2nd International Tsunami Field Symposium INQUA Commission Sea Level Changes and Coastal Evolution
2nd International Tsunami Field Symposium INQUA Commission Sea Level Changes and Coastal Evolution
INQUA Commission Sea Level Changes – Subcommission 4: Mediterranean
INQUA Commission Holocene
AIGeo – Italian Association of Physical Geography and Geomorphology
AMK – German Working Group on the Geography of Coasts and Seas
Ostuni (Puglia – Italy) and Ionian Islands (Greece)
23rd – 27th September, 2008
The Universities of Bari, Lecce (Italy) and Marburg (Germany) invite coastal researchers on behalf of the IGCP Project 497: “Quaternary Land-Ocean Interactions: Driving Mechanisms and Coastal Responses” to the 2nd International Field Symposium to be held in Ostuni (Brindisi, Italy) and in the Ionian Islands.
The symposium was a multi-disciplinary international symposium for scientists interested in tsunami research. Topics of this meeting included:
- Tsunami generation and propagation
- Tsunami sediments and landforms
- Tsunami role in the coastal geomorphology and evolution
- Tsunami modelling
- Tsunami hazard, vulnerability and risk
- Tsunami alert network
- Palaeo tsunami landfalls – historical and geoarchaeological aspects
- Differentiation between tsunamis and other extreme events
1. General Information
1.1 Purpose
Scientific communications and posters contributed to define a complete and detailed synthesis of latest advances in studies on tsunamis and their implications on the evolution and dynamics of coastal geomorphological systems.
Several field trips were incorporated into the programme of the symposium and gave outstanding examples of tsunami imprint on the Mediterranean coasts. Research results, open questions and new approaches to (palaeo-)tsunami research were presented and discussed in the field.
1.2 Programme
The symposium comprised one and a half days of scientific communications and a permanent poster session. Two and a half days were devoted to field trips along the coast of southern Apulia where deposits and landforms attributed to historical tsunamis can be observed. The first day introduced the participants to the main findings of tsunami impact on the Ionian coast, the second day to findings along the Adriatic coast.
Two more optional days lead the participants to selected sites along the coasts of Akarnania (northwestern Greece) and Lefkada Island which belong to the Ionian Islands (Greece). Here, geomorphological and sedimentlogical evidence of multiple late Holocene tsunami landfalls detected during the past years were be presented and discussed.
Travelling between southern Italy and northwestern Greece was accomplished by overnight ferry between Bari or Brindisi (two nights) and Igoumenitsa. The trip also comprised a one-night stay at the Hotel Lefkas in Lefkada city.
1.3 Location and Climate
Ostuni is located in the south easternmost part of Italy in the region of Puglia. It is about 800km from Rome and about 65km from Bari, the capital of Puglia region, and 30km from Brindisi, the capital of the district. The region of Puglia is one of the most favourable holiday areas of Italy. It’s coasts are studded by splendid beaches and astonishing landscapes made precious by the heritage of the numerous civilizations which traversed Puglia region during prehistoric and historic times.
The food is superb and represented by a regional diet comprising typical types of pasta (orecchiette and fischiaruli), vegetables, typical cheese, fish and meat. The region has a Mediterranean climate which is characterized by a dry and warm summer and a moderately rainy winter. Weather in September is quite warm; the maximum temperature in September is about 26°C, the minimum about 18°C. Rain is rare in this period and generally represented by short showers. The sea surface temperature at the end of September is of about 22°C, still suitable for swimming.
The optional Ionian Islands Field Trip introduced the participants to outstanding geomorphological and sedimentological evidence of Holocene tsunami landfalls such as large washover fans, dislocated blocks, tsunamigenic deposits up to 15m above present sea level, erosional unconformities, breakthrough channel to and tsunamigenic deposits in a near-coast limnic environment, etc. Moreover, selected geoarchaeological highlights and aspects of Holocene coastal changes were presented. The trip comprised overnight ferry passages to Igoumenitsa / Greece and back and a one-night stay at the Hotel Lefkas in Lefkada city including a typically Greek dinner and authentic atmosphere in the historical center of Lefkada city. The area around Lefkada Island as well as the Sound of Lefkada is an upcoming destination for sail-tourism and is considered as insider tip.
(find more information at: http://www.2ndtsunamisymposium.unile.it)
1.4 Symposium Location
The symposium was held in Ostuni (Brindisi, Puglia,Italy). Ostuni is a very picturesque medieval town situated some 30 minutes drive away from Brindisi Airport which is connected to all main international airports of Italy. During the summer season, direct flights are also available from some European cities.
The railway station of Ostuni is connected to the main Italian cities by high-speed trains (Eurostar).
Bus services from Brindisi Airport and Ostuni railway station to the symposium site were organised for the participants of the symposium.
The scientific communication was held in the Playa Hotel (***) along the seaside of Villanova few kms far from the center of Ostuni.
2. Accommodation and Registration Fees
All the conference activities and the Puglia Field Trip were held in – or started from – the Hotel Playa, a residence in typical little houses with swimming pool, placed along the seaside not far from very nice beaches and rocky coast. The distance to the centre of Ostuni is 6km, the hotel lying on the top of the hill. Hotel Playa offers mini apartments (four bed with bathroom and kitchen) or single / double rooms. The number of single rooms is limited, were made as soon as possible.
The optional Ionian Islands Field Trip directly followed the Puglia Field Trip. On Thursday evening, 25 September 2008, an overnight ferry took the participants from Bari / Brindisi to Igoumenitsa in northwestern Greece. Besides impressive traces of extreme events, the participants were introduced to the Holocene palaeogeographical evolution as well as to geoarchaeological highlights of Akarnania and Lefkada Island during 26 and 27 September with a one-night stay at the ***Hotel Lefkas in Lefkada city located directly at the shore of the Sound of Lefkada and the modern marina. On the evening of 27 September, the group were taken back to Igoumenitsa for the overnight ferry to Bari / Brindisi and arrived there on the morning of 28 September 2008. Bus transfer to Brindisi airport was arranged.
