Organiser: IAGA, IAG
Lead Convenors: Grant Caldwell (New Zealand), Stephen F Cox (Australia), Yoshihisa Iio (Japan), Yasuo Ogawa (Japan), Tonnie Van Dam (Luxembourg)

Scope: We invite presentations on the role of fluids in the crust and mantle, especially in seismogenesis and melt generation, and their influence on rheology, deformation and gravity. In particular, we encourage contributions from the communities of numerical modeling, structural geology, petrological and rock physics as well as from the seismological, magnetotelluric, satellite gravimetry and space geodesy communities.

Keywords: fluids, rheology, seismogenesis, melts, electrical conductivity, magnetotellurics, seismology, deformation, gravity. 

Organiser: IAGA, ICMA, IAMAS
Lead Convenor: Susan Avery (United States of America) 
Co-convenor: Alan Rodger (United Kingdom)

Scope: CAWSES-II is an international interdisciplinary programme that addresses fundamental questions of how the coupled sun-earth system operates on timescales of minutes to millennia.   Key questions include: (i) What are the solar influences on the Earth’s climate? (ii) How does the short term solar variability affect geospace?  (iii) How does short-term solar variability affect the gespace environment? (iv) What is the geospace response to variable waves from the lower atmosphere?  Such questions require coordinated inter-disciplinary, international effort.  The symposium will not only cover scientific breakthroughs in this area that use systems approaches but will also include examples of novel scientific and technical infra-structure that facilitate novel ways of carrying out system science.

Keywords: sun-earth system, solar variability, geospace, waves from lower atmosphere

Organiser: IAGA, ICMA, IAMAS
Lead Convenor: Gufran Beig (India)
Co-Convenor: Jan Lastovicka (Czech Republic)
 
Scope: Human activities pollute the atmosphere, which results among others in increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and depletion of ozone layer. Past two decades have enriched us with a plenty of observational and model results on related changes in the middle and upper atmosphere including the ionosphere. The primary goal of this symposium is to present recent observational as well as model simulation progress in the field of long-term changes and trends in the ionosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere and stratosphere. The relative importance of natural and anthropogenic influences on long-term trends and their changing role with time will be addressed. Both observational and model simulation contributions are welcome.

Keywords: greenhouse gases, natural and anthropogenic influences, depletion of ozone

Organiser:  IAGA Div.3 (To be co-sponsored by IAGA Divisions I, II, V, Interdivisional Commission on History and IASPEI)
Lead Convenor: Brian J Fraser (Australia)  
Co-Convenor: Malcolm Johnston (United States of America)

Scope: The year 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the first publication on the rapid geomagnetic fluctuations that are now known as the ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves.  This landmark observation published in 1861 by Balfour Stewart of the Kew Observatory near London commenced an ever-growing research field whose topics range from the connection between solar activity to upper atmospheric phenomena, the dynamics of the magnetosphere, and the electric conductivity interior to the Earth.  These seemingly different subjects in fact share common observations and physics through ULF waves.  This special symposium will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the discovery of ULF waves by bringing together not only historical aspects of ULF research but also newly developed observational and modeling techniques that promise further understanding of both space and terrestrial environments.  Interests will be focused on the role of ULF waves in the solar-terrestrial and planetary sciences, the Earth sciences in the areas of wave generation and propagation processes, diagnostic techniques and applications.

Keywords: solar wind, magnetosphere, ionosphere, wave propagation, wave generation, electromagnetics in geophysics

Organisers: IAGA and IASPEI
Lead Convenor: Ellen Clarke (United Kingdom)
Co-Convenors: Tony Hurst (New Zealand), Rick Benson (United States of America)

Scope: Many sources of geophysical data remain in analogue format and are as yet untapped by today’s scientists. Mostly historical they may include, but are not limited to, magnetograms, seismographs, ionosondes, tidegauge records, borehole logs, observatory yearbooks and other published and unpublished results. Technological advances to cameras and scanners now provide the means for improved digital capture and thus rescue of the original analogue records. These hardware improvements, coupled with advances made in image processing software, also provide the tools for extracting digital data. This may be carried out using purposely written software to derive time series data from traces on graphs or optical character recognition software for cases such as tables of data. New techniques are being developed across the various geophysical disciplines and in order to maximise the benefits, there is a requirement to coordinate and promote knowledge exchange. 
This symposium will focus on the technology and tools which improve the automation of data rescue of all types whether the purpose is solely one of backup of the analogue records or to automatically extract the digital data. Presentations of new scientific results that have come out of this work are also encouraged.
The importance of metadata is also considered a topic that spans the various geophysical disciplines within IUGG. Various initiatives are on going to encourage relevant agencies to support the generation, preservation and dissemination of metadata and ensure the future usability of the data for interdisciplinary studies.  This inter-association symposium will therefore also aim at assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the various metadata systems. We encourage contributions that highlight progress made and current developments across the disciplines as well as how best to coordinate future efforts.

Keywords: data rescue, metadata, digitisation, image processing, historical data

This symposium focuses on planetary magnetic fields; processes, modelling and mechanisms of geomagnetic field and secular variation including such features as jerks, torsional oscillations and long- term processes.

A01.1 Main field and Secular Variation: Observation, Modelling, and Mechanisms
Organiser: IAGA Div I and Div V
Lead Convenors: Catherine Constable (United States of America), Arnaud Chulliat (France), Christopher Finlay (Switzerland)

Scope: The past decade has seen a steady increase in availability of observations used to produce models of the main geomagnetic field and interpret them in terms of dynamical Earth processes. At one end of the spectrum, satellite observations reveal features in the secular variation and acceleration with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution, challenging us to understand the physical origin of fine scale features like geomagnetic jerks. At the other extreme archeomagnetic and paleomagnetic observations have been used to extend the centennial scale historical record and provide low resolution geomagnetic field models as far back as 10 ka.  The goal of this symposium is to instigate a broad discussion on secular variation, including such features as jerks, torsional oscillations and longer-term processes. Contributions are solicited that include models based on new data, new modelling strategies, and interpretations in terms of the physical processes determining the observations.

Keywords: geomagnetism, archeomagnetism, time variations, decadal to secular and paleosecular variations, core processes

A01.2 Planetary magnetic fields
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: David Ivers (Australia), Philip Livermore (United Kingdom)

Scope: The study of magnetic field generation in the cores of the Earth and the other planets is frontier science. The particular MHD processes which occur in different planetary cores, such as the dynamics, energy sources and exogenous conditions, are of independent interest. But the diverse structures and physical properties of planetary cores also provide the opportunity for comparative studies of apparently distinct kinds of natural dynamos or the absence of a dynamo. Advances both in experimental and computational studies combined with observations and theory can provide insights into core magnetic processes. This session is intended to be a forum welcoming contributions reporting on advances, open questions and prospects, concerning planetary core magnetic fields. Particular and comparative studies on all aspects of planetary core fields - observational, experimental, theoretical and computational - are welcome.

Keywords: planetary cores, magnetohydrodynamics, planetary magnetic fields, natural dynamos, core dynamics, energy sources

A01.3 Numerical simulations and observations:  Looking back and predicting the future
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: Weijia Kuang (United States of America), Andrew Jackson (Switzerland)

Scope: Continuous records of the core field secular variation (SV) from navigation, ground observatory and near Earth satellite magnetic data  over the past 400 years, together with the improved global core field model from acheo-paleomagnetic data over the past 7000 years, have made a new development, geomagnetic data assimilation,  possible in the past few years: combining numerical simulation and observations for better understanding of the core dynamics and the properties of the Earth’s interior, and for more accurate prediction of the future SV.  This new approach creates an independent, but very important tool for assessing and improving numerical models through observational constraints and through model predictability.    The models can be fully dynamical geodynamo models, core flow (inferred from surface observations) models, or other models designed for a specific subset of dynamical processes in the core.   This session is intended as a community dissemination platform for concepts, methodologies and results on better utilizing and assimilating observations and numerical models to understand variability of the geomagnetic field and, in a broader scope, planetary magnetic fields. 

Keywords: geomagnetic observation, numerical model, data assimilation, prediction, core dynamics, planetary magnetic field

 

The symposium covers all aspects of the electromagnetic induction studies of the earth including the data acquisition, modeling and interpretation for multi-scale targets from the near surface to the core.

A02.1 Recent Advances in Electromagnetic Induction: Modelling and inversion
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: Gary Egbert (United States), Ian Ferguson (Canada), Graham Hill (New Zealand)

Scope: Numerical modelling and inversion play an essential role in the interpretation of electromagnetic induction data, from global and regional scale studies of deep crustal and mantle structure, to more applied investigations of the near-surface.  Two-dimensional inversion is now routine, and fast enough to allow users to thoroughly explore sensitivity of results to assumptions, to assess resolution, and to test hypotheses.   The next step, to three-dimensional modelling and inversion, is now also well underway.  A number of codes are available for 3D forward modelling, and fully 3D inversion codes are now starting to be used for practical interpretation.  But there remains much to do before 3D inversion and interpretation will be anything like routine.   In particular, 3D forward modelling remains computationally challenging, and inversion of 3D data sets typically requires fjhdfkjhdflkjh many hundreds, or even thousands of forward solutions.  Such inversion codes are thus barely practical for most users.  And there are further frontiers to explore--e.g., anisotropy in 2D and 3D models and joint inversion of EM and other geophysical datasets--which present further computational challenges. We solicit contributions on recent progress on all aspects of modelling and inversion of all types of EM data.   Developments of new methodology and algorithms for both forward modelling and inversion, comparison of efficiency and accuracy of different approaches, reports on new computational strategies (e.g., use of GPUs), and case studies reporting on actual applications of 3D codes (failures and successes) are all appropriate for this session.

Keywords: EM induction, numerical modeling, inverse methods, magnetotellurics, electrical conductivity

Invited Speakers: Ute Weckman, Luis Gallardo, Stephan Thiel, Klaus Spitzer

A02.2 Electromagnetic imaging from the near-surface, lithosphere-asthenosphere, to the core: results and interpretations
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: Malcolm Ingham (New Zealand), Claudia M. Sainato (Argentina), Kate Selway (Australia), Alan Jones (Ireland), K. Veeraswamy (India), E. Sokolova (Russia)

Scope: In this session, we solicit papers in a wide range of electromagnetic studies which were applied to varieties of targets, starting from near surface, lithosphere- asthenosphere, to the core of the Earth.  We focus on the multi-dimensional modelling results and interpretation on environmental and engineering problems, geological and tectonic problems and to the deep mantle and or core dynamics. Interpretations of the results comparing with other geological/seismological/geodynamic parameters are encouraged.

Keywords: electromagnetic, electrical conductivity, near surface, environment, magnetotellurics, lithosphere, asthenosphere, global, satellite

The time averaged geomagnetic field is used to reconstruct the evolution of the tectonic plates over geological times, from supercontinents to small crustal blocks; variations of the geomagnetic field over shorter time scales are of interest for geochronology and stratigraphy purposes and for developing geodynamo models based on real data. 

