International Association of Geomorphologists Newsletter no. 19 (1/2002)

IAG Symposium on the Relationships between man and the mountain environment in terms of geomorphological hazards and human impact in Europe Dornbirn (Austria), 14 July 2002

The United Nations has proclaimed 2002 as the International Year of Mountains (IYM) to increase international awareness of the global importance of mountain ecosystems. The aim of this initiative, rather than being a period of isolated events, is to serve as a springboard and catalyst for long-term, sustained and concrete action that will extend far beyond 2002.

Within the framework of the International Year of Mountains - 2002, an IAG Symposium will be held in Dornbirn (Vorarlberg, Austria) on Sunday 14 July 2002. The Symposium will be focused on the relationships between man and mountain environment, in particular as regard the human impact and the geomorphological hazards. These themes are of great concern and scientific research on natural hazards has recently significantly improved. New methodologies and approaches have been used to face the increased effects of extreme natural events due to natural climate variability, seismic phenomena, societal changes and human development. The need for new urban and industrial land is high even in mountain areas, where often the development takes place in fragile areas. The aim of the research in this field is to assess and mitigate hazards before they take place and to define procedures of Environmental Impact Assessment in perspective of a sustainable development, highlighting the socio-economic impact of natural hazards and enhancing the most appropriate policies for a correct and safe management of the environment.

The aim of this IAG Symposium is to provide a forum on how to cope with natural hazards and environmental impact using the most advanced methods and techniques. Topics of interest include:

• the role of geomorphology in natural hazard and environmental impact assessment
• integrated approaches to hazard and impact assessment and mitigation
• hazard mapping techniques
• hazard monitoring and alert systems
• human impact on geosites
• geomorphological asset evaluation
• legal and planning issues.

The IAG Symposium will be included in the programme of a one-week Summer School which will be held between July 7th and 14th under the aegis of UNESCO and will focus on An introduction into alpine and subalpine environments in a key sector of the northern Alps and of a one-week Intensive Course which will be held between July 14th and 21st under the aegis of CERG (European Centre for Geomorphological Hazards, Council of Europe, Strasbourg) on An introduction into alpine and subalpine environments in a key sector of the northern Alps withemphasis on natural hazards and risks. For further information on the Summer School and on theIntensive Course, please check the web sites http://www.geomorph.org/sp/arch/0702school.html and http://www.geomorph.org/sp/arch/0702course.html.

The Symposium will include invited lectures, selected papers and poster presentation concerning the above mentioned topics. The abstracts of all papers and posters accepted for presentation at the Symposium will be published in a proceeding volume, which will be distributed at no additional costs to registrants at the Symposium. More information can be found at the IAG website.

Important dates

Deadline for early hotel reservation	15 March 2002
Deadline for early registration	15 May 2002
Submission of abstracts	15 May 2002
Notification of acceptance of abstracts	30 May 2002

Registration fee

The Symposium fee is payable at the Registration Desk on 14 July 2002.
Early registration fee (before 15 May 2002)	70 Euros
Early student registration fee (before 15 May 2002)*	50 Euros
Regular fee	120 Euros
Student regular fee*	100 Euros

*student taking part in the Summer School and at Intensive Course are free of charge.

Scientific and organizing committee

Prof. Berthold BAUER (University of Vienna, Austria)
Prof. Antonio CENDRERO (University of Cantabria, Spain)
Prof. Leo DE GRAAFF (Research Foundation for Alpine and Subalpine Environments, The Netherlands)
Prof. Jean-Claude FLAGEOLLET (University of Strasbourg, France)
Dr. Georg FRIEBE (Vorarlberger Naturschau, Austria)
Prof. Mario PANIZZA (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy)
Prof. Mauro SOLDATI (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy)

Contact person for further information on the IAG Symposium:

Prof. Mauro SOLDATI
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra - Universit? di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Largo S. Eufemia, 19 - 41100 Modena, Italy
Tel.: +39 059 2055842 - Fax: +39 059 2055887; e-mail

First announcement and call for contributions

Registration form

Hotel registration form

Workshop GEOMORPHOLOGICAL SITES research, assessment and improvement 1st CIRCULAR Modena (Italy), June 19th - 22nd 2002

This Workshop is the first official meeting opportunity for two research groups working on the topic of geomorphological sites (geomorphosites): the I.A.G. Working Group 'Geomorphological sites' and the Italian Research Project COFIN 2001-2003 'Geosites in the Italian landscape'.

The Workshop aims at:

• promoting a first discussion on the activity already in progress between the components of the two research groups;
• defining the state-of-the-art of the investigations on geosites, with particular attention to those with a geomorphological character;
• comparing, connecting and tracing the course of the respective research activities;
• outlining future perspectives and activities connected to the IUGS International Geological Congress which will take place in Florence in August 2004.

