![\"IUGG](\"/images/iugg_speaker.jpg\")
Launched in Shanghai on 21 October 2025, during the 23rd China International Talent Exchange Conference (CIEP), the TopoAsia International Research Initiative is a major step forward for global Earth system research. Its first international workshop – attracting over 250 participants from nearly 30 countries – united scientists to explore how Asia’s deep Earth and surface systems interact, a topic vital to understanding tectonic activity, natural resources, and environmental change.
\nTopoAsia formally launched in Shanghai on 21 October 2025, during the 23rd China International Talent Exchange Conference (CIEP). IUGG President-Elect Mioara Mandea extends a warm invitation to all participants of the TopoAsia Workshop to join the IUGG General Assembly in July 2027, in Incheon, Rep. of Korea.
\nThe TopoAsia initiative was jointly proposed by scientists from China, India, and Russia, inspired in part by the example of past international collaborations established in Europe, including the famous TopoEurope program. The TopoAsia workshop attracted participants from other Asian countries, including Japan, Vietnam, Mongolia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Rep. of Korea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Türkiye, as well as many participants from non-Asian countries.
\nRepresentatives from several international scientific organisations, including the International Lithosphere Program (ILP), the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS), and the International Association of Paleogeography (IAP), attended the launch and offered their warm congratulations.
\nLeaders and representatives from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, as well as the co organisers of the workshop – Chengdu University of Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), and the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS) – participated in the TopoAsia launch ceremony. IUGG was represented by the President-Elect, Mioara Mandea.
\n![\"TopoAsia](\"/images/iugg_workshop.jpg\")
TopoAsia builds on the ‘Four Co-‘ Principles: joint planning, collaborative building, open sharing, and mutual success. The initiative’s vision was formalised with the signing of the TopoAsia Shanghai Declaration at the workshop. Core goals include identifying key scientific questions and representative ‘natural laboratories’ across Asia to study Earth’s deep-surface connections.
\nNear term plans feature setting up organisational committees and a secretariat within three months, launching an official website by late November 2025, and publishing research summaries (including a white paper) soon after. Future activities will include international field trips, conference sessions, and expanded global partnerships.
\nTopoAsia aims to create an open, collaborative platform for cross-border, multi-disciplinary research – advancing scientific understanding while supporting sustainable development in Asia and beyond. The IUGG congratulates everyone involved on the launch of this important initiative and wishes every success.
" }, { "id": "ilp-approval", "title": "ILP Approval: 2026-CC2 - TopoAsia: 4D Topography Evolution in Asia — From Deep Earth to Surface", "date": "Jan 01, 2026", "tag": "Association", "author": "Office of Secretariat", "duration": "3 min read", "image": "/images/ilp_logo_banner.png", "summary": "The International Lithosphere Program (ILP) has approved TopoAsia's proposal for a new Coordination Committee: '2026-CC2 - TopoAsia: 4D Topography Evolution in Asia — From Deep Earth to Surface'.", "body": "We are pleased to inform you that the International Lithosphere Program (ILP) has approved the proposal for a new Coordination Committee.
\n![\"International](\"/images/ilp_logo_banner.png\"){kind=logo}
The Coordination Committee will be registered as: 2026-CC2 - TopoAsia: 4D Topography Evolution in Asia — From Deep Earth to Surface.
\nThe project is chaired by a group of distinguished scientists: Prof. Chengshan Wang (China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China); Prof. Irina Artemieva (Zhejiang Deep-time Digital Earth International Research Center, China); Prof. Gregory Houseman (China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China); Prof. Harsh Gupta (National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India); and Prof. Laiming Zhang (China University of Geosciences, Beijing, China).
\nThe TopoAsia Secretariat extends heartiest congratulations on the approval of this significant proposal. We are looking forward to the great success of this project and its contribution to understanding the deep earth and surface processes of Asia.
