the “Balcone”

Finally, we saw the ice cliff and the Miage lake (2700m a.s.l.) actually separated into three different subbasin. Hydrological issues related to glacier and lake interaction were also illustrated. From the lake, we concluded our field trip at the bottom of the fluvioglacial plain of the la Visaille having a look, during the descent, on lateral moraines and mass wasting phenomena that are still active.

Group picture during the Veny Valley fieldtrip day

Photos, videos and the program with the financial supports are available at: http://www.aigeo.it/viii-italian-young-geomorphologists-days-first-announcement/

 

Coordinators Commitee of the Italian Young Geomorphologists

Italian Young Geomorphologists Group – AIGeo

https://www.facebook.com/giovanigeomorfologiitaliani/?fref=ts

italianyounggeomorphologists@gmail.com

https://instagram.com/italianyounggeomorphologists?igshid=bjz9168bu73t

 

Grants awarded to Young Geomorphologists for RCG2019 Athens Sept 2019

The International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG/AIG) has awarded 8 grants to Young Geomorphologists to take part in the Regional Conference on Geomorphology to be held in Athens 19-21 September 2019. All of them will take part in the IAG-EGU Intensive Course (22nd – 27th Sept 2019).

The selection for Grants was made by the international committee appointed by the IAG. Grants have been awarded to the following Young Geomorphologists selected among 42 eligible applicants based in 17 different countries:

Pedro FONSECA DE ALMEIDA E VAL Brazil
Bachtiar MUTAQIN Indonesia
Vipin Joseph MARKOSE India
Shreya BANDYOPADHYAY India
Sujay BANDYOPADHYAY India
Kapil GHOSH India
Sayantan DAS India
Jonas PRACA DE SOUZA Brazil

2nd Announcement: 4th International Symposium on Red Beds and Danxia Landform, 18– 22 August 2019, Yan’an, China

We’re pleased to post the second announcement for the 4th International Symposium on Red Beds and Danxia Landform, which is also the 19th National Academic Symposium of Red Beds and Danxia Landform to be held in Yan’an, China on 18– 22 August 2019. This event is hosted in part by the IAG Working Group on Red Beds and Danxia Geomorphology. The theme of this conference is “Scientific Research on Resources and Environment Protection of Red-Beds and Danxia landform” and there will be one day in the field. For details please see the second circular here and the first circular here.

Obituary for Giovanni Battista Castiglioni

Obituary for Giovanni Battista Castiglioni (1931-2018) by the geomorphologists of the University of Padova

The eminent Italian geomorphologist Giovanni Battista Castiglioni passed away on May 10th, 2018. A great person was lost by family, friends and colleagues, and marks a very sad day for the geomorphological and geographical community. A rigorous and innovative scientist, during his long and productive career, G.B. Castiglioni was a bright example for his numerous students and a constant reference for many physical geographers and geomorphologists that collaborated with him, or simply knew him through his scientific publications.

G.B. Castiglioni followed the footsteps of his father Bruno, geographer at the Faculty of Science in Padova, and from the family, in particular from his uncle Ettore, he inherited the passion for mountains and exploration. He obtained a degree in Geological Sciences at the University of Padova in 1953 and his mentor in the field of physical geography was Giuseppe Morandini. He started his academic career in 1954 as Assistant Professor at the University of Padova and became Full Professor in the School of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences and the School of Letters and Philosophy of the universities of Catania and Padova. He taught physical geography and geomorphology in Padova until 2002. He was the Head of the Department of Geography of the University of Padova for almost a decade, and member of the Istituto Veneto di Scienze Lettere ed Arti of Venice and the Accademia Galileiana di Scienze Lettere ed Arti of Padova. He was also corresponding member of the Austrian Academy of Science of Vienna and of the Academy of Science of Torino. He chaired the Italian Glaciological Committee and, due to his commitment to scientific research, was later nominated Honorary Fellow of this Committee as well as of the AIGeo – Associazione Italiana di Geografia fisica e Geomorfologia.

The research of G.B. Castiglioni mainly concerned the geomorphology of the Alps and the Po Plain, but he also carried out several studies of regional geography on the Iranian Balucistan and the rural landscapes of Veneto, Trentino and South Tyrol. His early activity almost exclusively focused on Alpine glacial geomorphology, Quaternary geology, slope and karst processes and natural hazards. He devoted a great effort to geomorphological mapping. Of note was his activity as member of the working group of the International Geographical Union for the Geomorphological Map of Europe at scale 1:2,500,000, and his contribution to the Atlante tematico d’Italia edited by the Italian Touring Club and the Italian Research Council (C.N.R.). One of his major commitments was the coordination of the Geomorphological Map of the Po Plain at a scale of 1:250,000, that he presented at the 4th International Conference on Geomorphology held in Bologna in 1997.

The scientific production of G.B. Castiglioni consists of more than a hundred high-level research papers and several others minor writings such as conference proceedings, book reviews and reports. His full list of publications up to 2005 can be found in the volume dedicated to him as Supplement VII of the journal Geografia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria. A highlight of this collection is his handbook Geomorfologia (UTET, 1979), an outstanding treatise that critically reviewed and synthesized international geomorphological theories and practice for Italian students and scholars.

G.B. Castiglioni was a man of few words and deep thoughts, profoundly affectionate to his family and his work, reserved but capable of warmly involving students and collaborators in his passion for geomorphology and geography. He was always kind and attentive to  other people’s needs, but working with him was not easy, as he demanded absolute dedication to research. He was an outstanding point of reference, because of his very sound scientific approach, his determination in facing tricky research questions, and his vast knowledge of the international scientific literature. Always open to new ideas, he enjoyed discussing with young researchers, PhD students and early-career scientists, to whom he gladly and continuously dedicated his time and attention.

