Posters virtual: Fri, 8 May, 14:00–18:00 | vPoster spot 5
The capabilities and widespread availability of generative AI are potentially changing ways of working and studying. However, there are a lot of pitfalls and ethical questions to complicate use. Postgraduate taught (PGT) students typically study at the University of Glasgow for 12 months. They come from a wide range of institutions, where rigorous academic citation of information may not have been previously covered. Students have also been falling into the trap of AI hallucinations and losing academic integrity as they don’t realise generative AI can’t be relied upon. With this in mind a workshop was designed and run in Autumn 2025 to discuss finding reliable sources of information, how to manage/store information you find during research (including citation information), how to cite information correctly, and why this is important. The workshop included an explanation of Generative AI and student discussions on generative AI use and ethics. This work will discuss the workshop and reflect on what went well and what could be further improved. We need students to have a solid understanding of what generative AI can and can’t do, and the ethical background to decide if and when to use it, during their studies and in their future careers.
How to cite: Petrie, E.: Integrating Generative AI into good academic practice: a workshop for PGT students on sourcing, managing and citing information and Generative AI, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-13848, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-13848, 2026.
Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira–Selvagens, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde) constitutes a natural laboratory for studying the interaction between intraplate volcanism, regional seismicity, and coastal hazards. This paper presents an integrated approach to assessing and communicating volcanic, seismic, and tsunami risks in the Canary Islands and their Macaronesian context, combining: (i) multiparametric monitoring data (IGN, INVOLCAN, CIVISA/IPMA), (ii) geophysical synthesis of the mantle structure beneath Macaronesia, and (iii) active learning experiences with university students. Case studies include the Tajogaite–Cumbre Vieja eruption (La Palma, 2021), with pre-eruptive seismic swarms, Strombolian emissions, and lava flows that affected infrastructure and necessitated evacuations; and the seismicity associated with volcanic systems and faults in the Canary Islands and Azores. The danger of tsunamis from volcanic landslides (prehistoric megatsunamis) and the UNESCO IOC NEAM early warning framework (with IPMA, INGV, CENALT, KOERI, NOA, PTWC, among others) are also discussed. Preliminary results show that integrating monitoring networks, propagation models, and educational activities based on real data improves risk understanding and community preparedness.
Goals
- To characterize the main geological hazards in the Canary Islands and Macaronesia (active volcanism, regional seismicity, and tsunami generation/propagation), integrating historical and instrumental data.
- Analyze the Tajogaite case (La Palma, 2021) as a recent example of risk management and civil response, highlighting lessons for monitoring and reconstruction.
- Exploring tsunami scenarios associated with volcanic flank collapses and early warning mechanisms in the NEAM region (capacities and limitations).
- Develop a program of academic activities with UNED students.
Methodology
- Data sources: IGN seismic catalogs (1585–2022), IPMA/CIVISA in the Azores, volcanic monitoring bulletins (IGN/INVOLCAN), and recent literature (Frontiers, MDPI).
- Analysis: review of eruptive chronologies and swarms (La Palma 2021), mapping of hypocenters and magnitudes, synthesis of mantle structure (tomography/seismicity), and evaluation of tsunami scenarios due to landslides.
- Alert framework: NEAMTWS (IOC ‑UNESCO), functions of NTWCs (IPMA, INGV, CENALT, KOERI, NOA) role of the PTWC/ITIC in interoperability.
Activities
- Seismic data practice (IGN/IPMA): download the catalog for the Canary Islands/Azores; filter by period, magnitude, and depth; visualization and heat map of hypocenters; discussion of active patterns (pre/post ‑eruptions).
- Analysis of the Tajogaite case (2021): timeline of previous seismicity, eruptive evolution, impacts on infrastructure and population; use of bulletins and technical articles (Frontiers/MDPI/IGN).
- Tsunami workshop: review of megatsunami deposits in the Canary Islands and basic wave attenuation modeling; coastal exposure maps; connection with Tsunami Ready (IOC).
- Macaronesian Geodynamics Seminar: Critical Reading of the Plume vs. Tectonics Debate; Implications for Risk; Relationship with Biodiversity and Human Occupation on Islands (Socio-environmental Context).
Results
- Technical skills: handling seismic catalogs and volcanic reports (IGN/INVOLCAN/IPMA/CIVISA), signal reading, and construction of hazard and exposure maps.
- Integrated risk understanding: connection between tsunami monitoring, geodynamics and warning in the NEAM system, with criteria for interpreting warnings and model limitations.