" }, { "id": "call-for-proposals", "title": "Upcoming Call for Proposals", "date": "Feb 02, 2026", "tag": "Association", "author": "Office of Secretariat", "duration": "3 min read", "image": "/images/call_for_proposals.jpg", "summary": "TopoAsia will soon launch an upcoming Call for Proposals aimed at shaping the next phase of the initiative.", "body": "TopoAsia will soon launch an upcoming Call for Proposals aimed at shaping the next phase of the initiative. This call will invite the community to submit proposals aligned with the Top Scientific Questions and the concept of Natural Laboratories, with the goal of establishing TopoAsia Regional Scientific Committees and TopoAsia Scientific Task Committees.
\n![\"TopoAsia](\"/images/call_for_proposals.jpg\")
These committees will play a central role in coordinating regional efforts, defining scientific priorities, and advancing integrative research across Asia and beyond. Detailed guidelines, timelines, and submission procedures will be announced in the near future.
\nStay tuned — we warmly encourage the community to get involved and help shape the scientific vision of TopoAsia.
" }, { "id": "myanmar-seminar-2026", "title": "TopoAsia's representative attended 25th Research Seminar of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science", "date": "Feb 05, 2026", "tag": "News", "author": "Office of Secretariat", "duration": "3 min read", "image": "/images/myanmar_seminar_2026_clean.jpg", "summary": "From February 5 to 6, 2026, TopoAsia's representative attended the 25th Research Seminar of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science, delivered a presentation on the TopoAsia Initiative, and held productive discussions with international scholars. Participants expressed strong interest and willingness to cooperate, further expanding our global research network.", "body": "From February 5 to 6, 2026, TopoAsia's representative was invited to attend the 25th Academic Seminar of the Myanmar Academy of Arts and Sciences. Myanmar's Acting President Min Aung Hlaing attended the meeting and the dinner.
\nOn the morning of February 6, the representative gave a special report on the TopoAsia program, receiving positive responses from attending scholars and engaging in in-depth exchanges with peers from Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia, and other countries.
\n![\"25th](\"/images/myanmar_seminar_2026_photo.jpg\")
All parties showed strong interest in TopoAsia and expressed their willingness to participate in cooperation in various forms. This exchange effectively expanded the regional cooperation network and injected new momentum into promoting collaborative research in Asian geosciences.
" }, { "id": "special-issue-call-tectonophysics", "title": "Call for Papers: Special Issue in Response to the TopoAsia Initiative", "date": "Apr 26, 2026", "tag": "Event", "author": "TopoAsia Editorial Office", "duration": "4 min read", "image": "/images/special_issue_call.jpg", "summary": "TopoAsia invites submissions for a Special Issue on 'Geological and Environmental Processes in the Evolution of Topography, Natural Resources and Natural Hazards in Asia', to be published in Tectonophysics by Elsevier. Expressions of interest due by August 31, 2026.", "body": "Topography is a fundamental property of the continents. It is shaped by tectonic and metamorphic processes interacting with erosion and sedimentation. Topography is also one of the most important determinants of the hydrological cycle. Significant mineral, hydrocarbon and hydrological resources are rendered accessible by the same processes that build and erode topography. Thus topography shapes economic activities and societies. Natural hazards such as flood, earthquake, landslide and volcanic eruption are intrinsically influenced by topography.
\nIn the history of nations, topographic barriers have to some extent determined economic and political borders. Economic and political barriers frequently limit the application of systematic geological investigations and thus are an impediment to a deeper investigation of the processes whose effects extend across national borders and marginal seas. The TopoAsia initiative has the objective of promoting international collaboration in the investigation of the geological processes that shape or are shaped by topography across the Asian continent. For research themes, see especially the "Science" menu on the TopoAsia website https://www.topoasia.org/.
\nWe invite submissions in the form of original research papers that fall within the general theme of "Geological and Environmental Processes in the Evolution of Topography, Natural Resources and Natural Hazards in Asia". To establish the level of author interest in this special publication, we ask that initial expressions of interest be sent to: science@topoasia.org
\nAt this stage the expression of interest need include only the following details: Lead Author Name, Institution, and E-mail address, and provisional Title of a contribution.
