Based on the IAG scientific assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this volume combines papers in the fields of gravity and geoid, geodynamics, and geodesy in Antarctica. The volume contains papers on recent progress in absolute and relative gravimetry, on models of the global gravity field, theoretical developments in physical geodesy, and many examples of regional gravity field and geoid models. Geodynamics chapters include papers on earth rotation and geopotential variations, reference frames and global deformations, as well as a section on the combination of space and terrestrial methods for deformation observations. The current status of geodesy in Antarctica is illustrated by a number of papers.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was triggered by a 9. 15 magnitude earthquake (MELTZNER et al. , 2006; CHLIEH et al. , 2007) that occurred at 0:58:53 GMT, 7:58:53 LT (USGS) (t ). The epicenter was located at 3. 3 N, 95. 8 E (Fig. 1) with a focal depth of EQ approximately 30 km. The earthquake was responsible for a sudden fault slip estimated on average from 12–15 m (SYNOLAKIS et al. , 2005; LAY et al. , 2005) to 20 m (FU and SUN, 30 2006). The seismic moment estimate (Mo = 1. 3 5 9 10 dyne-cm), based on the Figure 1 Locations of video recordings, recovered clocks, and reliable eyewitness observations. 1: Coastal plains ?ooded by the tsunami; 2: non-?ooded coastal plains; 3: uplands. Insert 3D-map showing the Sumatra Island, the studied area, and the epicenter of the 26/12/2004 earthquake. The video taken at Uteuen Badeue, on the eastern edge of the Banda Aceh Bay, was recorded by the chief of the Fishery Regional Of?ce from the top of a cliff. The movie that was shot near the Baiturrahman mosque in downtown Banda Aceh has been shown worldwide on TV. The one at Peukan Bada has been recorded during a wedding party. The last two movies were analyzed in detail in order to calculate the tsunami velocity (FRITZ et al. , 2006). Vol.