Paul Acosta, Postdoctoral Scholar, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences (AOES), and Natalie Burls, Associate Professor, AOES; Graduate Program Director, Climate Dynamics, received funding from the National Science Foundation for the project: “Collaborative Research: Using a weather model and geologic data to test tectonic mechanisms in an intercontinental setting: The Altai Mountains of Central Asia.” 

This project seeks to apply new advances in atmospheric and geosciences to a natural experiment in central Asia where the height and shape of the Altai Mountains over the past 50 million years are thought to have precipitated a major change in atmospheric circulation and in climate. The Altai Mountains are one of the major ranges in Asia that substantially modify regional climate and ecosystems and spawn some of the largest intracontinental earthquakes ever recorded.  

This research will use novel weather and climate models to predict changes in atmospheric circulation and climate in response to the size, height, and growth history of the Altai. These model predictions will be measured against field and laboratory data gleaned from the sediments shed from the Altai. Using rock magnetic data preserved in the sediments and the steepness of river channels carved into the mountains, the investigators will be able to construct an age model consistent with the onset and growth history of the Altai range. 

This interdisciplinary approach will be pursued by a multi-university, diverse team in the United States that includes early-career scientists and professors, graduate students, and undergraduates in collaboration with Mongolian colleagues at the Institute for Astronomy and Geophysics. The project will train three doctoral students, three early-career scientists, and one undergraduate in interdisciplinary geosciences and build international exchange opportunities.  

The results of this research will improve understanding of the coupling among solid Earth and atmospheric processes. The importance of this research helps address societal challenges, such as building resistance to climate change and earthquake-related natural hazards. 

Acosta and Burls received $34,998 from NSF for this project. Funding began in Aug. 2023 and will end in late July 2026.  

Source: Eurekalert

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A new project aiming to connect the film industries of the CIS countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) with Europe and the rest of the world is launching in the Kazakh city of Almaty this autumn.

The first edition of the Eurasian Film Market (EFM) will take place from 11 to 14 of September. The initiative is intended to be an annual international forum that facilitates the expansion of regional cooperation and the building of new business connections between the film industry in the region and the global film community.

Due to its rich natural environment and varied scenic landscapes, most films are shot in or around Almaty, making it the centre of the Kazakh film industry. The main film organisations are based in Almaty, which is why the city was chosen to host the first edition of the EFM.

The Eurasian Film Market aims to serve as the platform that not only unites professionals in the CIS film industry and creates optimal conditions for film business within the region, but also forges robust cooperative bridges between the CIS countries and the global film community.Hélène Haug, EFM co-founder and director

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“In light of the ongoing social-political developments worldwide, we recognise the increasing significance of Central Asia as a critical link between the East and West. Presently, Central Asian countries are producing films that garner invitations to prestigious A-list film festivals, with sales agents incorporating Central Asian films into their international line-ups. This surge in demand for co-production projects is further supported by a well-developed infrastructure for filming in the region. However, there remains much to be accomplished, improved and achieved”, said Hélène Haug, co-founder and director of EFM.

Among the participants to the forum will be other international film festival organisers, producers and production companies, distribution companies, sales agents, cinema chains, streaming platforms, as well as foreign organisations promoting the film industry of their country and representatives of foreign funds and selective fund programs that can support film production and distribution in the region.

One of the main goals of the EFM is to support the film industry in Central Asia, so the organisers set up the #SEARCH program, matching creators with buyers. Submissions for full length features films and documentaries from 2022/2023 are open until 31 August, after which international distributors, sales agents, streaming platforms or film festivals can choose the projects they want to partner with.

Additionally, EFM is creating an industry guide of Central Asian companies operating in the film industry. The catalogue will be distributed to all Eurasian Film Market participants and uploaded on a dedicated online platform created in partnership with Toqsan.com, as well as on the website of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea.

Source: Travel Tomorrow

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ASTANA. KAZINFORM – Inclement weather is expected in most of Kazakhstan on August 7, Kazinform has learned from Kazhydromet.

Showers are forecast for northwestern and eastern Kazakhstan. Heavy downpour, hail, and squall will hit mountainous areas of the southeast. Only western Kazakhstan will see no precipitation.

Gusty wind and dust storm is predicted across the country. Fog is to blanket the north of Kazakhstan at night and early in the morning.

Temperature will climb to +35, +38°C in Atyrau and West Kazakhstan regions and to +38, +41°C in Mangistau region.

Chances of high fire hazard will be high in Akmola, Atyrau, West Kazakhstan, west and east of North Kazakhstan regions, south and east of Pavlodar region.

Extreme fire hazard will persist in Mangistau, Turkistan, Almaty, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda, East Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Ulytau, Zhetysu, Abai, south of Kostanay, center and south of Aktobe, west and east of Atyrau, south and west of Akmola regions.

Source: Kazinform

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