A03.1 Magnetostratigraphy and Chronology
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: Gillian Turner (New Zealand), Jim Channell (United States of America), Andy Herries (Australia), Brad Singer (United States of America)

Scope: Contributions are invited concerning any aspect of magnetostratigraphy - the general application of palaeomagnetism to geochronological problems on any timescale. These include:

- extensions and refinements (e.g. astronomical fine-tuning) to the geomagnetic polarity timescale,
- studies of polarity events and excursions,
- use of high-resolution magnetostratigraphic records from sediments and lava flows to better understand the behaviour of the geodynamo,
- correlation of geological records and dating of geological events,
- comparisons of magnetostratigraphy with other geochronological methods
- the use of magnetostratigraphy in dating archaeological, palaeontological and hominin bearing sites,
- correlation of magnetostratigraphy and climate change records,
- methods and techniques of data analysis,
- establishing or questioning the fidelity of the palaeomagnetic record,
- the role of secular variation and palaeointensity records in magnetostratigraphy,
- useful information from magnetic mineralogy and secondary components of magnetization in magnetostratigraphic studies,
- other novel aspects (which may not have occurred to the convenors?).

Studies reporting new data, collations and reanalyses of previously published data or data-bases, new methods and techniques and theoretical papers are all welcome.

Keywords: palaeomagnetism, magnetostratigraphy, chronology, geomagnetic polarity timescale, palaeomagnetic secular variation, palaeointensity, astronomical tuning

A03.2 Paleomagnetic Observations on the Geodynamo
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: Emilio Herrero-Bervera (United States of America), John Tarduno (United States of America), Yves Gallet (France)

Scope: The history of the geomagnetic field provides a probe into the nature and evolution of the core and the geodynamo. This history is comprised of geomagnetic fast changes, reversals, excursions, secular variation described by their directional and paleointensity determinations. The aim of the session is to provide an open forum on integration of new paleomagnetic data, methods of analyses as well as geomagnetic modeling. We seek contributions on new Archaeomagnetic  and Paleomagnetic studies  of the short- and long-term behavior of the Earth's magnetic field such as, fast geomagnetic changes,  paleosecular variation, excursions and reversals from subannual to billion-year paleofield variations including Superchrons such as Cretaceous, Kiaman etc as well as very old studies of Precambrian rocks (e.g. Proterozoic and Archaean rocks).

Keywords: Archaeomagnetism, Paleomagnetism, Paleosecular Variation, Reversals, Excursions, Fast Geomagnetic changes, Superchrons, Cretaceous, Kiaman, Archaean. 

A03.3 Paleogeographic Reconstructions
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead  Convenors: Phil Schmidt (Australia), Jenny Tait (Scotland), Augusto Rapalini (Argentina)

Scope: Palaeomagnetism is now a mature science and has delivered a vast amount of evidence for geological events that may otherwise have remained enigmatic. Nevertheless, without the benefit of the sea-floor record Topic geomagnetic main field and secular variation and processes on all time scales and from the obsevational and theoretical point of view unravelling Palaeozoic and Precambrian reconstructions and tectonics is problematic and far from complete.
This session invites papers that present new results from rocks of all ages, but especially new analyses of Palaeozoic and Precambrian data and new sytheses of palaeoreconstructions and tectonics. Particularly welcome are contributions concerning the Earth’s magnetic field; the combination of studies on palaeosecular variation, palaeointensities and palaeomagnetic poles which will lead to the ‘whole being greater than the sum of the parts’.

Keywords: Palaeozoic, Precambrian, palaeomagnetism, tectonics, reconstructions

A03.4 Paleomagnetism: Tectonics and Deformation
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: M. Irene B. Raposo (Brazil), John Geissman (United States of America), Yuhi Otofuji (Japan)

Scope: This session is intended to be a forum for scientific discussion of recent methods to investigate how geologic materials are deformed, and tectonic evolution responsible for this deformation. New results on how combined paleomagnetic and magnetic anisotropy studies bear on the tectonic evolution of different regions are welcome. Special attention will be paid on the studies devoted to the combination of methodologies such as anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, anisotropy of magnetic remanence, high field magnetic anisotropy, microstructure analyses, field evidence, and their different scales of application in tectonic processes such as terrane accretion, and neotectonic. We also welcome contributions dealing with other aspects of magnetic anisotropies and rock-magnetism.

Keywords: Petrofabric, Fabric, Magnetic Fabrics, Magnetic Anisotropies, Deformation, Tectonic Processes.

The symposium focuses on recent advances in rock and mineral magnetism; petrology and magnetic anomalies; palaeointensity techniques and applications; environmental magnetism dealing with calibration of magnetic proxies of climate, pollution in the atmosphere or hydrosphere, and human-induced environmental change.

A04.1 Recent Advances in Rock and Mineral Magnetism
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: Özden Özdemir (Canada), Mark J. Dekkers (Netherlands), Yong Jae Yu (Korea)        
 
Scope: In recent years the applications of rock magnetism have blossomed with advances in measuring very small magnetic moments and observing nanoscale spin structures.  This enables measuring both the NRM of a specified grain and the magnetic configuration responsible for it.  We welcome experimental and theoretical contributions on domains and phase boundaries, calculation and verification of micromagnetic structures, magnetic properties as a function of grain size and composition, low- and high-temperature hysteresis modelling, FORC analysis, resolving grain-size or mineral mixtures, properties of minor magnetic minerals, temperature-variable methods for identifying and demagnetizing phases, behaviour around magnetic phase transitions, and integration of magnetic property analysis with other means of observation.  Any and all studies that shed new light on rock magnetic mechanisms, methods and applications are welcomed.  We hope for a lively exchange of ideas and insights.

Keywords: rock magnetism, magnetic properties, nanoscale spin structures, micromagnetic calculations, fine particle magnetism, phase transitions, hysteresis, FORC analysis, minor magnetic minerals

Invited Speakers: David J. Dunlop, University of Toronto, Canada; Andrew P. Roberts, The Australian National University, Australia

A04.2 Rock Magnetism, Magnetic Petrology and Magnetic Anomalies
Organiser: IAGA Div I and Div V
Lead Convenors: David Clark (Australia), Suzanne McEnroe (Norway), Richard  Harrison (United Kingdom), Luis Alva-Valdivia (Mexico)

Scope: Modern high-resolution magnetic surveys provide detailed information about the distribution of magnetization in the Earth’s crust at all scales. These surveys have applications to geodynamics, geological mapping, resource exploration, and in engineering, environmental and archaeological investigations. Future developments, such as magnetic tensor gradiometry, will further enhance the utility of magnetic surveys. In practice, interpretation of magnetic surveys rarely extracts all the potentially available geological information, due to non-uniqueness and a limited understanding of the geological factors that create, alter and destroy magnetic minerals.  To address these issues, we solicit contributions in fundamental rock magnetism, magnetic petrophysics, magnetic petrology, and geological interpretation of magnetics. Topics for this session include, but are not restricted to, candidate sources of large scale magnetic anomalies on the Earth, Moon and Mars; magnetic stratigraphy of sedimentary basins, metamorphic terrains and layered igneous complexes; magnetic modelling studies constrained by magnetic property measurements and/or other geophysical or geological data; palaeomagnetic studies of alteration, mineralization and tectonic modification of ore deposits; and integrated petrological, rock magnetic and magnetic modelling studies of mineralized systems.

Keywords: magnetic petrology, magnetic petrophysics, magnetic models, geological interpretation of magnetic surveys, ore deposit models

A04.3 Geomagnetic field strength of the past: palaeointensity techniques and applications
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: Mimi Hill (United Kingdom), Lisa Tauxe (United States of America), Yuhji Yamamoto (Japan)

Scope: Direct measurements of geomagnetic field strength go back less than 200 years. In order to extend the record further back in time it is necessary to experimentally determine palaeointensity from the archaeological and geological record. Due to the inherent difficulties in producing reliable results methodological protocols and, the type of remanence recorder used, is an active area of research. The motivation are the many and diverse applications of palaeointensity data including geodynamo theory, dating, climatology and mantle convection. We solicit contributions covering technical aspects of palaeointensity determination and the application of palaeointensity data to the geosciences. 

Keywords: palaeointensity, archaeointensity, palaeointensity methodology

Invited Speakers: Maxwell Brown (Germany), Javier Pavón Carrasco (Spain), Leah Ziegler (USA)

A04.4 Environmental Magnetism
Organiser: IAGA Div I
Lead Convenors: Barbara Maher (United Kingdom), Andrew Roberts (Australia), Yongxin Pan (China), Maria Julia Orgeira (Argentina)

Scope: Natural and/or anthropogenic nanomagnets occur ubiquitously both in the modern and palaeo-environment, and can provide detailed, quantitative records of changes in climate and environmental processes.  Such records are increasingly valuable for understanding rates and directions of climate change, and for identification and effective mitigation of present-day environmental problems.  Demonstrably, magnetic methods have the capability of resolving environmental questions independently and more sensitively than other available methods and data. This Symposium invites contributions regarding the quantitative application of environmental magnetic techniques to a range of contexts, spanning magnetic records of palaeoclimate, including calibration of magnetic proxies of climate, to present day issues of pollution (whether of the atmosphere or hydrosphere) and human-induced environmental change.  Innovative approaches to measurement, analysis and interpretation are particularly welcomed, whether based on magnetic techniques alone or in combination with other methods.

Keywords: environmental magnetism; quantitative proxies; calibration; climate change; environmental pollution; innovative magnetic properties.  

Organiser: IAGA Div II
Lead Convenor: Franz-Josef Luebken (Germany)
Co-Convenor: Mike Taylor (United States of America)

Scope: The wide range of interest in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere has been recently fuelled by dedicated satellites and new ground-based instruments designed to enhance our understanding of this region.  Effects induced by external sources, such as energetic radiations and meteors as well as atmospheric waves are considered.  Localised and inter-hemispheric effects are included.

Keywords: mesosphere and lower thermosphere, energetic radiations, meteors, inter-hemispheric effects

This theme deals with different coupling mechanisms through dynamics, composition and electrodynamics, global electric circuit, as well as with the response of the system to external and lower atmospheric forcing.

