nd A Report of the 52 Annual Convention of Indian Geophysical Union (IGU)

nd he 52 Annual Convention of Indian Nayak, President of IGU & Distinguished Scientist Geophysical Union (IGU) was organized of MoES, in his presidential address talked about the jointly by the National Centre for Antarctic integration of various disciplines of Earth System and Ocean Research and the IGU during November Sciences and their implications to address several 3-5, 2015 at Goa. The aim of the convention was issues needed for the society. He has emphasized on to provide a platform for dissemination of knowledge the cohesive approach for Earth Sciences education in through oral and poster presentation, close interaction India; generation of human resources; development and sharing scientific thoughts/views needed for the of mineral and energy resources; international society and, to focus and respond effectively to the collaborations; establishment of state-of-the-art risks and challenges. national facilities for acquisition, analysis and interpretation of geo-science data etc. He also stressed The fundamental needs of the society -air, upon the need of understanding the earthquake water, food, energy, shelter -are directly related mechanism and deciphering the climate-tectonic to the optimal use of natural resources and interaction through scientific deep drilling, mountain knowledge of Earth system dynamics. Man-induced dynamics, climate change, earthquake monitoring, environmental degradation caused by excessive services to fishermen, farmers, navigators etc. greed of urban development, and over-exploitation of ground water, hydrocarbons and minerals coupled Shri A.K. Dwivedi, Director (Exploration) of Oil with natural phenomena resultant hazards have & Natural Gas Corporation Limited, New Delhi, made series of negative impacts on the Earth. This the Chief Guest of the function, inaugurated the trend, if continues, will lead to ecological imbalance convention. He appreciated the significant growth and obliteration of life on Earth. Different disciplines to Indian Geosciences and the contributions of Earth Sciences can help in taking apt measures made by the Indian Geophysical Union through to resolve many of the setbacks faced by Man and its Annual Convention and Journal. He stressed other life forms. Hence, the theme “Near Surface that the integrated approach of various disciplines Earth System Sciences” was chosen as this assumes of geosciences can be employed not only for the importance as our day-to-day activities are directly exploration of energy and mineral resources in linked to earth system processes in one form or the difficult terrains, but also in understanding other. As in the past, IGU provided a proper forum subsurface from surface experiments. Shri Dwivedi for presentation of current topics, local importance handed over the certificates of Prof. Jagdeo Singh & and results of Basic Earth Sciences covering several Dr. S. Balakrishna Memorial Grant to the University disciplines of Earth System Sciences, during the toppers in the discipline of Geophysics. Towards the three-days convention of IGU. end of the inauguration, Prof. Manik Talwani gave away the Anni Talwani Memorial Grant to the Young Inaugural rd function started at 10 A.M on 3 Nov. Women Researchers, and encouraged them to take Registration of delegates was carried out from 8.30 up Geosciences in career building. A.M on wards. The inaugural function was presided over by Prof. Shailesh Nayak, President of IGU. There were about 250 participants in total from Dr. Dhananjai Kumar Pandey, Local Organizing different parts of the country. Apart from 9 IGU Convener invited the dignitaries on to the dais. Award and Memorial/Endowment Lectures, 6 invited Dr. M. Ravichandran, Local Organizing Chairman, talks, 1 theme talk, 2 special talks, there were 60 welcomed the delegates. Dr. Kalachand Sain, Hon. oral and 165 poster presentations spread over several Secretary of IGU, presented the secretary’s report with sessionsonSolidEarth&MarineGeosciences,Space, details of IGU activities. Dr. SWA Naqvi, Director Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences. The abstracts of of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, the these talks are available in www.igu.in. It is heartening Guest of Honor, highlighted the significance of Geo-to note that the three-day annual convention provided Sciences and its influence on society. Prof. Shailesh ample opportunity to the participants, especially to the students and young researchers, to better understand Prizes for the 'ONGC-IGU Best Poster Awards' under the importance of scientific endeavors meant for the the Research Scholar category. This was to inspire society and environment. After the inaugural function the students and to stimulate their thinking into in the first day, Dr. P.R. Reddy, Editor, Journal of Indian the realm of Earth Sciences. All the winners were Geophysical Union delivered the Theme Talk on distributed with Cash Prizes and Certificates at the “Importance of earth system sciences-an overview”. Valedictory Function of IGU. This was followed by IGU Award and Memorial/ Endowment Lectures. As a member of the Federation of Indian Geosciences Association (FIGA), IGU extended its support in In the first technical session on 'Young Researcher conducting the half-day afternoon session of FIGA Program', the budding researchers and Ph.D. in the second day, where key topics were deliberated. students presented their research works. All the 7 IGU also arranged for two special talks given by Prof. papers dealing with seismic, rock physics, fluvial, Manik Talwani of Rice University, USA on '50 years seismological, satellite topography data were adjudged adventures on measuring gravity data over oceans' excellent, and the Jury comprising Prof. V.P. Dimri and by Shri P.H. Mane, on behalf of Shri G.C. Katiyar, and Dr. O.P. Pandey of CSIR-NGRI recommended ED Basin manager, ONGC-Mumbai & President of for the First, Second and Third 'Best Presentation SPG on 'Mesozoic exploration of western margin of Awards'. The winners were recognized with Cash India and east coast basins'. Prizes and Certificates at the Valedictory Function of IGU. In the second technical session, we provided On the third day also parallel sessions were arranged. an opportunity to the Exhibitors to demonstrate Papers on ground water, mineral exploration and the state-of-the-art services or products related to environmental sciences were presented in the 6th acquisition, processing/modeling and interpretation technical session, whereas the papers covering Space, of Geo-scientific data for the benefit of the delegates. Planetary & Atmospheric Sciences were presented On the second day, parallel sessions were arranged in the 7th technical session. Papers on structure to accommodate papers on Earthquakes, geo-hazards and composition of Crust, lithosphere and mantle, and deep structures in the 3rd technical session, and the papers on Theoretical and Experimental and on ocean drilling program, gas hydrates and Geosciences were presented during the 8th and 9th continental margins in the 4th technical session. technical sessions, respectively.

