32nd IGC INFORMS 2 August 24, 2004 - IUGS

Events of the day
Bid for the 34th IGC: The Minister of Energy
and Mines of Kingdom of Morocco at the
Moroccan Stand at 09:00.
DWO 9: The Upper Triassic - Definition,
Subdivisions and Correlation.
Room 36, 09:00-15:45.
DWO 18: Developments and perspectives
professional geology in European and noneuropean
countries.Room 32, 09:00-15:45.
Plenary Lecture: Living with volcanic hazard.
EuroArray. Open Meeting, Room 11, 17:30.
Program Variations
SESSION ORAL ROOM TIME
G05.09(155)
GT09.07(136)
T17.04(137)
T17.04(137)
G09.01(140)
G09.01(140)
G09.01(140)
T16.02(145)
T16.02(145)
G23.01(147)
G23.01(147)
T27.06(148)
T36.01(153)
T05.02(156)
G24.02(162)
G20.08(164)
T25.01(175)
G05.10(174)
G05.10(174)
G15.10(142)
G23.01(147)
G23.01(147)
155-4
136-3
137-11
137-14
140-4
140-6
140-8
145-3
145-8
147-6
147-18
148-2
153-3
156-13
162-2
164-7
175-7
NEW
NEW
245-9
147-14
147-10
22
3
4
4
7
7
7
12
12
14
14
15
20
23
29
5
24
22
22
9
14
14
Oral Cancelled
Oral New Entry
Oral Time Change
09.45
09.30
14.15
15.00
09.45
10.30
11.00
06.45
11.15
10.30
16.15
09.15
09.45
15.00
9.15
14.30
16.15
15.15
14.30
14.45
11.30
15.00
32 nd IGC INFORMS
The 32 nd IGC Congress Daily Free Press - n° 5- August 24, 2004
32nd IGC Informs : Chief Editor: Alessandro Colombetti Graphic - T. Mazzotti - Staff Editor - P. Armienti; M. Bergomi; P. Mazza; C. Mazzoli; T. Mazzotti
Printed in August 2004 by Stabilimento Tipografico NuovaCesat Coop. a.r.l. - Firenze.
The Antarctic region is the last frontier of
mankind on Earth. UNESCO has defined it
“a common heritage of mankind, land of
science and natural reserve”. In the 1980’s,
the debate on exploration for mineral
resources in Antarctica generated an
increasing international interest towards this
remote region. Many nations adhered to the
Antarctic Treaty System. Italy entered in 1985
with its first Antarctic expedition carried out
by the Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in
Antartide (PNRA).Geological research was
then focused on reconnaissance mapping of
the basement, the reconstruction of the
Gondwana supercontinent, the definition of
mineral provinces, and the singling out and
exploitation of mineral and energy resources.
The first geological programme of PNRA was
called “Geology and primary resources”:
geologists and geophysicists carried out
surveys and collected rock samples along
the Transantarctic Mountains, and the
research vessel Explora collected kilometres
of seismic lines in the peri-Antarctic seas.
With the 19991 signing of the Madrid Protocol
on Antarctic Environmental Protection, and
its 50 year moratorium on resource
exploration and exploitation, the research
programmes were greatly reduced and
opportunities for geological research declined.
Nevertheless, the vast body of data already
acquired contributed directly to the
development of international cooperative
programmes, such as ANTOSTRAT
(Antarctic Offshore Stratigraphy), ANTALITH
(Antarctic Lithospheric Exploration) and LIRA
(Lithospheric Investigations in the Ross Sea
Area). ANTALITH and LIRA gave fundamental
contributions to basic knowledge of the
geological formation of the continent and of
its role during assembly and break-up of
supercontinents.ANTOSTRAT produced a
formidable data-set which is fundamental for
planning the coring of sedimentary
sequences at the Antarctic margins.
International drilling projects of the Antarctic
continental margins, with Italian participation,
such as Cape Roberts Project, have
recovered sedimentary material which allows
to reconstruct the development of the
Antarctic ice caps. At present the Antarctic
ice caps contain 80% of the fresh water of
the planet, equivalent to 60 m in average
sea level rise if they melted completely. The
sedimentary record reconstructed thanks to
this project defined the history of Cenozoic
fluctuations in the ice caps and in the sea
level. Two new drilling projects in the Ross
Sea will be accomplished by ANDRILL
(Antarctic Drilling) in the next few years. This
New frontiers in Geoscience:
Research in Antarctica
Emperor penguins looking at the Transantarctic Mountains and contemplating the future of...
