Rare and overlooked, but mighty: Developing triple oxygen isotopes for the paleoclimate toolkit
Dear all, Kindly make it convenient to attend the Spl lecture to be delivered by Prof. Naomi Levin, on 28th April at India time 6.30 p.m.
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Microsoft Teams meeting
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GEO@EAIFR webinar
The East African Institute for Fundamental Research (EAIFR) and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) wish to inform those who may be interested of a GEO@EAIFR webinar. This seminar will take place on April 18, 2023 and will be broadcast live on ZOOM. It will also be recorded and later posted on the ICTP-EAIFR YouTube channel, where one can find the previous recorded GEO@EAIFR webinars. Below all the details:
Speaker: David Bercovici, Frederick William Beinecke Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, USA.
Title: Generation of plate tectonics from grain to global scale.
When: April 18, 2023 at 16:30 (Kigali time).
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking here.
Biography:
David Bercovici received his BS in Physics from Harvey Mudd College (1982) and his PhD in Geophysics and Space Physics from UCLA (1989). After a postdoctoral fellowship at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (1989-1990), he joined the faculty at the University of Hawaii (1990-2000). He moved to Yale in 2001 and has been there ever since as Professor and Chair (twice: 2006-2012, 2018-2021). He is currently now the co-director of the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture (since 2021). Bercovici received the Macelwane Medal from the American Geophysical Union (AGU), along with AGU Fellowship in 1996, and the EGU Love Medal in 2022. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (2018) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2015). He is the author of the (semi-)popular science book “The Origins of Everything in 100 Page (More or Less)” (Yale Press, 2016). His research is broadly in planetary physics and geophysical fluid dynamics.
Abstract:
The physics of rock deformation in the lithosphere governs the formation of tectonic plates, which are characterized by strong, broad plate interiors, separated by weak, localized plate boundaries. The size of mineral grains in particular controls rock strength, and grain-reduction can lead to shear localization and weakening in the strong ductile portion of the lithosphere. Grain damage theory describes the competition between grain growth and grain size reduction as a result of deformation, and the effect of grain size evolution on the rheological properties of lithospheric rocks. The self-weakening feedback predicted by grain damage theory can explain the formation of mylonites, typically found in deep ductile lithospheric shear zones, which are characteristic of localized tectonic plate boundaries. The amplification of damage is most effective when mineralogical phases, like olivine and pyroxene, are well mixed on the grain scale. Grain mixing theory predicts two co-existing deformation states of unmixed materials undergoing slow strain-rate, and well-mixed materials with large strain-rate; this is in agreement with recent laboratory experiments, and is analogous to Earth’s plate-like state.
Joint Conference: International Dyke Conference (IDC 8)-Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs 8)-Rodinia 2023
conference website: https://marrakech.sciencesconf.org/
(dates 29th May to 16th June 2023 in Morocco
(timing includes both pre- mid- and post-conference field trips)
Lead organizer: Prof. Nasrrddine YOUBI
Co-Lead organizer: Prof. Hassan IBOUH
Conference History
International Dyke Conference (IDC 8)
The Eighth International Dyke Conference (IDC8) will concentrate on mafic dyke swarms and related igneous associations, e.g., sills, kimberlites, syenites, carbonatites, volcanics, etc., with a special emphasis on paleogeographic reconstruction based on geological comparison and paleomagnetic studies. The IDC8 continues the every-five-year tradition started in Toronto, Canada in 1985 by Prof. Henry C. Halls (University of Toronto). Subsequent IDCs were held in Australia (1990), Israel (1995), South Africa (2001), Finland (2006), India (2010), and China (2016).
Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs 8)
The Large Igneous Provinces conference series was launched in 2007 in Novosibirsk, Siberia, Russia by Prof. Alexander Borisenko and colleagues, and continued in 2009 – Novosibirsk, Russia; 2011 – Irkutsk, Russia; 2013 – Hanoi, Vietnam; 2015 – Irkutsk, Russia; 2017 – Chengdu, China- Tomsk, Russia; 2019. The early conferences (2007-2015) were focused on the LIP record of Asia, but the Tomsk and the current focus is more global. The Eighth LIPs conference will again cover all aspects of this rapidly expanding field.
Rodinia 2023
The Rodinia conference series began in the form of Tectonics Special Research Centre symposia (1998-2005) that morphed into dedicated Rodinia conferences in Edinburgh, Scotland (2009); Moscow, Russia (2013); and Townsville, Australia (2017). The planned Rodinia meeting herein will continue this tradition and join forces with the other conference series noted above.