\nProposed Schedule: Expression of Interest by August 31, 2026; Submission of Papers by February 28, 2027. Your Expressions of Interest will help us finalise the special issue proposal for journal approval.
\nAt this stage we intend that the special issue will be published in the journal Tectonophysics published by Elsevier. Recognising that the subject of this special issue is broader than the usual scope of Tectonophysics, we will aim to arrange a joint special issue between Tectonophysics and another relevant Elsevier journal if we receive significant numbers of contributions that fall outside the usual scope of Tectonophysics. All papers will be subject to the usual review process and acceptance criteria established by the host journal.
\nThe Editorial Team will comprise Prof G.A. Houseman, Executive Editor of Tectonophysics, and Guest Editors with expertise in the specialist fields represented in the contributed papers.
\nWe look forward to your support in advancing our understanding of the geological and topographic evolution of the Asian Continent and hope to see you at the TopoAsia sessions to occur at: The Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) to be held at Fukuoka, Japan, August 2-7, 2026 (https://www.asiaoceania.org/AOGS2026/Home), and at the International Symposium on Deep Earth Exploration and TopoAsia, Nov. 7-9 2026, Beijing China (https://www.topoasia.org/#/conferences?tab=overview).
" }, { "id": "harsh-gupta-aogs-asc", "title": "Prof. Harsh Gupta Promotes Asian Geoscience Collaboration at AOGS and the Asian Seismological Commission", "date": "May 13, 2026", "tag": "News", "author": "Office of Secretariat", "duration": "3 min read", "image": "/images/微信图片_20260513091137_115_49.png", "summary": "Prof. Harsh Gupta, Chair of the Coordinating Committee, delivered a Special Lecture at AOGS 2025 in Singapore and a Keynote Speech at the 16th General Assembly of the Asian Seismological Commission in Tashkent, strengthening academic exchange and promoting TopoAsia's global visibility.", "body": "TopoAsia is pleased to share recent outreach updates from Prof. Harsh Gupta, the Chair of Coordinating Committee of the TopoAsia initiative. His recent participation in major international and regional scientific meetings has helped strengthen academic exchange across Asia and further inspired opportunities for TopoAsia's future visibility at international conferences.
\nAt the AOGS 2025 Convention in Singapore, Prof. Gupta was invited to deliver a Special Lecture entitled "20 Years after the Great 2004 Tsunami." His lecture reflected on two decades of scientific progress following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, including advances in tsunami science, monitoring systems, early-warning capacity, and regional disaster-risk reduction. During the convention, Prof. Gupta also received a memento from former AOGS President Prof. Kenji Satake. The meeting also announced that the AOGS 2026 Convention will be held in Fukuoka, Japan, a development that helped germinate the idea of featuring TopoAsia at the upcoming Fukuoka convention.
\nMore recently, from 25 to 30 April 2026, Prof. Gupta attended the 16th General Assembly of the Asian Seismological Commission in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where he delivered a Keynote Speech entitled "Developing an Earthquake Resilient Society in the Vicinity of the Himalayan Seismic Belt." His presentation addressed earthquake hazards, societal resilience, and the importance of regional collaboration in areas surrounding the Himalayan seismic belt. During the meeting, Prof. Gupta also met with Prof. Li Ying from the Institute of Earthquake Forecasting, China Earthquake Administration, highlighting the continuing scientific exchange among Asian earthquake researchers.
\nThese activities demonstrate the strong connection between TopoAsia's scientific vision and broader research efforts on Asian tectonics, geohazards, and Earth system processes. Through international lectures, conference engagement, and academic collaboration, TopoAsia will continue to expand its global footprint and promote interdisciplinary cooperation across the Asian geoscience community.
