European Geosciences Union
Division on Geomorphology
President: Daniel Parsons
(gm@egu.eu)
Deputy President: Kristen Cook
(klcook@gfz-potsdam.de)
Geomorphology is the scientific study of land-surface features and the dynamic processes that shape them. Besides focusing on the diverse physical landscapes of the Earth, geomorphologists also study surfaces of other planets. Understanding landform history and dynamics, and predicting future changes through a combination of field observations, physical experiments, and numerical modelling is at the heart of geomorphology. The division brings together research on processes that build topography trough e.g. the effects of tectonic forces as well as processes that modify the terrain such as weathering, erosion through running water, waves, glacial ice, wind and gravitational forces. Division members also study the impact of humans on geomorphological processes and investigate how geomorphological knowledge can be applied to solve problems of relevance to societies.
The 2022 Ralph Alger Bagnold Medal is awarded to Paola Passalacqua for innovative and impactful research on landscape dynamics through a rigorous mathematical approach, including using network theory to study delta systems, alongside outstanding community service.
The 2022 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award is awarded to Nicoletta Leonardi for contributions to a new understanding of the geomorphic evolution of coastal landscapes, and deconstructing the drivers of coastal change through development and application of novel modelling tools.
The 2021 Ralph Alger Bagnold Medal is awarded to Joanna E. Bullard for sustained innovative, perceptive, and productive studies of arid-land geomorphology, aeolian processes, and dust in the Earth system, alongside outstanding community leadership.
The 2021 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award is awarded to Louise J. Slater for recognition of outstanding contributions in the field at the interface of river geomorphology and hydrology; exploring the drivers of changing flood hazard and risk over time and space.
The 2021 Virtual Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (vOSPP) Award is awarded to Elisabeth Schönfeldt Detect Giant Landslides with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN)
The 2021 Virtual Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (vOSPP) Award is awarded to Jingtao Lai Climatic controls on mountain glacier basal thermal regimes dictate spatial patterns of glacial erosion
The 2021 Virtual Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (vOSPP) Award is awarded to Maximillian Van Wyk de Vries Resolving pre-collapse slope motion of the February 2021 Chamoli rock-ice avalanche via feature tracking of optical satellite imagery and DEM differencing
A dynamic and engaging team can make a world of difference, and the EGU GM Division’s ECS team is thrilled to introduce its new members (and reintroduce the old!). Drawing from the past traditions and also making judicious adaptions to fit the present, the current team is formed to strengthen the organisation and the members and identify and expand the synergies that can have a positive impact on the important work we are all doing. Following GA meeting in Vienna …
In the October newsletter, researchers explain why disaster risk reduction strategies aren’t as inclusive as we think. We hear from Blaise Nyandwi, lecturer at the University of Goma, how socio-economic vulnerability affects public perception of hazard risk, and three geoscientists explore the many ways that race and natural hazards are linked. EGU Projects Coordination Officer Simon Clark dissects why we keep dismissing droughts and why perceptions of drought vary so widely around the world.
As a reminder, this is the last call to apply for the EGU Outreach Committee sponsored workshops and to register to join the EU biodiversity event – a hybrid event at the European Parliament – that aims to bridge the science-policy divide.