Geoscience research in Antarctica Mountains.
topic was thoroughly discussed two days ago
during the thematic session on Cenozoic
Antarctic glacial history convened by Peter
Barrett and Fabio Florindo.Other projects in
which Italy is involved are ANTEC (Antarctic
Neotectonics) and SALE (Subglacial
Antarctic Lake Exploration). These
programmes are designed to clarify important
aspects of the Antarctic system. ANTEC
studies the seismicity and the volcanism of
the Antarctic plate, which is of particular
interest being the only plate completely
surrounded by mid-oceanic ridges. SALE
coordinates the international efforts towards
the exploration of the many lakes buried
under thousand meters of ice. The subglacial
lakes represent a unique environment on
Earth which has generated interest among
geologists, biologists, as well as
astrobiologists in consideration of the
similarities with extra-terrestrial settings.
Subglacial lakes will be sampled only when
absolutely non-contaminant technologies
will be available. The ice in the Antarctic ice
cap has preserved an accurate record of
climatic variations in the last million year.
These climatic changes are being studied
by EPICA (European Project for Ice Coring
in Antarctic). This project has recovered more
than 3000 m of ice core at the drilling site
near the French and Italian scientific station
Concordia. The study of this core has revealed
eight glacial-interglacial cycles, each
approximately 100.000 years long. The first
results were published in June issues of
Nature. An important aspect of future
Antarctic research will be directed to
understanding how the continent and the
surrounding oceans will respond to global
warming. This involves improved measurements
of the mass balance of the ice sheet,
regional temperature trends and sea ice
extent for contributing to climate modeling
scenarios for future climate. It will also
include the integration of geological data from
outcrops and drill cores with palaeoclimate
modeling studies. Each of these separate but
complementary approaches from the earth
and physical sciences community to
concerns over global warming is being
focused through two new programmes
(Antarctica and the Global Climate System
or AGCS, and Antarctic Climate Evolution or
ACE) under consideration by the Scientific
Committee on Antarctic Research. Their
success will be crucial for a better informed
international response to the consequences
of global warming over the next few decades.
The fourth International Polar Year (IPY) is
planned for 2007-2008, in correspondence to
the 50 th anniversary of the International
Geophysical Year (1957-58). Several
countries will participate and scientists are
now requested to promote international
cooperative research projects. These are
expected to take an Earth Systems approach
(interaction between lithosphere,
atmosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere and
biosphere) and are also likely to involve “big
science” for example the interaction between
Arctic and Antarctic/Southern Ocean
systems. This topic will be the focus of Joern
Thiede’s talk in the session on “Big Science”
in room 1 today. IPY will be the next
milestone of international research in
Antarctica. Geoscientists cannot miss this
unique opportunity.
Carlo Alberto Ricci

32nd 2 IGC INFORMS
August 24, 2004
The favourable impact of the 25-million scale “Maps of the
world environments during the last two climatic extremes” (Last
Glacial Maximum-LGM and Holocene Climatic Optimum-HCO)
presented at the 31 st IGC in Rio de Janeiro 2000 together with
the corresponding 1-million scale maps of France, both under
the direction of Nicole Petit-Maire, prompted the idea of
preparing similar kinds of maps of the Mediterranean area at
an intermediate (4 to 5 million) scale, and large-scale (1 million)
maps of Italy for presentation at the 32 nd IGC in Florence 2004.
Our aim was to check the quality level of the two large-scale
maps largely based on the interpolation among a few validation
points, and to improve the resolution of the maps by collecting
a suitable amount of new data. The small-scale maps of this
kind have a highly educational impact because they show the
geographical changes that may derive from naturally caused
climatic oscillations over short time intervals of a few hundred
to a few thousand years. At large scale these maps may act
as tools for land planning especially in coastal, low-plain and
wetland transitional areas.Planning by the ENEA and Italian
University teams, in co-operation with N. Petit-Maire, was not
successful at the Mediterranean level and was not funded at
the Italian level because of the present difficulties of domestic
research institutions. In spite of this, we were able to produce
a first version of the two maps, in partly digital and partly
analogic format, which may act as a springboard for future
whole digital development and improvements.We tried to keep
the type of structure and legend characterizing the maps
simple. Both the world and the French maps are
palaeoenvironmental/palaeogeographic maps using mainly
vegetation zones (biomes) plus geomorphological and
lithological (loess/sand) units to infer palaeoenvironments.
Bids for 33 rd IGC, 2008
EGYPT’S BID FOR 2008
Egypt’s bid for hosting the 33 rd IGC in 2008 was a chance to
expose the world geologists to this geologically fascinating
part of the world and a chance for young African and Middle
Eastern Geologists to interact with the world community.
