President: Davide Faranda
(Emailnp@egu.eu)
Deputy President: François Schmitt
(Email)
ECS Representative: Mireia Ginesta-Fernandez
(Emailecs-np@egu.eu)
The Nonlinear Processes in Geosciences (NP) Division is an interdisciplinary division which is concerned with all aspects on nonlinear and stochastic theories, methods and data in the geosciences. The NP division is focused on a series of nonlinear paradigms whose applications cut across the different disciplines of the geosciences (hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, space sphere…). Examples include chaos, tipping points, nonlinear waves, similarity across scales (scaling, scale invariance, fractals, multifractals), network theory, nonlinear stochastics, predictability and its limits, pattern formation, self-organised criticality, extreme events, deep learning… The NP division welcomes mathematical and theoretical approaches, as well as applications including new methodologies, new modelling and new data analysis techniques.
Due to its interdisciplinary character, many of the NP-sessions during the EGU general assemblies are co-organized with sessions from other divisions. Potential contributors to any session are encouraged to evaluate the benefits of a multi-disciplinary organization in collaboration with the corresponding disciplinary Division.
The division is structured into several subdivisions (see the “About” tab above, for the NP Division structure information and reports).
The Division contributes to the EGU Awards & Medals programme. As for all EGU Divisions, an Early Career Scientist Award is established also for the NP Division and is given to young researchers who obtained outstanding results in the nonlinear geosciences. Every year the Lewis Fry Richardson medal is awarded to scientists for their exceptional contributions to nonlinear geosciences in general. Members of the Division are invited to contribute to the nominations (deadline are every year on the 15th June, see here) for both the NP Division Awards and Medals.
The division maintains very strong links with the EGU publication committee, and especially with the board of Editors of the open access journal Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics (NPG), an interdisciplinary journal for the publication of original research furthering knowledge on nonlinear processes in all branches of Earth, planetary, and solar system sciences.
Latest posts from the NP blog
New Editorial Voices at NPG
As part of welcoming new members to the editorial team of Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics (NPG), we are pleased to present short interviews with two newly appointed editors, Dr. Kira Rehfeld and Dr. Jezabel Curbelo. They share their scientific backgrounds, motivations for joining the journal, editorial goals, and perspectives on emerging research directions in nonlinear geosciences. Their insights reflect both the interdisciplinary spirit of NPG and its commitment to advancing high-quality, constructive scientific exchange. Dr. Kira Rehfeld is a Professor …
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Turbulence (and not only): The Legacy of Vincenzo Carbone, 2025 Richardson Medal
One year ago, Vincenzo Carbone left us. Vincenzo was a leading scientist in nonlinear geophysics, turbulence, and complex systems, influencing fluid and plasma physics, weather and space weather, solar–terrestrial relations, and climate dynamics. Yet for those who worked closely with him, his legacy goes well beyond his remarkable scientific achievements. Scientific Contributions and Impact Over more than three decades, Vincenzo provided fundamental new concepts and contributions for the characterization of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence and intermittency, laying the foundation for the …
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ECS Spotlight: Evolution of the Dynamics of Centennial Hot Summers in Western Europe With Climate Change
Extreme meteorological and climatological events can be immensely damaging and disruptive to society. Understanding the physical mechanisms driving these events, and how they will evolve with climate change is crucial for informing societal adaptation to our changing climate. However, extreme events are, by definition, rare. Our capacity to understand these events is, therefore, hindered by the small sample size of observed events. Recent methodological developments, termed rare events algorithms, have enabled the sample size of these types of events to …
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Rethinking the carbon cost of scientific exchange: Nonlinear effects of reducing scientific mobility
The carbon footprint of scientific collaboration has become an increasingly debated topic. Conferences, workshops, and research travel remain central to how science function, yet they also contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. Since the pandemic era scientists also learned to work virtually and to attend workshops and conferences online. Understanding the carbon footprint, and how it compares to other global activities, is essential for defining realistic and fair strategies for sustainable science. This is valid not only for scientific conferences …
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Recent awardees
- 2026
- Lewis Fry Richardson Medal
The 2026 Lewis Fry Richardson Medal is awarded to
Anastasios A. Tsonis for outstanding contributions applying methods of nonlinear data analysis to atmospheric science and the theory of complex networks to coupled subsystems of the climate system.
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- 2026
- Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists
The 2026 Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists is awarded to
Francisco de Melo Viríssimo for groundbreaking interdisciplinary research spanning nonlinear dynamics, marine biogeochemistry and climate science, and for outstanding contributions as educator, mentor, and scientific community leader.
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- 2025
- Lewis Fry Richardson Medal
The 2025 Lewis Fry Richardson Medal is awarded to
Vincenzo Carbone for outstanding contributions to the study of turbulence in magnetohydrodynamics, particularly in the solar wind and space plasmas, as well as its impact on the Earth’s magnetosphere and climate.
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- 2025
- Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award
The 2025 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award is awarded to
Johannes Jakob Lohmann for important contributions to our understanding of non-linear climate dynamics during the last glacial period.
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- 2025
- Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award
The 2025 Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award is awarded to
Joaquín Espinoza Troni Electron scale magnetic holes generation driven by Whistler-to-Bernstein mode conversion in fully kinetic plasma turbulence
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Current issue of the EGU newsletter
In our February issue, we are following pioneering scientists into extreme places in the name of discovery, from a day-in-the-life of an Antarctic researcher working on the sea ice to how the Viking spaceships took space plasma from theory to observation. Marie Cavitte shares her experience of the Blue Book traineeship in science for policy and Elsa Abs talks about their work with soil microbes. EGU's President thanks our 12,000 volunteers from 2025 and we share the 24 training schools and member-organised meetings we have funded in 2026. Deadlines approach for the EGU26 photo competition and Early-bird registration fees, and there is a job vacancy in the EGU Executive office in Munich, Germany!
All this and much more, in this month's Loupe!
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