News and Activities
GGOS IberAtlantic (GGOS IA) functions as a regional node of GGOS, focusing on geodetic activities across the Iberian Peninsula and the Atlantic region. GGOS IA fosters collaboration among geodetic institutions while promoting scientific research and technological development tailored to the region’s unique geophysical characteristics.
21st WEGENER ASSEMBLY – Tirana, Albania, October 13–15, 2026
Com3, 📅 Event UpdateThe Institute of Geosciences (IGEO) and joint IAG-IASPEI sub-commission “Seismo-geodesy” are delighted to invite you to the 21st WEGENER Assembly, which will take place in Tirana, Albania, from October 13–15, 2026.
21st WEGENER Flyer
WEGENER meetings gather geodesists and geoscientists working in the Mediterranean, earthquake processes and geodynamics. The WEGENER meeting is supported by International Association of Geodesy (IAG) and the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth’s Interior (IASPEI), through Sub-commission 3.5 “Seismo-Geodesy” joint between IAG and IASPEI.
Whether you are an established researcher, an early-career scientist, or a student, Wegener assembly offers a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, develop collaborations, and strengthen our scientific community.
The meeting will be hosted by the Institute of Geosciences part of Polytechnic University of Tirana.
Abstract submission and registration will open February,2 2026. Early-bird registration will be available until July 15, 2026. Proposed sessions are:
1. Motion and deformation of the Mediterranean: from kinematics to dynamics
2. Plate Boundary and Intraplate Processes from Geodetic Observations
3. Faults and Earthquake Cycle Processes
4. Geodesy Contribution to Seismic Hazard Assessment & Mitigation
5. Surface Processes, Hydrology, and Anthropogenic Deformation
6. Emerging Methods and Infrastructures
7. Volcano and Volcano-Tectonic Deformation
Beyond the science, Tirana offers a lively and welcoming atmosphere, with a blend of Ottoman, Italian, and modern architecture, a vibrant café culture, and easy access to Albania’s stunning landscapes from the Adriatic coast to the mountains and historical UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its central location and well-connected airport make it a really accessible and attractive destination for colleagues from all over Europe and beyond.
We warmly invite you to be part of WEGENER 21st Assembly and to contribute to advancing seismo-geodesy research in the Mediterranean and beyond.
Author: Jean-Mathieu Nocquet (Chair SC 3.5 Seismogeodesy)
Genesis Session at COSPAR – Call for Abstracts
Com1, Other, 📅 Event UpdateThe ESA Genesis mission is taking speed and the scientific community is preparing for the launch of the geodetic satellite in 2029. The Genesis session at the upcoming COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) Scientific Meeting from 01.-09. August 2026 in Florence, Italy, associated to the Panel on Satellite Dynamics (PSD), is an opportunity to present and discuss status, results, methodologies, ideas. Consider to submit an abstract for
The abstract deadline is February 13, 2026. Below you find the session description and the important dates and links.
Session Description – PSD.2: Genesis:
Genesis is a mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) approved for launch in 2029. It realizes all major space ties on a satellite in a near-polar orbit at about 6000 km altitude, connecting two GNSS antennas connected to a common receiver, an SLR retroreflector, a DORIS receiver and a dedicated VLBI transmitter.
The ESA mission Genesis will provide well-calibrated space ties for all space geodetic techniques, GNSS, SLR, VLBI, DORIS, benefiting the realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame and supporting the goal to achieve a reference frame precision of 1mm and stability of 0.1mm/yr, revealing inconsistencies between techniques. The consistent ITRF realization with Genesis-based space ties and precise orbit determination based on all space geodetic techniques require the development of new processing and combination strategies.
In preparation of the Genesis mission this session aims to discuss the status, scientific opportunities and challenges of the exploitation of the mission. Contributions are solicited from, but not limited to, the following areas: (1) status of the mission and the instruments onboard, (2) calibration strategies, (3) scenarios for the utilization of Genesis including new scientific opportunities, (4) observation strategies, (5) Genesis orbit modelling, (6) Genesis orbit determination using the different techniques, (7) combination at the observation level and other combination strategies, (8) experiences with exploitation of already available space ties on current satellite missions, (9) simulation studies on impact of Genesis, (10) future ITRF realizations using new types of observations.
Important Dates and Links
Abstract submission deadline: February 13, 2026
Notification of acceptance: April 13, 2026
Early bird registration closes: May 17, 2026
Looking forward to meet you in Florence!
Urs Hugentobler, Krzysztof Soscnica, Johannes Böhm
REFAG2026: Early bird registration deadline – 15 December 2025
Com1, GGOS, IERS, Services, 📅 Event UpdateThis is a reminder to all colleagues interested in participating in the next IAG Symposium Reference Frames for Applications in Geosciences (REFAG2026), that early bird registration closes on 15 December 2025. The symposium will take place from 2 to 4 March 2026 in Munich, Germany. More information at https://geodesy.science/events/munich2026/.
We would also like to remind all participants that at least one author of each submitted abstract must complete the REFAG2026 online registration by 15 December 2025. Abstracts for which no registration has been received by this date will not be included in the meeting programme.
We look forward to seeing you in Munich!
Author: Laura Sanchez (REFAG LOC)