- Lessons from 2021 on La Palma: recognition of pre-eruptive indicators, evacuation logistics and reconstruction (slow cooling of lava flows, gases, geotechnical heterogeneity).
- Impact on resilience: improving community preparedness and a culture of prevention in island environments by connecting science, education, and citizens through replicable activities.
Bibliography
- IGN: Seismic Catalogue of the Canary Islands 1341–2022 (maps and relocations 1975–2000).
- IPMA/CIVISA: seismic networks and maps for Azores/Madeira.
- Geodynamic Macaronesia: Frontiers 2023 (mantle and plume review/alternatives).
How to cite: Delgado García, A.: Study of volcanic, seismic and tsunami risks in the Canary Islands and Macaronesia: integration of monitoring, models and university education for resilience., EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-2161, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-2161, 2026.
Underground mining supplies essential metals that are indispensable for the energy transition and digital technologies. In this context, mountain landscapes around the globe are profoundly transformed, not only at the surface, but also underground on a large scale. Hidden subsurface landscapes develop progressively below the earth surface. A better understanding of the interconnections between subterranean metal extraction, landscape change, energy use and metal consumption is essential for future visions of sustainable resource management. In the current study, the Harz Mountains in Northern Germany serves as a case study to analyze the development of historical mining landscapes in a spatio-temporal and interdisciplinary context including especially geological, geomorphological, hydrological and cultural aspects. The natural landforms has been transformed significantly by ore extraction forming a new hybrid mining landsape.
The project on mining landscapes is carried out at the UNESCO-World heritage site Samson Mine in St. Andreasberg, which was one of the deepest mines in the 19th century and shows an almost 400-year mining history of silver. The research results are communicated to a wider public in the museum. In this regard the study is embedded in geographical environmental education (GEE), in which global learning and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form central components. Historical mining serves as a learning platform to reflect on current challenges of global metal extraction and energy use.
Historical perspectives reveal how mining landscapes have been shaped over centuries, how the rate of extraction increased with technical and social innovations or stagnated due to various crises, and they may show, most important, the cultural drivers of ore extraction. In this regard a geocultural concept for science communication has been developed for the Samson Mining Museum integrating digital forms of geovizualisations such as Structure-from-Motion (SfM), GIS-Applications and Augmented Reality (AR). They have the potential to make the underground visible and at the same time to show landscape changes over longer time periods. The fundamental starting element of the educational concept is the staff-guided mine tour through the original historical mine as an authentic and emotional experience. The didactic progression consists of the real-life experience in the mine, followed by locating, capturing, understanding, contextualizing, and reflecting mine-related topics in a local to global context through hybrid digital media in the museum to enhance geographical core competences, and finally transferring the acquired knowledge and interconnections to the real landscape – from Analog via Digital to Real-World explorations (ADR-Concept). The project is supported by fundings schemes on cultural heritage in Lower Saxony by the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (zukunft.niederdsachsen.de).
How to cite: Iturrizaga, L.: Geocultural Education and Digital Geovisualizations of Mountain Mining Landscapes: From Analog via Digital to Real-World explorations – a conceptional approach, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-16962, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-16962, 2026.
In the field of science, there is a need for a more comprehensive assessment of the potential geopolitical impacts of the transition to renewable energy. The combination of risk-prone situations such as depleting mineral resources, increasing environmental problems, rising geopolitical risks, and regional and global conflict potentials with the energy transition’s intense demand for critical minerals has made uninterrupted access to critical minerals a highly sensitive issue for the countries’ national security. The importance of these minerals, which are also heavily used in sophisticated weapon systems and ammunition, is increasing day by day. Recent events such as trade disputes between countries, resource nationalism, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine War, US President Trump’s demand to “annex” Greenland and Canada for critical minerals deposits, the US-Ukraine Minerals Deal that ensures the control of US on the critical minerals deposits of Ukraine, and the US-China trade war depending on REE’s and critical minerals have made the risk of disruption to the global economy and security even more apparent. This situation has placed critical minerals in a sensitive position in the global political economy, necessitating a reassessment of the mutual economic and political relations between the major global economies of the 21st century and resource-rich developing countries. In this process, developed countries need to enter into a new economic structure with resource-rich countries in order to maintain their prosperity and national security. The ideological divisions of the Cold War era are giving way to new alliances based on economic and technological superiority. On the other hand, due to the vital importance of critical minerals, especially for leading economic and military powers such as the US, EU, China, Russia, Japan, and India, any disruptions these countries may experience in the access of critical minerals or mutual interventions between parties in resource-rich countries carry the risk of large-scale conflict worldwide.
