The global conversation surrounding NSG25 is already underway across the EAGE community. Three Local Chapters set off to a strong start of the year with meetings dedicated to key topics you will find in the call for abstracts.

Browse: list of topics

These local meetings are not only signaling our members’ enthusiasm but also setting the stage for the crucial conversations that will take place at the Near Surface Geoscience Conference & Exhibition 2025 – they reflect a dynamic and multidisciplinary arena, where geoscientists and engineers are called to contribute.

One of the recent highlights came from Local Chapter Germany, where guest speaker Daniel Palmowski gave a talk on “Mineral Systems Modeling – Supporting Exploration Decisions.” This presentation demonstrated how cutting-edge mineral systems modeling is revolutionizing mineral exploration, with a particular focus on supporting the energy transition. The challenge for the geoscience community lies in the fact that most remaining mineral deposits are expected to be hidden, and traditional exploration methods are not sufficient to meet these new challenges. Additionally, the high costs and risks associated with drilling further complicate exploration decisions.

Palmowski’s talk highlighted the success of the mineral systems approach as an established methodology, but also pointed to the need for continued advancements to reduce the risks in exploration. His study on a 3D geological model for sedimentary systems, which integrated reactive flow modeling and chemical processes, was a key example of how new techniques could help guide more efficient and targeted exploration strategies. The implications of this work are huge, as understanding mineral deposit formations at such a detailed level could play a key role in addressing the world’s energy transition challenges.

Browse: Mineral Exploration and Mining at NSG25

In the Netherlands, the Local Chapter recently hosted Yangkang Chen for a lecture on “A Decade-Long Journey in Revolutionizing Passive Seismic Monitoring.” Chen’s presentation showcased the power of AI and deep learning techniques in transforming earthquake monitoring. Passive seismic monitoring, which has traditionally relied on manual interpretation of seismic data, has benefited immensely from AI-driven methods that enable more accurate and automated picking of seismic events.

The session focused on Chen’s work with the Texas Seismological Network (TexNet), which has become a leading testing ground for these new technologies. In regions like West Texas, where seismicity has increased due to ongoing oil and gas production, AI-driven methods have been instrumental in improving the reliability and speed of seismic event detection. This work is crucial for understanding the evolving seismic risks in such high-energy environments, and Chen’s insights will be valuable as the geophysics community continues to monitor and assess natural hazards in energy-producing regions.

Lastly, Local Chapter London set the spotlight on “Volcanic Hazards Under the Ocean,” with a presentation by I. Yeo and M. Clare. Their meeting explored the aftermath of the dramatic eruption of the Hunga volcano in the South Pacific Ocean on January 15th, 2022, which had global impacts. The eruption’s plume shot through the atmosphere, causing a tsunami and pressure waves that circled the Earth, while also damaging vital seafloor infrastructure.

Yeo and Clare’s talk delved into the immediate aftermath of the eruption and its effects on the seafloor, particularly how volcanic material plunged into the ocean, scouring deep gullies and severing critical undersea cables. This event disrupted communication to an entire country during a critical time for disaster response. The session also explored the continuing hazards posed by submarine landslides and destabilized sediment, as well as the ongoing risks to critical infrastructure like seafloor cables, which are vital to global communications.

These findings not only shed light on the direct effects of underwater volcanic activity but also point to important lessons in monitoring and resilience for seafloor infrastructure worldwide. The implications for global communication networks, particularly in disaster-prone regions, are significant, and such research will inform future hazard mitigation strategies.

Browse: Geohazards Assessment and Risk Mitigation at NSG25 

The conversation surrounding NSG 2025 is already taking shape within EAGE’s global network and it’s clear that the conference will benefit from the diverse expertise and energy of our community. We invite you to join!