West African Craton’s magmatic and tectonic legacy, 2 Ga to present
The last decade has revealed West African craton as a key witness to long-term magmatic and tectonic processes, occupying important locations within ancient supercontinents. Consolidated in the Eburnean tectonic event of ca. 2.0 Ga, the craton was long thought to be devoid of significant igneous and tectonic activity until Pan-African orogenesis 1500 million years later. However, numerous ca. 1.7-1.4 Ga mafic dyke swarms have now been dated by U-Pb on zircon and baddeleyite, both in northern and southern regions of the craton; these swarms may be related to protracted breakup of the Nuna supercontinent. In addition, craton-wide ca. 0.9-Ga mafic magmatism could be related to the Rodinia supercontinent cycle. Lacking direct records of late Mesoproterozoic (“Grenvillian”) orogenesis, West African craton has typically been relegated to the outer periphery of Rodinia reconstructions, but recent documentation of Mesoproterozoic detrital zircons within autochthonous cover strata suggests some proximity to Rodinia-forming orogens.
Within the post-Rodinia era, West African craton’s margins were all reworked by the ca. 0.6-0.5-Ga Pan-African orogeny, coeval with multiple episodes of glaciation and the widespread Ouarzazate (Peri-Lapetus Magmatic Province) LIP. The Pan-African interval can be viewed either as a culmination of Pannotia supercontinent amalgamation, or a subsidiary step toward eventual Pangea assembly at ca. 0.3 Ga. Northern regions of the craton are directly affected by that Hercynian orogenesis. Breakup of Pangea is spectacularly documented by Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) magmatism and rift-related sedimentation at ca. 0.2 Ga. At present, post-Alpine subduction has migrated westward to the Strait of Gibraltar, perhaps initiating subduction within the Atlantic realm that will close interior oceans on the way to to the next future supercontinent. “ Super Pangea” at the next 2.5 Ga
In celebration of all these diverse geological records, spectacular rock exposure, fascinating culture, and friendly people, we invite you to join us in the “Geological Paradise” of Morocco in 2023!
Contacts and Correspondence for scientific information:
-Nasrrddine YOUBI, (youbi@uca.ac.ma ) Director of DLGR Lab Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Sciences-Semlalia, Department of Geology, P.O. Box 2390, Marrakech 40000, Morocco. Phone: + 212 – (524) 43 46 49. Extension 516. GSM (Office): + 212 (0654) 477 796. Fax: + 212- (524) – 43 67 69.
-Hassan IBOUH, (h.ibouh@uca.ac.ma ) L3G Lab, Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Sciences & Technoloques, Guéliz Bd. A. Khattabi, BP 549, Marrakech 40 000 Phone: + 212 (524) 43 31 63 (poste 424) Fax: + 212 (524) 43 31 70.
-Richard E., ERNST (Richard.Ernst@ernstgeosciences.com ), Phone: + 1-613-295-7955) Scientist in Residence, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, Herzberg Building 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada K1S 5B6.
– David EVANS, (david.evans@yale.edu), Phone: + 1 (203) 640-5726
Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Yale University, 210 Whitney Ave, New Haven CT 06511, USA.
– Zheng-Xiang LI (Z.Li@exchange.curtin.edu.au), Phone : + 61 8 9266 2453, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Australia.
29th Colloquium of African Geology – September 26th to 29th , 2023
29th Colloquium of African Geology (https://cag29gsaf.org/)
The Colloquium of African Geology (CAG) is a major biennial meeting organized under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf). Professor W. Q. Kennedy, assisted by Dr. Tom Clifford, convened the very first CAG at the University of Leeds, England, in March 1964. There was a pulse of excitement that electrified the assembled audience from Africa, Europe, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand when Prof. Kennedy announced his new concept of a ‘Pan-African thermo-tectonic event’.
Since then, there have been 28 events, 18 of which were held in Europe, and only 10 in Africa, specifically in South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Morocco(twice), Mozambique and Tunisia.
With the inspiring theme “The earth sciences and Africa’s development: current realities, future projections”, CAG29 will be held at the Safari Hotel Conference Centre, Windhoek, from September 26th to 29th , 2023. At this stage of the organization, the LOC is calling for abstracts, as well as proposals of sessions and conveners, workshops, short courses, exhibitions, and more field trips. The Second Circular, to be released by 15 April 2023, will give details of the Colloquium’s scheduled activities.
Message from the President of the Geological Society of Africa
The Colloquium of African Geology (CAG) is a major biennial meeting organized under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa (GSAf), where earth scientist globally have the opportunities to present their research results on topics related to Africa and surroundings areas on a continental and international scale . It also affords the incubation, generation and execution of initiatives that lead to interaction between the Academia, Industry and the Society.