Protectionist, control-oriented, import-substitutionist, and divisive policies are those that most countries have implemented or have been forced to contend with regarding “critical minerals.” This situation, which has led to a resurgence of resource nationalism worldwide, also signals the beginning of a new “mercantilist” era from a global perspective. These policies, reflect the fundamental characteristics of neo-mercantilism, have formed the main axis of many countries’ “critical minerals” strategies, especially since 2016. Moreover, the United States, one of the most important advocates of economic liberalism, is leading this new era globally. The US’s national interests are driving the country to pursue neomercantilist strategies regarding critical minerals. These strategies leave other countries with no choice but to either align with the policies they contain or respond to the US with similar counter-policies. In today’s climate of international insecurity, the implementation of neo-mercantilist policies on critical minerals is becoming a necessity rather than a choice for countries. Developments in the coming period will determine whether critical minerals will be a vital aid for the clean energy transition or a bottleneck for world politics and economics due to access risks. Geologists and policymakers will need to work together on this issue.
How to cite: Tuna, İ. K.: The United States' critical minerals security policies in the context of neomercantilism and their impact on global geological studies, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-7904, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-7904, 2026.
Geoethics provides a critical framework for understanding and guiding responsible human–Earth interactions, particularly within UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps), which function as living laboratories for geoconservation, geoeducation, and sustainable regional development. Despite growing recognition of geoethics within the geosciences, validated and standardized tools for assessing geoethical awareness—and for understanding how societal engagement with geoheritage varies across socioecological contexts—remain limited. This study addresses this gap by integrating the development, validation, and application of a Geoethical Awareness Scale (GAS) with a comprehensive mapping of residents’ geoethical perceptions and engagement profiles across nine Hellenic UGGps (Lesvos Island, Psiloritis, Chelmos–Vouraikos, Vikos–Aoos, Sitia, Grevena–Kozani, Kefalonia–Ithaca, Lavreotiki, and Meteora–Pyli).
Using an online questionnaire administered to 798 residents, we developed and psychometrically validated a 32-item GAS structured across 16 thematic axes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified six robust dimensions of geoethical awareness: (1) geological heritage conservation and sustainable georesource use, (2) community engagement and collaborative governance, (3) sustainability through geoenvironmental education, (4) environmental challenges and risk adaptation, (5) sustainable geotourism, and (6) climate awareness and ecosystem resilience. These factors explained 60.12% of the total variance, with reliability indices ranging from acceptable to excellent. Structural equation modeling confirmed the internal validity and generalizability of the scale, establishing GAS as a reliable tool for assessing geoethical awareness in designated, protected, and managed socioecological systems.
Beyond scale validation, spatial and comparative analyses revealed generally high levels of geoethical awareness across Hellenic UGGps, alongside significant regional variability linked to local context, management visibility, and outreach practices. Sitia UGGp consistently exhibited the highest awareness levels, whereas Psiloritis and Lavreotiki UGGps showed lower scores in dimensions related to community engagement and sustainable geotourism, highlighting opportunities for targeted governance and educational interventions. Demographic and experiential factors—particularly age, education level, urban origin, prior visits to UGGps, and membership in environmental organizations—significantly influenced geoethical perceptions, underscoring the importance of experiential learning and direct engagement.
Cluster analysis further identified four distinct resident profiles: (1) highly engaged environmental stewards, (2) supportive but selective advocates, (3) moderately indifferent participants, and (4) disengaged or critical respondents. While nearly 70% of participants demonstrated strong or moderate alignment with geoethical principles and values, the remaining groups highlight the need for tailored education, participatory governance, and inclusive outreach strategies.
Overall, this integrated assessment demonstrates how validated measurement, spatial differentiation, and social profiling of geoethical awareness can inform adaptive governance and geoeducation strategies within UGGps. The findings support a transition from anthropocentric toward geocentric perspectives, positioning geoethical awareness as a key socioecological indicator for sustainability, resilience, and Earth-system stewardship in the Anthropocene.
How to cite: Koupatsiaris, A. A. and Drinia, H.: Measuring Geoethical Awareness and Engagement Profiles in UNESCO Global Geoparks: A Validated Scale and Evidence from Greece, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-1853, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-1853, 2026.