" }, { "id": "topoasia-sq-nl-framework", "title": "TopoAsia Officially Releases Key Scientific Questions and Natural Laboratories, Paving the Way for Global Collaboration", "date": "May 16, 2026", "tag": "Association", "author": "Office of Secretariat", "duration": "4 min read", "image": "/images/topoasia_sq_nl_framework.jpg", "summary": "The TopoAsia Initiative announces the official release of its Key Scientific Questions (SQs) and Natural Laboratories (NLs) framework, marking a major milestone. With the framework in place, TopoAsia will soon issue a global Call for Proposals.", "body": "The TopoAsia Initiative is proud to announce a major milestone in its mission to advance the 4D understanding of Asia's dynamic Earth: the official release of the TopoAsia Key Scientific Questions (SQs) and Natural Laboratories (NLs) framework.
\nThis comprehensive scientific framework is the culmination of extensive international collaboration. Building upon the strong foundation and consensus established at last year's TopoAsia Shanghai Meeting, the Scientific Committee (SC) engaged in rigorous, multi-round deliberations to refine and finalize the scientific scope. Following these dedicated efforts, the finalized framework has now been formally reviewed and enthusiastically endorsed by both the Coordinating Committee (CC) and the Executive Committee (EC).
\nA Blueprint for Earth System Science in Asia: The newly published framework serves as the core scientific engine for the TopoAsia initiative. The Key Scientific Questions (SQs) encompass four major themes, addressing critical issues ranging from the evolution of topography inherited from the past, deep-shallow coupling processes, and climate-solid Earth feedback systems, to the development of natural hazards and resources. The Natural Laboratories (NLs) are five designated regional laboratories established across Asia, ranging from the active margins of the West Pacific and Indonesian regions to the Meso-Cenozoic collisional tectonic zones, Paleozoic orogenic belts, Precambrian cratons, and modern surface systems.
\nLooking Ahead: Empowering Global Geoscientists. With the SQs and NLs officially set in place, TopoAsia is entering its full operational phase. Relying on this established framework, TopoAsia will soon issue an official Call for Proposals to the global geoscience community. Visionary scientists and interdisciplinary teams worldwide will be invited to submit applications to establish specialized Regional Scientific Committees (RSCs) — focused on comprehensive research within the Natural Laboratories — and Scientific Task Committees (STCs) — dedicated to addressing specific, cross-regional Key Scientific Questions.
\nThrough the core principles of Co-Planning, Co-Building, Co-Sharing, and Co-Winning, TopoAsia looks forward to welcoming global researchers to join this unprecedented endeavor to decode the dynamic evolution of the Asian continent.
\nWe invite all colleagues to review the detailed scientific framework via the TopoAsia official website: Natural Laboratories at https://www.topoasia.org/#/programme#natural-laboratories and Key Scientific Questions at https://www.topoasia.org/#/programme#research-themes. Stay tuned for the upcoming announcement regarding the official application guidelines and submission windows for the RSCs and STCs.
" }, { "id": "irina-artemieva-agu-egu", "title": "Prof. Irina Artemieva, Chair of the TopoAsia Scientific Committee, Highlights TopoAsia at AGU 2025 and EGU 2026", "date": "May 23, 2026", "tag": "News", "author": "Office of Secretariat", "duration": "4 min read", "image": "/images/news/微信图片_20260523204935_491_575.png", "summary": "Prof. Irina Artemieva, Chair of the TopoAsia Scientific Committee, presented the TopoAsia program at AGU 2025 in New Orleans and EGU 2026 in Vienna, strengthening the initiative's international visibility and showcasing its rapid progress.", "body": "TopoAsia is pleased to highlight recent international outreach activities by Prof. Irina Artemieva, Chair of the TopoAsia Scientific Committee, who presented the TopoAsia program at two major geoscience events in the United States and Europe. These presentations further strengthened the visibility of TopoAsia within the global Earth science community and showcased the rapid progress of the initiative since its formal launch.
