The Earth System Physics (ESP) section studies a wide spectrum of the Earth system, from its fluid components (oceans and the atmosphere) to the planet's interior. The ESP section maintains a range of models and datasets and coordinates the Regional Climate research NETwork (RegCNET), encompassing over 600 participants worldwide.
Earth system models attempt to represent the key processes that determine the climate of our planet, such as the atmospheric and ocean circulations, aerosols and atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemical cycles, the cryosphere, and land surface processes. The research of the group uses model tools such as the latest generation of the regional climate model REGCM and intermediate complexity global model SPEEDY to understand our climate, its natural variability and its response to anthropogenic forcings.
The researchers use seismology, space geodesy, tectonics and numerical experiments to understand the following topics: Mechanics of earthquakes and faulting, Structure and rheology of the lithosphere in active earthquake and volcanic regions, Physics of transient deformation, and Active tectonics and earthquake hazard.
Climate extremes in the present day and in future decades can have severe implications, with the poorest members of societies being often the most vulnerable. The ESP group uses dynamical and statistical modelling techniques to assess the socio-economic impacts of climate variability and change, for example on energy, water and health. As with the climate models, the dynamical impact models CHYM and VECTRI are made available to the wider scientific community through regular workshops and training events.
25 Feb 2015
Changing environment is increasing ragweed pollen concentrations and allergy cases in Europe
17 Dec 2013
ICTP in international research published this week by PNAS
26 Sep 2013
Scientists from around the world come together to brainstorm on climate change
16 Sep 2013
ICTP hosts conference to build InSAR community of scientists in developing countries
15 Apr 2013
ICTP schools supported by World Meteorological Organization offer advanced modelling techniques
19 Feb 2013
Intermediate complexity models can keep things simple and provide robust results