Chairman, IUGS-UNESCO Geological Applications of Remote Sensing Programme & Co-Chairman, Integrated Global Observing Strategy for Geohazards Integrating the Solid Earth Observing Community Stuart Marsh Head of Remote Sensing British Geological Survey

Outline  Global Earth Observing initiatives  Where do geology/geophysics fit?  A Solid Earth Observing System?

Outline  Global Earth Observing initiatives  Where do geology/geophysics fit?  A Solid Earth Observing System?

A partnership of international organizations, working to define, develop and implement an integrated global earth observing strategy on the basis of best effort and a shared interest WMO Global observing systems International science and research programmes Space agenciesUN organizations

Key differences between IGOS and GEO/GEOSS IGOS is an inter-agency cooperation to develop strategies GEO is an inter-governmental mechanism to deliver systems What should GEO/GEOSS bring that IGOS cannot? Political engagement Additional resources Some challenges facing GEO… and potential partners Delivering quick wins in order to maintain the political interest Avoiding wheel reinvention by incorporating existing initiatives GEO – building on IGOS

Outline  Global Earth Observing initiatives  Where do geology/geophysics fit?  A Solid Earth Observing System?

IGOS Geohazard Theme: Report & Implementation  Published by ESA in April 2004  Implemented under IGOS Geohazards Executive Bureau  Available from the Bureau Coordinator:   Available online at: 

Theme Sponsors in IGOS  UNESCO, ESA and ICSU needed to find a home in the IGOS Partnership for a Geohazard Theme with in-situ and space-based geohazard communities  Usually, Theme implementation is carried forward by one of the Global Observing Systems in IGOS  None of the existing observing systems include the main ground based geohazards community – GTOS is focused on ecology, agriculture, forestry etc.  New mechanism acceptable to IGOS was required

 IGOS Partners required existing mechanism that: – includes representatives of the geohazards community – can be modified to include space-based organisations  The Theme Team’s proposed mechanism was the “Geological Applications of Remote Sensing” Programme funded by UNESCO, IUGS & BGS  This solution was accepted by the IGOS Partners and UNESCO and IUGS gave a mandate to modify GARS to help IGOS Geohazard implementation by: – adding space agency participants (ESA and JAXA) – adding representatives of disaster response agencies Theme Sponsors in IGOS

IGOS and GGOS: the Global Geodetic Observing System GGOS proposes to join IGOS Partnership and develop an “Earth System Dynamics” Theme GARS’ view on three GGOS recommendations: – GGOS join the Partnership as an observing system Consider during 2005 for a decision in November – GGOS make links with appropriate existing Themes Extend Geohazard link via Theme Leader Meetings – GGOS develop an “Earth System Dynamics” Theme ? Consult Theme Leaders; await November decision

Outline  Global Earth Observing initiatives  Where do geology/geophysics fit?  A Solid Earth Observing System?

Framework document has 9 Societal Benefit Areas – Reducing losses from disasters – Environmental effects on human health – Management of energy resources – Climate change – Water resource management – Weather – Terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems – Sustainable agriculture and desertification – Biodiversity Where do Geohazards fit?

W Wild fires Earthquakes Volcanoes, Volcanic ash and aerosols Sea and lake ice Coastal hazards and Tsunamis Landslides and subsidence Floods Tropical cyclones Extreme weather Pollution events Hazards considered as Disasters in GEOSS Elsewhere: disease, drought, algal blooms and invasive species

Geoscience & GEOSS Targets IGOS Geohazard Theme supports targets… T2. Global access to SRTM data T4. Focused pilot studies in under-served areas T7. Integration of InSAR technology T8. Inventory of geologic and hazard zonation maps IRIS/GSN/FDSN scientists support targets… T3. Expansion of seismic monitoring network T91. Baseline sites for global in-situ networks Current opportunity: define 2006 actions against targets

Outline  Global Earth Observing initiatives  Where do geology/geophysics fit?  A Solid Earth Observing System?

A strong voice for Geoscience?  Other domains have global observing systems:  Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)  Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)  Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS)  There is no Global Solid Earth Observing System  If we had one, would it be easier to: – Implement the multi-hazard IGOS Geohazards Theme? – Integrate an individual observing system into GEOSS? – Develop a strong voice for geoscience internationally?

Required Observations Solid Earth Observing System: 4 main observations Baseline Topography – Against which to measure change – For modelling and visualisation Baseline Maps and Models – Geology, structure, soils – Regional to local scale Deformation Monitoring – Sudden change – Gradual processes Seismic Monitoring – Hazard magnitude – Depth and location  Topographic models: – Stereoscopy, InSAR and LiDAR – Ground-based surveying tools  Geoscience surveying: – Aerial photography and field work – In-situ, airborne & spaceborne EO  Deformation measured by: – Differential InSAR and GPS – Various in-situ measurements  Seismicity measured by: – Global networks of seismometers – Local networks for specific hazards Each hazard (e.g. volcanos) needs other observations (e.g. thermal)

Coherent messages An organised community

A self-organising community? Coherent messages?

Solid Earth Observing System? Coherent messages

What should we do about it? Look outside disciplines to consider multi-hazards e.g. IGOS Geohazard Theme can provide a vehicle Support each others interaction with GEO/GEOSS e.g. In addition to own Targets, advocate each others Use positions in initiatives to promote geoscience e.g. GARS is supporting GGOS in its push to join IGOS  In longer term, can we begin to self-organise?