Melbourne to Host Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Floods

One of the world's largest meetings of earth scientists will commence on 28th June 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. Almost 4,000 participants from about 100 countries will discuss recent natural disasters and the impact on human life and infrastructure. Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet is the theme of the 25th General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), which will be held from 28 June to 7 July.

 

CSIRO's Dr Tom Beer, president of the IUGG: "We'll examine the impact on society of the recent natural disasters including the Japanese tsunami, Christchurch earthquake, Chilean volcano, and extreme weather in Australia. The fact that so many of the scientists attending the meeting have had to overcome such challenges to be here is a great testimony to their commitment to make the world a better and a safer place."

 

Dr Beer says the aim of IUGG is to foster scientific research designed to enable the discovery and responsible use of natural resources, the sustainable management of the environment, a reduction in the impacts of natural disasters and, to satisfy our curiosity about the Earth's natural environment and the consequences of human activities.

 

Areas of focus at the conference include: mitigation of natural hazards; environmental preservation; mineral resources; climate and atmosphere; water resources; oceans; polar regions; volcanoes; solar storms; earthquakes; avalanches; landslides and tsunamis.