A06.1 Coupling Processes in the Atmosphere-Ionosphere System
Organiser: IAGA Div II
Lead Convenor: Dora Pancheva (Bulgaria)
Co-Convenor: Petra  Knizova (Czech Republic)

Scope: This symposium will focus primarily on those forcing mechanisms that originate in the lower atmosphere and on their transmission into the atmosphere-ionosphere system above. It aims to stimulate the integration of observations and models to provide physical explanations for, and new insights into, the range of phenomena that result from coupling and feedbacks in the atmosphere-ionosphere system. It will address the both theoretical and empirical recent results concerning the coupling mechanisms through dynamics, composition and electrodynamics i.e. transfer of momentum and energy by internal atmospheric waves, the interaction between these various waves, forcing of the ionosphere from below, the dependence of coupling processes on the solar and geomagnetic activity, the downward control effects transferring from the strongly solar dependent structure to the lower atmospheric levels.
The main objective of this workshop is to provide the next opportunity for the international research community to review the progress made so far and suggest some future directions in the investigation of all significant couplings (dynamic and electrodynamic, radiative, transport and chemistry of atmospheric constituents), trigger mechanisms and feedback processes. The symposium will serve as a forum for the discussions of ongoing efforts including improvements and new additions to databases, interpretations, simulations and theoretical models.

Keywords: coupling and feedbacks in atmosphere-ionosphere system, atmospheric waves and their interaction, forcing of the ionosphere from below, trigger mechanisms.

A06.2 Low Latitude Atmosphere-ionosphere Coupling Processes and Responses to Forcing from Lower Atmosphere and Magnetosphere
Organiser: IAGA Div II and Div III
Lead Convenor:  Mamoru Yamamoto (Japan)
Co-Convenor:  Mangalathayil A. Abdu (Brazil)

Scope: The equatorial and low latitude atmosphere-ionosphere system presents unique coupling processes and is subject to drastic modification by dynamical and electro-dynamical processes arising from upward transport of energy and momentum by gravity-, tidal- and planetary waves originating from lower heights and extra-tropics. As a result large scale zonal, day-to-day and inter-annual variabilities occur in this latitude region. Magnetospheric/interplanetary forcing through disturbance electric fields and energy deposition at high latitudes with coupling to equatorial latitudes represents another important source of variability of the system at different time scales. Important new results from ground based observational networks, space based measurements and simulation studies on the different coupling processes and consequent variabilities of the system have been forthcoming in recent years. This symposium will address all aspects of the dynamics, electrodynamics, energetics and coupling processes of the of the latitude region extending from the equator to mid-latitudes. Results are welcome from observational, theoretical and modeling investigations, and on manifestations of the coupling process through responses of the system to magnetic storms and upward propagating atmospheric wave disturbances etc. in terms of small and large structures, TEC, winds and waves, temperatures, plasma drifts, electric fields, currents, precursor conditions for equatorial plasma bubble development, anomaly and electrojet variabilities etc.

Keywords: magnetospheric/interplanetary forcing, electric fields, electrodynamics, upward propagating atmospheric wave

A06.3 Coupling Processes in low- and high-latitude ionosphere/atmosphere and space weather
Organiser: IAGA ICDC and Div II
Lead Convenor: Hisao Takahashi (Brazil)
Co-Convenor: Archana Bhattacharyya (India)

Scope: The symposium will address all aspects of coupling processes between the low- and high- latitude ionosphere/atmosphere from the point of view of space weather and climatology. Energy transport from the troposphere to middle atmosphere and ionosphere by gravity, tidal, and planetary waves is important in the equatorial region, and these waves propagate towards high latitudes. Magnetospheric forcing through energy deposition at high latitudes and disturbance electric fields with the consequent coupling to equatorial latitudes is another important source of variability of the equatorial ionosphere. Information and prediction of ionospheric conditions, spatial irregularities and scintillation effects, are crucial matters for not only scientific investigation but also for space weather concerns such as satellite operation and GNSS applications. Therefore this session welcomes papers on experimental (ground-based and satellite) and modelling studies (simulation and assimilation) of the coupling processes between equatorial and high latitudes such as latitudinal propagation of planetary waves, electric field penetration from high to low latitude ionosphere, and ionospheric response to geomagnetic disturbances, among others.

Keywords: coupling processes, low latitude, ionosphere, space weather, planetary waves, geomagnetic disturbances.

A06.4 Thunderstorms: Upwards and Downwards Coupling of the Atmospheric Layers and near-Earth Space

Please be advised this symposium has been merged into IAMAS J-M12. Please see details of this symposium here - IAMAS Program

A06.5 Magnetic Storm Effects on the Thermospheric Dynamics
Organiser: IAGA Div II and Div III 
Lead Convenor: Hermann Lühr (Germany)
Co-Convenor: Naomi Maruyama (United States of America)

Scope: Unprecedented progress has been made in overall understanding of thermospheric processes related to magnetic storms during the solar cycle 23. Recent satellite missions carrying sensitive accelerometers (CHAMP, GRACE, GOCE) have provided a wealth of detailed information to specify the thermospheric properties and its dynamics. These observations are complemented by measurements of the TIMED satellite and ground-based facilities such as FPI and radars that have significantly contributed to this topic. Furthermore, development and improvement of coupled ionosphere-thermosphere models have allowed us to describe important underlying processes in the observed upper atmosphere. Their coupling to magnetospheric models has also contributed to an improved understanding of the complex storm-time interactions between magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere and to a more accurate quantification of the energy input into the upper atmosphere. Now at the advent of the solar cycle 24 we want to bring together the state of the art in understanding of thermospheric modifications during times of strong magnetic disturbances, toward an ultimate aim of improving our ability to specify and forecast response of the thermosphere to magnetic storms.

This session solicits papers that report about observations or interpretation of storm effects on the thermosphere. Equally welcome are modelling studies of storm times and attempts of data assimilation.

Keywords: thermospheric properties and dynamics, geomagnetic storm effects, data assimilation

Invited Speakers: Nanan Balan (Kyoto University), Yue Deng (Univ. Texas, Arlington), Dolores Knipp (NOAA, Boulder)

This theme deals with the recent progress in understanding the dynamics of the radiation-belt and ring-current system, as well as the dynamics of the plasmasphere

A07.1 Radiation Belt Dynamics: drivers and impacts of acceleration and loss processes
Organiser: IAGA Div II and Div III
Lead Convenor: Mark Clilverd (United Kingdom)
Co-Convenors: Craig Rodger (New Zealand), Jacob Bortnik (United States of America)         

Scope: Recent progress in the understanding of radiation-belt energization and loss processes, as well as ring-current build-up and decay, has shown that the system is highly variable, and relies on a variety of different waves and other transient phenomena to couple the dynamic processes occurring in the inner magnetosphere. Multiple energization and loss process occur simultaneously, over a variety of spatial scales ranging from microscopic wave-particle interactions, to global-scale interactions, and a variety of temporal scales, from milliseconds to hours. Particle precipitation into the atmosphere is one of the mechanisms for energetic electron loss from the Van Allen radiation belts, and has consequences for the lower atmosphere. This is particularly significant during and after geomagnetic storms, when the radiation-belt loss rate, and the source population, can both increase.
In this session, we will focus on the dynamical behaviour of radiation-belt and ring-current particles, the global variability and coupling to the inner magnetosphere, the nature and spatiotemporal distribution energetic particle precipitation into the D-region, and the consequences for the underlying atmosphere. In particular we seek contributions demonstrating the spatiotemporal distribution of various waves (including electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC), chorus wave activity, magnetosonic, ECH and other); the role of the ring current in global magnetopause losses; the role of ultra low frequency (ULF) waves in energizing radiation belt particles; and the precipitation of energetic electrons (>20 keV) into the D-region ionosphere and below - through ground-based and satellite experimental observations, as well as theoretical investigations.

Keywords: radiation-belts, wave-particle interactions, energetic particle precipitation.

Invited Speakers: Marianne Daae (Norway), Ian Mann (Canada), Richard Horne (United Kingdom), and Ondrej Santolik (Czech Republic).

A07.2 Remote Sensing and Modeling of the Earth's Plasmasphere
Organiser: IAGA Div II
Lead Convenors: János Lichtenberger (Hungary)
Co-Convenor: Fred Menk (Australia)

Scope: The dynamics of the plasmasphere plays an important role in Earth's space weather system, and is governed by solar activity. The plasmasphere forms the cold plasma background for the overlapping  'warm' (ring current) and 'hot' (radiation belts) regions and its plasma distribution is a fundamental parameter for the description and modeling of various physical processes in these regions such as wave-particle interaction. This session focuses on various remote-sensing techniques: active and passive ground-based measurements using ULF-ELF-VLF electromagnetic waves as well as satellite-based methods including radio sounding and imaging as well as on modeling of the plasmasphere based on the data obtained by remote sensing.

Keywords: plasmasphere, plasma density, remote sensing, modeling, space weather, satellite and ground based measurements.

This theme deals with wide variety of space plasma processes in the solar system.

A08.1 New Techniques and Instrumentation in Space Plasma Physics
Organiser: IAGA Div III
Lead Convenor: Alain Hilgers (Netherlands)
Co-Convenors: D. Cooke (United States of America), H. Usui (Japan), Garth Patterson (Australia), Xiaoxin Zhang (China)

Scope: Recent technology advances enable a new generation of measurements and of data acquisition and logistical support for space and ground based instrumentation. Not only have advances been made to improve performance of individual instruments, for example, space based imagers and sensors but also in distributed space and ground based systems to enable improved reliability and autonomy enabling large networks of sensors. New techniques in numerical simulation, operation and analysis of data have been developed to take full advantage of the broad range of measurements provided. This session invites papers describing instrument technologies and developments applied to space physics including both space and ground based as well as papers describing new techniques of measurement, data analysis, calibration and instrument operations.

Keywords: space instruments, ground based sensors, measurements techniques

A08.2 Magnetopause and Magnetosheath Processes of the Earth and Planets: Reconnection, Diffusion and Boundary Dynamics
Organiser: IAGA Div III
Lead Convenor: Claire Foullon (United Kingdom)
Co-Convenors: Charles J. Farrugia (United States of America ), Benoit Lavraud (France), Martin Volwerk (Austria)

Scope: The magnetopause and its boundary layers are the prime sites of mass, momentum and energy transfer from the solar wind into the magnetosphere of the Earth and planets. Understanding the physics of these processes is central to magnetospheric physics. Observations of these regions are continuously ongoing owing to several dedicated spacecraft missions. Near-Earth space data are further supported by observations from ground based observatories. Lately, various planetary missions, such as VEX, Galileo, Cassini, have studied the magnetosheaths of Venus, Jupiter and Saturn, and found that, in principle, the same processes are taking place as near the Earth. New progresses in simulations (MHD, hybrid and kinetic) and theoretical knowledge allow the physics of reconnection and boundary layer processes to be elucidated as never before. This session invites contributions on a wide range of magnetopause-related topics, including observations of the structure of the magnetopause current layer, its boundary layers and their transient variations, the signatures of the various forms of plasma interactions, such as magnetic reconnection, and their relevance to solar wind-magnetosphere coupling. The basic physics of reconnection, plasma diffusion and boundary layer formation at the magnetopause, as well as the magnetosheath processes that influence magnetopause dynamics are highly relevant.

