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The Commission on Tephrochronology (COT), formed in 1961, comprises geoscientists who characterize, map, and date tephra (volcanic ash) layers and use them as stratigraphic linking and dating tools in geological, palaeoenvironmental, and archaeological research. We review COT's origins and growth and show how its leadership and activities – hosting meetings, supporting ECRs, developing new analytical and dating methods, and publishing volumes – have strongly influenced tephrochronology globally.

The paper compares the historical context, organization, personnel, conduct, and scientific innovation of the voyages of HMS Challenger (1872–6) and SMS Gazelle (1874–6). Though the expeditions were in many regards similar, the Challenger expedition became famous and is regarded as marking the start of global marine science, while the Gazelle voyage remains almost unknown. Why? A surprising factor may be what we now know as "health and safety" issues.

Poor visibility on the 3 d prior to the sinking of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s vessel, Endurance, during November 1915, hampered navigator Frank Worsley’s attempts to record its position. Thus, whilst the wreck was located in the Weddell Sea in March 2022, the drift path of Endurance during its final 3 d at the surface remained unknown. We used data from a modern meteorological model to reconstruct possible trajectories for this unknown portion of Endurance’s journey.

The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an important phenomenon in tropical meteorology first discovered in the early 1970s by Roland Madden and Paul Julian. In this paper, Roland Madden relates the story of developments in theory, observations, and analysis techniques in the 1960s that led to that discovery.

Lerwick Observatory in Shetland has recently celebrated its centenary. Measurements of atmospheric electricity were made at the site between 1925 and 1984. The instruments and equipment used for this are discussed and the value of the measurements obtained assessed. A major aspect of the atmospheric electricity work was explaining the dramatic changes which followed the nuclear weapons test period. Although less well known, there are strong parallels with the discovery of the ozone hole.

Gauß, Weber and Humboldt initiated the systematic observation of the Earth’s magnetic field in Germany. The first geomagnetic observatories were installed in Munich, Berlin and Wilhelmshaven. The Potsdam Magnetic Observatory was officially opened on 1 January 1890. Due to anthropogenic disturbances, a sub-observatory was installed in 1907 in the village of Seddin. The launch of the DC-powered service of the Berlin suburban railway system in 1928 terminated the observations in Potsdam.

This article describes the international seismological cooperation at the start of the last century and how this cooperation changed due to WWI. These changes were the direct reasons leading to the foundation of the Deutsche Seismologische Gesellschaft (DSG) in 1922, which changed its name to the Deutsche Geophysikalische Gesellschaft (DGG) 2 years later. It then describes the further development of the relationship between German geophysicists and their colleagues until the start of WWII.

Kakioka Magnetic Observatory (KMO) has been monitoring the geomagnetic field and electric field at Kakioka, Japan, since 1913. It has promoted a variety of observations and research activities. In 1972, KMO developed the Kakioka Automatic Standard Magnetometer (KASMMER) system, which enabled them to provide geomagnetic field data of the highest quality. Today, KMO operates a network of observatories in Japan and maintains the observations with the longest history in East Asia.

The term mascon either refers to the fact of a significant gravity anomaly within a celestial body or to a modelling of these gravitational anomalies by localising base functions. The localising base functions that are labelled as mascons include point masses or surface elements based on the simple layer representation. In the case of surface elements, the surface density is constant per mascon, and each localising base function is a two-dimensional step function on the sphere.

Due to anthropogenic disturbances on the Potsdam Magnetic Observatory, a sub-observatory was installed in 1907 in the village of Seddin. Only variometer recordings were performed there. The launch of the DC-powered service of the Berlin suburban railway in 1928 influenced the observations in Potsdam and Seddin. The absolute measurements were moved to Seddin, and a new observatory was planned in Niemegk. Seddin Observatory closed in 1932.

Historical observations are important, even for modern science (such as space research). The Clementinum in Prague was one of the first observatories where systematic measurements of the geomagnetic field commenced. We focus on the beginning of these Prague measurements, which were introduced by Karl Kreil in 1839. We describe archived data from that time, some details about the main instrument for observing magnetic storms and the first magnetic mapping in Bohemia.

This paper describes the details of the Japan's participation in the EISCAT Radar Scientific Association as the 7th associate country approved in 1995, emphasizing strong collaboration with Norwegian scientists and the EISCAT Radar Scientific Association towards the realization of the Svalbard second antenna. Also described is a brief summary of Japanese EISCAT-related scientific achievement, comprehensive scientific collaborations so far between Japan and Europe, and hopes for EISCAT_3D.