From 23 to 26 of October 2014 the Landslide Research Group at the Technische Universität München hosted the 7th annual meeting of the German working group on permafrost (AK Permafrost). The meeting brought together 50 researchers from across Europe (Switzerland, Austria, United Kingdom, Norway, and Germany) to discuss recent research, and the outlook for future change in permafrost-affected polar and alpine environments.
The pre-meeting excursion to the Zugspitze (highest mountain of Germany) permafrost outdoor lab and landscapes produced by the retreat of the Isar-Loisach Glacier was led by Michael Krautblatter and Dr. Ulrich Haas. Along with Dr. Torsten Sachs, Michael Krautblatter also co-chaired the meting sessions on topics including: Novel observation and modelling techniques, time scales in permafrost system change and adaptation, linking bio- and geosphere, and new techniques in permafrost investigation.
The scientific program was supplemented with an excellent workshop organized by Josefine Lenz (PYRN) and sponsored by the IPA, dedicated to helping young permafrost researchers publish their latest results. Furthermore, a preparatory meeting, led by Prof. Dr. Hubberten and Karina Schollaen, took place for the 11th International conference on permafrost (ICOP) to be held in Potsdam Germany in June 2016.
Click here to download the conference program and find out more about the meeting.