Following the 31 st IGC meeting in Brazil, IUGS council
members visited the country and expressed their feeling that
Africa should be given a chance. A Steering Committee was
preparing for presenting our bid but poor communications
hindered the progress in that direction. Meanwhile. Norway
and the Nordic Countries were steadily progressing to promote
their bid and elegantly presented their credentials to the 32 nd
IGC in Florence.We as representatives of the Egyptian National
Committee of the Geological Sciences wish Norway and the
Nordic Countries all the best and extend our hands to help.
We are sure that they can produce a successful meeting in
2008 as Italy did.
M.Y. Zein El-Din, M.A. El-Sharkawi
NORDIC COUNTRIES - OSLO FOR 2008
International Geological Congresses were held in Norden twice
during the last century, in Stockholm in 1910 and Copenhagen
in 1960. The time is ripe for another Geo-Congress in this
part of the world; its location, in Oslo, appropriately reflects
the enterprise of Norwegian Earth Science today and the
importance of geo-resources for society. Strong support from
industry, academia and the Nordic geoscience community in
general, is guaranteed; and there is an extra incentive - the
Geological Survey of Norway celebrates its 150 th anniversary
in 2008. The challenges facing the geo-resources industries
today and the impact of resource exploitation on our
environment are key issues for society and IGC 2008. The
proposal to hold the World Geo-Congress 2008 in Oslo obtains
its inspiration from the pioneering achievements of Nordic
explorers and scientists. the discoveries of Greenland by Erik
the Red and America by his son Leifur Eriksson the
exploration, especially of the Polar Regions. At the time of
the Copenhagen IGC, the potential of the continental shelves
for hydrocarbons was, no more than a mirage on the horizon.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, marine geophysics was in
its infancy, but growing fast. Sea-floor spreading had been
conceived, but was not clearly understood until the marine
magnetic anomalies over the mid-ocean ridges were defined
and interpreted. Thereafter, sea-floor spreading and subduction
provided plausible mechanisms for continental drift and opened
the door for kinematic analysis of the constantly moving plates.
In Norden today there are two vigorous developments.
It was a Chilly Summer 20.000 Years ago in Florence
Photo of the frontpage of “Lithopalaeoenvironmental maps of
Italy during the last two climatic extremes”. 1:1,000,000
G. B.Vai & L. Cantelli (eds)
Concentrating on large-scale maps, we aimed at increasing
the number of environments distinguished on the maps by
The first is based on a recognition that small “sub-critical”
neighbouring countries can benefit greatly from big science
and technology by close cooperation. The Nordic Council of
Ministers strongly promotes research and innovation with many
new initiatives, not least by financing the establishment of
Nordic research schools and internationally attractive centres
of excellence. In parallel with this, there are national
programmes to promote multidisciplinary research centres.
Classical Earth Science, established on a foundation of maths,
physics and chemistry, is expanding to embrace a wide range
of other disciplines; industry is a strong partner. These trends
will guide the Geo-Congress 2008 programme. The Earth
Sciences have a prominent position in the overall scientific
profile of the Nordic countries and the research is internationally
recognised as being of high quality. This reflects economic
dependence on natural resources and a long history of
exploration. In this respect, classical Earth Science still has
a stronghold in Norden; as will be amply demonstrated in the
Congress Symposia and excursions. The most modern
technologies characterize the scene today (for example, in
Kiruna where much of the mining is remote-controlled).
Industrial minerals experience a rapidly expanding market.
Geothermal energy, long established as of paramount
importance on Iceland, is now spreading everywhere in Norden.