Keywords: Magnetosheath, Magnetopause, Boundary Layers

Invited Speakers: Sarah Badman (Japan), Philip Pritchett (USA), Fouad Sarahoui (France), Quanqi Shi (China)

A08.3 Understanding the physical processes that drive tail and substorm dynamics
Organiser: IAGA Div III
Lead Convenor: Larry Kepko (United States of America)
Co-Convenors: Tsugunobu Nagai (Japan), Joachim Birn (United States of America)

Scope: The era of THEMIS multi-point magnetospheric measurements combined with coordinated ground observations have yielded unprecedented insights into the linkage of dynamic phenomena during active intervals. Further, the THEMIS extended mission in the near-Earth region, combined with Cluster and other spacecraft observations and sophisticated ground based observations, have produced insight into the large scale evolution of substorms in the magnetosphere and ionosphere. Simulations, both global and local, have advanced our understanding as well. While substorm studies are often linked to specific models of onset and focus on issues of timing, we instead solicit papers that focus on physical, process-orientied studies that are necessary for understanding substorms and tail dynamics. Examples include: How is pressure redistributed at onset, especially in the near-Earth region, and how does this pressure redistribution affect substorm development? What processes are driven by flows as they travel Earthward, and how do these processes impact the local plasma and the ionosphere? What role does entropy provide on both small scale processes, such as individual flows, and large scale dynamics? Simulation results and theoretical studies that contribute to understanding the underlying physical processes that drive magnetotail dynamics are also solicited.

Keywords: substorm, plasmasheet, aurorae, ULF waves, magnetotail, reconnection

This theme deals with various aspects of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling processes.

A09.1 The plasma sheet - ionosphere, a coupled system: Sinks, sources, transport and the roles of field-aligned currents and ion outflow
Organiser: IAGA Div III and Div II
Lead Convenor: Simon Wing (United States of America)
Co-Convenors: Elizaveta Antonova (Russia), Jay Johnson (United States of America), Larry Lyons (United States of America), Hermann Luehr (Germany), Sorin G. Zaharia (United States of America)

Scope: Observations, modeling, and theory have now reached the point where the plasma sheet and its coupling to the ionosphere can be considered as a whole at Earth as well as at other planetary bodies, rather than treated as separate issues within ionosphere or plasma sheet physics. The plasma sheet is formed from particles entering directly and indirectly from solar wind and the ionosphere. The structure and asymmetry of its pressure, temperature, density, and entropy are determined by the particle entry, transport, and loss processes. All these processes are in turn strongly affected by the electrodynamical coupling with the ionosphere. The plasma sheet dynamics, in particular through the field-aligned currents, strongly affects the ionosphere via particle precipitation and Joule heating.  The ionospheric outflows can affect the transport processes in the plasma sheet.  Furthermore, the Region 2 currents cause strong modifications of the global ionospheric electric field distribution, at middle latitudes by shielding and penetrating electric fields, at higher latitudes supporting the SAPS, and in the auroral region causing the Harang electric field reversal.  In contrast to Earth, the interaction between the plasma sheet and the ionosphere at the giant magnetospheres is largely driven internally by centrifugal stresses rather than by the solar wind.  Plasma from the internal sources is transported radially outward and lost down the magnetotail.  Papers are solicited for this session on any of the above or related topics that are of importance to determining the formation of the plasma sheet (sources and losses), its structure and dynamics and/or the effects electrodynamical coupling has on ionospheric and magnetospheric processes.  Papers dealing with the system as a whole or the coupling processes are also appropriate.  

Keywords: ionosphere, plasma sheet, magnetotail, plasma transport, solar wind entry, field-aligned currents, magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, ionospheric electric field, particle precipitataion, Joule heating, Harang discontinuity, ion outflow.

Invited Speakers: Shasha Zou, Rod Heelis, Takashi Kikuchi, Hui Wang, Pontus Brandt, Pat Newell, Yusuke Ebihara, Joachim Birn, Colby Lemon, Lynn Kistler, Antonius Otto, John Lyon, Kanako Seki, Takuma Nakamura, Jimmy Raeder, Benoit Lavraud, Chih-Ping Wang, Chris Chaston, Stefan Erickson, Yasunobu Ogawa

A09.2 Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Interactions and Auroral Processes
Organiser: IAGA Div III and Div II
Lead Convenor: Robert L. Lysak (United States of America)
Co-Convenors: Eric Donovan (Canada), Takeshi Sakanoi (Japan), Robert Ergun (United States of America)

Scope: Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling entails the transport of electromagnetic power, particle energy, and mass between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere-thermosphere, and feedback between these regions.  The electromagnetic energy input powers the formation of auroral arcs, the driving of convection in the ionosphere and the outflow of ionospheric ions that can modify the dynamics of the magnetosphere.  Meridional coupling also occurs across field lines to lower latitudes during strong storm conditions, affecting the ring current and radiation belts.  Pitch angle scattering in these regions can also give rise to diffuse auroral processes.  Similar coupling processes also occur at all magnetized planets; for example, at Jupiter, field-aligned currents can play a role in angular momentum transport enforcing co-rotation. This symposium invites papers on observations, theory, simulation and modeling covering a broad range of topics: How are magnetospheric dynamics modified by M-I coupling, and how does the coupling influence the state of the ionospheric plasma and conductivity? What are the processes involved in plasma inflow/outflow, under what conditions do they occur, and how do they couple the magnetosphere and ionosphere? What role do waves and plasma instabilities play in scale-interactive M-I coupling? How are the M-I interaction and cross-latitude coupling related?  How do M-I coupling processes at Earth compare with those at other planets?

Keywords: Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling; Auroral processes; Plasma outflow; Ionospheric currents

Invited Speakers: Chris Chaston, David Knudsen, Ryusho Kataoka, Satoshi Kurita, Licia Ray, Clare Watt

A09.3 Interhemispheric Conjugacy-nonconjugacy Effects and Coupling Processes
Organiser: IAGA Div III and Div II
Lead Convenor: Renata Lukianova (Russia)
Co-Convenors: Mervyn Freeman (United Kingdom)

Scope: Contemporaneous space- and ground-based observations in the northern and southern hemispheres as well as development of global models are increasingly providing new insights into the symmetries of many processes in geospace. Geomagnetically, both polar caps are open to the solar wind while the lower latitudes are conjugate and map into the inner magnetosphere. Observations have shown strong seasonal and IMF- related variations in magnetosphere-ionosphere parameters, including field-aligned currents, cross polar cap potential, and precipitating electron energy flux. For example, the ionospheric response to processes in the magnetosphere and solar wind can be symmetric, asymmetric and even dissimilar in the northern and southern hemispheres. At different altitudes, beginning from the ground and up to the magnetosphere, the conjugate inter-hemispheric processes have their own specific features originated from the nature of corresponding atmospheric layer, so that the coupling processes are of particular importance. In this session, contributions are solicited relating to latitudinal and longitudinal hemispheric asymmetries, energy input from the solar wind to the magnetosphere in the two hemispheres, inter-hemispheric exchange, coupling and mapping between the magnetosphere and ionosphere, as well as possible influence from below. Examples from other planetary magnetospheres would be of special interest, and papers addressing bipolar issues as IPY legacy are particularly welcome.

Keywords: Magnetosphere, ionosphere, interhemispheric conjugacy, field-aligned currents, plasma convection, bipolar studies, IPY legacy.

Invited speakers: Johan De Keyser, Mike Kosch, Alexander Kozlovsky, Mark Lester, Larry Lyons, Nikolai Oesgaard, Cezar Valladares

This theme provides an overview of the latest research on the Sun and its atmosphere, from the solar interior to the outer heliosphere

A10.1 New Views of the Sun, the Interplanetary Medium, and Outer Heliosphere
Organiser: IAGA Div. IV
Lead Convenor: Karin Muglach (United States of America)
Co-Convenors: Carine Briand (France) E. Moebius (United States of America), D. Pesnell  (United States of America)

Scope: The latest solar/heliospheric missions (SDO, Hinode, STEREO, and IBEX) provide a new view of the structure and dynamics of  the Sun, the interplanetary medium, and the heliosphere. These observations challenge our knowledge of the underlying physical processes. Advances in our theoretical understanding, often in the form of models of those processes, are as important as the improved observations. This session invites contributions that emphasize new results and insights obtained from observations of space- and ground-based observatories, as well as theory and modeling of relevant aspects of the Sun and the heliosphere (including its interior, extended atmosphere, solar wind, and outer boundaries). It is aimed at stimulating exchanges and promoting discussions on the results derived from the new observations and latest research in the field.

Keywords: sun, Interplanetary Medium, Heliosphere, Solar Wind

A10.2 Plasma interactions at solar system bodies without or with weak intrinsic magnetic field
Organiser: IAGA Div. IV
Lead Convenor:   Magda Delva (Austria)
Co-Convenors: Christian Mazelle (France), Cesar Bertucci  (Argentina), N. Terada  (Japan)

Scope: This session will be a forum for presenting recent progress in the space plasma physics of solar system bodies without or with weak intrinsic magnetic field. The interaction of Mars and Venus with the solar wind is mainly of the atmospheric type, at comets a comparable situation is met. At Mercury with its only weak intrinsic field, parts of the exosphere are exposed to the solar wind leading to similar atmospheric effects. Interaction of the weakly magnetised Earth Moon or of non-magnetic satellite bodies with the local plasma environment of their planet shows different aspects of a similar process. The session will be devoted to recent results from Mars Express, Venus Express, from Cassini around Saturn’s moons and to results from the Kaguya (Selene) mission to the Earth Moon. Especially presentation of new results from a combined analysis of data from different instruments as well as from comparison of different planets and satellites is encouraged. Open topics on plasma boundaries and their dynamics, atmospheric and ionospheric escape, upstream waves, etc. will be discussed. Papers on numerical simulation, theoretical studies and comparison of numerical or theoretical results with recent data analysis are highly welcomed, as well as studies focussing on future projects and upcoming space missions like Bepi-Colombo to Mercury.

Keywords: solar wind, induced magnetosphere, weak intrinsic field, planetary exosphere

This theme covers the wide variety of physical processes taking place in
the Sun and the heliosphere

A11.1 From Micro- to Macro-scales in the Heliosphere and Magnetospheres
Organiser: IAGA Div. IV
Lead Convenor: Gary Zank (United States of America)
Co-Convenors: Quanming Lu (China), Vladimir Krasnoselskikh (France)

Scope: It is becoming increasingly apparent that kinetic processes can have a profound impact on the physics of space physical systems on the large scale. An excellent case in point is the recent observation of the energetic neutral atom ribbon by the IBEX mission and its explanation in terms of the detailed microphysics of the pick-up process of fast solar wind neutral hydrogen. Other examples are the heating of the solar corona and solar wind by kinetic processes, including turbulence, pickup processes throughout the heliosphere, the transport of turbulence in a variety of heliospheric environments, and so on. This session will focus on the incorporation of microphysical processes in macroscopic models of space physical systems, ranging from the large-scale heliosphere, the structure of boundaries throughout the heliosphere, to the magnetospheres of planets, and the atmospheres of non-magnetized bodies. The session will comprise a mix of invited and contributed presentations.