Registration Fees
Registration Fees [1]
Full registration €110,00
Student registration €70,00
Guest €60,00
Accommodation during Conference and Puglia Field Trip [2]
21 – 25 September, single room €292,00
21 – 25 September, double room €232,00
22 – 25 September, single room €219,00
22 – 25 September, double room €174,00
For full board please add €10,00 per day
Field Trips
- Puglia field trip, 24-25 September [3]
Bus transfer and picnic (accommodation: see above) €110,00
Ionian Islands field trip, 26-27 September [4]
- Overnight ferry Italy-Greece and back (25/26 September and 27/28 September)
Double cabin €225,00
Four bed cabin € 140,00 - Hotel in Lefkada city (26/27 September)
Double room €41,00
Single room €55,00 - Bus transfer and picnic €60,00
[1] Professional and student: registration, Abstract Book, Field Guide Book, three coffee / tea breaks, half day field trip, transport from / to Brindisi airport or Ostuni railway station.
Guest: registration, half day field trip, transport from / to Brindisi airport or Ostuni railway station and conference dinner.
[2] Included ice-breaker party (22/09/2008), two lunches (22/09 and 23/09/2008), conference dinner (24/09/2008).
[3] Professional, student and guest: two days of field trip, bus transfer, two lunches, two coffee / tea breaks, refreshments.
[4] Professional, student and guest: two nights in 2 / 4-beds cabins with bathroom on the Brindisi-Igoumenitsa – Brindisi (or Bari – Igoumenitsa – Bari) overnight ferry (this price may be reduced during the symposium depending on of the ferry company used as the ferry schedule is not fixed at present); one night in the Hotel Lefkas (***) in Lefkada city; typically Greek dinner on Friday, 26 September; picnics and refreshments on Friday and Saturday, 26 and 27 September; bus transfer).
The price for the optional field trip to Greece did not include dinners during ferry transfer on 25 and 27 September.
Conference and field trip fees were subject to changes depending on the final number of registered participants. If such is the case, it was promptly reported in the 3rd announcement and on the Conference website.
3. Financial Assistance
A limited number of conference-fee grants were provided for qualified students and / or attendees from developing countries who were unable to receive funding from their own institutes.
Requests were addressed to Prof. Dr. Paolo Sansò (Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi di Lecce, Via per Arnesano, Lecce 73100, Italy e-mail: [email protected]).
4. Scientific Contributions
4.1 Presentations
The official language of the conference was English.
Due to the large number of pre-registered contributions, the Scientific Organisers strongly recommended that the presentation of posters. Oral presentations were chosen by the Scientific Organisers according to their subject and general interest.
4.2 Extended abstracts
Authors were requested to submit by e-mail an extended abstract before 31 March 2008.
The abstract, two to four pages long, included Author(s), Institution(s), e-mail address(es), keywords, text, references and two figures (Fig. 1 – location of performed studies; Fig. 2 – more detailed research data in the form of picture, diagram or table) with captions (photo or picture must be saved as *.jpg).
The abstract was submitted single spaced 11-point, Arial font, with 1 inch margin top, bottom, left and right.
The abstract was created in, or converted to, Microsoft Word 97. An example of an abstract is provided at the end of this announcement.
The published book of extended Abstracts was made available on Monday, 22 September and during the conference in Ostuni at the Conference Desk as well as on the Conference website:
http://www.2ndtsunamisymposium.unile.it/
5. Publications
Proceedings of both paper and poster presentations were submitted for peer-reviewed publication in a journal with ISI code, maybe “Geografia Fisica e Dinamica Quaternaria”, sponsorised by IAG – International Association of Geomorfologists.
6. Sessions Information
Sessions were held from Monday, 22 September until Tuesday, 23 September 2008 at the Hotel Playa Conference Hall.
A maximum of two submissions per first author was desired. Oral presentation were limited to 20 minutes (and 10 minutes for discussion).
Posters were displayed for the entire duration of the Conference. Poster sessions took place during and after the scientific sessions.
The lecture room was equipped with one overhead projector, one slide projector and a multimedia projector.
Authors that used liquid crystal (multimedia) projector are kindly requested to supply the presentation in PowerPoint (*.ppt) on CD or memory stick.
7. Deadlines
Registration and Abstract / poster submission 31st March, 2008.
Third announcement and 2nd draft of preliminary programme 31st May, 2008.
Fee payment 20th June, 2008.
Fourth and final programme 31st July, 2008.
Conference and field trip fees increased by 10% for late registration.
Organisers
Professor Giuseppe Mastronuzzi
Dipartimento di Geologia e Geofisica
Campus Universitario
Via Orabona, 4
I – 72017 Bari
phone: 0039.80.5442634
fax: 0039.80.5442634
cell.: 0039.348.2235872
e-mail: [email protected]
Professor Paolo Sansò
Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali
Ecotekne
Via Per Arnesano
I – 73100 Lecce
phone: 0039.832.320556
fax: 0039.832.320548
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr Andreas Vött
Faculty of Geography
Philipps – Universität Marburg
Deutschhausstr. 10
D – 35032 Marburg / Lahn
phone: 0049.6421.2825917
fax: 0049.6421.2828950
e-mail: [email protected]
Professor Helmut Brückner
Faculty of Geography
Philipps – Universität Marburg
Deutschhausstr. 10
D – 35032 Marburg / Lahn
phone: 0049.6421.2824262
fax: 0049.6421.2828950
e-mail: [email protected]