Many environmental challenges facing society since the last century require
international solutions. Examples include exploration of the Earth and its
environment in space; exploration of our rivers, oceans, and atmosphere;
climate change; securing clean water and energy; and understanding and
mitigating disasters due to natural hazard events. Earth and space sciences
lie at the heart of these challenges and occupy a central role in
international agendas.
The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) has been
coordinating and promoting international efforts in Earth and space sciences
since 1919. Under IUGG's umbrella,
eight international scientific associations and several interdisciplinary
bodies cover many disciplines of geo- and space sciences and
promote research of the Earth from its core and its space
environment up to the Sun.
Thousands of scientists from many nations and specific
scientific disciplines have developed ways of cooperation through IUGG's
international associations and learned how to work together to promote
geosciences. IUGG has been initiating, developing, and implementing
international cooperative programs; setting scientific standards; developing
research tools; educating and building capacity; and contributing to science
for policy and science diplomacy.
The purpose of this special issue (SI) is not to relay a definitive history
of the development of international cooperation in the geosciences, but to
summarize IUGG's remarkable role during the 100-year span of its existence.
The first part of the SI “The union: bringing together geophysical disciplines”
begins with the present overview of the IUGG mission and
structure, and the circumstances of its founding and early development are
presented up to the beginning of World War II. The second article starts
with recovery after World War II and addresses the years of extraordinary
development of geophysical science through the International Geophysical
Year (IGY; 1957–1958) and the concurrent evolution of IUGG structure and
programs extending up to the General Assembly of 1999. The rapid advances
that have occurred thus far into the 21st century are reviewed in the
third article, and foresights on IUGG future development conclude this
first part of the SI. Outstanding histories of each of the IUGG associations are then told.
The second
part of the SI “Around the earth: glaciers, rivers, air, and oceans”
presents articles about the histories of the International Association of Cryospheric
Sciences (IACS: past, present, and future of the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences),
the International Association
of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS: a brief history of hydrology), the International Association of Meteorology
and Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS: a century of international cooperation in atmospheric sciences), and the International Association for the Physical
Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO: tales from the ocean frontier).
The third part of the SI “Within and on the earth: gravity, magnets, earthquakes, and
volcanoes”
presents articles about the histories of the International Association of Geodesy (The International Association of Geodesy: from an ideal sphere to an irregular body subjected to global change), the International
Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA: a major role in understanding our magnetic planet),
the International Association of Seismology and
Physics of the Earth's Interior (IASPEI: its origins and the promotion of global seismology), and the
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI: from small beginnings to a vibrant international association).
This volume, proposed in 2014 by the IUGG Bureau, is the combined effort of
a number of authors and advisors, including past and current IUGG and
association officers. We are grateful to Franz Kuglitsch and Katina Rogers
Roopchansingh for their technical and editorial assistance, to Hans Volkert
for proposing the title of this SI and editorial support, and to reviewers
for their constructive comments and suggestions for revision of the initial
manuscripts of the papers published in the SI. The IUGG archives, curated by
the American Institute of Physics Center for the History of Physics (Gregory Good,
director), located in College Park, MD, USA, were heavily consulted in
preparation for this SI, and we acknowledge their helpful staff. We are very
thankful to Kristian Schlegel, HGSS editor-in-chief, for his enthusiastic
efforts and assistance in producing the SI.