Keywords:  kinetic processes, macroscopic scales, complex processes, interplanetary medium, heliospheric boundaries, planetary boundaries

A11.2 Origin of the Solar Magnetism. The Solar Dynamos
Organiser: IAGA Div. IV
Lead Convenor:  Ana Cristina Cadavid (United States of America)
Co-Convenors: Paul Cally (Australia), Mausumi Dikpati  (United States of America)

Scope: Full understanding of the origins of solar magnetism is an unmet challenge in astrophysics. However, progress continues toward this goal, with improvement in theoretical models that is permitted both by increases in computational power and by constraints provided by an abundance of new observations of the sun and solar-type stars. The session will cover recent advances, in both theory and observation, relevant to understanding the solar dynamo. Of particular interest are the diagnostics of the models that are provided by helioseismology and asteroseismology and by the space-time patterns of magnetic activity at the solar surface and in the atmosphere. Focus also will be placed on ways of explaining and predicting solar variability at different time scales, including methods of data assimilation.

Keywords: dynamo, solar-type stars, helioseismology, magnetic activity, solar variability, data assimilation

Invited Speakers: Hideyuki Hotta (University of Tokyo); Robert Cameron (Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research);Dipankar Banerjee (Indian Institute of Astrophysics);Tim Bedding(University of Sydney); Irina Kitiashvilli (Stanford University Center for Turbulence Research); Dean Pesnell (Godard Space Flight Center);Frank Hill(National Solar Observatory USA); Wes Lockwood (Lowell Observatory);Alina Donea (Monash University); Daniel Price (Monash University); Dhrubaditya Mitra (Nordita); Gustavo Guerrero (Nordita)

A11.3 Solar, Interplanetary, and Magnetospheric Radio Emissions
Organiser: IAGA Div. IV
Lead Convenor:  Bo Li (Australia)
Co-Convenors: Baptiste Cecconi (France), Dalmiro Maia (Portugal)

Scope: The main goal of this session is to present and discuss recent developments and achievements concerning non-thermal radio emissions from the Sun, in the interplanetary space, and from planetary magnetospheres. The radio emissions are signatures of energetic particles produced by solar flares, coronal and interplanetary CMEs, and interactions between solar wind and planetary magnetospheres. Contributions from the perspectives of observations, experiments, theory, and numerical simulations are welcome. These include results from current space-borne observatories (e.g., STEREO, Cluster, Cassini, Voyager), new developments in ground-based radio telescopes (e.g., LOFAR) and future missions (e.g., BepiColombo), and topics covering all aspects concerning the modelling of radio emission and associated particle and plasma wave phenomena.

Keywords: radio emission, sun, interplanetary space, planetary magnetospheres

This theme covers new developments in the understanding and prediction of space weather and space climate

A12.1 Quantitative Prediction of Space Weather
Organiser: IAGA Div IV
Lead Convenor:  Jon Linker (U.S.A.)
Co-Convenors: Janet Kozyra (U.S.A.), Geoff Crowley (U.S.A)

Scope: Space weather has become increasingly important as our society relies more on sophisticated technologies.  Adverse consequences of space weather include impacts on satellites, power grids, communications, navigation, geologic exploration, and radiation hazards for astronauts.  Space weather prediction and forecasting is still in a nascent state when compared to terrestrial weather forecasting, with operators primarily relying on empirical models and intuition based on subjective assessment of data.  Over the past decade, there has been a rapid increase in the ability of models to quantitatively describe the space environment, as well as new space observations.  In this Symposium we focus on some of the key cross-disciplinary problems in space weather that confront operational space weather forecasters, and examine the research pathways that can lead to better quantitative predictions in the future.  This is an interdisciplinary session with contributions encouraged from solar, interplanetary, magnetospheric, and ionospheric fields.

Keywords: space weather, solar physics, interplanetary physics, ionospheric physics, magnetospheric physics, forecasting, models, magnetohydrodynamics, space radiation environment

A12.2 Geomagnetic networks, computation and definition of products for space weather and space climate
Organiser: IAGA Div IV and Div V
Lead Convenor: Kalevi Mursula (Finland)
Co-Convenors: Juan Josef Curto Subirats (Spain), Toshiko Iyemori (Japan), Renata Lukianova, Heather McCreadie (Germany)

Scope: Magnetometers are routinely used on the ground, in the magnetosphere and in the solar wind to gather information on the magnetic fields and electric currents of the changing space environment. Ground-based magnetic networks and observatories have provided important long-term data series for monitoring the space conditions over many solar cycles. This valuable global database allows us to explore both short-term changes of space weather and the long-term evolution called the space climate. In this session we solicit papers that address several issues related to geomagnetic data and indices such as: special space events and their detection; methods of classifying geomagnetic activity and storm severity; definition and derivation of geomagnetic indices (both traditional and new); geomagnetic data and indices in research and applications; geomagnetic data mining, analysis, validation, assimilation and visualisation; short-term variability of the space environment and space weather; and long-term variability and space climate; models of magnetospheric and ionospheric current systems and fields.

Keywords: geomagnetic data, geomagnetic activity indices, space weather, space climate 

This symposium covers many aspects of magnetic data and products from practical issues to latest scientific results obtained in the new magnetic satellite era.

A13.1 Geomagnetic observatories, their Instrumentation and Management – Basement for Geomagnetic Research
Organiser: IAGA Div V
Lead Convenor: Hans-Joachim Linthe
Co-Convenors: Manuel Catalan  

Scope: Data of high quality are only achievable by well-equipped and properly managed geomagnetic observatories. The value of scientific research study results depends basically on the quality of the used data. Especially in a time of personnel reduction, increasing number of remotely operated observatories and enlarging of anthropogenic noise at several observatories the meeting of high quality standards becomes more and more a challenge. We invite contributions on new aspects of instrumentation, measurement practice, data acquisition and observatory management. Moreover, presentations on instrument calibration as well as scientific evaluation of observatory data are welcome.

Keywords: Geomagnetic observatories, magnetic field, data quality

A13.2 Results from the decade of geopotential research and beyond
Organiser: IAGA Div V
Lead Convenor: Ciaran Beggan (United Kingdom)
Co-Convenor: Vincent Lesur (Germany)

Scope: The ‘Decade of Geopotential Research’, inaugurated with the launch of Ørsted in 1999, and continuing with CHAMP and SAC-C, officially ended in 2009. The decade saw an international effort to promote and coordinate a continuous monitoring of the geopotential (magnetic and gravity) field variability in the near-Earth environment. In the near future the launch of the next-generation satellite mission, Swarm, will continue this effort, generating an exciting new set of data from the integration of measurements taken by a three-satellite constellation mission. Combined with ground-based and other satellite observations, the new data will open further opportunities for studies ranging from core flow, mantle conductivity, lithospheric composition and ocean flow to the dynamics of ionospheric and magnetospheric currents. Contributions to these topics and the new satellite missions are solicited. This session will include results from the current high quality data returned from near-Earth satellites, and an opportunity to look forward to future results from the new satellite missions.

Keywords: magnetic field, satellite missions, geopotential fields

All aspects of modelling and interpreting the lithospheric magnetic field are combined in this symposium.

A14.1 Modeling of lithospheric and induced magnetic fields
Organiser: IAGA Div V
Lead Convenor: Mohamed Hamoudi
Co-Convenor: Mita Rajaram

Scope: At the Earth’s surface, the magnetic field is a vector resultant of magnetic contributions from internal and external sources. These different contributions present a wide range of time-scales,
length-scales and amplitudes. From 1999 the Danish Oersted, German Champ and SAC-C satellites have been collecting high-accuracy, high-resolution magnetic vector and scalar data. These satellite data combined with airborne, ground based and shipborne magnetic data allow a better description of the geomagnetic field and particularly of the lithospheric field.
Furthermore, the description of the lithospheric field can be locally
improved if :
1) information of the magnetic properties of the underlying rocks is available and
2) information of the magnetic field induced by external field (ionosphere and/or magnetosphere) inside a conductive material is available.
In this session we invite contributions related to the mapping of the lithospheric magnetic field using satellite and near-earth (i.e airborne, ground based and shipborne) data. Contributions dealing with the mathematical and physical modeling of the different magnetic sources, the separation of their contribution are also welcome.

Keywords: lithosphere, magnetic anomaly field

A14.2 Seismological and Tectonic interpretation of geomagnetic data combined with other geophysical results
Organiser: IAGA Div V
Lead Convenor: Michael Purucker (United States of America)
Co-Convenors: J. Kayal (India), D.Ravat (United States of America), W. Mooney (United States of America)

Scope: Interpretations of magnetic field observations (total field and gradients) are often complemented by other geophysical data (seismic and non-seismic). When jointly interpreted, these data yield results that have important implications for Earth structure, tectonics, structural geology, and seismic hazards. Thus, the interpretations often have societal relevance. We solicit presentations which integrate geological and geophysical studies to evaluate seismic hazards, tectonics, subduction zone processes, and impacts. Such work often includes LIDAR, magnetics, gravity, and magneto-telluric observations.

Keywords: seismic hazards, geomagnetism, tectonics, subduction, impact cratering

A14.3 World Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map 2011
Organiser: IAGA Div V
Lead Convenor: Erwan Thebault (France)
Co-Convenors:  Juha V.Korhonen (Finland), Peter Milligan (Australia)

Scope: Invited talks of the session include: WDMAM2011, its candidate maps and their evaluation, major new data sets (Land, Sea and Space), comparison between sources of global magnetic and gravity anomalies, plus opportunities of SWARM-mission to future editions of the WDMAM. Presentations are called for new methods of data reduction, anomaly definition and geophysical-geological interpretation of global anomalies. Use of petrophysical information in anomaly interpretation and considering time dependent variation of anomalies in compilation and interpretation are solicited.

Keywords: magnetic anomalies, magnetic models, lithosphere, Earth

A14.4 Multifaceted geophysical and geological investigations of the lithospheric structures
Organiser: IAGA ICDC and Div V
Lead Convenor: S.G.Gokarn (India)
Co-Convener: K Veeraswamy (India)

Scope: The high degree of the nonuniqueness in the geophysical interpretations could be reduced to varied extent by combining the results of different techniques. At present, the combination of the geoelectromagnetic studies with gravity, seismic geothermal and other geophysical studies is being used towards this goal. In recent times, the information on the deep interior of the earth obtained using several modern geological tools such as, the P-T Diagrams and other studies of the Xenoliths and Eclogites, etc could also be used to better investigate the deeper strata of the earth. This session is intended to encourage the use of such multidisciplinary approach towards more unambiguous understanding of the earth’s interior and help constrain the crustal and tectonic evolutionary models better.

