11th FIG Symposium on Deformation Measurement in Santorini
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Cecilia Whitaker, Adam Chrazanowski, Stathis Stiros and
Svend Kold Johansen at the Santorini Symposium. |
The 11th FIG Symposium on Deformation Measurement was held in Santorini,
Greece May 25-28, 2003. This symposium organised by FIG Commission 6
(surveying Engineering) working group on Deformation Measurement has the
longest tradition in FIG as a Commission organised event on a certain
topic. This time this symposium attracted more than 130 participants from
29 countries – major national groups represented were Polish, Italian and,
of course, Greek. Participation of more than 15 delegates, among them
students and scientists from less developed countries became possible
through grants from the sponsors of the symposium. |
At the symposium there were many fascinating presentations including
introductory talks on Deformation Measurements and the Santorini volcano
and keynote presentations on tunnel deformation and geodesy and tunnel
excavation in the 6th c. BC. Many other nice oral and poster presentations
covered a wide spectrum of fields of research. An attempt to
extend the focus to new disciplines, such as volcanology and archaeology
was made. The tight-scheduled programme was followed almost strictly
with only minor deviations both to presentations and the timing. Session
chairs made a great job allowing participants opportunity for scientific
discussions and future planning.
The island of Santorini as a venue was spectacular and participants
looked very happy about the selection.
During the conference dinner in a local taverna, and before a
performance of local dances which inspired most participants to dance to
midnight, Polish Senator Dr Drezla handed Adam Chrzanowski,
Head of the FIG Deformations Measurements Sub-Committee a Prize for his
contribution in the mining industry in Poland and Prof. Stanislaw
Oszsak presented him a certificate of a Honorary PhD degree from the
University of Olzstyn, Poland. Stathis Stiros, Chair of the
organising committee, had the privilege on behalf of all participants to
present Adam Chrzanowski a signed poster commemorating his 25 years’
leadership of the Sub-Commission and to Prof Dionysis Balodimos
from the National Technical University, Athens a souvenir plaque for his
contribution in the deformation studies in Greece.
The last day of the Symposium was devoted to a field trip examination
of the ancient town of Akrotiri buried by the products of a volcanic
eruption 3,600 years ago. A boat tour allowed participants to visit the
caldera, hiking to the summit of an islet formed by recent volcanic
eruptions, bathing in marine volcanic spring waters and examination of
the volcano surveillance project. This fieldtrip was led by Dr G.
Vouyoukalakis from the Greek Institute of Geology
A concluding impression of the Santorini Symposium, in spite of the
problems it faced during its organization such as the Iraq War and SARS,
was that it was another successful meeting in the long series of FIG
Deformation Measurements. The proceedings will be published both in
printed format and on FIG website. Further the possibility of a special
volume of a peer-reviewed journal is under consideration.
Stathis Stiros
Chair of the Organising Committee
Email: stiros@hol.gr |