\n![\"Prof.](\"/images/news/微信图片_20260523204935_491_575.png\")
At the AGU 2025 Town Hall Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, Prof. Artemieva delivered a 15-minute presentation introducing the TopoAsia program. Her presentation emphasized that TopoAsia builds upon the legacy and experience of previous major Pan-European geoscience initiatives, including EUROPROBE and Topo-Europe, while addressing the distinctive scientific and logistical challenges of Asia's highly complex, multi-country research infrastructure. She also presented highlights from the Shanghai TopoAsia Meeting, including key outcomes related to the adopted TopoAsia Statutes and the Shanghai Declaration.
\nProf. Artemieva further presented a summary of TopoAsia scientific activities at the International Lithosphere Program Business Meeting during EGU 2026 in Vienna, Austria. In her report, she stressed that although TopoAsia had been formally launched only 120 days before the ILP report, the initiative had already made substantial progress in program development, organizational structure, international engagement, and scientific planning. The presentation highlighted the strong momentum generated by the Shanghai meeting and demonstrated TopoAsia's growing capacity to foster coordinated, interdisciplinary research across Asia.
\nThese outreach activities reflect the increasing international recognition of TopoAsia and its mission to advance integrated studies of Asian topography, lithospheric structure, geodynamic evolution, surface processes, geohazards, and Earth system interactions. Through continued engagement with major international organizations and conferences, TopoAsia will further expand its global footprint and promote collaborative geoscience research across Asia and beyond.
" }, { "id": "topoasia-unesco-idssd", "title": "TopoAsia Endorsed as an Official Programme of the UNESCO International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development", "date": "Jul 15, 2026", "tag": "Association", "author": "Office of Secretariat", "duration": "4 min read", "image": "/images/news/A_professional__clean_news_ban_2026-07-15T07-53-44.png", "summary": "TopoAsia has been officially endorsed as a Programme of the UNESCO International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD), representing significant international recognition of its scientific vision and commitment to advancing Earth science for sustainable development.", "attachments": [ { "name": "IDSSD Initiative Endorsement Letter", "url": "/downloads/IDSSD Initiative Endorsement Letter_signed by ADG-25 Programmes_3rd Call_.pdf" } ], "body": "TopoAsia is pleased to announce that it has been officially endorsed as a Programme of the UNESCO International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD). This endorsement marks an important milestone in the development of the TopoAsia initiative and represents significant international recognition of its scientific vision, collaborative framework, and long-term commitment to advancing Earth science for sustainable development.
\nThe International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (2024–2033), proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly and coordinated by UNESCO, seeks to strengthen the contribution of science to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Decade promotes international scientific cooperation, interdisciplinary research, open science, knowledge sharing, and capacity building to address global challenges through scientific innovation.
\nAs an endorsed IDSSD Programme, TopoAsia joins a select group of international initiatives dedicated to advancing science in support of sustainable development. The endorsement recognizes TopoAsia's mission to promote integrated, interdisciplinary, and international research on the origin and evolution of Asian topography and lithosphere. By bringing together expertise in tectonics, geodynamics, geophysics, geology, geochemistry, geochronology, paleomagnetism, surface processes, natural hazards, and Earth system science, TopoAsia provides a collaborative platform for addressing fundamental scientific questions concerning the evolution of Asia and its surrounding regions.
\nSince its establishment, TopoAsia has rapidly grown into an international scientific network connecting researchers and institutions across Asia and around the world. The programme has established its Executive Committee, Scientific Committee, and Advisory Committee, successfully organized the inaugural Shanghai meeting, initiated multiple international collaborations, and launched preparations for the DeepTopo Beijing 2026 Conference. These achievements demonstrate the strong momentum of the programme and its commitment to building a sustainable, open, and globally connected research community.
