Regular Features

GeoPolicy: Science in policymaking: Who is responsible?

Maria Rubal Thomsen April 26, 2019

Great Debate, panel in action. Credit: Chloe Hill

Should scientists actively approach policymakers in order to guide their decision-making processes, or is it the policymakers’ responsibility to seek scientific advice? In the first of the Great Debates at this year’s European Geosciences Union General Assembly in Vienna a mixed panel of policymakers and geoscientists tried to answer who should be responsible for making sure that science was used ...[Read More]

Imaggeo on Mondays: Simulating a mission on Mars

Maria Grulich April 22, 2019

Collecting Samples on Mars. Credit: Maria Grulich (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

Establishing a human presence on Mars is increasingly seen by space agencies and private organizations as the horizon frontier in human space exploration. These long-duration missions however, impose a high degree of technological, operational, physical and psychological challenges. Mars analog habitats, such as the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah (U.S.) are established to conduct fiel ...[Read More]

Imaggeo on Mondays: Science above the Amazon rainforest

Achim Edtbauer April 15, 2019

Science above the Amazon rainforest. Credit: Achim Edtbauer (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

The color and symmetry of the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory (ATTO) sticks out against the endless green of the rainforest. Built in a remote and pristine location, the ATTO tower is the tallest construction in South America. In a joint Brazilian-German project, atmospheric scientists aim to unravel the interaction of pristine rainforest with the atmosphere. With its height of 325 meters, the ATTO ...[Read More]

Imaggeo on Mondays: Double strombolian explosions at Mt. Yasur volcano

Jean-Guillaume Feignon April 1, 2019

Double strombolian explosions at Mt. Yasur volcano, Vanuatu (2011). Credit: Jean-Guillaume Feignon (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

The Yasur volcano located in Vanuatu archipelago is permanently active since its discovery in 1774 by Cpt. James Cook. Its activity consists mainly in moderate regular strombolian explosions within the crater. But sometimes, more powerful explosions throw ash and bombs beyond the crater rim and may represent a hazard for tourists and people living next to the volcano. Otherwise, the Mt Yasur displ ...[Read More]