INNOVATION TO TACKLE SCALING ISSUES IN EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES
EXORCESS 2022
What is the geomorphic process?
Geomorphic process defines the interaction between the Earth’s surface and Earth’s natural forces to produce landforms. Thorough geologic timescale, various processes such as mountain formation, volcanic activities, erosion, mass movement, and sediment deposition occurred and became the key mechanisms for landform formation. These processes occur naturally. However, they can also cause hazards to the community life systems, widely known as geomorphic hazards. In particular, the increase in population and land use for living in vulnerable areas may elevate the risk of these hazards worldwide.
How do we evaluate geomorphic processes?
An understanding of geomorphic processes is essential to predict and then minimize the risk of potential geomorphic hazards. Numerous approaches, such as field investigation, experimental study, numerical simulation, and remote sensing, have been used to understand these processes. Among these approaches, the experimental study is effective to demonstrate various processes related to landform formation, which is typically difficult to be done by field investigation and remote sensing-based techniques.
Scaling issues in experimental studies
Experimental studies on geomorphic processes always involve scaling, ranging from small (e.g., laboratory) to large (e.g., field) scales. Results from these experiments can also be highly variable, depending on the scaling factors. In general, a large-scale experiment is effective in simulating natural conditions. However, this experiment is typically time-consuming and labor-intensive. In contrast, a small-scale experiment can be cost-effective and quickly run. Yet, it may not fully represent the actual processes, and tends to be under- or overestimated. Such conditions potentially limit the applicability of experimental studies to the actual field conditions.
International online workshop in experimental geomorphic processes
International online workshop on experimental geomorphic processes (EXORCESS) aims to clarify the scaling issues in experimental geomorphic studies. The speakers are invited from various countries and backgrounds to present orally about their experiments. First, we have keynote speakers, talking about the general perspective and scaling issues on experimental geomorphic studies. Second, the general speakers will specifically talk about their experiments. A special panel discussion will be provided at the end of the presentation session to get a more focused discussion regarding the objective of this study. Through this format, it is possible to develop a framework to tackle scaling issues in experimental studies.
Special panel discussion
The panel discussion consists of two sessions. First, the speakers will be given about 10-15 minutes to answer questions from audiences, previously collected from google forms during the presentation session. In the second panel discussion session, the speakers may share and discuss their experiences on how scaling affects their experiment and how to tackle this issue. Through this format, it is possible to find the best way to tackle scaling issues on experimental studies.
About the organizer
This event is organized by Rozaqqa Noviandi, a 2nd-grade doctoral student at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. He is from Indonesia. He focuses on evaluating the effect of root reinforcement on slope stability. Through his research, he aims to develop a nature-based solution for landslide mitigation measures, which is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than the conservative structural approaches.
