SDB Day 2019

The International Forum on Satellite-Derived Bathymetry 2019

Esteemed speakers and guests from hydrographic offices, marine industry, service providers and research institutes around the world will gather for Australia’s first SDB Day in May 2019.

Satellite Derived Bathymetry (SDB) is a method for providing high-resolution water depth data in shallow water environments. These waters are notoriously difficult and expensive to access. The method combines satellite imagery with advanced algorithms to provide affordable and accurate data, and all within a relatively quick turnaround time.

The forum addresses the urgent need for both users and producers of SDB to jointly discuss capabilities, standards, data integration and handling uncertainties in its application.

The AEGC petroleum, mineral and water resource industry conference, incorporating the ASEG-PESA International Geophysical Conference and Exhibition, will be jointly hosted by the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG) and Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA).

Under the conference theme of Geoscience for a Sustainable World, the AEGC will attract a large number of international and national delegates and organisations from across the spectrum of Australasian geosciences, representing industry, government and academia. It is expected there will be dedicated streams for Australian basins, resourcing a sustainable energy challenge, data, innovation and technology, high-quality resources for future generations and developing the future workforce.

During GEO Week 2021, the Group on Earth Observations will present the multidisciplinary activities of the GEO Work Programme that address policy agendas involved in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.

The online event will include the GEO-17 plenary, plus anchor and side events. Time will be scheduled each day for virtual networking. On Monday, November 22, the 56th Executive Committee will be held as a closed meeting.

Of particular importance will be the anchor events: These are the main events designed by GEO week 2021 organisers to explain the multidisciplinary nature of GEO through the concept of nexus thinking. Working on multiple topics simultaneously is essential in today’s rapidly changing environmental and social conditions. For example, work in one area will have a knock-on effect or impact in another area, such as the water, energy and food nexus. These events are linked to the global policy agendas that underpin most of GEO’s work.

Image credit: NASA