\nThe UNESCO endorsement further strengthens TopoAsia's international profile and provides new opportunities to expand scientific collaboration, promote open science, support young scientists, and develop innovative research programmes across disciplinary and national boundaries. It also reinforces TopoAsia's role in contributing scientific knowledge to sustainable development and enhancing international cooperation in Earth sciences.
\nLooking ahead, TopoAsia will continue to work closely with UNESCO, the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, and its global partners to advance collaborative research, organize international scientific activities, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and contribute to a deeper understanding of the processes that have shaped the Asian continent and continue to influence our planet today.
\nTopoAsia sincerely thanks UNESCO and the Science Decade Secretariat for their recognition and support. We also express our appreciation to all members of the Executive Committee, Scientific Committee, Advisory Committee, partner organizations, and the international geoscience community whose dedication and contributions have made this achievement possible. Together, we look forward to advancing scientific excellence and strengthening international cooperation for a more sustainable future.
" }, { "id": "deeptopo-2026-second-circular", "title": "Second Circular Released for the 2026 International Symposium on Deep Earth Exploration and TopoAsia (Deep&Topo-2026)", "date": "Jul 16, 2026", "tag": "Event", "author": "Organizing Committee", "duration": "4 min read", "image": "/images/news/A_professional_scientific_conf_2026-07-16T08-34-21.png", "summary": "The Organizing Committee announces the release of the Second Circular for Deep&Topo-2026, to be held in Beijing from 6–12 November 2026, featuring 9 scientific themes and 54 sessions.", "attachments": [ { "name": "Deep&Topo-2026 Second Circular (PDF)", "url": "/downloads/Deep%26Topo-2026%20Second%20Circular.pdf" } ], "body": "The Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the release of the Second Circular for the 2026 International Symposium on Deep Earth Exploration and TopoAsia (Deep&Topo-2026), which will be held in Beijing, China, from 6–12 November 2026.
\nThe symposium brings together the international communities of Deep Earth Exploration (SinoProbe-II) and TopoAsia, providing a unique platform to advance interdisciplinary research on deep Earth processes and deep Earth–surface interactions across Asia and beyond. Scientists, engineers, students, and industry representatives from around the world are warmly invited to participate in this international event.
\nThe scientific programme has been significantly expanded in the Second Circular and now features 9 major scientific themes encompassing 54 scientific sessions, covering topics such as lithospheric dynamics, continental evolution, tectonics, geodynamics, deep Earth imaging, mineral and energy resources, geochronology, paleomagnetism, surface processes, climate, and Earth system evolution. In addition to parallel scientific sessions, the symposium will include plenary lectures, strategic forums, roundtable discussions, short courses, poster sessions, technical exhibitions, and TopoAsia committee meetings, creating numerous opportunities for scientific exchange and international collaboration.
\nSeveral important international activities are also planned during the symposium, including the launch of new international collaborative initiatives, the signing of strategic cooperation agreements, and official meetings of the TopoAsia Executive Committee, Scientific Committee, and Coordinating Committee. These activities will further strengthen TopoAsia as a leading international platform for collaborative research on the evolution of the Asian continent.
\nThe official symposium website will be launched on 20 July 2026, when participants will be able to complete online registration, abstract submission, hotel reservation, and field-trip registration.
\nImportant Dates:\n20 July 2026 – Online registration and abstract submission open\n15 September 2026 – Abstract submission deadline\n1 October 2026 – Deadline for online registration and field-trip sign-up\n30 October 2026 – Third Circular released\n6–12 November 2026 – Deep&Topo-2026 Symposium, Beijing, China
\nThe Organizing Committee sincerely welcomes colleagues from around the world to join Deep&Topo-2026 in Beijing. Together, we look forward to advancing international cooperation and discussing the latest scientific frontiers in deep Earth exploration, tectonics, and deep Earth–surface coupling.