55 posters by Research Scholars/Fellows, 62 posters Each session was preceded by a lead talk. Prof. V.P. by Students of Master Degree, and 48 posters by Dimri emphasized the need for scaling approach in Other Delegates were presented in the 5th technical enhancing the signal to noise ratio in acquisition, session. Even though two-hour slot was allocated for processing and interpretation of geophysical data. Dr. the poster session, it was encouraged for continued Dhananjai Kumar Pandey attempted to address the display of posters to enable better projection of questions related to mountain building, weathering, scientific results and possible interaction. To motivate erosion and climate system through long marine and encourage the young brains in Earth Sciences sedimentary records that has been pursued by the IGU created a four-member Jury comprising Prof. B. International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) in Madhusudhan Rao of Osmania University, Prof. P. the Arabian Sea. Prof. P. Rajendra Prasad raised his Rama Rao of Andhra University, Dr. Rima Chatterjee concern on quality of available water resources that of ISM and Dr. Nittala Satyavani of CSIR-NGRI, and has been affected by increasing urbanisation, intensive they selected the First, Second and Third Prizes, agricultural practices, industrialisation, demanding and three Special Prizes for the 'ONGC-IGU Best living standards and emerging pollutants. He has Poster Awards' under the student category. The Jury, pointed out that these factors, coupled with floods comprising Dr. O.P. Mishra of MoES, Prof. R.K. Mall and droughts, extraction of unlimited groundwater, of BHU, Dr. Mrigank Ghatak of GSI and Dr. Anil improper management and inefficient utilization of Kumar of NCAOR, after having gone through the water resulting in wastage are the main factors causing posters and interaction with the presenters, selected environmental and health hazards. Though climate is the First, Second and Third Prizes, and two Special a complex system and global phenomenon, Dr. R. K. Tiwari tried to address the paleo and present climate problems, Prof. Sankar Kumar Nath has been chosen change and variability, and speculate the future based for the Decennial Award of IGU for the year 2015. on appropriate time series analysis of new available data. Dr. R.N. Singh discussed on the Indian Ocean KRISHNAN MEDAL-2015 lithosphere: departures from cooling plate model. Dr. Sukanta Roy explained the importance of scientific Dr. Girishkumar, Scientist C at ESSO-INCOIS, deep drilling at Koyna, a classical site for artificial Hyderabad, has made an excellent research that has reservoir triggered earthquakes, which has been enhanced the understanding of the forecast of tropical extensively probed using geological and geophysical cyclone and prediction of monsoon over the Bay of methods in the past. Bengal, and the upper ocean thermohaline structure and the chlorophyll variability in the north Indian During the inaugural function, Prof. Shailesh Nayak, Ocean. In recognition of his remarkable contribution President of IGU presented the Awards/Medal/Prize to ocean-atmospheric sciences, Dr. Girishkumar has and Memorial/Endowment Lectures of IGU for the been chosen for the Krishnan Medal of IGU for the year 2015 to both the young and senior Geoscientists year 2015. in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Indian Earth Sciences. KRISHNAN MEDAL-2015