Hydroelectricity is a prime source of cheap electricity; nuclear
power is widely used in Sweden and Finland, where it is
expanding. And over the last forty years, oil and gas have
come to dominate the Nordic realm. Now, as the off-shore
targets become more difficult, the less accessible Arctic areas
off the coasts of western and eastern Greenland and in the
Barents Sea are attracting more attention. The wide high
Arctic continental shelves, the logistics are difficult, but the
resource potential vast. Understanding today’s climate
variability and change can only be achieved against the
backcloth of the historic and the pre-historic records that
palaeoclimatologists are providing. The bathymetry Mapping
of the Arctic basin is providing new insight into the Pleistocene
glacial history. Evidence of glacial erosion and scouring is
found on both the Arctic continental shelves and the shallow
mid-oceanic ridges, indicating the extent and thickness of
previous glacial maxima. Studying (from ice-cores and other
proxies) the timing and velocity of Cenozoic change in
temperature in the Arctic, with the growth and retreat icesheets,
and comparison with the Antarctic record, is providing
an essential platform for understanding what is happening to
our climate today. And as our high Arctic science expands,
we have new opportunities to assess the impact of industrial
activity on the Arctic environment; the source and extent of
androgenic pollution and the needs for mitigation. As Resource
The Arctic will have an increasingly important role to play in
the coming years of resource management on global scale,
vital for world economy. High Arctic research is gathering
momentum in all the main disciplines concerned with the
introducing more geomorphological and more lithological units,
thus obtaining maps showing closer relationships between
environments and geology/bedrock. This was particularly
effective for the LGM map, when the increased gradient and
erosion combined with drier conditions largely reduced the
extent of vegetated areas. The time slices (given in 14 C
calibrated BP ages) adopted in this work differ slightly from
the previous maps being set at ca 22,000 ± 2000 a cal BP for
the LGM with an average surface air temperature about 4.5°C
lower than today’s; ca 8,000 ± 1000 a BP for the HCO with an
average surface air temperature about 2°C higher than today’s.
The maps, co-authored by over 40 specialists, give an idea of
the impressive changes that can affect the Earth’s surface as
a consequence of purely natural causes. In spite of the low
extent of the Apennine glaciation, 20 ka ago the desiccated
Adriatic Sea together with the Po Plain became a periglacial
loess-covered plain, the western lobe of the large Pannonian
loess basin. Chilly winds extended beyond the Apennine divide
invading the dried internal plains such as Florence . Sea level
drops of about 150 and 13 m computed for the LGM and HCO,
respectively, are consistent with the observations collected.
Differences from present conditions in many environmental
and climatic indicators are readly apparent for the LGM and
also for some critical coastal areas of the HCO. An additional
difference between the HCO and the present is an increase in
today’s marine surface temperature of the Tyrrhenian and
Ionian seas by 2 to 3 °C.Maps and Explanatory Notes are
available at the booths 2 nd IGC Bologna 1881 (no. 151-152)
and Litografia Artistico Cartografica s.r.l. of the GeoExpo 2004.
Claudio Margottini and Gian Battista Vai
geosphere, biosphere and atmosphere. Major investigations
of the Lomonosov Ridge will take place in 2004 (IODP’s
ARMADA expedition drilling project near the North Pole);
transects across the Arctic basin are planned for 2005.
Preparations for the International Polar Year 2007-8 are
underway, with ambitious projects for international cooperation.
IGC 2008 in Oslo will provide an ideal forum for presentation
of the results of all these activities. An Arctic Consortium is
being established to plan the key Arctic components of IGC
2008 – symposia, workshops, short courses and excursions.
Richard Sinding-Larsen,
Chairman of the Nordic Bidding Commitee
Bids for 34 th IGC 2012
AUSTRALIA BID TO HOST 34 TH IGC “DOWN UNDER”
The Oceania region – encompassing Australia, New Zealand,
Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific island nations – is
seeking your support for AUSTRALIA 2012, its bid to host
the 34 th IGC. Oceania is exciting, scenically rich, geologically
fascinating, and its cultures and heritage contrast with anything
that can be experienced in the northern hemisphere.The theme
of AUSTRALIA 2012, scheduled for Brisbane, Queensland,
in August 2012, is Unearthing our Past and Future. This theme
would carry forward IUGS’ Planet Earth initiative. The Congress
would include a GeoExpo, and education outreach and Geohost
support programs.The Oceania region’s geological record, from
the most ancient to the modern, would be on offer through
many field trips, covering the whole region.Underpinned by its
diverse range of geological features and a major resources
sector, Oceania has a strong and proactive geoscience
community that is conducting innovative research across all
disciplines of interest to IUGS, and is committed to delivering
an outstanding IGC.Australia and New Zealand are safe and
welcoming countries. Brisbane is the gateway to the Great
Barrier Reef and the Aussie outback, and provides easy
access to the region. It has superb sunny weather in August.
AUSTRALIA 2012 would be held in the state-of-the-art
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, a pleasant stroll
across the river from city hotels.With good international
access, discount airfares and low costs for quality
accommodation, food and transport, the total cost for delegates
coming from most northern hemisphere countries would not
be any higher than for many meetings of similar duration closer
to home. Yet AUSTRALIA 2012 would provide a once-in-alifetime
opportunity to experience the geology, scenery and
cultures of this magnificent region that has so far hosted only
one IGC.Visit GeoExpo booths 112/113 for a preview of the
possibilities on offer if the 34 th IGC is staged in Brisbane.