This Workshop, which is specifically addressed to the components of the two research Groups, is open to all Italian and foreign researchers interested in this topic and willing to co-operate to the research on geomorphosites.

The general programme is as follows:
19 June: meeting of the COFIN Research Project
20 June: workshop with invited and/or non-invited lectures, reports and posters
21 June: excursion in the Modena district Apennines
22 June: meeting of the IAG Working Group.

Those interested in participating are kindly requested to fill the registration form here enclosed and send it, possibly by e-mail, to the Organizing Secretary:

Dr. Paola Coratza
c/o Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit? degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Largo S. Eufemia, 19, I - 41100 Modena (Italy)
Tel.: +39 059 2055855/57, Fax: +39 059 2055887
E-mail

A second circular will be sent in March to all those who have declared their interest in the initiative.

For further information see also the web site.

Co-ordinator of the I.A.G. Working Group		Co-ordinator of the COFIN Research Project
Dr. Emmanuel Reynard		Prof. Sandra Piacente

IAG Working Group TERROIRS VITICOLES

A workshop 'I terroirs di montagna' [Mountain Terroirs], organized by the Department of Earth Sciences of Universit? di Torino and by Regione Piemonte, will be held on April 5th and 7th, 2002, in the castle of S. Giorgio Canavese (Torino, Italy). On the same occasion, the IAG working group on terroirs viticoles will meet as well. The conference follows the first two events on the same theme, held in Camerino (Italy) in 2000 and in Reims (France) in 2001.

For further information: e-mail

The IAG organises the International Symposium on 'Climate changes, active tectonics and related geomorphic effects in high mountain belts and plateaux' (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, December 9-10, 2002). Within the framework of the International Year of Mountains - 2002. The convenors are Bekele Abebe (Dept. Geology & Geophysics, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia), Tesfaye Korme (Dept. Geology & Geophysics, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia), Mohammed Umer (Dept. Geology & Geophysics, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia), Paolo Billi (Dept. Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy), Mauro Coltorti (Dept. Earth Sciences, University of Siena, Italy), Francesco Dramis (Dept. Geological Sciences, “Roma Tre” University, Rome, Italy), Alfredo Pérez González (Dept. Geodynamics, University Complutense of Madrid, Spain), Jean Poesen (Laboratory for Experimental Geomorphology, Leuven University, Belgium).

The symposium will be preceded by the pre-Symposium excursion 'Geomorphology of the Main Ethiopian Rift Valley' (December 4 - 8) and followed by the post-Symposium field-trip 'Geomorphology of Northern Ethiopian Highlands' (December 11 - 16).

IAG Working Group VOLCANIC GEOMORPHOLOGY AND HAZARDS Meeting, August 26, 2001, in Tokyo

Achievements of the Study Group during the past 4 years term:

Several publications which deal with volcanic geomorphology are the outcome of the investigations carried out by members of our Study Group: Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, 1999, GeoJournal 1999, Géomorphologie relief, processus, environnement, 2001.

Research projects for the future 4-years term:

1. Broad subjects: the morphological evolution of volcanic reliefs, craters and calderas, including "erosion calderas", tectonics and volcanoes in geomorphology, the use of techniques to date volcanic landforms and volcanic mountains, the use of tephra to date landforms, geoarchaeology on volcanic terrains, effects of historical eruptions on landscapes and humankind.
2. More specific topics: detailed eruptive history and long-term prediction of eruptions of active volcanoes, erosion control on slopes and in watersheds perturbed by volcanic processes, quantitative sediment budget and erosion rates in watersheds on active volcanoes, repeated patterns in volcano styles, mass flows on volcanoes, suboceanic and oceanic volcanoes.

Prof. Jean-Claude Thouret
Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, UMR 6524 CNRS Université B. Pascal,
5 r. Kessler, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. Phone (33) (0)4 73 34 67 41 Fax + 67 44
E-mail

Honoris causa for Professor Mario PANIZZA

On February 22 2002, IAG President, Prof. Mario Panizza, was conferred a Degree in Geomorphology honoris causa, at the University of Oradea, Romania. Congratulations!

INQUA Paleoseismology workshop

The INQUA Subcommission on Paleoseismology is sponsoring a workshop on 'Holocene Paleoseismicity: geological criteria for mitigating future seismic catastrophes', to be held within the London Holocene Catastrophes Conference (Brunel University, West London, 29 Aug - 2 Sept 2002; see the conference web page for full information).

