Fewer rain storms across southern Australia

Operations on 4 July, 2011

Published by CSIRO on 4 July 2011

Decreasing autumn and winter rainfall over southern Australia has been attributed to a 50-year decrease in the average intensity of storms in the region – a trend which is forecast to continue for another 50 years.”Our recent work on climate model projections suggests a continuation of these trends over the next 50 years.”

In an address today to the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics conference in Melbourne, CSIRO climate scientist, Dr Jorgen Frederiksen, said these changes are due to reductions in the strength of the mid-latitude jet stream and changes in atmospheric temperatures. The jet stream comprises fast moving westerly winds in the upper atmosphere. Read More about Fewer rain storms across southern Australia

Melbourne to host earthquakes, tsunamis, floods

Science in Public on 24 June, 2011

News Alert from CSIRO Media Centre

24 June 2011

One of the world’s largest meetings of earth scientists will commence next Tuesday in Melbourne.

Almost 4000 participants from about 100 countries will discuss recent natural disasters and the impact on human life and infrastructure.

Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet is the theme of the 25th General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), which will be held from 28 June to 7 July.

“The conference could hardly be held at a more crucial time for earth scientists,” says CSIRO’s Dr Tom Beer, President of the IUGG.

“We’ll examine the impact on society of the recent run of natural disasters – including the Japanese tsunami, Christchurch earthquake, Chilean volcano, and extreme weather in Australia. The fact that so many of the scientists attending the meeting have had to overcome such challenges to be here is a great testimony to their commitment to make the world a better and a safer place.” Read More about Melbourne to host earthquakes, tsunamis, floods

Air, fire, earth and water – understanding our planet in all its moods

Operations on 2 December, 2010

In 2011 Australia will hold one of the world’s largest meetings of earth scientists. They will explore all the physical aspects of our planet, from deep in the Earth’s core to our place in space.

Given recent natural disasters—such as the Pakistan floods, Black Saturday bushfires, Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, 2010 Chile earthquake, Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano—the Earth seems ever more restless and destructive, and the impact on human life and infrastructure is increasingly heavy.

So it is important to understand how the Earth works—which means the 25th General Assembly of the International Union of Geophysics and Geodesy in Melbourne from 28 June to 7 July 2011 will be a focus of attention, not only for the 3,000 delegates expected to attend, but for many others besides. Read More about Air, fire, earth and water – understanding our planet in all its moods

‘Earth on the edge’ – Melbourne 2011

Science in Public on 24 December, 2009

CSIRO media release 24 December 2009

Reference: 09/231

A major conference to be held in Melbourne in 2011 will focus the world’s attention on the broad issues of a sustainable planet.

“Thousands of scientists will meet in Melbourne in mid-2011 to discuss the state of the Earth,” according to CSIRO’s Dr Tom Beer, the first Australian to be elected President of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).

“Scientists from around the world working on issues of sustainability will exchange information at the IUGG General Assembly,” Dr Beer said. “They will discuss issues affecting our climate and atmosphere, water resources and oceans, volcanoes and polar regions, and earthquakes and tsunamis.”

This will be only the second time that the IUGG General Assembly has been held in the Southern Hemisphere.

“The conference – Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet – will bring together the eight earth science associations of the IUGG. These foster collaborative research and information exchange between scientists in 66 countries and the application of this research to societal needs such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards, and environmental preservation,” Dr Beer said. Read More about ‘Earth on the edge’ – Melbourne 2011

'Earth on the edge' – Melbourne 2011

Operations on 24 December, 2009

CSIRO media release 24 December 2009

Reference: 09/231

A major conference to be held in Melbourne in 2011 will focus the world’s attention on the broad issues of a sustainable planet.

“Thousands of scientists will meet in Melbourne in mid-2011 to discuss the state of the Earth,” according to CSIRO’s Dr Tom Beer, the first Australian to be elected President of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).

“Scientists from around the world working on issues of sustainability will exchange information at the IUGG General Assembly,” Dr Beer said. “They will discuss issues affecting our climate and atmosphere, water resources and oceans, volcanoes and polar regions, and earthquakes and tsunamis.”

This will be only the second time that the IUGG General Assembly has been held in the Southern Hemisphere.

“The conference – Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet – will bring together the eight earth science associations of the IUGG. These foster collaborative research and information exchange between scientists in 66 countries and the application of this research to societal needs such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards, and environmental preservation,” Dr Beer said. Read More about 'Earth on the edge' – Melbourne 2011

Earth on the edge

Science in Public on 13 October, 2009

CSIRO media release 13 October 2009

Reference: 09/185

Thousands of scientists will meet in Melbourne in mid-2011 to discuss the state of the Earth, including its climate and atmosphere, water resources and oceans, volcanoes and polar regions.

Launching the conference today during the 90th anniversary celebrations for the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), the first Australian to be elected President of the IUGG, CSIRO’s Dr Tom Beer, said this will be only the second time that the IUGG General Assembly will have been held in the Southern Hemisphere.

“The conference – Earth on the Edge: Science for a Sustainable Planet – will bring together the eight earth science associations of the IUGG,” Dr Beer said.

“These foster collaborative research and information exchange between scientists in 66 countries and the application of this research to societal needs such as mineral resources, mitigation of natural hazards, and environmental preservation. Read More about Earth on the edge