August 24, 2004
“The Carbon Cycle and Hydrology in the Paleo-Terrestrial
Environments” symposium is dedicated to the memory of
Professor Hugues FAURE (1928-2003)
Hugues Faure is among the leading scientists who set up
the bases of modern Quaternary research. While he was 21
years old, he left Paris to discover Africa. His studies of the
Quaternary lake deposits of Eastern Niger opened a new field
of research. He was the first to show that southern Sahara
was wet and covered by lakes between 9000 and 7000 years
BP. He showed that water resources in this region are tied to
Quaternary climate changes, highlighting the impacts of
Milankovitch cycles on tropical climate. After his state
doctorate in 1962, he became lecturer at the University of
Dakar, and then in 1968 Professor at the Pierre and Marie
Curie University of Paris. After 1968, his research work
focused on the Afar region in collaboration with Haroun Tazieff
(CNRS) and Georgio Marinelli (Pisa University). He proposed
a geodynamic model of the Aden-Afar-Red Sea system. In
1969, Hugues Faure was nominated President of the
Technical Committee of Geology at ORSTOM (“Office de la
Recherche Scientifique d’Outre-Mer”) and then in 1970 he
became Director of the Laboratory for Quaternary Geology
(LGQ). At this period, he drew a generation of French students
towards Quaternary Geology. In 1982, he was elected
President of the International Union for Quaternary Research
(INQUA), where he served until 1987. As president of INQUA,
he was involved in the development of the International
Geosphere-Biosphere Programme. His later research work
(1991-2003) was devoted to the study of the carbon cycle
during the last glacial maximum and the Holocene in the
framework of the IGCP 404 project and the INQUA Carbon
Commission of which he has been President until his death
INDIAN PROPOSAL TO HOST THE 34TH IGC,
HYDERABAD,2012
INDIA, a land with all its diverse, geographical, geological,
racial and cultural trappings, caught in a technological vortex
that has spun a mosaic of vibrant and colourful facets of
Indian society.The Indian Proposal. It is proposed to hold the
34 th IGC for 10 days from July 23-31, 2012 with the opening
ceremony on July 22 nd , 2012. The scientific sessions will take
place for 8 days and during the weekend delegates will have
the opportunity to select from a range of short tours which will
be offered. All organizations affiliated to IUGS will be invited
to participate and contribute to the development of the
scientific program. The organizing body of the IGC will be the
National Geographical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad,
an outstanding scientific institution in geosciences with a staff
of more than 800 scientists and technicians to support this
event. The Institute is located in a campus extended over a
170-acres with good infrastructure facilities adhering to the
internationally set benchmarks. The institute also has proven
capabilities for organizing national and international conclaves.
Congress Theme The theme of the IGC in India will be
“Geosciences for Sustainability”, which addresses the very
basic question of human existence in view of the increase in
world’s population and expanding urbanization. Program The
following themes are likely to form the basic outline in
formulating the scientific program into different categories:
Geosciences – global concerns – Progress in International
Geosciences Projects;Dynamic earth-continent-continent
collision zones – Perspective-Natural Hazards and
Mitigation;Geosphere-Biosphere interaction – Tectonics of the
Indian Ocean;New concepts in Plate tectonics –
Paleoclimatology – impact on present day climate; Mitigating
the effects of waste pollution – Global climate change –
Managing resources and sustaining the environment.
Hyderabad – The capital city of Andhra Pradesh offers a
fascinating panorama of the past, with a rich blend of cultural
and historical traditions spanning over 400 years. Hyderabad
ranks highest on all parameters that are the principal factors
of an event like the IGC: affordable city, English language
and cosmopolitan culture, cutting edge IT infrastructures and
telecommunications, quality power and convenient
transportation, good law enforcement, government incentives,
stability and transparency.Hyderabad is well connected from
all parts of the globe by air. The airport is located in the heart
of the city. And many star hotels are situated within a range of
10 km. The proposed IGC venue is about 12 km from the
airport. The Exhibition & Convention Centre was inaugurated
in January 2003 and is one of the most modern in the country,
with magnificent facilities spreading over nearly 100 acres next
to an information technology park area. Lived Coverage of
Technical Sessions Selective sessions will be telecast live
The curiosity of Hugues Faure (1928-2003)
Hugues Faure
“ As the first man on the first day of creation,
he was innocent, full of wonder and curiosity “
in 2003.The IGCP 459 project is rooted in the activities of the
INQUA Carbon Commission (now a sub-commission) and the
earlier 404 IGCP project led by Hugues Faure. The main
objective of the IGCP 459 projects is to couple the water
cycle and the carbon cycle to study the different terrestrial
carbon reservoirs and the mass transfers between them, as
through INSAT-2E, which is the fifth of the second generation
INSAT-2 spacecraft designed and built in India by the Indian
Space Research organization. The INSAT-2E footprint covers
the Asia-Australia Land Mass Coverage (LMSS). This extends
from Australia to Russia in the north-south direction and Japan
to Central Europe in the east-west direction.