The 28th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG28), hosted by Morocco, it was announced that the 29th Colloquium (CAG29) would be hosted by Namibia during the final week of September 2023. The theme of the event will be:
“The earth sciences and Africa’s development: current realities, future projections”
The event will be attended by senior and early-career earth scientists from government, associations, mineral exploration and mining companies and civil societies, as well as representatives from politics and the media are welcome. Career scientists from African countries and other developing areas are especially encouraged to regard this event as an opportunity to present their research to a wide audience, with participations from different sectors, countries, and continents. Namibia, the host country, boasts an interesting, heterogeneous geology covering some 2.6 billion years of earth history, with a wide variety of mineral deposits and mineralization styles, that have contributed – and still contribute-immensely to the country’s economy.
In addition, Namibia’s impressive geomorphic landscapes have great potential for geotourism, while the host city, Windhoek, is a culturally diverse centre of learning. Academically, the geoscientific sessions and excursions highlighted in this circular and following circulars promise to provide a deeper insight into the multi-faceted geological history of the African continent.
I therefore enjoin all geoscientists globally, to start making plans to attend what will be an interesting and geologically fulfilling event, which will be held in Namibia from September 26th to 29th 2023
Prof. Olugbenga Okunlolagbengaokunlola@yahoo.co.uk
Message from the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee
It is a great pleasure to invite you all to Namibia to take part in the 29th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG29). The Local Organizing Committee and the National and International Scientific Committee, with support from various sponsors, will endeavour to put together a program that does justice to this year’s theme “The earth sciences and Africa’s development: current realities, future projections”.
Hosting CAG29 in Namibia gives us a unique chance to showcase our country’s spectacular geology to Africa and the rest of the world, as well as to raise Namibia’s visibility as a premium geoscience destination.
For you, attendance of CAG29 may present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come to the beautiful city of Windhoek and participate in an exciting scientific program covering the breadth of the geosciences, experience fascinating geological features in the field, network with the international geoscience community, or to hold business meetings in a congenial and relaxed setting. Whether you are from industry, government or academia, you will find a full and interesting program at CAG29. This First Circular provides important information to assist delegates planning their participation in CAG29. The full schedule will be announced in the second circular. Preliminary field trip information is also available in this circular.
The appreciation of the Organizing Committee goes to the many members of the geoscientific community around the world who have shown interest in this prestigious event over the past years and decades. It is our hope that you will be able to join us for the 29th Colloquium of African Geology and we look forward to welcoming you in Windhoek in September of 2023. While many of you will be no strangers to Namibia, we venture to suggest that our multihued country may still have some new aspects to offer – geologically and otherwise!
Mrs. Anna Nguno Anna.Nguno@mme.gov.na / cag29.whk@gmail.com
Advertisment of AMGC Employment Opportunities 28 – December 2022
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES (6 positions)
AFRICAN MINERALS AND GEOSCIENCES CENTRE
The African Minerals and Geoscience Centre (AMGC) is a Pan-African Mineral Service Provider with several analytical services including Geochemical Analytical Services, Mineral Processing Services and Geo-information Services. In this context AMGC is seeking for Senior Exploration Geologist, Senior Geophysist, Senior Hydrogeologist, Junior Chemist/Geochemist, Chemical Laboratory Technician and Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Laboratory Technician.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
Applications should include the following documents: Application letter in English highlighting the candidate’s motivation and describing how the candidate meets the essential qualifications and skills for the position; A detailed CV with contact information for three referees (including their affiliation, position, e-mail and telephone number; support letters may also be attached); Certified copies of the academic certificates, as well as other relevant certificates (e.g., training and work experience) and send to:-
Director General, African Minerals and Geosciences Centre (AMGC),
P.O. Box 9573,
Kunduchi Beach Area, Dar es Salaam,
Tanzania;
E-mail: seamic@seamic.org
Note: Only Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted. Deadline is two weeks from the date of advertisement (12 of January, 2023).
The advertised jobs are for AMGC Member States (Angola, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda), which their competent nationals are encouraged to apply.
For more information, please read: Link to the post or contact seamic@seamic.org
Press Release _ AMDC Strategic Partners Retreat
The African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) held a strategic institutional Partners’ retreat on 27th and 28th July 2022, at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The strategic partners’ consultative retreat on AMDC’s theory of change was inclusive of an overview of the new AMDC’s operational metrics alongside the current and rapidly evolving minerals management and development landscape on the continent.
Earth Day 2021
Every April 22, we celebrate Earth Day!
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 every year. The day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. Several agencies and governments organize special events to spread awareness among masses about climate change and global warming. The day inspires us to act towards the protection of the environment and focus on the need for conservation.
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22 in 1970. It became a topic of discussion after more than 20 million Americans took to the streets to protest against environmental ignorance by the government. Since then, it has been an annual event.
The theme of Earth Day 2021 is to ‘Restore Our Earth’. It focuses on adopting natural processes and emerging eco-friendly technologies that can restore ecosystems.
“Earth Day is symbolic of all that we are aiming to do to make this world a better place for future generations. We should celebrate this every day. Every day is Earth Day,” Amit Banka of Wenaturalists said.