Keywords: geophysical interpretations, non-uniqueness, geoelectromagnetism, gravity, seismic, geothermal, P-T diagrams.

A15.1 Reporter’s Review
Organiser: IAGA Div III
Lead Convenor: Anna Milillo (Italy)
Co-Convenors: None   

Scope: Research activities in 2009-2011 in 8 themes will be given by the Reporters. The themes are (1) Magnetopause and boundary layer, (2) Auroral phenomena, (3) ULF waves, (4) Tail dynamics, (5) Inner-magnetosphere, (6) Wave-particle interaction in the inner-magnetosphere, (7) Global magnetospheric dynamics, and (8) Magnetospheres other than Earth.

Keywords: Magnetospheres, magnetopause, aurorae, wave-particle interaction, ULF wave, magnetospheric tail, inner magnetosphere.

A15.2 Reporter’s Review
Organiser: IAGA Div IV
Lead Convenor: Mari Paz Miralles (United States of America)
Co-Convenors: Jorge Sánchez Almeida (Spain)

Scope: This session contains reviews of recent advances, both theoretical and observational, on the Sun, solar wind, and heliosphere. Given by active researchers, these reviews will cover a comprehensive  range of topics in a manner that is accessible to researchers from other IAGA Divisions, while offering synthesis and context to  Division IV scientists. All talks in this session are by invitation only.

Keywords: Sun, Solar Wind, Heliosphere

A15.3 Reporter’s Review
Organiser: IAGA Div V
Lead Convenor: Monika Korte
Co-Convenors: A. Thomson (United Kingdom)

Scope: This session is composed of invited papers which review important progress, innovation or discovery in observation, modelling and interpretation of the geomagnetic field. All Division-V research topics are covered: geomagnetic data acquisition systems; magnetic field observations (ground and satellite measurements and survey programs); field modelling and interpretation; geomagnetic indices; data dissemination and analysis; all in the context of improved understanding of the geomagnetic field and its sources.

Keywords: geomagnetism, observation, modelling, interpretation

This theme deals with certain aspects of the history of space physics

A16.1 The History of Space Weather Forecasting
Organiser: IAGA Inter-Divisional Commission on History
Lead Organiser: Phil Wilkinson (Australia)
Co-convenor: John Kennewell (Australia)

Scope: Long before the term “space weather” was invented, the need to forecast the effect of extra-terrestrial agents on terrestrial systems was recognized.  The first attempts at forecasting were probably testing scientific hypotheses.  When the global nature of the processes were recognized, exchanges were arranged to distribute data needed to make forecasts as well as the forecasts themselves.  The International URSIGRAM and World Day Service (IUWDS) carried out that function for many years and had a change of name to the International Space Environment Services (ISES) to better reflect this role.  For many, the functional history of forecasting starts in 1956-57 – the International Geophysical year, when global forecasting agencies around the world coordinated their forecasts in an effort to help researchers make additional observations during and before disturbances of the Earth’s environment.  Some agencies came into being at this time; others started to recognized their role.  The success of this era was built on earlier efforts to forecast the effects of the ionosphere on HF radio and changes in the Earth’s magnetic field.  The 1979 Boulder Solar-Prediction Workshop was a watershed and the follow-on workshops brought many in the field together to exchange ideas.  This session will explore the development of space weather forecasting from its inception, when it was little more than a scientific curiosity, to the present day, when it is a recognized service. 

Keywords: space weather, forecasting, predictions, history

A16.2 History of Auroral Research
Organiser:  IAGA Inter-Divisional Commission on History
Lead Convenor: Alv Egeland (Norway)

Scope: Auroral history represents an interesting and fascinating story which can be traced into the distant past. Vague descriptions of aurora can be found in ancient Chinese, Japanese, Greek and Roman literature. In Nordic literature we have an 800-year old chronicle where it is listed what a King and Crown Officials need to know about northern lights, including their interpretations.  The main scope of the Symposium is to deal with the number of ideas and theories of lasting importance in the field of auroral physics which were advanced during the period 1880 to 1940. Much wisdom and worldly experiences can be learned from auroral history.  Carl Størmer’s (1874-1957) main theoretical and experimental results will be presented and the works of a few other auroral pioneers will be focused on. The history of proton auroras will be reviewed.  A presentation will be made on auroral characteristics that have changed our understanding of the electrodynamics of the upper polar atmosphere and the magnetosphere.  An invited lecture to stimulate the general interest in auroral physics is planned.  Contributions are invited on all aspects of the history of auroral research, both for the aurora borealis and, befitting our venue, aurora australis.

Keywords:  auroral history, auroral physics, geomagnetic disturbances, polar ionosphere, solar activities, solar wind, auroral particles, polar ionosphere

Invited Speakers:

• Professor Bengt Hultquis, IRG, Kiruna, Swedent: Hannes Alfvèn's role in auroral research
• Professor Charles Deehr, Alaska, USA: Auroral Research in Alaska, USA' s window to the North Through four Polar Years.
• Dr. Torben Stockflest Jørgensen, Copenhagen, Denmark: Auroral research in Greenland in connection with the first Polar Year 1881/82
• Professor Okano, Univ. of Tohoku, Japan: Auroral research in Japan up to the space age.
• Director Kolbjørn Dahle, ARS and Professor Alv Egeland Norway: WHY AND HOW TO STIMULATE THE INTEREST FOR AURORAL HISTORY
• Professor Pekka Tanskanen, Univ. Oulu, Finland: Auroral research in Finland up to the space age
  

Organiser: IUGG Union Commission on Study of the Earth and Deep Interior
Co-sponsors: IAGA, IASPEI, IAVCEI
Principal Convenors: Gauthier Hulot (France)
Co-convenors: Michael Bergman (United States of America), Greg Houseman (United Kingdom), Satoru Tanaka (Japan),

Scope: The broad goal of this symposium is to report on the latest progress in our understanding of the past, current and future state of the Earth’s deep interior.  The ‘deep interior’ is broadly interpreted to include the core and lower mantle, but interest inevitably extends to the upper mantle, for example, in the study of mantle plumes or dynamics of descending lithospheric slabs. The scientific questions and problems of interest to this session include 1) the composition, state and material properties of the Earth’s deep interior as revealed by experimental and theoretical means; 2) the thermal evolution of the Earth, in particular the various convective regimes the core and mantle may have experienced through the Earth’s history, as predicted by theoretical, numerical simulation and experimental studies; 3) the way this evolution may be reconciled with the current and past dynamical state of the Earth, as revealed by geophysical, geochemical and paleomagnetic data; 4) the age, growth, structure and dynamics of the inner core, especially in view of understanding its present inhomogeneous and anisotropic properties; 5) the dynamics of the outer core and of the field generated by its dynamo at all time scales. Particularly welcome are cross-disciplinary and cross-methodological (theoretical, numerical, experimental, and observational) contributions, especially in view of better understanding the way the inner-core, the outer core and the mantle may have been, and may still, be interacting with each other. Invited and contributed papers will be presented in this session.

Keywords: core, lower mantle, upper mantle, mantle plumes, descending lithosphere, thermal evolution, convection, mantle composition, geodynamo, growth and structure of the inner core.

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors

Options: All contributed abstracts will be presented as posters. Only invited papers will be scheduled for oral presentations.

Organisers: IAG
Co-sponsors: IAGA, IASPEI, IAVCEI, International Lithosphere Program (ILP), and International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)
Lead Convenors: John Dawson (Australia)
Co-convenors: Sierd Cloetingh (The Netherlands), Ian Ferguson (Canada), Kevin Furlong (United States of America)

Scope: Understanding the structure and deformation of plate interiors and their margins has important implications for society, and more and more there will be a reliance on a knowledge base of its past, present and future state. For example, society's increasing demand for energy and groundwater security will require geoscientists to address issues associated with geothermal energy supply, geo-sequestration of waste products, the impact of groundwater use, and natural hazards. This will require integrated and new approaches to the observation, modelling and interpretation of processes within the crust and lithosphere. This symposium shall consist of invited talks that will address the science associated with the structure and deformation of the Australian Plate including recent developments and findings in Earth imaging, numerical modeling, inversion, data mining approaches, earthquake seismology, volcanology and geodetic measurement of crustal deformation.

Keywords: Continental lithosphere, Australian plate, deformation

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors

Options: All contributed abstracts will be presented as posters. Only invited papers will be scheduled for oral presentations. Tentative list of invited speakers

Organiser: IUGG Union Commission for Data and Information
Co-sponsors: ICSU, IAG, IAGA, IAPSO
Principal Convenors: Peter Fox (United States of America), Charles Barton (Australia)
Co-Convenors: Alik Ismail-Zadeh (Germany), Weijia Kuang, Ruth Neilan, Mark Parsons (all United States of America), Roger Proctor (Australia), Bernd Richter (Germany), Adelina Geyer Traver (Spain), Richard Swinbank (United Kingdom).

Scope: Science has fully entered a new mode of operation. Data science (including e-science) defined as a combination of science, informatics, computer science, cyber infrastructure and information technology is changing the way all of these disciplines do both their individual and collaborative work. IUGG scientists are facing global problems of a magnitude, complexity and interdisciplinary nature that progress is limited by available knowledge and skills that are required to solve these problems. At the heart of this new way of doing science, especially experimental and observational science but also increasingly computational science, is the generation of data. As a result, new opportunities exist for the assimilation of data into a variety of geophysical models that span several geoscience disciplines. The goal of this session is to assess the current state of data science and informatics effort in support of IUGG science and indicate successful progress made to date and the challenges that presently exist. The session will also highlight the progress and perspectives in data assimilation studies in various fields of geophysics.

Keywords: informatics, computer science, cyber infrastructure, information technology, data generation.

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors

Options: All contributed abstracts will be presented as posters. Only invited papers will be scheduled for oral presentations.

Organisers: IAGA and IUGG Commission on Mathematical Geophysics
Co-sponsors: IAG, IAPSO
Principal Convenor: Matthias Holschneider (Germany)
Co-convenors: Shin-Chan Han (United States of America), Nico Sneeuw (Germany), Gordon Swaters (Canada)

Scope: Advances in mathematics have always been in close relation with progress in the natural sciences and vice versa new mathematical tools have pushed forward the frontiers of knowledge. This symposium mission is to exploit breakthroughs in the mathematical approaches to various fields of geophysics. In particular new developments in functional and numerical analysis and in statistics shall be presented with their implication for geophysical data analysis and system modelling. We invite contributions from new approaches using innovative field parameterisations of potential fields like space and time localizing functions to the analysis and processing of irregular data geometries like satellite observations of magnetic or gravity fields. Kalman filtering techniques and data assimilation have opened new perspectives in time dependent geopotential field modelling. New developments in numerical techniques make it possible to simulate the dynamical behaviour of geophysical systems on geologic timescales (mantle processes) and very short timescale (core processes) many different space and time scales. The recently exploding field of Bayesian analysis and machine learning allows innovative ways of exploring data with high uncertainty as in the field of seismic risk estimation. An important topic to be addressed in this symposium is also the connection of models and data. In particular new approaches to model validation and model selection are welcome.