BID FOR THE 34 th IGC “IRELAND 2012”
Ireland a perfect place to meet. Ireland is an Atlantic island
on the western margin of Europe. It is very accessible by air,
being served by a wide range of airlines, with international
leaders in cheap fares. Ireland has been a member of EU for
30 years and has a population of 3.5 million. Ours is a
knowledge-based entrepreneurial economy that has driven a
fundamental change in the past decade from a net emigrant
society. Ireland is now a cosmopolitan destination which still
ménages to retain its cultural identity. In the period 1985 to
2002 the number of overseas visitors climbed from less than
2 to well over 6 millions. In finalizing a formal proposal to host
the 34 th IGC, we would be seeking the scientific and the
logistical support of coastal Atlantic States, with which Ireland
has a long-standing tradition of endeavouring scientific
collaboration.We have a diverse range of geological
landscapes, from Precambrian to Pleistocene: the karst of
the Burren and the columnar basalts of the Giant’s Causeway
have long been major tourist attractions. Dublin – A city of
character and culture Dublin, capital of Ireland, is on its
east coast and its greater area has a population of over 1
million. Its history extends back over 1000 years embracing
Norse, Norman and English periods. Dublin is also a modern
city whose centre has been thoroughly revitalised in the past
twenty years. It is now an established and growing tourist
destination which is regarded as very safe. June/July is the
preferred time to hold this prestigious event – when the weather
is mild (20°C) and the evenings long. It has an excellent range
of hotels, but also guest houses, hostels and university
accommodations. Dublin has a history of hosting large
convections with flair and without fuss. Ireland is Englishspeaking
and part of the Euro-zone, convenient factors for
many visitors. The RDS –An outstanding congress venue
The RDS – Royal Dublin Society – was founded in 1731 and it
has long been a respected feature of the national landscape.
It is now the premier convention centre in Ireland, used to
hosting world-class events such as the IGC. The congress
venue is located 1.5 km from the city centre in the business
and embassy district, within easy reach of accommodation,
hotels, pubs and entertainment.In making this bid we are
confident of the full support of all relevant authorities and
organizations: The Royal Irish Academy, the major learning
society in Ireland and the affiliating body of IUGS/IGC; The
national tourism and convention organisations; The city of
Dublin and its Lord Major; The geoscience community,
3
32 nd IGC INFORMS 3
well as between the terrestrial reservoirs and
the atmospheric and oceanic reservoirs. The
project is organised in six working groups: (1)
biomes and vegetation, (2) soils and peats,
(3) rivers, ground waters, lakes, rock
weathering, (4) geological processes, (5)
isotope tracing, and (6) modelling. The
symposium was designed as really
multidisciplinary, focusing both on carbon and
water cycles and encompassing all geological
timescales from the recent period to the
Holocene, Pleistocene,Neogene and
Paleogene, Phanerozoic and even Late
Archean. The studied processes involve
weathering and river transport of carbon,
deposition of pedogenic carbonates, geological
emission of carbon dioxide and methane,
charcoal deposition, paleovegetation dynamics
and climate-vegetation interactions. It
integrates a wide range of data (geochemistry, isotopes, pollen
and sedimentary deposits, etc), as well as modelling studies.
Keynote speaker is J. Veizer (Ruhr University Bochum,
University of Ottawa). Invited presentations will be given by
Y.G. Ryskov (Institute of Physico-Chemical and Biological
Problem in Soil Science, Russia), P. Smolka (University
Muenster) and D. Jolly (University of Montpellier II). A joint
publication of the symposium is planned.This topical
symposium of the 32nd International Geological Congress is
organised in the framework of CHANGES - Carbon, Hydrology
and Global Environmental Systems and more specifically the
IGCP 459 project.
L. François, L. Probst
consisting of universities and research institutes, the
Geological Survey of Ireland and the geological Survey of
Northern Ireland, and private sector consultancies and
companies; The government of Ireland has not yet been
approached but can be expected to view the Congress very
positively. Why Ireland? Twenty years ago Ireland could not
have considered making this bid, even five years ago we would
not have this confidence. But the time is now ripe for Ireland
to do so: Ireland has a rich geological heritage, a vibrant
geological community, collaborative links with Atlantic
neighbours, and creative energy necessary to make a success
of IGC 2012. Please give us the opportunity to prove it.