The work and life of G.B. Castiglioni was commemorated during the Summer Meeting of the Italian Glaciological Committee in June 2018 and the Spring Meeting of AIGeo – Associazione Italiana di Geografia fisica e Geomorfologia in March 2019.

Second call for the Workshop of Geodiversity assessment in mountain areas Kraków-Zakopane (Poland) 25-30 August 2019

We’re pleased to announce the second call for the Workshop entitled “Geodiversity assessment in mountain areas” organised by the IAG/AIG Working Group on Landform Assessment for Geodiversity to be held in Kraków-Zakopane, Poland on August 25-30, 2019. Fieldtrips will be held in Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains.

All those with relevant experience on geodiversity, are encouraged to apply for participation at the workshop. The deadline for application is 15th July. The final list of participants will be decided once all applications have been assessed.

The main goals of the workshop are:

  • Sharing knowledge of many aspects of geodiversity, including mountain areas,
  • Establishment an objective standard for the method of assessing geodiversity,
  • Discussion of geodiversity in different mountain areas (and not only),
  • Geocalculation of geodiversity indexes according to different modes,
  • Verification and interpretation of final maps of geodiversity in the field.

For more details see the PDF file here.

Contacts:

M.A. Alicja Najwer (alijas@amu.edu.pl)
Prof. Zbigniew Zwoliński (ZbZw@amu.edu.pl)

Report of the International Joint Scientific Investigation on Danxia Landform in Northern Shaanxi Province 25-30 April 2019

Report compiled by: Sunil Kumar De IAG Vice President

The International Joint Scientific Investigation on Danxia Landform in Northern Shaanxi Province was held during April 25 -30, 2019. It was jointly organized by the Shaanxi Institute of Geological Survey, IAG Working group on Red Beds and Danxia Geomorphology, Red Beds and Danxia Group of the Geographical Society of China, Sun Yat-Sen University and Yulin Municipal People’s Government.  The investigations were held in different Danxia field sites in Shaanxi Province. Prof. Piotr Migon and Dr. Filip Duszynski from Poland, Dr. Janson Knouft from the USA, Dr. Milica Kasanin Grubin from Serbia, Prof. Soojae Lee from South Korea and myself (Prof. Sunil Kumar De, India) were invited as International Experts. The main objective of the Investigation was to study the potential of the sites for Geo-tourism and the measures of their sustainability. Dr. Ren Fang, Secretary of the IAG Working Group on Red Beds and Danxia Geomorphology was one of the main organizers, contacted all of the International Experts and acted as translator. I thank the President of the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG), Prof. Mauro Soldati, for nominating me to represent the IAG on this occasion.

Fig. 1 Construction of water body in Zhaojin Danxia Landforms site

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First Circular of the 31st IGI Conference 12-14 Nov 2019, University of North Bengal India

The first circular is available here for the 31st Annual Conference of the Indian Institute of Geomorphologists (IGI) on Applications of Geospatial Technology in Geomorphology and Environment will be held 12-14 November, 2019 at the University of North Bengal in India.

Important Dates

Early Bird Registration Closes 30th September, 2019
Abstracts Submission by 30th September, 2019
Acceptance Notification 15th October, 2019
Full Paper Submission 31st October, 2019

For updates see the IGI website: www.indiageomorph.org

In remembrance of Prof. Kazimerz Klimek (1934-2019)

We are very sorry to learn that Prof. Kazimierz Klimek PhD died on the 16th April 2019. The funeral was held in Cracow on 23 April 2019. Prof. Zofia Rączkowska kindly contributed the tribute below for this famous Polish geomorphologist.

Geomorphologist, geologist and Quaternary palaeogeographer. Scientist investigating glacial, periglacial and fluvial processes and deposits in various morphoclimatic zones, organizer of scientific research, leader of international expeditions on physical geography, prized teacher.

Professor Klimek graduated from geographical studies at Jagiellonian University, Cracow in 1957. He worked at State Institute of Hydrology and Meteorology, Institute of Geography at Polish Academy of Sciences (Department of Physical Geography, Cracow), Institute of Environmental Protection at Polish Academy of Sciences in Cracow, in Faculty of Earth Sciences at University of Silesia in Sosnowiec.

Professor Klimek carried out his investigations in different regions of Poland (the Carpathians, the Sudetes Mts., Subcarpathian Basins, Polish Uplands, late-glacial areas in northern Poland). His interest was especially focused on river valleys in the Carpathian and Sudetes Mountains. He carried out his investigation in different countries such as Island, Spitsbergen, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic. He was particularly engaged in organizing physico-geographical expeditions to Mongolia in the periods 1974-1980 and 1987-1990, where he carried out palaeogeographical investigations. He presented papers with results of these research at many Polish and international conferences.

Professor Klimek was a member of IGU, IUCN, British Geomorphological Research Group, British Society for Geomorphology. He developed cooperation with Geological Survey of Sweden, with INQUA in frames of Commission on the Study of Holocene, with organisations GLOBAL CHANGE and EURO-LUCIFS. He organised a working group of HIMME (Human Impact on Mid-Mountain Ecosystems). Professor Klimek was a Honourable Member of the Society of Polish Geomorphologists.

Since 1972 Professor Klimek carried out teaching work at Jagiellonian University and Silesian University. He supervised many MSc and PhD students

Professor Klimek was extremely friendly and well thought person. He will be sadly missed.

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