Virtual Trips in Geomorphology
Chair: Prof. Niki Evelpidou (evelpidou@geol.uoa.gr), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece)
Co-Chair: Dr. Anna Karkani (ekarkani@geol.uoa.gr), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece)
Secretary: Lecturer Dr. Des McDougall (d.mcdougall@worc.ac.uk), School of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester (UK)
Steering Committee and Core Group Members:
Director H.S.G.M.E. Dionysios Goutis (dgkoutis@gmail.com)
Hellenic Survey of Geology & Mineral Exploration (Greece)
Dr. Andreas Tsokos (atsokos@gmail.com)
National Technical University of Athens (Greece)
Lecturer Dr. Christel Hansen (christel.hansen@up.ac.za)
University of Pretoria (South Africa)
Mr. Michael Loubser (michael.loubser@up.ac.za)
Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria (South Africa)
Introduction to WG activity
The science of the scenery of the diverse landforms over the Earth’s surface surprise us and inspire us to know about their mode of origin. A key question in geomorphology is the evolution of these relief landforms and the processes behind their evolution. Geomorphology contributes to the understanding of relief and landforms, to the prediction and mitigation of risks, and to the identification and exploitation of resources. The dissemination of knowledge of past landforms changes and evolution is essential to raise awareness of various environmental issues and promote and preserve the heritage of an area. Virtual fieldtrips can be a powerful tool in this direction as they offer a valuable indirect field experience, including the chance to “visits” places, landscapes that are not easily accessible, to understand the evolution of an area.
Virtual fieldtrips can be a valuable addition to the promotion of different interesting and unique geomorphological sites that can attract more geo-tourists and contributes to the sustainable economy of the local society. Virtual field trips will enable the societies to acquire knowledge about the causes and consequences of geomorphological hazards through which the value of geomorphology among the common mass will be increased. It will also increase the awareness of scientists from other disciplines, stakeholders, decision makers, planners, authorities, and the general public about the role of geomorphology in understanding the evolution, promotion and protection of different landforms.
Virtual fieldtrips in geomorphology will also highlight the interdependent relationship between humans and geomorphology. It will be an essential contribution to create an understanding of the impacts of human activities on changing the geomorphic forms and processes and in turn how these changes will affect the societies at large.
The first aim of the proposed WG is to form an international network of geomorphologists, to share expertise, to promote geomorphology through virtual fieldtrips, not only to the scientific community but also to the citizens.
The second aim of the proposed WG is to bring geomorphologists together on a common virtual platform those have developed or are interested to develop new methods and techniques, 3D animations, VR videos, etc. for the development of virtual fieldtrips.
The main objectives of the proposed WG are to:
- Bring together geomorphologists working on different geomorphic environments to develop virtual fieldtrips
- Develop a record of the new methods and techniques used 3D animations and VR videos to represent geomorphological landscapes and phenomena
- Promote sites of geomorphological interest through virtual fieldtrips
- Contribute to the promotion and preservation of landscape heritage
- Share relevant data and to foster the exchange of information through social media etc…
- Develop joint international research projects and organize conferences, field and laboratory training workshops and summer schools
- Stimulate interaction with and among young and early career scientists and those from the developing world.
Key activities and products of the working group will include:
- Organization of annual working group workshops
- Organization of scientific sessions at relevant international conferences
- Organization of international symposia, training courses and/or field conferences on virtual fieldtrips on geomorphology,
- Organization of virtual field excursions on geomorphological topics
- Special issues in international journals, connected to annual workshops and conference scientific sessions
- Development of an online database with all available geomorphological virtual fieldtrips.