MOROCCAN BID TO HOST 34 th IGC “UNDER THE
AFRICAN SUN”
Since the 1 st IGC in Paris in 1878, Africa organized only two
IGCs: in 1929 in Pretoria (South Africa) and in 1952 in Alger
(Algeria). Morocco is the geological crossroad between Africa,
America and Europe: it represents a real memory of the Earth
(paradise of geologists). Morocco is a country of tolerance,
authenticity and modernity, renown for its hospitality. Morocco
is open to the world and to universal cultures. Located at the
extreme NW of Africa, neighbouring with Spain, Mauritania
and Algeria, it has an area of 710,850 km 2 . Morocco has 28
million inhabitants among which Islam coexists in harmony
with other religions as Judaism and Christianity. The official
language is Arab, but French, Spanish, and English are
widespread together with the local Tamazight. Currency is
Dirham (Dh) (1US Dollar =10 Dh). Morocco has a very long
coast (3500 km) spanning from the Mediterranean Sea to the
Atlantic, and joined by a mountain range (Toubqal, 4165 m in
the High Atlas range, is the highest in the Maghreb region),
plains, desert and oasis landscapes with a continental and
Mediterranean climate.Morocco may be divided into three
geological domains: Rif domain with Alpine mountain ranges
includes Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic formations; The
Atlas domain and the Meseta. Meseta: epi-Variscan platform,
Mesozoic and Cenozoic cover (phosphate mines). Atlas
mountain ranges: Mesozoic and Cenozoic carbonate
sedimentary rocks, Paleozoic basement; Sahara domain
dominated by Archean in the SE covered by Paleozoic to the
north and Cenozoic to the west. The city of congress would
be Marrakech, the mystic imperial city founded in the IX century
at the foot hills of high Atlas. Marrakech is near various
geological outcrops (Archean to Quaternary) and is a privileged
destination for tourists. The local geological community
consists of more than 3000 people, organized in the Geological
Survey of Morocco (geological infrastructure), 2 Public offices
(ONHYM,OCP), 17 Universities, 2 Engineering schools, 2
Institutes and affiliated associations (SGM, MAPG, GPPM).
It represents the guarantee for a high standard of organization.

32nd 4 IGC INFORMS
August 24, 2004
Bookstore
The publications prepared for the 32nd IGC Florence 2004
will be on sale at special price at the Booths # 151-152:
G.B. Vai & L. Cantelli
(eds)
“Litho-palaeoenvironmental
maps
of Italy during the last
two climatic
extremes.”
Two maps at
1:1,000,000 scale
and
F. Antonioli &
G.B. Vai (eds)
“Explanatory Notes”
LAC
Firenze, 2004
Euro 10.00
Wine and Geology
Which are the relationships between geology and wine? How
do the composition of the substratum , weathering, soil
development, climate and landscape influence the organoleptic
characters of the wine? Has intensive viticulture negative effects
on slope stability on steep slopes? This multidisciplinary
subject is new for a large international geological congress
and generated a lot of interest, as shown by the large
attendance and by the quality and diversity of the presentations
that included overviews of wine districts from various parts of
the world (Italy, France, Germany, Austria, USA, Australia,
South Africa, etc.) and more focussed contributions on slope
stability, geochemical characters of the vineyards, influence
of climate change on distribution of vinegrapes, and predictable
northward extension in Europe of red cultivars. The poster
session was followed by a very successful and crowded winetasting
party: indeed, all the participants in the symposium
were requested to bring one (or more) bottle of wine, so that a
choice of good to extraordinary wines was offered. To mention
just a few examples, there was an aged (1996) Sauterne offered
by Robert Bourrouilh from his own property, a magnum of
Franciacorta Brut offered by Sergio Chiesa, a red Empranillo
from Oregon produced by Gregory Jones, a Chianti Classico
of the Province of Siena. A competition for the best poster
(however, no prize has been given, due to shortage of time)
gave the following results: First prize: Poster 78-25 (booth
481) “Franciacorta: from an old tradition to a modern success
story”, by Sergio Chiesa and Roberto Ravelli; Second prize:
Poster 78-21 (booth 477) “Valtellina (Sondrio, northern Italy),
the second most important terroir for the Nebbiolo grape in
the world”, by Guido Mazzolari, Barbara Aldighieri and seven
more authors; Third prize: Poster 78-27 (booth 483) “Oltrepo
Pavese (northern Italy), Geomorphology, training methods and
UTB”, by Lamberto Laureti and Stefano Campagnolo.
