Themes in detail
The IAEG2026 congress will demonstrate how Engineering Geology contributes to sustainable global development and mitigation of climate change in its many fields of applications. It will also highlight how Engineering Geology practice and research should further evolve in a rapidly changing world.
Below are the details of the nine congress main themes over-arched by two themes: Sustainable development and Climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Sustainable development
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
1- Innovation in ground modelling
From Site Investigation to Ground Models.
Showcase of new Engineering Geology tools for (sub)surface investigation and modelling.
Emphasis on new technology for geotechnical property determination, 3D modelling, and in situ monitoring.
Special attention to challenging environments: offshore, onshore, cities, nature reserves, mountains and outer space.
2- Low lying, coastal, soft soil countries
Engineering Geology for a future in densely populated low lying, coastal, deltaic, and soft soil countries.
Priority on subsidence, coastal erosion, and flood protection, including water management.
3- Geohazards
Engineering Geology and managing natural and man-made geohazards through identification, monitoring, modelling, prevention, mitigation, and adaptation.
Focus on landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, karst subsidence, droughts, erosion, and flooding.
Special attention to cascading multi-hazards.
4- Engineering Geology in the energy transition
Role of Engineering Geology in CO2 sequestration, energy storage,
geothermal energy, wind energy, hydropower, and nuclear energy.
5- Use of the (sub)surface
Emphasis on successes, failures, and forensic analyses in geotechnical engineering.
Special attention to challenging environments and prestigious projects.
Engineering Geology focus on mining ores, rare earths and aggregates, induced geohazards, (post-)mining risk management, resilient infrastructure, dredging and compensation for nature, building-with nature and smart bio-geomaterials.
6- Environmental Engineering
Engineering Geology for a virtuous clean water cycle and circularity in waste management.
Focus areas include landfills, tailing dams, desalinization, contaminant transport and treatment, innovations for the removal of micro-plastic, and sludge recycling.
7- Engineering Geology for the preservation of heritage
Highlight of Engineering Geology techniques for the characterization and preservation of geological, archaeological and industrial sites combined with policy and management. Special attention to building stones and ancient mines.
8- Engineering Geology in the Digital transition and AI revolution
Focus on 3D geo-mapping, learning from big data sets,
Artificial Intelligence. Virtual and Augmented reality in Engineering Geology.
9- Boosting Engineering Geology
Added value of Engineering Geology.
BOE, the Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment: past, present, future.
Innovations in Education and training in Engineering Geology.
YEG, the Young Engineering Geology group and
WEG, Women in Engineering Geology.
A final, key point
The congress will showcase engineering geology across all environments, covering soil and rock conditions from shallow to great depths.
Traditional topics in engineering geology remain a vital part of the program and are warmly welcomed.
At the same time, we especially encourage contributions that highlight sustainability, with a focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Case studies illustrating practical applications are also strongly encouraged.
We appreciate your suggestions. Please share them with us at info@iaeg2026.org.
