Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 14:48:30 -0700

From: Joann C Joselyn 



The IUGG Electronic Journal

Special Issue

Volume 4 No. 12a  (December 27, 2004)



IUGG Response to the December 26, 2004, South-west Pacific Tsunami Disasters



Our hearts go out to those in the surrounding countries of the Indian 

Ocean who have suffered losses of loved ones and personal property in 

the on-going geophysical disasters of the past two days.  We note the 

early reports that humanitarian relief is being sent to those in need; 

we hope that it arrives swiftly.



How can IUGG respond? IUGG is not an aid agency, but is clearly 

concerned with these kinds of natural disasters in several ways.  This 

special E-Journal issue names a few of these efforts, and asks those 

Associations with additional information to send it to the Secretariat 

for our continuing education.



The IUGG Union Commission on Geophysical Risk and Sustainability, 

chaired by A. Ismail-Zadeh (Germany), is actively concerned with these 

issues.  Dr. Tom Beer (Australia), past-Chair of the GeoRisk Commission 

and Vice-President of IUGG, will participate in the United Nations World 

Conference on Disaster Reduction from 18-22 January 2005 in Kobe, Japan. 

  During this conference, Dr. Beer will convene a meeting of the 

GeoUnions hazards topic team to consider collaborative work on an 

inter-Union initiative.  (The GeoUnions are IUGG, International Union of 

Geological Sciences, International Union of Soil Sciences, the 

International Geographical Union, and the International Society of 

Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing).  The GeoRisk Commission also just 

successfully sponsored a request to IUGG from Dr. V. Gusiakov (Russia) 

to develop a comprehensive historical earthquake and tsunami database 

for the South-West Pacific.



The Tsunami Commission, a joint scientific commission of IAPSO, IASPEI, 

and IAVCEI, is likewise active and well-positioned to lead scientific 

discussions and promote recommendations.  Dr. Kenji Satake (Japan), 

Chair, successfully requested IUGG funding to distribute of the 

proceedings of the 2003 IUGG Tsunami Symposium to tsunami warning 

centers in countries around the Pacific.  He has also requested travel 

support for scientists from developing countries to attend the 2005 

International Tsunami Symposium, hosted by the Institute of Geodynamics, 

National Observatory of Athens, scheduled for 27-29 June 2005 in Crete, 

Greece.  This request is under consideration.



Dr. Peter Suhadolc (Italy), Secretary-General of the International 

Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior (IASPEI) 

noted that the IASPEI/IAVCEI Joint Working Group on Subduction Zones 

Located in Developing Countries, chaired by S. Widiyantoro (Indonesia) 

is planning a Workshop in the Philippines next May and will also convene 

a workshop during the IASPEI Scientific Assembly in October in Chile.  A 

special session on "Tsunamis: Case Studies, Warning System and Hazard 

Assessment" is planned during the IASPEI Assembly.  The IASPEI 

Commission on Earthquake Hazard, Risk and Strong Ground Motion, chaired 

by Z. Wu (China), and the Asian Seismological Commission (ASC) Joint 

Working Group on Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment for Asian-Pacific 

Regions, co-chaired by S. Balassanian (Armenia) and F. Romanelli 

(Italy), will also have a strong  interest in being involved.  An 

extension of the Early Warning System for tsunami alerts should be taken 

into consideration for the Indian Ocean.  Dr. Fred Camfield (USA), 

Secretary General of the International Association for the Physical 

Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO) encouraged contacting the standard 

funding agencies (UNESCO, etc.) to determine if they have resources to 

expand the system.



Oded Navon (Israel), President of the International Association of 

Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI), wrote that 

he hopes to develop public opinion that would lead to the implementation 

and/or improvement of observatories that can monitor such geohazards, 

and issue alerts and forecasts.  He intends to write to the WOVO 

commission (World Organization of Volcano Observatories) to ask them 

what IUGG can do in order to help them to raise the funds that would 

help to mitigate against the next disaster.



Dr. Uri Shamir (Israel), President of IUGG, expressed his deep 

condolences for those caught in this tragedy and promised to assemble 

the list of IUGG related bodies in the region affected, and to contact 

them to see what IUGG can do.





This short, informal newsletter is intended to keep IUGG Member National 

Committees informed about the activities of the IUGG Associations, and 

actions of the IUGG Secretariat.  Past issues are posted on the IUGG Web 

site.  Please forward this message to those who will benefit from the 

information. Your comments are welcome.



End of IUGG Electronic Journal Volume 4 Number 12a (December 27, 2004)

J. A. Joselyn, Secretary General  [http://www.IUGG.org]

secretariat@iugg.org        fax:  1 303 497 3645