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Categories of Contributions
Eos editors will consider for publication the following types of contributions:
Feature Articles offer readers in all geophysical disciplines a solid overview of a defined topic. Much like a white paper, a good feature article places its topic in a broad context, describes the work in a way that geophysicists across disciplines can understand and appreciate the work, and gives readers a sense of the research challenges and opportunities related to the topic discussed. A feature article does not focus on a single program, project, meeting, or research experiment. Rather, it uses several case studies or examples to describe the topic. Whenever possible, the article weaves together science and policy issues related to the topic and acknowledges alternate findings. The concluding section addresses what has been learned and how it can be applied as well as potential future research directions. Scientific controversies and cutting-edge challenges are of special interest as potential feature articles. Some articles may be tutorial in nature. Each must be broad enough to be of interest to individuals in more than one sphere of scientific interest (e.g., lithosphere, biosphere, heliosphere, etc.). Eos does not publish original research results.
Maximum length of invited feature: 2500 word equivalents. Each figure or table counts as 400 words.
Brief Reports offer updates or status reports on programs, projects, or research experiments. Suitable subjects for brief reports include recent geophysical phenomena, the significance of new major scientific programs or projects, longer historical notes, vignettes of key Earth and space scientists, or discussions of applications of useful new software or publicly available data collections. Again, Eos does not publish original research results. Authorship is limited to those who actually write the manuscript. Authorship should not include others, regardless of their participation in a project, program, or research. “Project teams” cannot be listed as authors.
Maximum length: 1500 word equivalents. Each figure or table counts as 400 words.
Meeting Reports very briefly summarize the scientific highlights of recent meetings relevant to Eos readers. Their purpose is to inform interested members about key developments in other areas of research and of new and persistent challenges. The highlights should be presented in a context that shows the importance of the results for improving readers' understanding of the scientific area or application. The newspaper account may be supplemented by reference to a longer report published elsewhere or by a longer discussion published as an electronic supplement to Eos. If the author wants a longer meeting report to be considered for publication as an online supplement, it too must concentrate on the results. In no case will simple chronologies or restatements of the program be accepted for publication as a supplement. Authors should limit themselves to selecting only the most important aspects of the meeting and report them in a simple narrative style. Authorship is limited to no more than three individuals who have actively contributed to the writing of the report. To be considered for publication in Eos, meeting reports must be submitted within 2 months of the meeting.
Maximum length for newspaper: 500 words; no figures.
Maximum length for supplement: 1500 words; figures will be accepted, but each figure counts as 400 word equivalents.
Meeting Announcements should be submitted via the AGU Geophysical Year Calendar. Eos publishes the date and title of the meeting, sponsor, contact information, abstract deadline, and a one- or two-sentence summary of the meeting.
News Items briefly report on recent geophysical phenomena, exciting new research findings, institutional developments, significant new research programs, or important new data collections. Augmentation of the newspaper account with an online supplement is possible at the discretion of the editor. Timeliness is a critical consideration in the publication of news items.
Maximum length: 700 word equivalents; a figure counts as 400 words.
The Geophysicists column brings to the attention of readers significant awards, personnel changes, deaths, and news about AGU members. To submit an item about honors for this column, send an e-mail to eos@agu.org. Items should be no longer than 100 words and will be edited to fit format and style. To alert AGU about the death of a member, contact Member Services at service@agu.org.
Forum contains thought-provoking contributions expected to stimulate further discussion, within the newspaper or as part of Eos Online Discussions. Appropriate Forum topics include current or proposed science policy, discussion related to current research in the disciplines covered by AGU (especially scientific controversies), the relationship of our science to society, or practices that affect our fields, science in general, or AGU as an organization. Commentary solely on the science reported in research journals is not appropriate.
Maximum length: 1500 words; usually figures are not included, but when they are, each counts as 400 word equivalents.
Letters to the Editor are short comments stimulated by items that appear in Eos. They are not expected to generate further discussion. These letters should make clear why the author has chosen to write. Those selected for publication may be shortened to just the essence of the message; an author has the right to withdraw a letter if the shortened version is not acceptable. To be considered for publication, a letter must be submitted within 2 months of the item that prompted its writing.
Maximum length: 350 words. Only in rare exceptions would figures be considered appropriate for a letter.
Comments and Replies deal with the clarification of a factual or scientific point raised in a recent Eos article. The guidelines for handling comments and replies in AGU journals govern comments and replies in Eos as well, including the need to be cordial and professional. To be considered for publication, a comment must be submitted within 2 months of the publication date of the original Eos article.
Maximum length: 350 words
Historical Notes offer insights into how historic scientific work influences, affects, or offers perspective on current science. These brief pieces can also highlight how past scientific work has become more relevant now or describe a curious twist on past research or observations.
Maximum length for newspaper: 500 words.
Maximum length for supplement: 1500 word equivalents; figures will be accepted but each figure counts as 400 word equivalents.
Obituaries are by invitation only. To suggest that an obituary of an AGU member be considered, send an e-mail to eos@agu.org with a short statement about the deceased's contributions to the science and to AGU. The history editor, the president or president-elect of the section or discipline group of the deceased member, and the AGU executive director decide if a full obituary will be invited. The annual number of obituaries from any given section or discipline group is limited to 0.1% percent, akin to the percentage for Fellows.
Maximum length: 1000 words plus photograph of the deceased.
Reviews of Books, Software, and non-AGU-affiliated Web Sites are considered for publication in Eos. A good book review for Eos should put the topic into context for all readers and thereby expand everyone's understanding of the subject. It should comment on how well the book achieves the goals intended by its authors and evaluate its contribution to the literature. It should not be a précis of each chapter. Authors are encouraged to follow the approach of book reviews found in world-class newspapers and magazines.
Software considered for review may be available either commercially or noncommercially. Web sites that will be considered for review in Eos include those that are of significant interest to members and/or teachers of Earth and space sciences at any level. Sites specifically aimed at the public will also be considered. Reviews of software and Web sites should follow the guidelines for book reviews. Web site reviews should also include something about the level of knowledge the user must have to make best use of the information on the site.
The primary standard for all material that will be considered for review is interest for the entire readership. All reviews are by invitation from the Eos editors; unsolicited reviews will not be considered.
Maximum length for any review: 750 words; no figures.
GeoFIZZ manuscripts are tidbits devoted to the lighter side. These short narratives, illustrations, or cartoons take a look at a broad issue in the Earth and space sciences from a light or unusual perspective; these items often help the members of AGU to laugh at themselves.
Maximum length for narratives: 700 words plus 1 figure.