Institute of Meteorology and Climatology

Geomagnetic Excursions as a driver of climatic, environmental, and evolutionary changes The inability of humans to sense magnetic fields potentially explains the relatively limited amount of mainstream scientific interest in the history of earth’s geomagnetic field, and the central role it played in allowing life on earth. The importance of this protection becomes obvious during periodic collapses in geomagnetic field strength (excursions) that occur regularly throughout the past, when the ionising impacts of cosmic radiation (solar and galactic) on the upper atmosphere are recorded as increased rates of cosmic nuclide production (eg. 14C, 10Be). Modelling studies of this radiation predict considerable impacts on climate, ozone distribution and UV radiation levels among myriad other effects. The best known recent large geomagnetic excursion (Laschamps, 42-41ka) saw a vast increase in 14C production correlated with Grand Solar Minima, alongside many global environmental and…

Topic 1: Zu viel Wasser - Wie schützen wir uns vor Hochwasser? Impuls: Starkregen- und Hochwasservorsorge: Rette sich wer kann - nur wer kann? Susanne Götze Journalistin und Publizistin Podium Bernadette Rosati Institut für Meteorologie und Klimatologie, BOKU University Stefan Strohmeier Institut für Bodenphysik und landeskulturelle Wasserwirtschaft, BOKU University Christoph Hauer Institut für Wasserbau, Hydraulik und Fließgewässerforschung, BOKU University Julia Luhn Studierende, Institut für Alpine Naturgefahren, BOKU University

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