Early-career researchers play a central role in advancing geoscience, yet their research trajectories are shaped not only by scientific challenges, but also by structural conditions that influence access, recognition, and sustainability. While equal-opportunity frameworks aim to ensure fairness through consistent treatment, they may still produce uneven outcomes when differences in experience, workloads, contribution, and risk exposure are not fully recognised. These conditions are particularly consequential for early-career researchers navigating mobility and temporary contracts. The uneven distribution of invisible academic labour further shapes who remains visible and who is able to sustain a research career.
Framing these dynamics as shared research challenges allows early-career researchers to learn from one another’s experiences, reduce impostor syndrome, and make visible the human side of scientific work. Equity is a shared responsibility: institutions and organisations can improve transparency around structural conditions, while research communities and scientific societies can reduce inequities by shaping participation, recognition, and visibility within existing constraints. This includes flexible participation models, transparent evaluation practices, and greater recognition of non-visible contributions that support more equitable and inclusive research environments. By treating equality and fairness as shared problem-solving spaces rather than individual burdens, this perspective aims to support more inclusive and sustainable pathways for early-career researchers in geoscience.
How to cite: Tang, A. C. I.: Beyond Equality: Early-Career Perspectives on Equity in Geoscience, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-16189, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-16189, 2026.
One of the most life-changing experiences for scientists is when real-world events challenge theoretical knowledge and standard models in the literature. When facing such circumstances, scientists, instead of feeling disappointment and discouragement, must seize the opportunity to expand their knowledge and adjust for flaws in their initial assumptions, as academic integrity is rooted in fundamental scientific values, such as honesty and fairness. Considering this, and after decades of post-graduate, PhD, and post-doctoral studies in the fields of Hydraulics, Hydrology, and Stochastics, we witnessed a series of unprecedentedly extreme events in academia involving the official regulations for tenured professorships in Greece. These regulations mandate the formation of an Academic Board for candidate evaluation by randomly drawing lots from a pool of professors whose scientific fields are relevant to the subject of the position. This is intended to avoid "pre-designed" boards (i.e., those formed by blocking certain experts —often highly qualified ones— from the draw and favouring others —often poorly qualified ones— who may have scientific and financial conflicts of interest regarding specific candidates), which can cause severe long-term degradation of the educational system. Unexpectedly, even after multiple repetitions and strong reassurance regarding the validity of the above procedure, the probability of the outcomes (specifically, the consistent drawing of a handful group of lots) reached the extreme order of millionths. In this presentation, we will discuss these experiences with extremes and whether the concepts of statistical significance and reliability indices in scientific literature and academic regulations should be revisited.
How to cite: Dimitriadis, P.: Extreme Academic Tales for Recorded Extreme Tails in Greece, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-21525, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-21525, 2026.
A key reason for the widespread use of peat-based growth media in horticulture is their reliable nutrient availability when supplemented with fertilisers. However, due to environmental concerns over continued peat-extraction and use, peat-alternatives (e.g., coir, wood fibre, composted bark, biochar) are increasingly being used commercially. These alternative media often blend multiple materials, making it crucial to understand elemental composition and nutrient interactions between components. This study evaluates whether benchtop Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) can provide a rapid method for determining the elemental composition of peat-alternative components.
Representative growing media components (peat, coir, wood fibre, composted bark, biochar, horticultural lime, perlite, slow-release fertilisers, and trace-element fertiliser) were blended in different ratios to generate industry-representative mixes. Individual components and prepared mixes were dried and milled to ≤80 μm. An industry-representative mix (QC-50: 50% peat, 30% wood fibre, 10% composted bark, 10% coir, with fertiliser and lime additions) and 100% peat were analysed by EDXRF (Rigaku NEX-CG) for P, K, Mg, Ca, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Mo, and compared against ICP-OES reference measurements. The instrument’s fundamental parameters (FP) method using a plant-based organic materials library showed large discrepancies relative to ICP-OES (relative differences: 268–390 084%) for most elements in both QC-50 and peat, with the exception of Ca in QC-50 (11%). These results confirm that the FP approach combined with loose-powder preparation is unsuitable for accurate elemental analysis of organic growing media.
An empirical calibration was subsequently developed using 18 matrix-matched standards (CRMs, in-house growing media and individual component standards). Matrix matching is challenging because mixes are mostly organic by volume, yet variable inorganic amendments (e.g., lime, fertilisers, and sometimes perlite) can strongly influence XRF absorption/enhancement effects. Calibration performance was optimised iteratively using QC-50 as the validation sample, until relative differences were <15% for all elements. When applied to 100% peat, agreement with ICP-OES results improved substantially for some macro-elements (e.g. Mg 10%, Ca 1%, S 19%) but remained poor for most trace elements (28–96%), demonstrating limited transferability of this calibration method across different elements and matrices tested.