The workshop will host oral presentations and posters; substantial time will be allocated for a general debate covering both the oral presentations and posters. The deadline for abstract submission is March 1^st, 2002.

A.M. Michetti
Dip.Scienze Chimiche Fisiche Matematiche, Universita dell’Insubria
E-mail

International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) related to geomorphology

The International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) was officially created during the International Symposium 'Landslide Risk Mitigation and Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage' held in Kyoto (Japan) in January 21^st - 25^th 2002. This symposium was organized both by UNESCO and Kyoto University. Participants from 24 countries took part, including deputies from UNESCO.

The ICL will include:

1. intergovernmental entities,
2. non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies and departments,
3. universities, research and public institutions and
4. other organizations that support the objectives of ICL, both intellectually and financially.

It was decided to promote and co-ordinate landslide research for the benefit of society and the environment in the global scale. The research activities are supposed to go through all organizations interested in landslides research.

The Czech Geomorphological Association is able to contribute in co-operation on one of two pilot projects of ICL activities dealing with landslide movements monitoring on Machu Picchu in Peru. The installation of dilatometric monitoring network was already done in November 2001.

This contribution was prepared according to the demand of deputies from UNESCO, because I had the opportunity to assisty the establishing of the ICL in Kyoto (2002).

Vit VILÍMEK
E-mail

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GEOMORPHOLOGY

In 2003, the IAG, in association with Routledge of London, will publish a 2 volume, 800,000 word Encyclopedia of Geomorphology. The work will have contributors from over 30 countries and will be edited by Andrew Goudie, Basil Gomez, Alan Trenhaile, Olav Slaymaker, Paul Williams and Piotr Migon. The authors have agreed that royalties should go to the IAG.

VII National Spanish Meeting of Geomorphology

The Spanish Society of Geomorphology and the University of Valladolid will summon the VII National Meeting of Geomorphology, to be celebrated in Valladolid, the 19th and 20th of September, 2002. In the General Assembly of the Spanish Society of Geomorphology the organization of the Meeting was entrusted to the Departement of Geography of the University of Valladolid. The goals are to favour the interchange of information, promote the advance in knowledge and create an atmosphere of relation and discussion on any aspect of Geomorfology.

For further information:

Enrique Serrano Canadas
Dpto. Geografía. Universidad de Valladolid. P. Prado Magdalena s/n, 47011 Valladolid
Tel. 983-42.30.00 extension numbers 6589, 3151 and 6587 Fax. 983-42.31.49
E-mail

Dave Varnes, 1919-2002

Dave Varnes, an internationally renowned USGS scientist, passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2002. Dave´s long and distinguished USGS carrer began in 1941. His long interest in landslides and engineering geology resulted in his seminal works on landslide classification, the mechanics of giant landslides, large-scale gravity-spreading, creep-to- failure phenomena, fractal theory, and the logic of geologic maps. Virtually every project he undertook in a sixty-year career became a classic.

Even though Dave retired about four years ago, he continued to come to the office each day to pursue his science, offering advice and counsel to his colleagues, and generally adding energy and challenge to those around him.

For the past few months he was battling advanced cancer. He recently expressed how very fortunate he felt to be immersed for the past 60 years in scientific discovery at the USGS. His colleagues and friends around the world will miss his wit and wisdom.

Dr. Randall G.Updike
Associate Regional Geologist for Programs
U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado
E-mail

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Editor's Note

The success of the IAG-Newsletter depends upon the contributions that we receive. Please assist by sending commentaries, reviews of regional or national meetings and field trips, summaries of issues pertinent to geomorphology, and announcements of future meetings and workshops. Your contributions should be forwarded to
José Lugo-Hubp, Instituto de Geografía, UNAM; Ciudad Universitaria; 04510 México, D.F., México. Fax: (52) 55 56 16 21 45; E-mail

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INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GEOMORPHOLOGISTS
President Mario PANIZZA Dip. Scienze Terra Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia Largo S. Eufemia, 19 I-41100 Modena, ITALY Ph.: +39 059 2055840 Fax: +39 059 2055887 E-mail	Vice President Andrew GOUDIE School Geography & Environ. University of Oxford Mansfield Road Oxford OX1 3TB, UNITED KINGDOM Ph.: +44 1865 271921 Fax: +44 1865 271940 E-mail	Secretary Dénes LOCZY Dep. Physical Geography University of Pécs Ifúság útja 6 H-7624 Pécs, HUNGARY Ph.: +36 72 327 622 e4482 Fax: +36 72 327 622 e4480 E-mail
Visit the IAG Web Site at: http://www.geomorph.org

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© 2002 International Association of Geomorphologists
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