The response of the Earth to past and present-day fluctuations of glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets, commonly termed glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), is generating large and measurable changes to sea level, horizontal and vertical crustal motion, and the Earth's gravitational field. It also influences Earth’s rotation and stress field.

Studies on GIA provide valuable information on past glaciation history and on Earth rheology, and help in the determination of past, present and future sea-level changes. They are based on various data, e.g. relative sea-level (RSL), tide gauge records, levelling, GPS, satellite altimetry, terrestrial (absolute and relative) and space-borne gravity measurements as well as on sophisticated GIA modelling. GIA also contributes substantially to related mass-transport phenomena, such as present-day hydrological and oceanographic changes. In these cases, the GIA signal must be thoroughly modelled and removed in order to isolate the other processes. Other areas of interest are the understanding of GIA-induced earthquakes in conjunction with the determination of glacially induced faults, the influence of GIA on the remigration of oil and gas in adjacent areas or the potential feedback of GIA on climate changes.

In this session, we invite papers, which focus on GIA phenomena around the world and/or the usage of observations for determination of Earth's rheological parameters. We welcome contributions directly addressing observations, modelling of GIA and the inferences regarding glacial history, Earth rheology, GIA-induced effects on the magma productivity and associated volcanic/hydrothermal/degassing activity, and environmental changes (e.g. sea-level change, palaeohydrology, palaeogeography, surface erosion). In particular, applications of GRACE-gravity data and the uncertainties introduced by an imprecisely-known GIA response are of relevance to this session. Furthermore, we welcome new modelling developments such as inclusion of crustal/lithospheric structures (sedimentary basins, faults, subduction zones) and mantle rheologies, and contributions to analysis of potential feedbacks of GIA on climate changes.

Our invited speaker is Ken Ferrier (Georgia Institute of Technology).