DR. HARI NARAIN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Dr. Parthasarathi Chakraborty, Scientist at CSIRAWARD-2015 NIO, Goa, has made an excellent contribution in understanding the composition, source and Prof. V.L.S. Bhimasankaram, Professor (Retd.) provenance of metal-binding ligands in marine system. from Osmania University, Hyderabad, has made a His pioneering works on metal-humics interactions pioneering contribution in the field of Exploration in different aquatic environments has attracted wide Geophysics, and also in Geo-magnetism, Paleo-attention. In recognition of his brilliant work in oceanic magnetism and Rock-magnetism. In view of his biogeochemistry, Dr. Chakraborty has been chosen for invaluable contribution to Geosciences education the Krishnan Medal of IGU for the year 2015. and innovative research in Exploration Geophysics, Prof. V.L.S. Bhimasankaram has been unanimously ANNI TALWANI MEMORIAL PRIZE-2015 chosen for Dr. Hari Narain Lifetime Achievement Award of IGU for the year 2015. Dr. O.P. Mishra, Scientist F at MoES, New Delhi, has made an outstanding contribution in both theoretical DECENNIAL AWARD-2015 and observational seismology. He has gone beyond conventional surface wave dispersion and receiver Prof. Sankar Kumar Nath, a Senior Professor in function analysis, and carried out rigorous high-the Higher Administrative Grade at IIT-Kharagpur, resolution tomography. He has provided very has been successful in blending of Exploration & strong seismological evidence for dehydration of Solid-Earth Geophysics and Earthquake Hazard the subducting Pacific Sea slab, and of dehydration Science & Engineering, and contributed significantly embrittlement. In view of his significant contribution for delineation of near-surface structures; in understanding the physico-chemical status of characterization of source, site and ground response; crust and mantle in many seismogenic provinces, Dr. assessment of seismic risk and vulnerability; and O.P. Mishra has been chosen for the Anni Talwani seismic microzonation at different parts of India. Memorial Prize of IGU for the year 2015. He has developed algorithms and codes in Seismic Prospecting & Pattern Recognition, Geophysical SRI L.N. KAILASAM MEMORIAL Tomography, Groundwater Geophysics and LECTURE-2015 Earthquake Seismology. In view of his diversifying research interests and outstanding contribution Mr. Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, Director (Exploration) to methodological and conceptual developments at ONGC Limited, New Delhi, has made an to address geophysical and geo-environmental outstanding contribution for the discovery of oil & gas both onland and offshore of India. During Electrotek & Geometrics Endowment Lecture award his distinguished career of more than 34 years, he of IGU for the year 2015. was responsible for many key exploration-related assignments. He is endowed with excellent academic PRINCE MUKARRAM JAH ENDOWMENT records coupled with rich expertise in analysis and LECTURE-2015 integration of multi-disciplinary geo-scientific data. In view of his outstanding contribution to Exploration Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice Chancellor (VC) at Jamia of Hydrocarbons, Mr. A.K. Dwivedi has been chosen Millia Islamia in New Delhi, is an accomplished for Sri L.N. Kailasam Memorial Lecture award of academician and renowned Geologist. He has IGU for the year 2015. contributed significantly in understanding the genesis of Precambrian magmatism and evolution of the DR. H.N. SIDDIQUE MEMORIAL HimalayaandnorthIndianshieldbasedongeochemical LECTURE-2015 and isotopic studies. He has established a Precambrian Research Group, which helped the Department of Dr. Maruthadu Sudhakar, Director, ESSO-CMLRE, Geology at University of Delhi to become a Centre Cochin, has contributed extensively in the field of of Advanced Studies with Precambrian Research as a deep-sea bed resources and oceanographic surveys/ thrust area. As a VC of Kashmir University, he has polar sciences/ marine technology. His expeditions formed a consortium with Delhi University, JNU, include Southern Ocean and Antarctica. His Sikkim University and Jammu University to study the major scientific achievements include delineation Himalayan Glaciers. He is now starting new courses of major nodule deposits in Central Indian Basin; on Disaster Management, Atmospheric Sciences and demarcation of potential areas for resource Mountain Meteorology. Prof. Ahmad supervised 17 development; discovery of a large pumice field, zeolite Ph.D. students .In view of his significant contribution deposits on Australasian microtektites; mapping to Precambrian Geology, Prof. Talat Ahmad has been seabed; and charting bathymetry of Prydz Bay, Eastern chosen for Prince Mukarram Jah Endowment Lecture Antarctica. In view of his outstanding contributions award of IGU for the year 2015. to Marine Geosciences, Dr. M. Sudhakar has been chosen for Dr. H.N. Siddique Memorial Lecture PROF. D. LAL BEST PAPER AWARD-2015 award of IGU for the year 2015. The selection committee, duly constituted by the ELECTROTEK & GEOMETRICS ENDOWMENT executive committee of IGU, examined all the papers LECTURE-2015 published in four Issues of IGU during the year 2015, and unanimously found the article entitled 'Geological Prof. Amarendra Kumar Sinha, Director at the and Geotechnical Characterization of Ramagundam Centre of Excellence -Climate Change & Water Opencast-II of Singareni Collieries using Geophysical Research, Jaipur, has contributed significantly in Logs' authored by G. Uday Bhaskar, A. Srinivasa Rao, Hydrology including the Environment Geology. He G.V.S. Prasad and B. Shravan Kumar deserving for Prof. played a key role in creation of PG Department in D. Lal Best Paper Award of IGU for the year 2015.Dr. Geology, Indira Gandhi Centre for Human Ecology, Uday Bhaskar, Deputy General Manager at Singareni Environmental Science and Population Studies and Collieries Company Limited, Kothagudem, received Centre for Water Management & Research within the the cash award on his and his co-authors behalf. campus of University of Rajasthan. He also founded two professional societies namely the ENVIRON ONGC-IGU Best Oral Presentation Award under at School of Environmental Science, JNU, Delhi Research Scholar Category: and the Association of Geo-environmentalists to promote linkage between science and society. He First: Mr. Nara Damodara, CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad has supervised 22 Ph.D. students. In view of his Second: Ms. Vinee Srivastava, IIT Mumbai significant contributions to Geosciences, Prof. Third Prize: Ms. Falguni Bhattacharya, Institute of Amarendra Kumar Sinha has been chosen for the Seismological Research, Gandhinagar ONGC-IGU Best Poster Presentation Award under Banaras Hindu University (Geophysics) Research Scholar Category: Mr. Ashwini Anand Mr. Puneet Pavan Upadhyay First: Mr. Shib Shankar Ganguli, CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad IIT, Kharagpur (Exploration Geophysics) Second: Mr. Vipin Kumar Pathak, ISM, Dhanbad Mr. Pushkar Mondal Third: Mr. N. Lachit Singh, NCAOR, Goa Mr. Nishant Kumar Special Prizes: Mr. Soumya Chandan Panda, IIT, Kharagpur Anni Talwani Memorial Grant to Young Women Ms. Soumya Shukla, CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad Researchers:

