Invited speakers : P. J. van Leeuwen (Reading University), A. Weaver (CERFACS, Toulouse)


Inverse Problems are encountered in most fields of Geosciences, for the purpose of either prediction or inference. One class of inverse problems, in the context of predictability, is assimilation of observations in dynamical models of the system under study.

This session will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of methods for inverse problems and data assimilation, in ocean and atmosphere dynamics, solid earth geophysics, atmospheric chemistry, hydrology and, more generally, in all fields of geophysics.

Data assimilation in coupled models (for example ocean/atmosphere models) is an emerging area of development for forecasting and reanalysis at operational centres. We particularly encourage contributions related to research aimed at understanding and developing such coupled data assimilation systems.

We also encourage reports on advanced methods, and related mathematical developments, suitable for situations in which local linear and Gaussian hypotheses are not valid and/or in the presence of model error. Contributions dealing with algorithmic aspects and numerical implementation of the solution of inverse problems are welcome, as well as contributions dealing with quantification of uncertainty in inverse and data assimilation problems.