Earth Day is recognized as the largest civic event in the world. The Geological Society of Africa encourages all the members and Earth Scientists to celebrate Earth Day. More activities can be found at https://www.earthday.org/
Text modified from https://www.indiatvnews.com/science/earth-day-2021-date-history-significance-why-it-is-celebrated-on-22-april-699550
Photo used is from https://www.almanac.com/content/earth-day-date-activities-history
Solubility of Metals in Melt/Fluid Systems (IGC36)
Invitation to the IGC36
Prof. Hassan Helmy invites colleagues and scholars to submit their abstracts to session 28.5 “Solubility of Metals in Melt/Fluid Systems”.
The session is convened by Anna Vymazalová, Hassan Helmy
Session short summary:
This symposium welcomes contributions that enhance our understanding of metal solubility, speciation, and transport in geologically-relevant fluids (aqueous or non-aqueous) and melts (silicate, sulfide, carbonate) in ore-forming environments.
Submission is from: https://www.36igc.org/abstract-submission
Funding opportunity to attend IGC36th in New Delhi, India, in March 2020
Establishment of the 35th International Geological Congress (35th IGC) Legacy Fund and offer of financial support to attend the 36th IGC
Background to the 35IGC Legacy Fund
Following a directive from the IUGS concerning all International Geological Congress events, one of the goals of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 35th International Geological Congress (35th IGC) held in Cape Town in August 2016, was to establish a Legacy Fund with surplus funds generated by the 35th IGC. The purpose of the Fund is to support student attendance of appropriate international and national congresses, as well as various legacy and research projects being undertaken by the southern African earth science community. With the surplus funds from the 35th IGC now audited and available, the 35IGC Legacy Fund has been formally established.
Funding policy
Following preliminary discussions on the establishment of the 35IGC Legacy Fund, the proposed mandate for the Fund is to provide financial assistance for inter alia,
- Student attendance of local and international earth science congresses and particularly IGCs;
- Geoheritage projects mooted or developed as a consequence of 35th IGC;
- Publication of guidebooks, textbooks or other material that will assist in the communication and education of society with regard to earth science matters;
- Geotourism initiatives preferably in partnership with government and local tourism agencies, and
- Selected research, development and innovation projects in the earth science disciplines.
Application for financial support from the 35IGC Legacy Fund to attend the 36th IGC
One of the main mandates of the Legacy Fund is the support of young southern African earth science students wishing to attend future International Geological Congresses to present the results of their research. With the planning of the 36th IGC in India well advanced the 35IGC Legacy Fund would like to provide financial support for deserving students to attend the event.
This notice therefore serves as an official invitation to full-time, post graduate students in the earth sciences, registered at South African universities, to apply to the 35IGC Legacy Fund for financial assistance to attend the 36th IGC in India in 2020. To apply for financial assistance, the following conditions will apply:
- Applicants must be registered full-time for a post graduate degree in earth sciences at a South African university in 2019 and at the time of the 36th IG Proof of University registration will be required;
- Applicants must be under the age of 35 at the time of application;
- A letter of support from the university supervisor is required;
- Financial support will cover the cost of a return air ticket to India, the conference registration fee and reasonable accommodation cost for the duration of the congress;
- Proof of submission and acceptance of a presentation or poster by the Organising Committee of the 36th IGC must be provided;
- The research results presented in the abstract should focus on aspects of African geology;
- Financial support from 36th IGC or other sources to cover travel, registration costs and accommodation is not acceptable and will result in the cancellation of the application to the 35IGC Legacy Fund. Sources of financial support to cover 36th IGC costs must be declared, and the costs covered by such funding should be stated in the application.
- In the case of a multi-author abstract the applicant must be the presenter of the paper (oral or poster) at 36th
As only limited funds are available, compliance with the above conditions does not guarantee acceptance of the application. All provisionally successful applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Management Committee/Board of the Legacy Fund and their decision is final.
Applications must be made on the prescribed form available as an attachment to this notice and submitted to Ms Ndivhuwo Mukosi at 35IGCLegacy@geoscience.org.za before 31 May 2019 (deadline extended to end of June).
The following supporting documents must be submitted with each application:
- Copy of the abstract submitted to the Organising Committee of the 36th Attach proof of acceptance by Organising Committee if already available.
- Budget indicating allocation of funds requested for airfare, congress registration and accommodation.
- Supervisor support letter also stating proof of university registration, age and whether registration will continue through to 2020.
- Short CV (100 words max.)
All successful applicants will be required to provide proof of being in possession of a valid passport and visa to attend the 36th IGC in India.
N.B deadline for submissions of abstract to 36th IGC is 31 August 2019.
Other important key dates of 36th IGC are available at http://36igc.org/
Application can be found at:
http://gsafr.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/35IGCLegacyFundFinAppl36thIGCUpdated.pdf
