EGM 30 download.pdf - European Federation of Geologists

All finalists received a certificate and agift, depending on the position obtained inthe ranking (Fig. 4), as stated in the websiteof the Olympics: (http://www.aepect.org/olimpiadasgeologia/index2010.htm).At the end of the awarding ceremony,a questionnaire was distributed among theparticipants which was completed by 30students. Although we would have likedto have the views of all the students, webelieve that the results are representativeof the general feeling. Broadly speaking, itis noteworthy that the Olympics were ratedwith a 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 - 5. Specifically,60% of survey respondents assessed theOlympics as excellent (4), and 40% consideredit more than excellent (5). It shouldbe noted that 100% would recommend thatthis activity should be carried our annuallyand 15% suggested that the exams shouldbe made in the four regional languagesexisting in Spain. Moreover, the reply toopen questions such as “your opinion aboutthe best thing of the Olympics” highlightedthe friendly atmosphere generated fromthe beginning.In view of these results, all members ofthe Organizing Committee and the Boardof AEPECT consider that these resultssomehow compensate the important effortand dedication that have been made duringthis year to organize this first edition of theOlympics.Final thoughtsThe great success of this initiative leads theorganizers to propose that these Olympicsof Geology should be held every year, tosupport the promotion of careers in scienceand hoping to add Geology as a new subjectduring the 5 th edition of the InternationalOlympics.The second National Geological Olympicswill also be held in Madrid to helpto consolidate the project, with the hopeof rotation through different provinces inthe future.This second event (http://www.aepect.org/olimpiadasgeologia/index.htm)will use the facilities of CosmoCaixa inMadrid, a special place with an interactivescience museum. The aim is that 4finalists will then participate in the nextInternational Earth Science Olympiads(September 2011).The II Olympics of Geology will beheld to encourage students to know andunderstand Geology and Earth Sciencesbetter, to be more involved in PlanetEarth and the way geologists try to understandhow it works and to explain themany outstanding problems waiting forthe next generation to solve. Others willbecome more responsible citizens thanksto a deeper and extended knowledge of theplanet were we live.Earth itself is not in danger, but humanityneeds the planet and we need futuregeologists and scientists to find the solutionto living on Earth without making itinhospitable. We recognize that the greateffort of organizing the Spanish GeologicalOlympics has been adequately rewarded bythe enthusiasm of bringing geology closeto all our citizens - especially younger ones- who will be in the future responsible ofthe protection of our planet.AcknowledgementsWe would also like to thank the financialsupport of Repsol and AEPECT. Wehave also received staff and merchandisingsupport from IGME, CosmoCaixa,Fundación Ancestros, Geonatura, OfficialAssociation of Professional of Geologists(ICOG), Complutense University ofMadrid (UCM), University of Alcalá deHenares (UAH), and the Faculty of Geologyof the UCM.Amelia Calonge GarcíaPresident of the Spanish Association for theTeaching of Earth Sciences (AEPECT)presidencia@aepect.orgwww.aepect.orgNews from GsFThe TOGO Project (West Africa )2007-2010The GsF TOGO project started in March2007, with a preliminary mission to thecountry, in order to evaluate, in a centralplateau North of Notse town, the possibilityof supplying drinking water to a certainnumber of rural villages (total inhabitantsaround 10,000), where water was veryscarse.During the first visit, the project areawas defined and a preliminary hydrogeologicalsurvey of the plateau carried out- mainly granite outcrops of the basementwhereina sketch topographic map of thearea at 1:5.000 scale was drawn.The villages concerned are: Agbatitoe(the only Village close to the main NationalRoad), Simbao, Koledjikope, Avovo andYava.Shallow water wells had previouslybeen drilled in the area with negativeresults; where water was found, wells generallydry up during drought periods.The results of the hydrogeologicalinvestigation suggested that drillings hadto be deep, looking for productive faultsand fractures in the granite basement.In February 2009, the project enteredthe operational stage.Two deep water production wells havebeen drilled in the area of Koledjikopevillage, choosing the central portion ofthe plateau, an area known as Fadakope,where a Pilot Farm has been put in place,offering working opportunities for the plateaupeople.The drillings, at depths of 75 and 98m, have proved to be very positive andhave been equipped with screen casing andelectric submergible pumps, working withsolar panels. The average water yield foreach well is around 10,000 litres/day.Simple water distribution systems,consisting of pipeline connections fromthe well to suspended plastic (polythene)water tanks and fountains with water taps,have been put in place for both drilledwells.Two water retention basins have beenexcavated (centre of the plateau and northernarea (Yava Village), with capacities of6,000 / 8,000 m 3 . They have proved to beof great benefit to the whole populationof the surrounding villages, especially foragricultural purposes.During May and June 2010, a furthertwo deep-water wells (depths of 160 and115 m) were drilled in the Villages of Yava(North - population around 1,900) andAvovo (Centre-East - population 2,500).It is important to point out that in bothareas several drilling attempts had beenpreviously made with negative results.Both drillings have proved to be positive.Water was found at considerabledepths - 85 and 140 m in Yava and 70 and105 m in Avovo.The wells have been equipped withscreen casing and provided with electricsubmergible pumps and solar panels(manufactured by FLUXINOS Italia Srl- Grosseto. IT).Chemical analysis has proved the goodquality of water in both wells.The works have been completed withthe installation of water distribution systems,similar to those achieved in 2009.The people of the plateau can now benefitfrom the drinking water obtained fromthe four drilled wells.Considering the water retention basins,News and Events 2010European Geologist 3043