On june 22nd 2026, the INITIATE doctoral network gathered at the University of Potsdam for the bi-annual meeting including our non academic partners of Totalenergies, Repsol, GAF-AS, Equinor and Vulcan Energy.  

During the meeting, the INITIATE DCs presented their PhD project progress (see People ).  

Tor Sømme (Equinor) introduced the DCs to Equinor's exploration activities.  

On day 2, the INITIATE DC's started a 4 day workshop on big data processing given by Pr. Bodo Bookhagen. The following topics were covered:

- Time series Analysis with Python

- Image and Spatial Analysis

- Machine learning and Random Forest Classification: exploring the relationship between rainfall intensity, total rainfall, storm duration and occurrence of landslides (or not: 1 or 0) using a dataset from the Andes.  

- Aljoscha Rheinwalt also introduced INITIATE Dc’s GPU calculation and to neural network-based classification applied to geological mapping in the Andes. Here is a 100km x 100km area with the lithology targeted inside the blue line and the probabilities of that lithology given by the neural network using multispectral remote sensing data. 

The INITIATE DC's visited the GFZ potsdam to learn about "Data integration into a 3D model" from Pr. Magdalena Scheck-Wenderoth and Mauro Cacace.  

They also visited Rock Deformation Laboratory : the mechanical testing system (can reach hydrostatic pressures up to 140 Mpa) and the high-pressure, high-temperature 3D True Triaxial Press. Thanks to Guido Blöcher for showing us this amazing infrastructure.  

The week ended with a well deserved « chill out despite the crushing heat » dinner in Bodo Bookhagen fabulous garden!  

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