INTERGEO 2008 Focus Meeting

After the devastating earthquake in China, the government is using images and evaluations from satellite pictures to coordinate the emergency services and rescue activities in many areas. In fact, it would be impossible to coordinate the activities of the rescue teams without these satellite images. This latest disaster on 12 May highlights once more just how important satellite observation and the geodata it generates is for environment issues and risk management. Immediate cross-national provision and preparation of satellite data for disaster relief was also the topic up for discussion when earth scientists met at the INTERGEO focus meeting at the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) in Frankfurt on 28th May.

It was the third time that the focus meeting was held in the run-up to INTERGEO. This year, the world's largest congress trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management, which takes place from 30th September to 2nd October 2008 in Bremen, focuses primarily on the environment, satellite systems, flood protection and geocoaching.

Hagen Graeff, President of the INTERGEO organiser DVW e. V. and host of the focus meeting, emphasised the importance of providing basic geodata quickly, easily and system-wide ahead of the congress programme of INTERGEO, which will focus on environment and security. This will be particularly relevant in view of the importance of coastal protection at the venue's location.

http://www.intergeo.de/.

(Source: Intergeo)

Caption: Bernhard Corr (left), Dr. Martin Lenk, Prof. Dr. Grünreich, and Hagen Graeff ind discussion at the focus meeting.