\nOfficial Website: https://deeptopo.geoscience.cn
\nContact: meeting@topoasia.org / cagsdic@163.com
" }, { "id": "topoasia-town-hall-aogs-2026", "title": "TopoAsia Town Hall Generates Momentum at AOGS 2026", "date": "Aug 07, 2026", "tag": "News", "author": "Office of Secretariat", "duration": "5 min read", "image": "/images/news/A_clean_professional_scientifi_2026-08-07T08-01-01.png", "summary": "The TopoAsia programme took center stage at the AOGS 2026 annual meeting in Fukuoka, Japan, with a dedicated town hall session showcasing the initiative's ambitious vision for Pan-Asian deep-time research.", "attachments": [ { "name": "Empowering TopoAsia Talk - Backdrop (PDF)", "url": "/downloads/2026-08-05%20Empowering_TopoAsia_talk_BACKDROP.pdf" } ], "body": "FUKUOKA, Japan – The TopoAsia programme took center stage at the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) 2026 annual meeting this week, with a dedicated town hall session showcasing the initiative's ambitious vision for Pan-Asian deep-time research.
\nThe session, convened by Professor Xixi Zhao of Southern University of Science and Technology, together with Professor Harsh Gupta of the National Geophysical Research Institute, India, and Professor Irina Artemieva of the International Lithosphere Centre, Denmark, featured a lineup of distinguished international speakers addressing the tectonic evolution and active processes shaping the Asian lithosphere. Presentations ranged from the seismogenic potential of the Manila Trench and active tectonics of the region, to ongoing subduction and orogeny in Japan and the uplift mechanisms of continental plateaux.
\n![\"TopoAsia](\"/images/news/微信图片_20260808124338_12_198.jpg\")
The highlight of the town hall was the presentation by Gareth Dyke (Chengdu University of Technology) on 'Empowering TopoAsia: The IAP TimeMachine Platform as a Collaborative Infrastructure for Pan-Asian Deep-Time Research.' Dyke's talk detailed the TimeMachine platform's development as a solution to the fragmented datasets, divergent reconstructions, and siloed software that have historically hampered large-scale geoscience collaboration across Asia.
\n![\"TopoAsia](\"/images/news/微信图片_20260808124351_13_198.jpg\")
Built by the Institute of Sedimentary Geology at Chengdu University of Technology (ISG-CDUT) for the International Association for Palaeogeography (IAP), TimeMachine is designed to operationalize the programme's 'Four Co-Principles': Co-Planning, Co-Building, Co-Sharing, and Co-Winning. The platform offers a browser-based, GPU-accelerated interface that can visualize one million data points in approximately one minute, with no software installation required, making high-resolution paleogeography accessible to researchers across the region.
\nCrucially, the platform is positioned as a shared resource rather than a closed system. It indexes and links community resources—including PBDB, Macrostrat, and GeoLex—without replacing them. Data contributors retain ownership, and restricted data can be shared through index-and-link, mirroring, or federation without moving the raw data itself.
\nThe TopoAsia programme, which launched on 21 October 2025 during the 23rd China International Education Expo in Shanghai, has received official endorsement from UNESCO's International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD). The initiative brings together over 250 experts from 30 countries and 40+ institutions, organized around four core scientific questions and five cross-border natural laboratories.
\nThe town hall concluded with a call for broader participation in TopoAsia's Regional Scientific Committees (RSC) and Scientific Task Committees (STC). The community was also invited to the upcoming Deep&Topo-2026 meeting in Beijing (7–9 November 2026), which will feature Session 53: '4-D Paleogeographic Reconstruction of Pan East & Southeast Asia,' convened by Li, Scotese, Verard, Lang, and Hou.
\nFor more information on TopoAsia or to get involved, visit deeptime.world or topoasia.org.
\n![\"TopoAsia](\"/images/news/aogs2026_img0.png\")
About TopoAsia: TopoAsia is a UNESCO-endorsed international research programme dedicated to understanding the 4-D topographic evolution of Asia. It aims to build shared infrastructure and foster collaborative research across the continent's diverse geological, climatic, and cultural landscapes.
" } ]