Keywords: geopotential fields, processing irregular data geometry, magnetic field, gravity field, seismic risk, Kalman filtering, data assimilation, analytical and numerical techniques, Bayesian analysis, model validation

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors.

Options: All contributed abstracts will be presented as posters. Only invited papers will be scheduled for oral presentations.

Invited Speakers: Doron Nof, Paul Tackley

Organiser: IAGA
Co-sponsors: IACS, IAG, IAMAS, IAPSO, IASPEI
Principal Convenors: Eigil Friis-Christensen (Denmark)
Co-Convenors: Ian Allison (Australia), Hugo Beltrami (Canada), Steven Nerem (United States of America), Gerassimos Papadopoulos (Greece), Denise Smythe-Wright (United Kingdom)

Scope: Climate change is a topic, which is on the top of the agenda, not only within the science community but also in the society at large. IUGG is a scientific organization, which covers many of the aspects of climate change including the causes, anthropogenic and natural, as well as the consequences. The purpose of this symposium is to demonstrate by invited speakers from various disciplines the complexity of the issue and the need for interdisciplinary initiatives in order to understand the science and the way it has an impacts on our society. IUGG is the primary scientific organizations to offer both the scientific expertise of the Associations and the overall perspective.

Keywords: climate dynamics, natural causes of climate change, anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors.

Options: All contributed abstracts will be presented as posters. Only invited papers will be scheduled for oral presentations.

Organiser: IAGA – as part of IUGG Geoscience in Africa initiative and the eGY-Africa program.
Co-sponsors. IAG, IAHS, IAMAS, IAPSO, IASPEI, IAVCEI, African Geospace Society (AGS), Association of African Universities (AAU), Africa Earth Observing Network (AEON), AfricaArray; ICSU Regional Office for Africa, CODATA, International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP), UN Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development (UN-GAID), U.S. InterAcademy Panel on International Issues (IAP); European Enabling Grid for e-Science (EGEE); Geoscience Information in Africa (GIRAF); and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste (ICTP).
Principal Convenor: Charles Barton (Australia)
Co-convenors: Abdelkrim Aoudia (Algeria), Hussein A. Abd-Elmotaal (Egypt), Rabiu Babatunde (Nigeria), Harouna Karambiri (Burkina Faso), Christine Amory-Mazaudier (France), Daniel Nyanganyura (South Africa), Laban Ogallo (Kenya), Bamol Sow (Senegal), Maarten de Wit (South Africa).

Scope: The session will cover a combination of both the leading Earth and space science being undertaken and planned in Africa in the areas covered by all eight Associations, and also infrastructure issues (such as efforts to create a better professional environment for African scientists, open access to publications, internet connectivity, support for African science, education, and training). The symposium will provide (i) a forum for presenting and discussing the latest African geoscientific research, (ii) a cross-disciplinary view of geoscientific activity in Africa (Africa being the focus of the symposium), (iii) a stimulus for stronger interest and participation in African science by African and non-African scientists, and (iv) an opportunity to explore progress in creating a better professional working environment for people engaged in scientific research, education, and training in Africa.

Keywords: geoscience in Africa, integrated African research, unique African geoscience, research and education infrastructure, Internet connectivity, research and education networks, open access to publications, professional geoscientific bodies.

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors.

Options: All contributed abstracts may be presented as posters. The convenors will invite selected papers for oral presentations.

Organiser: IUGG
Co-sponsors: IACS, IAG, IAGA, IAHS, IAMAS, IAPSO, IASPEI, and IAVCEI
Lead Convenors: Harsh Gupta (India) and László Szarka (Hungary)

Scope: Earth and space sciences have played an increasingly important role in the past few decades in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of our planet and its environment. This development addresses the challenging endeavor to enrich human lives with the bounties of Nature as well as to preserve the planet for generations to come. Early career scientists have an extremely important role to play. They are the key players for the future development of Earth Sciences. At this Union Symposium, speakers (up to 40 years) from different geoscientific research disciplines will share their experience, expectations, successes, and concerns. We expect that the symposium's presentations will address the topic of what should be done in IUGG and its Associations for enhancing the role of Earth and space sciences in the service of mankind.

This symposium is under active development.

Organiser: IAG
Co-sponsor: IAGA Inter-Divisional Commission on History, IASPEI
Lead Convenor: József Ádám (Hungary)
Co-Convenors: Kristine Harper (United States of America), Ron Doel (United States of America), Greg Good (United States of America), Alice Walker (United Kingdom)

Scope: With the launch of the International Geophysical Year-related Sputnik in 1957, the possibility of remotely-sensed geophysical data took a step closer to reality. Within a few years, sensors on satellites provided images of clouds, atmospheric temperature data, precise point positions, gravity and magnetic field parameters, Earth orientation in space, and data from regions from which little to no geophysical data had been available. These new data, in turn, prompted new research questions and the possibility of answering them. This session will explore this question: how has satellite-based remote sensing changed the research agenda and methodology of geophysics in the past 50 years?

Keywords: satellites, remote sensing, models, geophysics, Earth systems
science, history

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the Convenors

Options: Contributed papers are optionally oral or poster presentations

Organiser: IAG
Co-sponsors: IACS, IAGA, IAHS, IAMAS, IAPSO, IASPEI, IAVCEI, IOC, GOOS, GCOS, GEO/GEOSS
Lead Convenor: Markus Rothacher (Switzerland)
Co-convenors: Ruth Neilan (United States of America), Mioara Mandea (France), Keith Alverson (France), Massimo Cocco (Italy)

Scope: Earth observations are the fundamental basis for most IUGG scientific research, activities, and applications. Integrating these observations is of increasing importance to better understand our planet Earth and the challenges we face now and in the coming decades. These observations are of vital importance for virtually all associations working under the auspices of IUGG and inter-association, even inter-Union activities are being further developed or initiated.  Entities like the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS), and the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), along with the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), demonstrate the need for highly collaborative international observations that target key questions, and the systems necessary to integrate them for multi-disciplinary applications and decision-making. The importance of developing global observing strategies is recognized by GEO, the Group on Earth Observations, with its main aim to develop the GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems), which is supported on the government level by about more than 80 countries. This symposium shall give an overview of the major international developments towards integrating Earth observations, Inter-Union activities of the International Council for Science (ICSU), and developments within the IUGG associations.

Keywords: earth observations, monitoring systems

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the Convenors

Options: Contributed papers are optionally oral or poster presentations

Organisers: IAMAS (ICDM, ICMA), IAPSO, IAHS, IAGA, IACS
Lead Convenor: William Lahoz (Norway)
Co-convenors: Craig Bishop (United States of America), Mu Mu (China), Michele Rienecker (United States of America), Jeffrey Walker (Australia), Tomoko Matsuo (United States of America), Ian Fenty (United States of America)
           
Scope: The session will provide a forum for presentation and discussion of the latest research in data assimilation and ensemble forecasting. The effectiveness of data assimilation and ensemble forecasting is inextricably linked to our ability to estimate the distribution of truth given limited information. Given imperfect and sparse observations together with an imperfect forecasting system, data assimilation focuses on estimating the distribution of current and past states while ensemble forecasting strives for the distribution of future states. Data assimilation schemes need an estimate of the distribution of truth given a short term forecast – a key objective of ensemble forecasting. The intertwining of the aims of data assimilation and ensemble forecasting makes it likely that data assimilation experts can help ensemble forecasting experts and vice-versa. We are calling for presentations of outstanding research in data assimilation and ensemble forecasting. Particular data assimilation topics include:

• Advanced assimilation methods, including hybrid variational and ensemble-based approaches, weak constraint 4D-VAR and model error estimation;
• Improved use of observations: observing system experiments and observing system simulation experiments, adaptive observing methods, calculation of observation sensitivities;
• Assimilation of data from new satellite instruments, such as COSMIC, CloudSat, IASI, SMOS, Aquarius and ADM-Aeolus;
• Space Weather, including applications to the heliosphere, the magnetosphere, and the ionosphere-thermosphere system;
• Polar assimilation: exploiting the considerable data collected during the IPY and subsequently via the Arctic Observing Network.

Contributions on ensemble forecasting for short, medium, seasonal and climate time scales are all welcome. Specific sub-topics include:

• improved methods for initializing ensemble forecasts,
• estimation and representation of model error, and
• ensemble post-processing to optimize the value of probabilistic forecasts to decision makers.

Keywords:  observations, satellite data, advanced methods, decision makers

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors

Options: Accepted abstracts will be presented as either oral or posters as determined by the convenors.

Invited Speakers: Eugenia Kalnay (USA), Vincent-Henri Peuch (France)/Johannes Orphal (Germany), Meng Zhiyong (China), Takemasa Miyoshi (USA), Gabrielle DeLannoy (USA), Peter Oke (Australia), Attila Komjathy (USA), Mark Buehner (Canada)

Organisers: IAMAS (ICMA), IAGA
Lead Convenor: Alexei Krivolutsky (Russia)
Co-convenors:  Jan Lastovicka (Czech Republic)
                       
Scope: This symposium focuses on new results, which demonstrate the response of the middle atmosphere and lower ionosphere composition and dynamics to short/long-term forcing caused by solar UV variations, energetic particles, and various processes associated with geomagnetic storms. The results obtained by ground based or satellite observations, and also by model simulations are welcome. The analysis and modelling of the behaviour of atmospheric tides during intense external forcing periods, and chemical neutral and ion compositions during the influence of meteorite fluxes are encouraged.

Keywords: High atmosphere, satellite observations, modelling studies, external forcing

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors

Options: Accepted abstracts will be presented as either oral or posters as determined by the convenors.

Invited Speakers: Lon Hood (USA); Bernd Funke (Spain); Oleg Troshichev (Russia); Irina Mironova (Russia); Pekka Verronen (Finland); Jan Maik Wissing (Germany)

Organisers:  IAMAS (ICAE), IAGA (Division II)
Lead Convenors: Colin Price (Israel), Fernanda T. São Sabbas (Brazil)
Co-convenors:  Gabriella Satori (Hungary), Elisabeth Blanc (France)

Please note IAGA A06.4 has merged into this symposium.

