The VIII Iberian Congress on Permafrost (CIP 2025) took place from 26–28 June 2025 at the heart of the Pyrenees, in Salardú (Val d’Aran, Catalonia, Spain), bringing together around 40 researchers from the Iberian Peninsula and the international permafrost community. Organized by the ANTALP Research Group at the University of Barcelona, the meeting continued the tradition of Iberian permafrost conferences as a platform for scientific exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue, and collaboration across institutions and career stages.
The congress featured a diverse scientific programme including keynote lectures, oral and poster presentations, and thematic sessions addressing a broad range of contemporary cryospheric challenges. Topics covered frozen ground processes, periglacial and snow dynamics, glacial–periglacial geomorphology, and the responses of polar and alpine cryospheres to ongoing climate warming. Over two days of sessions, participants shared research findings and explored emerging perspectives in high-mountain permafrost science within a dynamic research environment.
CIP 2025 also coincided with two important international milestones—the International Year of Glacier Preservation (2025) and the launch of the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034)—providing a timely framework for reflection on future research priorities and the societal relevance of cryospheric science. The congress represented a meaningful in-person reconnection of the Iberian permafrost community following the pandemic period, strengthening existing collaborations and fostering new partnerships among early-career and senior scientists alike. The Book of Abstracts is openly available (link).
Beyond the scientific sessions, the meeting included networking and social activities that encouraged informal exchange and community building. A guided field excursion (book available at link) through emblematic sites of the Aran Valley enabled participants to observe glacial and periglacial processes directly, enhancing discussions on geomorphology and cryospheric dynamics through hands-on experience in the field.
The Local Organizing Committee expressed sincere appreciation to all contributors—including speakers, conveners, collaborators, and sponsors—whose efforts made the event possible. CIP 2025 reinforced the importance of regional conferences in advancing permafrost research and in strengthening scientific networks within the broader mission of the International Permafrost Association to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange worldwide.
Garcia-Oteyza Ciria J., Oliva M., Perez Ramos C., (eds.) 2026. VIII Iberian Congress on Permafrost – Book of Abstracts, 26–28 June 2025, Salardú (Val d’Aran, Catalonia, Spain) . DOI: 10.52381/IPA.CIP2025AB.1
Garcia-Oteyza Ciria J., Fernandes M., Gavaldà J., Oliva M., (eds.) 2026. VIII Iberian Congress on Permafrost- Excursion Book. DOI: 10.52381/IPA.CIP2025EB.1
Provided by: Julia Garcia-Oteyza Ciria
