Visiting Speaker - Dr. Walyeldeen Godah

The Department of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering Visiting Speaker Series Presents:

Dr. Walyeldeen Godah, Centre of Geodesy and Geodynamics, Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw, Poland

Talk Title: Geodetic observations for the determination of Essential Climate Variables and monitoring hydrological changes

Date: Tuesday, January 23 

Time: 10:30am-11:20am

Location: Bruce Wing, Room 352

Coffee and treats will be served.

Abstract: The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) defines fifty-five Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) as variables that are critical for characterizing the climate system and its changes. Geodetic observations can play an essential role in the determination of these ECVs. The first part of this presentation provides an overview concerning the contribution of geodetic techniques (e.g., terrestrial and satellite gravimetry, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), satellite altimetry, interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR)) for the determination of ECVs. The second part of this presentation focuses on the use of space geodetic data for studying hydrological changes and their correlation with climate indices. As a case study, the area of Sudan (an area characterized by heterogeneous terrestrial hydrological data) is considered. The usefulness of space geodetic data for monitoring hydrological changes over this area is addressed. Moreover, the relation between these hydrological changes and sea surface temperature from both the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) climate indices is discussed.

Bio: Dr. habil. Walyeldeen Godah is an associate professor at the Center of Geodesy and Geodynamics, Institute of Geodesy and Cartography, Warsaw, Poland. He obtained a MSc. from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden, a PhD from Warsaw University of Technology (WUT), Warsaw, Poland, and a Habilitation (i.e. Doctor of Science) from University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM) in Olsztyn, Poland. Since February 2023, he is a visiting professor at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Godah’s research focuses on physical geodesy, satellite gravimetry, positioning/navigation, gravity field modelling, geodynamics, height systems, and engineering surveys.