International Workshop on Seismo-Electromagnetics and Space Science (IWSE-SS 2000)19-21 December 2001
An International Workshop on Seismo-Electromagnetics and Space Science was organized by Department of Physics, RBS College Agra during 19-21 December, 2001 in the Hotel Holiday Inn. The basic purpose of organizing this workshop was discussing the problem of earthquakes and its prediction based on electromagnetic technique. For this purpose noted seismologist, atmospheric and radio scientist, and research workers from other areas of science and technology were invited. The one of the objectives was also to stimulate interest in this area among younger scientist of the country so that many more stations may be created for extensive research in this field.
Topics covered during the workshop
- Seismicity and seismotectonics of the north-west Himalayan region and north-east India.
- Earthquake prediction based on various techniques including variation of the ground resistivity, geomagnetic fields, radon measurements, MT and ET methods.
- Seismo-electromegnetic emissions at various frequencies, generation mechanism, laboratory experiments, ground and surface measurements.
- Current status of the generation and movement of ionosphere E and F region irregularities, theoretical studies and experimental results obtained from top and bottom side sounders, VHF scintillations etc.
- ELF/VLF surface/whistler mode propagation from natural sources including lightning, earthquakes and volcanoes.
- Precursors at ULF, ionospheric effect of earthquakes determined from satellite measurements, VLF amplitude and phase monitoring of transmitter signals.
Inaugural session
The inaugural session of the workshop took place at 10 a.m. on December, 19, 2000 with Dr. G.K. Agrawal, Vice Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra in chair and Dr. S.K. Srivastav, Addl. Director General, Indian Meteorological Department, New Delhi as chief guest. Other persons at the dais were Professor M. Hayakawa, Chief International advisor, Mr. V.C. Gupta, Addl. District and session judge, Agra representing the president, board of management, R.B.S. College Agra, Dr. B.K. Agrawal, Principal and secretary Board of Management R.B.S. College Agra and Chairman local organizing committee, and Dr. Birbal Singh, Convener of workshop. The convener Dr. Birbal Singh conducted the session.
Participation of scientists
The workshop was attended by 90 participants that included 10 foreigners and 80 Indians. The foreign participants came from Japan, Ukraine, France and Russia whereas Indian participants came from almost all parts of the country. The foreign participants were accommodated in the hotel itself whereas the Indian participants stayed in the UP tourist Banglow near Raja ki mandi, Agra.
Special meeting
A special meeting of Indian and foreign scientists was organized on 20 December, 2000 at 5 PM. in the hotel itself to identify thrust areas in the field of Seismo - electromagnetics for further studies and research. The meeting was chaired by Prof. H.N. Srivastav of Indian Meteorological Department, New Delhi.
Cultural programme and Excursion trip
A cultural programme of Indian classical and folk dances was arranged for the entertainment of the participant on 20 December 2000 at 6 p.m. in hotel Holiday Inn which was highly enjoyed both the foreigners and Indians. Two cultural groups, one of small school children and other of Indo-Russian dance institute Agra presented various programs depicting cultural heritage of Braj, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana etc.
An excursion trip to various monuments of Agra was arranged on 22 December, 2000. Many participants belonging to South, East and West India and foreigners participated in this trip and enjoyed.