CiG@ETH

Complexity in Geomorphology, SNF Exploratory Scientific Workshop

11-12 June 2015 ETH Zurich, Hönggerberg Campus, HIL D 53

The geomorphic system is a complex system in which stochasticity in sediment production by rainfall and runoff, mobility of sediment along different colluvial and fluvial pathways, uncertainty caused by temporary or long-term deposition, and many other processes, lead to fluctuations in sediment yield and stratigraphic records which are deterministically unpredictable. The main aim of the CiG workshop is to generate a focussed discussion on the topic of complexity in geomorphic systems and its implication on (i) data collection and analysis; (ii) modelling and inference of cause-and-effect relations; and (iii) the predictability of geomorphic system response in general.

The target audience of the workshop are young scientists, PhDs and Postdocs from Swiss universities researching different aspects of complex systems in geomorphology and related fields in earth sciences. Invited lectures will be presented by six leading experts in complexity research, with fields of expertise ranging from earth sciences, computational physics to economy, and covering modelling, theory, data analysis and field observation approaches. Young scientists will be expected to engage with the invited speakers and challenge them on the meaning of complexity in their own research.

Specific aims of CiG

• to identify and discuss the main lessons learned from recent research on complex systems, their modelling and inherent predictability, including lessons from other fields (e.g. physics, ecology, economy)
• to clarify the applicability of key concepts in complex systems research, such as self-organized criticality, to geomorphology and critically discuss the right metrics for their recognition
• to discuss other metrics which may be more appropriate for the intermittent and state-dependent dynamics that most geomorphic systems exhibit, and show their applications to processes and datasets
• to discuss the basis on which the concept of "complexity" in geomorphic systems may objectively be identified, systems and their behaviour may be compared, and predictions may be made

Schedule