Jo Ann Joselyn and Alik Ismail-Zadeh
SI Editors
List of acronyms
AfSCAfrican Seismological CommissionAGUAmerican Geophysical UnionAIartificial intelligenceAK1345seismic travel-time model, without special meaningAMSArmy Map ServiceAOGSAsia Oceania Geosciences SocietyASCAsian Seismological CommissionBASBritish Antarctic SurveyBCE or BCBefore Common EraBGIBureau Gravimétrique InternationalBHIBureau International de l'HeureBIPMBureau International des Poids et MesuresBVBulletin Volcanologique (Bulletin of Volcanology)CASTChina Association for Science and TechnologyCCECCommission on Climatic and Environmental Change (IUGG)CCTFConsultative Committee for Time and FrequencyCFCchlorofluorocarbonCIESMCommission Internationale pour l'Exploration Scientifique de la mer MéditerranéeCIGComite Internationale de GeophysiqueCIGCommission Internationale des GlaciersCliCClimate and Cryosphere project (WCRP)CMEcoronal mass ejectionCMGCommission on Mathematical Geophysics (IUGG)CMIPCoupled Model Intercomparison ProjectCMSLTCommission on Mean Sea Level and TidesCNAACommittee on Nucleation and Atmospheric Aerosols (of ICCP)CNESCentre National d'Etudes Spatiales, FranceCO2carbon dioxideCODATACommittee on Data for Science and TechnologyCOSPARCommittee on Space ResearchCOSTEDCommittee on Science and Technology in Developing CountriesCoVCities on VolcanoesCOWARCommittee on Water ResearchCRCMCommission on Recent Crustal MovementsCSAGICommittee for the International Geophysical YearCSRCommittee on Space Research (IUGG)CSTGCoordination of Space Techniques for Geodesy and GeodynamicsCTBTComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban TreatyDACA-13Davos Atmosphere and Cryosphere Assembly, 2013DCDistrict of ColumbiaDFGGerman Research FoundationDMIDanish Meteorological InstituteDOESDeep Ocean Exchange with the ShelfDORISDoppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by SatelliteECExecutive CommitteeECRearly career researcherECSearly career scientistECVessential climate variableED50European Datum 1950EGIGExpédition Glaciologique Internationale au Groenland 1957–1960eGYelectronic Geophysical YearEMSEVInter-Association Working Group on Electromagnetic Studies of Earthquakes and Volcanoes
ENHANSExtreme Natural Hazards and Societal ImplicationsENSOEl Niño–Southern OscillationEOS-80International Equation of State of Seawater – 1980EOSTEcole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre, StrasbourgESAEuropean Space AgencyESCEuropean Seismological CommissionESMEarth System ModelFAGSFederation of Astronomical and Geophysical Data Analysis ServicesFAOThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsFDSNInternational Federation of Digital Seismograph NetworksFIGFédération Internationale de GéomètresFRGFederal Republic of GermanyG7Group of Seven countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and USAGAgeneral assemblyGAPHAZGlacier and Permafrost Hazards in Mountains standing group (IACS & IPA)GARPGlobal Atmospheric Research ProgramGCOSGlobal Climate Observing SystemGDPInternational Geodynamics ProjectGDRGerman Democratic RepublicGEBCOGeneral Bathymetric Chart of the OceansGEOGroup on Earth ObservationsGEOSSGlobal Earth Observation System of SystemsGEWEXGlobal Energy and Water Exchanges project (WCRP)GFZGerman Research Centre for GeosciencesGGOSGlobal Geodetic Observing SystemGGRFGlobal Geodetic Reference FrameGGPGlobal Geodynamics ProjectGISGeographic Information SystemGLASSGEWEX Land Atmosphere System StudyGLIMSGlobal Land Ice Measurements from Space initiativeGLOFglacier lake outburst floodGLOSSGlobal Sea Level Observing SystemGNSSGlobal Navigation Satellite SystemsGOOSGlobal Ocean Observing SystemGPSGlobal Positioning SystemGRCCommission on Geophysical Risk and Sustainability (IUGG)GRS 67Geodetic Reference System 1967GRS 80Geodetic Reference System 1980GRACEGravity Recovery And Climate ExperimentGTN-GGlobal Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GCOS)GVPGlobal Volcanism Program (SI)HMSHis/Her Majesty's ShipHMSHHis Most Serene HighnessHSJHydrological Sciences Journal (IAHS)IABOInternational Association for Biological OceanographyIACSInternational Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IUGG)IAGInternational Association of Geodesy (IUGG)IAGAInternational Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IUGG)IAGCInternational Association of Geochemistry and CosmochemistryIAGPInternational Antarctic Glaciological ProjectIAHRInternational Association of Hydraulic ResearchIAHSInternational Association of Hydrological Sciences (IUGG)IAMInternational Association for Meteorology (IUGG); previous name for IAMASIAMAPInternational Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics (IUGG); previous name for IAMASIAMASInternational Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences (IUGG)
