World’s experts gather at caldera for largest volcano conference yet
Aotearoa New Zealand’s biggest conference for years has officially started today in Rotorua.
The International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) has brought the global volcanology community together in the Rotorua caldera, in the heart of some of the country’s most iconic volcanic and geothermal environments. With nearly a thousand of the world’s experts and early career enthusiasts participating both online and in person in a plethora of plenary sessions, symposia, field trips, workshops and collaborative opportunities, organisers are inspired by the opportunities that abound.
“IAVCEI 2023 has been organised by the whole of New Zealand’s volcanology community,” Adrian Pittari, IAVCEI Convenor, University of Waikato said in his opening address at the Mihi Whakatau and Opening Ceremony.
We hope this meeting advances volcanology and builds the bridges we need to connect our global volcanologists.
With the impressive programme and sheer numbers attending it would seem a likely outcome. The stage is set for powerful conversation and dynamic innovation, and the energy indoors almost matches that of the geothermal wonderland of the conference’s unique setting.
In this world of ever-changing weather and hazards, so relevant right now with the flooding devastation that has hampered travel for many IAVCEI participants, we rely on the expert guidance of the world’s scientific elite. Recruitment and retention of that learned resource is a primary focus of the week.
IAVCEI President, Patrick Allard has travelled from France to open the conference, one of those successful enough to thwart the disruption of the weather event. He spoke of the significant growth of the IAVCEI community that has taken place in the past few years, despite the isolation of the pandemic. Since the last conference pre-Covid in Portland 2019, membership has grown from 1705 to 2239 registered and gender diversity has also greatly improved from a 62/38 percent male to female ratio in 2020 to today’s 58/42 percent representation. A new editorial board has also been elected.
Rotorua MP, Todd McClay spoke of the importance of education and growing our future generation. Rebecca Fitzgerald, GNS/Massey University agrees. Managing the Early Career Researchers (ECR) initiatives for the conference, she noted the significant need to nurture the next generation. “
“They are the colleagues of our future,” she said.
We need to tweak the minds of our young people and inspire them into science. That is where our solutions of the future sit.
To help create wonder and grow tomorrow’s science leaders, VolcanoFest aims to inspire, challenge and connect participants and the public. Brainchild of Ben Kennedy, University of Canterbury the festival, running in conjunction with the conference, includes exhibitions, workshops, art and photography as well as outreach demonstrations and teacher professional development opportunities. A public day on Thursday offers an opportunity for locals to meet some of the world’s best Volcanologists in a question and answer session. Incorporating a public element is a new initiative for the New Zealand conference and IAVCEI 2023 is all set to inspire everyone, young and old.
The study of volcanoes is not complete without the cultural narrative. Rotorua provides a unique setting to introduce the framework of whakapapa and the inherent relationships that tangata whenua has with our environment.
Hollei Gabrielsen, Department of Conservation, established the natural and societal links to the local geology through the story of her pepeha. The evolution of volcanoes, according to the cultural narrative, began from the loving embrace of Sky and Earth – creating the Auaha, the constellation of the stars, the seas, the forests and all natural life as we know it. Tangata whenua, the people, came last.
With story of the force of nature, its creation and its omniscience told, Jan Lindsay, Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland introduced Aotearoa New Zealand’s volcanoes, including the very caldera that hosts IAVCEI 2023 and is 240,000 years ancient.
Jan described some of the many research projects that all serve to help inform the hazard and its management, with a transdisciplinary focus and involving many different stakeholders working collaboratively to co-create natural hazard and risk strategy.
IAVCEI 2023 runs throughout the week, until Friday afternoon.