Awantipora: The Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR), School of Sciences, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), organised a special lecture on ‘Quaternary Seismic Deposits in Indian and Nepal Himalaya and their Importance for Palaeoseismology’ at the Conference Room, Rumi Library, IUST, on Tuesday.

The lecture was delivered by eminent geoscientist, Prof. Michał Krobicki, Department of General Geology and Geotourism, AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland. Prof. Talat Ahmad, Honorary Adjunct Faculty, CDRR, IUST and former Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, and Dr. Hiredya Chauhan, Scientist-C, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, attended the programme as Special Guests. Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah, Registrar, IUST, also attended the lecture.

The programme was attended by faculty members, research scholars and students from Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change, Architecture, Geomatics, Civil Engineering, Physics, and the Mantaqi Centre for Science and Society, besides CDRR.

Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Irfan Maqbool Bhat, Coordinator, CDRR, highlighted the importance of palaeoseismology in reconstructing the history of past earthquakes and strengthening long-term seismic hazard assessment in the Himalaya.

Dr. Farooq Hussain Bhat, Dean, School of Sciences, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research, while Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, IUST, stressed the need for strengthening scientific research and academic collaborations in Himalayan earthquake studies.

Prof. Krobicki highlighted how Quaternary seismic deposits provide valuable evidence for reconstructing prehistoric earthquakes and understanding their recurrence and associated hazards. The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session with faculty, research scholars and students.

The programme concluded with remarks by Prof. Talat Ahmad, who appreciated the initiative and emphasized the importance of scientific collaboration in Himalayan Earth sciences and disaster risk reduction.

The programme was hosted by Ms. Shah Shafiz, Research Scholar, CDRR, IUST, and concluded with a vote of thanks.