IAPOInternational Association of Physical Oceanography (IUGG); previous name for IAPSOIAPSOInternational Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IUGG)IAPWSInternational Association for the Properties of Water and SteamIASCInternational Arctic Science CommitteeIASHInternational Association of Scientific Hydrology (IUGG); previous name for IAHSIASPEIInternational Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior (IUGG)IASPEI91seismic travel-time model, without special meaningIASYInternational Years of the Active SunIATMEInternational Association of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity (IUGG); previous name for IAGAIAUInternational Astronomical UnionIAVInternational Association of Volcanology (IUGG); previous name for IAVCEIIAVCEIInternational Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IUGG)ICACGPInternational Commission of Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (IAMAS)ICAEInternational Commission on Atmospheric Electricity (IAMAS)ICAOInternational Civil Aviation OrganizationICCEInternational Commission on Continental Erosion (IAHS)ICCLInternational Commission on Climate (IAMAS)ICCLASInternational Commission on the Coupled Land-Atmosphere SystemICCPInternational Commission of Clouds and Precipitation (IAMAS)ICCTInter-Commission Committee on Theory (IAG)ICDMInternational Commission on Dynamical Meteorology (IAMAS)ICESInternational Council for the Exploration of the SeaICETInternational Centre for Earth TidesICGEMInternational Centre for Global Earth ModelsICGWInternational Commission on Groundwater (IAHS)ICMAInternational Commission on the Middle Atmosphere (IAMAS)ICPAEInternational Commission on Planetary Atmospheres and their Evolution (IAMAS)ICPMInternational Commission on Polar Meteorology (IAMAS)ICRCMInternational Centre on Recent Crustal MovementsICRSInternational Commission on Remote Sensing (IAHS)ICSHInternational Commission on Statistical Hydrology (IAHS)ICSIInternational Commission on Snow and Ice (IAHS)ICSIHInternational Commission on Snow and Ice Hydrology (IAHS)ICSUInternational Council for Science; formerly, International Council of Scientific UnionsICSWInternational Commission on Surface Water (IAHS)ICTInternational Commission on TracersICTPAbdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical PhysicsICWQInternational Commission on Water Quality (IAHS)ICWRSInternational Commission on Water Resources Systems (IAHS)IDEMSInternational Digital Elevation Model ServiceIDNDRInternational Decade for Natural Disaster ReductionIDSInternational DORIS ServiceIEEYInternational Equatorial Electrojet YearIERSInternational Earth Rotation ServiceIGACInternational Global Atmospheric Chemistry ExperimentIGBPInternational Geosphere-Biosphere ProgrammeIGCInternational Geological CongressIGEMSIntegrated Global Earth Monitoring SystemIGeSInternational Geoid ServiceIGETSInternational Geodynamics and Earth Tide ServiceIGFSInternational Gravity Field ServiceIGRFInternational Geomagnetic Reference FieldIGSInternational GNSS Service (previously International GPS Geodynamics Service,International Service for Geodynamics)IGSInternational Glaciological Society
IGSN 71International Gravity Standardization Net 1971IGYInternational Geophysical YearIHAInternational Hydrology AssociationIHDInternational Hydrological DecadeIHDPInternational Human Dimensions ProgrammeIHPInternational Hydrological ProgrammeIHYInternational Heliophysical YearIIOE-2Second International Indian Ocean ExpeditioniLEAPSIntegrated Land Ecosystem-Atmosphere Processes StudyILPInternational Lithosphere ProgramILRSInternational Laser Ranging ServiceILSInternational Latitude ServiceIMOInternational Meteorological Organization; former name for the WMOIOCIntergovernmental Oceanographic CommissionIOC or IO3CInternational Ozone Commission (IAMAS)IOSUK Institute of Oceanographic SciencesIONInternational Ocean NetworkIPAInternational Permafrost AssociationIPCCInternational Panel on Climate ChangeIPGHInstituto Panamericano de Geografia Historia (also PAIGH)IPMSInternational Polar Motion ServiceIPYInternational Polar YearIPYDISIPY Data and Information ServiceIQSYInternational Years of the Quiet SunIRCInternational Research CouncilIRCInternational Radiation Commission (IAMAS)IRDRIntegrated Research on Disaster RiskISAInternational Seismological AssociationISCInternational Science CouncilISCInternational Seismological Centre (UK)ISGInternational Service for the GeoidISGIInternational Service of Geomagnetic IndicesISOInternational Organization for StandardizationISSInternational Seismological