ONGC- IGU Best Poster Presentation Award under Ms. Uma Vadapalli, CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad Students Category: Ms. Drasti Gandhi, Institute of Seismological Research, Gandhinagar First: Mr. Aayush Agarwal, ISM, Dhanbad Ms. Archana Jarial, CSIR-NGRI, Hyderabad Second: Mr. Deepak Kumar, Kurukshetra University Ms. Jayashree Banerjee, Indian School of Mines, Third: Miss. Alka Rani, Kurukshetra University Dhanbad Special Prizes: Mr. Pankaj Baruah, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh At the valedictory function of IGU, Prof. Manik Ms. Debashree Dutta, Dibrugarh University, Talwani, Guest of Honor, advised the students and Dibrugarh researchers to achieve excellence in whatever field Mr. Shubham Priyadarshi, ISM, Dhanbad they pursue their research. He handed over the Cash Prizes and Certificates to the Students and Prof. Jagdeo Singh & Dr. S. Balakrishna Memorial Research Scholars for their best performance in the Grant to University Toppers: 52nd Annual Convention of IGU. Prof. Sashikumar Punnekkat, Director, BITS Pillani, Goa & Chief Osmania University (Geophysics), Hyderabad Guest of the function narrated the tremendous Ms. G. Blessy growth of computers that has taken place with the Mr. B. Laxman passage of time, and their application to understand the complexity of Earth System Sciences. He handed Andhra University (Geophysics), Visakhapatnam over the Certificates to the Students who participated Ms. Ch. Mohana Lakshmi in the Interaction-cum-Poster session earlier Ms. S. Mounica organized by the IGU, Goa Chapter.

IIT Mumbai (Applied Geophysics) The delegates thoroughly enjoyed the scientific Mr. Amit Kumar proceedings and the excellent hospitality provided Mr. Priyank Lal by the local organizers. In this regard, Dr. M. Ravichandran, Dr. Dhananjai Kumar Pandey, Mr. ISM (Three Years App. Geophysics), Dhanbad Ajeet Kumar and other members from NCAOR Mr. Subrata Singha deserve the compliments. IGU places on record the Ms. Soumya Mukherjee financial support received from the MoES, INCOIS, NCAOR, NCESS, NGRI, NIO, IIG, ONGC, OIL, Electrotek International, Omni Infoword (P) Limited, ISM (Five years App. Geophysics), Dhanbad JCS Instruments (P) Limited, Horizon Geosciences, Mr. Ankit Kumar Aimil Limited. Mr. Arka Das K a S l e a c c r h e a t n a d r y S a & i n O r & g a A n S i S z S i R n S g

P S r e a c s r a e d t a Kurukshetra University r (Geophysics), Kurukshetra y H , o Ms. Shivani Baliyann . n d i a n

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U n i o n Ms. Shruti Malik