Scope: Thunderstorms are an important component of the Earth's weather and climate.  While thunderstorms can be associated with severe weather, and associated natural hazards, they also impact global atmospheric circulation, atmospheric chemistry and the global electric circuit.  Thunderstorms are also related to the recently discovered Transient Luminous Events (TLEs) and Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes (TGFs) in the upper atmosphere. TGFs show the large energy exchanges between the Earth's atmospheric layers. Global thunderstorm activity is modulated by solar forcing on many spatial and temporal scales, from local to global, and from daily to inter-annual scales. Thunderstorms are also a source of gravity waves and infrasound.

This session welcomes papers in all aspects related to the meteorology and climatology of thunderstorms, their dynamical and electrodynamical coupling to different layers of the atmosphere, including ionospheric and magnetospheric effects, and similar processes on other planets.

Keywords: thunderstorms, lightning, sprites, severe weather, TLEs, mesosphere, ionosphere, global electric circuit, climate

Review: All contributed abstracts will be reviewed by the convenors

Options: Accepted abstracts will be presented as either oral or posters as determined by the convenors.

Invited Speakers: Yukihiro Takahashi (Japan); Michael Briggs (USA); Yuriy Kuleshov (Australia)

Organiser: IASPEI
Co-Sponsors: IAPSO and IAGA; An ION Proposal
Lead Convenors:  R. Stephen (United States of America)
Co-convenors: M. Best (Canada), P. Favali (Italy), B. M. Howe (United States of America), Y. Kaneda (Japan), P. Grenard (Austria), P. Tarits (France)

Scope: Coastal, regional and global permanent cabled seafloor observatories are under development and installation in many countries.  These systems have the goal of providing continuous, real-time data from the seafloor and up through the water column for durations longer than five years.  At the same time, the duration of traditional temporary, autonomously recording, seafloor geophysical experiments is being extended to a year or more, resulting in quasi-permanent observational systems. This session will focus on the scientific results from permanent and quasi-permanent seafloor observatories

Organiser: IASPEI
Co-Sponsors: IAGA, IAVCEI
Lead Convenors: Hugh O'Neill (Australia), Greg Yaxley (Australia), Ian Jackson (Australia), Tetsuo Irifune (Japan), Catherine McCammon (Germany), Takashi Yoshino (Japan)

Scope: This symposium is intended to provide a forum for presentation and discussion of research into the physico-chemical behaviour of geological materials with implications for the structure and evolution of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. Topics of current interest include elasticity and rheology; diffusion; electrical conductivity; oxidation state of the mantle; carbon in the mantle under varying P-T-redox conditions; partial melting in a heterogeneous mantle and melt extraction; metamorphic phase equilibria and dehydration of subducting slab; refertilization and melting of the mantle wedge; the distinctive properties of cratonic roots; water in nominally anhydrous minerals and its impact on elasticity and rheology. Contributions on these and other related topics are welcome.
This Symposium is also listed by IAVCEI as J-V03.

Keynote Speaker: Prof Tomoo Katsura (Bayreuth, Germany)

Invited Speakers: Dr Jörg Hermann (Australian National University), Cin-Ty Lee (Rice University), Shun-ichiro Karato (Yale University)

Organiser: IASPEI
Co-Sponsors: IACS, IAG, IAGA
Lead Convenor: Ian Allison (Australia)
Co-convenors: Marino Russi (Italy), Doug Wiens (United States of America), Aude Chambodut (France), Reinhard Dietrich (Germany)

Scope: New instrumental and data analysis techniques, and increased scientific activity during the International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY) have led to major recent advances in our understanding of the geophysics of both the Antarctic and Arctic regions.  This symposium will focus on the current status of geophysical and geodetic research in both polar regions.  It may include results, for example, from the large airborne geophysical surveys undertaken in Antarctica during IPY, and new and ongoing monitoring efforts.  Although still limited, the seismic instrumental coverage of the Antarctic continent and in Greenland has been lately improved and ocean bottom seismograph deployment projects are under way. Papers on network improvements and data acquisition in these difficult environments are welcome. Recent studies with new data on both seismic sources and lithospheric structure and deformation and related discontinuities are very much encouraged.

The session will also be an opportunity to present the latest studies on temporal and spatial variations of Earth's magnetic field that focus on the polar perspective. Papers, on topics including network improvements, data acquisition and modeling results in these remote areas are welcome. Recent studies on both magnetic phenomena generated externally to the Earth, as well as magnetic phenomena generated in the Earth's interior, are encouraged. The symposium aims to also provide a forum that could lead to a better co-ordination of national and international efforts in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Organisers: IASPEI, IAGA, IAVCEI
Lead Convenors: M. Johnston (United States of America), T. Harinarayana (India)

Scope: The realization that earthquakes, aseismic fault failure and tsunamis generate electromagnetic phenomena has been the subject of intense interest during the past few years. Crustal phenomena may arise directly and/or indirectly from source processes driving these tectonic events and may reflect the roles of fluids in active faulting. Unfortunately, not all aspects of these measurements, or theories proposed to explain them, are well understood. Tsunami effects arise from the movement of conducting seawater in the Earths’ magnetic field. This symposium will focus on the following four main areas of investigation:
- Measurements of electric and magnetic fields near active faults and with tsunamis
- Controlled laboratory observations and observations from natural laboratories such as locked faults, slipping faults and stress from dam loading/filling,
- Theoretical considerations regarding source generation mechanisms.
- Measurement resolution, data quality, identification separation and removal of spurious signal sources.
Each of these areas provides insight into, and quantification of, electromagnetic fields generated by earthquakes and tsunamis.

Organisers: IASPEI, IAGA, IAVCEI
Lead Convenors: M. Parrot (France), Y. Hobara (Japan)

Scope: Observations of electromagnetic phenomena associated with seismic and volcanic activities have been reported for many years. Perturbations occur not only in the lithosphere but also in the atmosphere and ionosphere, leading to the generation of a new science field, lithosphereatmosphere- ionosphere coupling. This session will accept papers dealing with new observational findings on the seismic effects with satellites. Contributions along the following lines are also encouraged:
- The TEC variation provided by GPS satellites,
- Coordinated satellite and ground-based EM experiments.

Organisers: IASPEI, IAGA, IAVCEI
Lead Convenor: J. Zlotnicki (France)
Co-convenors: Y. Sasai (Japan), V. Spichak (Russia)

Scope: Electromagnetic methods have been intensively applied to volcanic systems, hydrothermal and geothermal fields for understanding the structure and tectonic setting, and for monitoring the activity. Analyses of long time series undoubtedly show that magnetic and electric effects can precede volcanic eruptions, and geothermal activities. The development of new technologies and methodologies allows us to clarify the relationships among magmatic, hydrothermal, environmental and mechanical processes. Combination of land and satellite EM studies with other geophysical observations could also drastically improve the description and understanding of on-going processes.
The session will focus on the following lines:
- EM tomography and modelling of volcanic/geothermal environments,
- Integrated EM monitoring such as self-potential, magnetic, electric, magnetotelluric, combined with satellite observations,
- Joint EM, geochemical, thermal, ground deformation and seismic observations,
- Laboratory experiments and physical mechanisms of EM generation processes,
- Modelling of volcanic activity

This Symposium is also listed by IAVCEI as J-V09

Organisers: IASPEI, IAGA, IAVCEI
Lead Convenor: T. Nagao (Japan)
Co-convenors: Konstantinos Eftaxias (Greece), Friedemann Freund (United States of America)

Scope: It is generally believed that the achievement of the short-term earthquake prediction is very difficult. However, this topic is one of the ultimate goals of the solid earth sciences. Furthermore, to achieve short-term prediction, the unambiguous identification of precursory phenomena is essential. During the past few decades, there have been strong arguments about the reality of the existence of “reliable” precursory phenomena. In this session, we would like to focus not only on electromagnetic “precursors” but all suggestions of “reliable” earthquake precursors. Most important will be evidence showing clear uniqueness of these signals in the long-term record, relation to other independent geophysical data and their generation mechanisms. Thus, we would like to discuss the following topics from a critical points of view.
1) All kinds of evidences of precursory phenomena, involving seismic, geodetic, geochemical, hydrological, in addition to electromagnetic anomalies, and their inter-relationships.
2) Theoretical models and lab experiments to explain the physical mechanisms behind precursory phenomena.
3) Study of various data bases with new procedures (e.g. critical approach).

Organiser: IAVCEI
Co-sponsors: IASPEI, IAG, IAGA
Lead Convenors: Setsuya Nakada (Japan), Chris Newhall (Singapore), Freysteinn Sigmundsson (Iceland), Gill Jolly (New Zealand), Joan Marti (Spain)

Scope: Forecasting future eruptions based on monitoring and observation data is an  important issue for the volcanological community including IAVCEI. Anomalies are usually detectable when monitoring or observation with sufficient instruments is carried out, and the onset of eruptions can often be forecast.  However, false alarms remain a problem, and the style and duration of an eruption are still hard to forecast.  In addition to monitoring data, forecasting may use models of volcanic behavior, and always refers to geological and historical records of eruptions of the volcano in question and its analogues.  We still need a forecasting strategy for super eruptions, which will surely occur, threatening serious damage to human communities in the global scale. We seek papers that will deal with forecasting, monitoring and observation of recent and future eruptions, including geophysical, geochemical and geological methods. Papers of forecasting based on physical and chemical models are also welcomed.

Keynote Speakers: Warner Marzocchi (Italy) & Servando De la Cruz Reyna (Mexico)

Organiser: IAVCEI
Co-sponsor:  IAGA
Lead Convenors: Massimiliano Porreca (Azores, Portugal), Massimo Mattei (Italy), Michael Ort (United States of America), Laurie Brown (United States of America), John Geissman (United States of America)

Scope: In the last two decades, there has been an increasing use of paleomagnetism to study different volcanic processes in active and old volcanoes. The many applications include all types of volcanic products, from extrusive to intrusive rocks, from lava to pyroclastic flows, from fallout to secondary reworked lahar deposits.  The paleomagnetic techniques applied to these rocks can provide useful information about their age as well as aid in understanding eruptive, transport, and depositional processes. In active volcanoes, paleosecular variation (PSV) of the Earth's magnetic field is increasingly considered as a valid tool to date historical eruptions.  The magnetization of volcanic products contains information about the thermal conditions during their emplacement. The most typical case is that of pyroclastic flows, for which the final temperature of deposition can be estimated by analyzing the magnetization in the lithic clasts.  Transport and depositional process are also studied using anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), which is a very rapid and reliable technique to investigate the mineral fabric of rocks. It is therefore a very useful method to infer flow directions in ignimbrites, lava and intrusive magmatic bodies (e.g. dikes, sills and plutons).  Several other techniques are also being employed to better understand volcanic processes. This session will focus on how paleomagnetism and the study of magnetic fabric can help us better understand different volcanic processes. Approaches that employ a combination of paleomagnetism and other geophysical and geological approaches are particularly encouraged.

Keynote speakers: Roberto Lanza, Edgardo Canon-Tapia, Jean Claude Tanguy