SummaryISSCInternational Social Science CouncilITDinter- and trans-disciplinaryITRFInternational Terrestrial Reference FrameITUInternational Telecommunications UnionIUBSInternational Union of Biological SciencesIUCIInter-Union Commission on the IonosphereIUCRMInter-Union Commission on Radio MeteorologyIUCSTPInter-Union Commission on Solar-Terrestrial PhysicsIUGGInternational Union of Geodesy and GeophysicsIUGSInternational Union of Geological SciencesIUPACInternational Union of Pure and Applied ChemistryIUPAPInternational Union of Pure and Applied PhysicsIVSInternational VLBI Service for Geodesy and AstrometryIYInternational YearIYDInternational Year of DeltasIYGUInternational Year of Global UnderstandingIYPEInternational Year of the Planet EarthJCSThe Joint Committee on the Properties of SeawaterJPOTSJoint Panel on Oceanographic Tables and StandardsKITKarlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
LACSCLatin American and Caribbean Seismological CommissionLOICZLand-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal ZoneMAPMiddle Atmosphere ProgrammeMEMSmicro-electro-mechanical systemsMOCA-09Meteorology, Ocean and Cryosphere Assembly, held in Montreal in 2009MOCA-21Meteorology, Ocean and Cryosphere Assembly, to be held in Busan, Republic of Korea, in 2021m.s.l.mean sea levelNASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA)NMSOP-2New Manual of the Seismological Observatory Practice (second edition)NNR NUVEL-1ANo Net Rotation Northwestern University Velocity model 1ANSIDCNational Snow and Ice Data Center (USA)OGOOrbiting Geophysical ObservatoryOSILOcean Scientific International Ltd.PAIGHPan-American Institute of Geography and History (also IPGH)PCpersonal computerPIAHSProceedings of IAHSPIOSAPan-Indian Ocean Science AssociationPOGOPolar Orbiting Geophysical ObservatoryPRCPeople's Republic of ChinaPREMPreliminary Reference Earth Model (IASPEI)PSAPacific Science AssociationPSFGPermanent Service on the Fluctuations of GlaciersPSMSLPermanent Service for Mean Sea LevelPSS-78Practical Salinity Scale 1978PUBPrediction in Ungauged Basins program (IAHS)RETrigRéseau Européen de TriangulationREUNRéseau Européen Unifié de NivellementROCRepublic of ChinaROSTSEAUNESCO Regional Office for Science and Technology for Southwest AsiaSAscientific assemblySCARScientific Committee on Antarctic ResearchSCLScientific Committee on the LithosphereSCOPEScientific Committee on Problems of the EnvironmentSCORScientific Committee on Ocean ResearchSCOSTEPScientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial PhysicsSCOWARScientific Committee on Water ResearchSDGSustainable Development GoalSDOSolar Dynamics ObservatorySEANScientific Event Alert NetworkSEDICommission on Study of Earth's Deep Interior (IUGG)SFEsolar flare effectSHSSection d'Hydrologie Scientifique (IUGG)SISmithsonian Institute for Natural SciencesSLRsatellite laser rangingSnowMIPSnow Model Intercomparison ProjectSOHOSolar and Heliospheric ObservatorySOLASSurface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere StudySP6seismic travel-time model, without special meaningSPARCStratosphere-troposphere Processes And their Role in ClimateSRReference SalinitySSCstorm sudden commencementSSTSea surface temperatureSVSection of Volcanology (IUGG)TEOS-10Thermodynamic Equation of Seawater – 2010
TFDCTask Force for Developing Countries (IAHS)TGFtransient gamma ray burstsTLEtransient luminous eventsTS/WGITechnical Secretariat for the World Glacier InventoryUAVunmanned aerial vehiclesUCCSCommission for the Cryospheric Sciences (IUGG)UCDICommission on Data and Information (IUGG)UCPSCommission on Planetary Sciences (IUGG)UGGIUnion Géodésique et Géophysique Internationale (French name of IUGG)UKUnited KingdomUMCUpper Mantle CommitteeUMPUpper Mantle ProjectUNUnited NationsUNEPUN Environmental ProgramUNESCOUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationUNISDRUnited Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, established to ensure the implementationof the International Strategy for Disaster ReductionURSIUnion Radio Scientifique Internationale (International Union of Radio Sciences)USAUnited States of AmericaUSDUSA dollarUSSRUnion of Soviet Socialist RepublicsUV radiationultraviolet radiation from the SunVERSIMVLF/ELF Remote Sensing of Ionospheres and MagnetospheresVLBIvery long baseline interferometryWCRPWorld Climate Research ProgrammeWDMAMWorld Digital Magnetic Anomaly MapWDCWorld Data CenterWDSWorld Data SystemWGworking groupWGHUnion Working Group on History of Earth and Space Sciences (IUGG)WGMSWorld Glacier Monitoring ServiceWMOWorld Meteorological OrganizationWMSWorld Magnetic SurveyWWIFirst World WarWWIISecond World War