4.-8. Mai 2026: Over 20 Contributions Highlight Hamburg’s Geophysics at EGU 2026 in Vienna

6 May 2026

The annual general assembly of the European Geosciences Union started on May 4 and is now in full swing. Across more than 20,000 presentations, the diversity of Earth system science becomes evident.

The Seismology group was strongly represented at EGU with several contributions spanning different areas of our research. First-author presentations included numerical modelling of rotational and translational ground motions, relevant for understanding near-surface wave propagation and earthquake engineering (Dhabu et al.), as well as hybrid approaches for simulating regional and teleseismic wave propagation with local structural features (Hejazi Nooghabi et al.). We also presented methods for analysing ambient seismic noise in highly heterogeneous environments in preparation of the Einstein Telescope (Becker et al.). In addition, we showcased work from the WAVE Initiative on fibre-optic sensing applications for monitoring microseismic noise at the large-scale research facilities of the EuXFEL and DESY (Hadziioannou et al.). These contributions underline the wide methodological and thematic range of the group.

The Machine Learning group was represented at EGU with several contributions covering different areas of our research. First-author presentations included new approaches to automatically detect and classify various seismic signal sources. Bölt et al. presented a new physics-based clustering approach to identify different seismic noise sources in large distributed acoustic sensing datasets, including the identification of anomalies. Furthermore, Kiel et al. reported on new findings in the large cryoseismic dataset recorded at the Neumayer network in Antarctica, covering methodological aspects but also new insights into ice sheet dynamics. These presentations underline the groups effort to better understand and predict environmental processes.

Ischebeck et al.from the volcanology group have developed a low-cost VLF antenna to detect lightning during volcanic eruptions. The system was installed at Sakurajima volcano, Japan, and detected already various lightning events.

The marine geophysicists presented their diverse research on geohazards associated with volcano-tectonic processes, as well as on paleoenvironmental reconstructions using reflection seismic, hydroacoustic, and magnetic methods. One of the regional focal areas of the studies was the South Aegean Volcanic Arc (SAVA). For example, Dittmers et al. investigated the factors controlling magma ascent during the earthquake crisis in early 2025. Newly identified shallow-water explosive volcanoes were presented by Egelhof et al. and Hübscher et al. Friedrich et al. discussed tectonic processes operating over several million years along structural weaknesses in the western SAVA. Hartge et al. reconstructed the volcano-tectonic evolution of the Christiana Basin southwest of Santorini. The integration of magnetic and seismic data enabled Kreh et al. to identify ophiolites northeast of Santorini. In addition, Hübscher et al. summarized research on the SAVA in a solicited talk. Schmidt et al. presented results on the characterization of a volcanic field between Iceland and Greenland. Haimerl et al. reconstructed the largest waterfall in Earth’s history south of Sicily, through which the eastern Mediterranean was refilled after a drop of more than 2,000 m around 5.3 million years ago. The marine geophysicists also contributed to three additional presentations by international collaborators.