A workshop focused on glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), ice sheets, sea-level change, and associated geodetic and geophysical observational constraints will be held at the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS) and Pacific Geoscience Centre (PGC), located near Sidney, British Columbia, Canada, from 2-6 June 2025. The workshop aims to bring together 80-100 researchers of all career stages to discuss recent advances in the observations, analysis, and modelling of GIA.
The 5-day program will follow the general format of oral and poster sessions focused on various thematic topics relating to GIA, ice sheet and glacier history, mass balance and projected future change, and the effects of this ice sheet evolution and Earth response on global, regional, and local scales. We invite contributions discussing observations, analyses, and modelling of ice sheet dynamics, the ensuing solid-Earth response, the resulting global and local (relative) sea-level changes, and the interactions and feedbacks between these components of the coupled Earth system.
In addition to oral and poster sessions, the workshop will incorporate opportunities for networking and collaboration, including a one-day field trip to observe local records of GIA, glacial geology, and active tectonics. During the last day, several smaller workshops on specific topics that are of high interest for the GIA community will be offered. These workshops will allow us to gather groups and advance research in targeted fields (e.g., benchmarking of GIA modelling codes, differences between GIA and GNSS reference frames, modelling of paleo ice-sheet histories, GIA in Antarctica, and observational constraints for GIA in Antarctica).
REGISTRATION
Registration is now open. Click here to complete the registration form.
Please note that space is limited by the physical capacity of the workshop venue. Depending on the level of interest, it may be necessary to cap in-person registration. If needed, priority will be given to individuals with accepted abstracts and invited speakers, with the remaining in-person registration seats offered on a first come, first served basis. A notification will be posted here if all spaces have been filled.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: 11 April 2025
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
Sunday
6:00 pm Icebreaker (Location TBD)
Monday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Talks and posters at IOS/PGC (shuttle to and from Sidney will be provided)
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm ECR meet-up in Sidney
Tuesday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Talks and posters at IOS/PGC (shuttle to and from Sidney will be provided)
Wednesday
Field trip entire day
Thursday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Talks and posters at IOS/PGC (shuttle to and from Sidney will be provided)
Friday
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Workshops at IOS/PGC (shuttle to and from Sidney will be provided)
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
This information is intended as a guide only. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the final responsibility to make travel plans and provide required travel documentation lies with the traveler. The workshop is being held in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada from June 2-6, 2025. The preliminary schedule is posted above.
IMPORTANT:
- To attend the full workshop, we recommend arriving at least one day before the start of the workshop (June 1).
- Sunday, June 1st, there will be an icebreaker event for all attendees in Sidney starting at 6 pm (further details TBD).
- The workshop will conclude Friday, June 6th, at 4 pm.
Getting to Sidney:
The fastest route from YYJ to Sidney (or from YYJ to the workshop venue) is by taxi or Uber (~10 minutes). Taxis are available outside the airport.
If arriving by air, the nearest airport is Victoria International Airport (YYJ), located nearby Sidney. This airport is relatively small, and most air travellers will need to connect through at least one other airport, such as Vancouver International Airport (YVR) or others.
From Vancouver, BC, Canada, it is possible to arrive by ferry (route is from Vancouver (Tsawwassen ferry terminal) to Victoria (Swartz Bay ferry terminal) https://www.bcferries.com/). Taxi, rideshare, or public transportation would be required from Vancouver to Tsawwassen ferry terminal, and from Swartz Bay ferry terminal to Sidney.
Determine What Travel Documents are Required to Travel to Canada:
https://www.ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp
This online tool asks a series of questions to determine what type of documentation is required of someone to travel to Canada based on their individual circumstances. Most travellers will need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) document (not both). Some travellers may require only a valid identity document, such as a valid passport.
Visitor Visas:
More information on visitor visas, and how to apply, is available at the website: Visitor visa: About the document - Canada.ca
- The visa application fee is $100 CAD.
- If you need to submit a letter of invitation with your visa application documents, please let us know.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA):
More information on eTA documents, and how to apply, is available at the websites:
Electronic travel authorization (eTA) - Canada.ca
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html
- Application for an eTA costs $7 CAD.
- The processing time is indicated to usually take a few minutes, or up to a few days – the website indicates you should apply for an eTA before you book your flight. Therefore, allow sufficient time to apply for the eTA.
HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS:
The following hotels are a selection in Sidney, BC, near the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS), where the workshop will be held. A shuttle service from these hotels to IOS and return will be provided during the workshop in the early morning and late afternoon. There are other hotels available in the area, including many in downtown Victoria, but the drive from downtown Victoria to IOS is about 45 minutes and no shuttle service is planned from downtown Victoria. Some of these hotels are offering a block of reserved rooms at a reduced rate for workshop participants. Before booking, please refer to your abstract acceptance or registration confirmation email for additional information about rates and any applicable codes or booking links.
Days Inn; phone +1 250 656 1176
(if using the booking code sent with your abstract acceptance or registration confirmation, please call the hotel directly to ensure the code is correctly applied when booking)
Best Western Plus Emerald Isle; phone +1 250 656 4441
Sidney Waterfront Inns and Suites; phone +1 888 656 1131
Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa; phone +1 250 655 9445
(if using the booking code sent with your abstract acceptance or registration confirmation, please call the hotel directly to ensure the code is correctly applied when booking)
Beacon Inn; phone +1 250 655 3288
Virtual Participation
To expand the reach and scope of the workshop, a virtual participation option will be offered by streaming of the lectures (free of charge). The organizing committee is also considering additional means by which virtual participants may engage (e.g., Gather.town). Instructions for how to participate virtually will be made available in early 2025.
Organizers:
Thomas James (Geological Survey of Canada and University of Victoria, Canada)
Stephanie Sherman (née Konfal) (Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Ohio State University, USA)
Karen Simon (Canadian Geodetic Survey, Canada)
Rebekka Steffen (Lantmäteriet, Sweden)
Scientific Committee:
Lambert Caron (Caltech/JPL, US)
Jeff Freymueller (Michigan State University, US)
Franck Ghomsi (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
Natalya Gomez (McGill University, Canada)
Thomas James (Geological Survey of Canada and University of Victoria, Canada)
Volker Klemann (GFZ Potsdam, Germany)
Stephanie Sherman (née Konfal) (Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, Ohio State University, US)
Andrew Lloyd (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, US)
Glenn Milne (University of Ottawa, Canada)
Grace Nield (Durham University, UK)
Jun’ichi Okuno (National Institute of Polar Research, Japan)
Tamara Pico (UC Santa Cruz, US)
Juliet Sefton (The University of Melbourne, Australia)
Karen Simon (Canadian Geodetic Survey, Canada)
Rebekka Steffen (Lantmäteriet, Sweden)
Lev Tarasov (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada)
Matthias Willen (TU Dresden, Germany)
Maryam Yousefi (Canadian Geodetic Survey, Canada)
Code of Conduct:
The workshop will follow the Code of Conduct of The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) and their anti-harassment guidelines. The full policy details can be viewed HERE.