Overall, these results demonstrate that loose powder preparation does not provide sufficiently robust accuracy for EDXRF analysis of organic growing media even with meticulous empirical matrix-matched calibration. We are therefore developing a pressed pellet method using a low-cost wax binder to improve sample homogeneity (packing density) and calibration transferability. Twenty unknown mixes will be analysed using both loose powder and pressed-pellet calibrations, and agreement with reference data (ICP-OES) will confirm method validation, supporting the development of EDXRF as a novel approach for growing media analysis.
How to cite: De Silva, T., Tupaz, C., Croffie, M., Daly, K., Gaffney, M., Stock, M., and Corbett, E.: Developing Matrix-Matched Empirical Calibrations for EDXRF Analysis of Peat-Alternative Growth Media, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-20122, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-20122, 2026.
- The Graveyard Orbit: The region located several hundred kilometres above the geostationary belt, where defunct satellites are "parked" in perpetuity to prevent interference with operational assets.
- The Spacecraft Cemetery: The South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area near Point Nemo, where controlled reentries are targeted to sink decommissioned hardware into the deep sea.
How to cite: Desai, R.: Ethics of Repair: From the Earth’s High Orbits to its High Seas, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-13997, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-13997, 2026.
Addressing contemporary environmental challenges, such as climate change, land degradation, and ecosystem transformation, requires not only scientific knowledge but also new ways of communicating complexity, uncertainty, and responsibility. Art–science collaborations are increasingly recognised as effective tools to engage diverse audiences emotionally and cognitively, fostering environmental awareness and sustainable mindsets. This contribution presents The Kaleidoscopic Lens of Art: Imaging the Environment, an interdisciplinary educational project that bridges Earth Observation science and artistic practice to promote environmental literacy and meaningful public engagement.
Developed within Italy’s PCTO (Pathways for Transversal Skills and Career Guidance) framework, the project involved third-year high school italian students working in close collaboration with researchers from the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (IMAA) of the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy. Students analysed authentic satellite imagery and geospatial datasets related to environmental processes and human–environment interactions, including landscape change and urban–natural dynamics. Scientific data were then reinterpreted through multiple artistic languages transforming analytical evidence into visual narratives.
The educational pathway followed a blended methodology combining classroom instruction, field activities, laboratory sessions, and creative workshops. This iterative process guided students from scientific observation and data analysis to conceptual re-elaboration and artistic production. The resulting works—mixed-media paintings, architectural reinterpretations of landscapes, and digitally manipulated satellite imagery—functioned as hybrid artefacts, simultaneously conveying scientific content and eliciting emotional and ethical reflection on sustainability.
The collective exhibition COSMOS CREATIVO: Artistic Transformations of Earth from Space, presented during the European Researchers’ Night (2024–2025), demonstrated the potential of art–science collaboration to act as a powerful form of science communication. By translating complex environmental data into accessible and emotionally resonant forms, the exhibition fostered dialogue between students, scientists, and the wider public, highlighting the shared responsibility of scientific and artistic communities in communicating planetary boundaries and ecosystem fragility.
Aligned with the EU Key Competences for Lifelong Learning and SDG 4, the project offers a replicable model for integrating STEAM education, environmental awareness, and civic engagement. By positioning scientific data as both analytical tools and sources of aesthetic inspiration, The Kaleidoscopic Lens of Art illustrates how art–science collaborations can build bridges between disciplines, enhance public understanding of Earth system science, and support the cultural imagination needed to envision sustainable futures.
Keywords: interdisciplinary education, PCTO, STEM and art integration, environmental awareness, satellite imagery, geospatial data, creative learning, high school education
How to cite: Coluzzi, R., Imbrenda, V., Fanti, L., Traino, W., de Carlo, M., Camardelli, V., Smilzo, A., Cordisco, M., Limone, G., Amato, L., Calamita, G., Ciancia, E., Gandolfi, I., Perrone, A., Salvatore, L., Pilogallo, A., Santopietro, L., and Giampaolo, V.: The Kaleidoscopic Lens of Art: Art–Science Collaborations for Environmental Literacy and Sustainable Futures, EGU General Assembly 2026, Vienna, Austria, 3–8 May 2026, EGU26-12137, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu26-12137, 2026.