M.B. Cita
WANTED MOVIE MAKER, 3D GLOBAL GRAPHICS
PRODUCER OR PUBLISHER to illustrate my new concept of
the mechanism and forces which caused our continental
movements.
Contact JOHN RUTHERFORD at the General Information
Desk (near the Slide Centre) every day 11.50 – 11.55
First International Earth Science Film Festival
The Scientific Cinematography Department of CNR-IRPI of
Cosenza attended IGC meetings for many years to promote,
on behalf of the Italian scientific community, Earth Science
knowledge to a vast public using audio-visual media. On the
occasion of the 32 nd International Geological Congress held
in Florence, the Scientific Cinematography Department and
the OGS (Trieste) organised the First International Earth
Science Film Festival, that will be officially presented to the
press today at 11:30 a.m., and movies will be shown from
August 25 to 27. The Festival is devoted to scientific, teachingaid
videos and multimedia products in the field of Earth
Sciences, and presents videos from the following countries:
USA, Switzerland, Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, Iran, France,
Soudi Arabia, Spain and Greece. This Congress is the natural
seat to introduce the first edition of the International Earth
Science Film Festival. The Cinematography Department and
the National Institute of Oceanography and the Applied
MEETINGS August, 24
ROOM
53rd IUGS Executive Committee
Meeting with Affiliated Organizations 17:30 - 19:30 14
AEGS Executive Committee 17:30 - 19:30 33
Arab Geologists Association 17:30 - 19:30 21
CCM (IMA Work. Group) 17:30 - 19:30 2
CGI 14:00 - 19:30 31
CGM (IMA Work. Group) 17:30 - 19:30 3
CICA (IMA Work. Group) 17:30 - 19:30 4
CMGIP (IMA Work. Group) 17:30 - 19:30 5
CNMMN (IMA Work. Group) 17:30 - 19:30 6
COM (IMA Work. Group)
Commission on Coastal and
Marine Processes Int. Union for
17:30 - 19:30 7
Quaternary Research 17:30 - 19:30 30
CPM (IMA Work. Group) 17:30 - 19:30 8
FOREGS and IUGS/IAGC 17:30 - 19:30 38
IAEG (n°17) 17:30 - 19:30 12
IIAEG (n°14) 17:30 - 19:30 32
IAGOD Council Meeting 9:00 - 14:00 33
IAMG Committee Meeting,
Editorial Board 9:00 - 17:00 37
IGCP 459 17:30 - 19:30 23
IGCP 467 17:30 - 19:30 36
INQUA Comm. on Terrestrial
Processes 17:30 - 19.30 13
IUGS Comm. on Geo indicators 17:30 - 19:30 37
Meeting on Euroarray 17:30 - 19.30 11
Ophiolites Meeting Group 17:30 - 19:30 15
WGIM (IMA Work. Group) 17:30 - 19:30 9
WGME (IMA Work. Group) 17:30 - 19:30 10
Geophysics (OGS) jointly conceived and promoted this review
that will take place every two years. The organizers hope to
share their enthusiasm with the participants in the 32 nd IGC
and, through them, involve a larger public to the discovery and
understanding of all the wonders of the planet we live in,
informing about progress of Earth Sciences. The Earth Science
Film Festival will assign prizes and awards to the best authors,
film directors and productions in all geological disciplines. An
international jury, composed by Mario Apice (Italy), Erns Lasse
(Sweeden), Maurizio Parotto (Italy), Vincenzo Ricca (Italy),
Beatrice Sonhuter (Germany), Elena Titova (Russia), Jan-
Léonard Touadi (Congo), decided the nominations of the best
films that will be shown in Teatrino Lorenese. The conclusive
ceremony will be held in Trieste on October 2004. Further
information on the site : www.ogs.trieste.it/FilmFestival/
filmfestival.htm.
Teodoro Mercuri
TIME
10.00
10.20
10.50
11.05
11.30
12.30
15.00
15.10
15.25
16.05
16.25
17.00
THE STAFF
SCIENCE TEATRE ROOM35
PROGRAMME AUG. 24
TITLE
I vulcani dei Maya
Le due Terre del Fuoco
Morocco, memory of the Earth
Ghiacciai Bulldozer
1 st International Earth Science Film
Festival - Presentation and Press
BREAK
The Plio-Quaternary Geological
Evolution of the Firenze Basin
Il Paradiso Rosso
Why the Antarctic
Un vulcano alla Vaniglia
Il Mistero del lago Izabal
The geological heritage of turkey
Logistics at Work
COUNTRY
Italy
Italy
Morocco
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Italy
Turkey