The world’s largest geological congress opened in Brisbane today, bringing together over 6500 delegates from more than 130 countries to share information on meeting the environmental and resource challenges facing present and future communities.
The 34th International Geological Congress (IGC) being held at Brisbane’s National Convention Centre, is only the second time in the IGC’s 134 year history that the four-yearly event has been held in Australia, following the 1976 IGC in Sydney.
Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP said that the event provides an excellent opportunity for Australia to showcase our natural resources and geological expertise, while delegates network with world leading geoscientists.
“The overall theme of the Congress ‘Unearthing our Past and Future – Resourcing tomorrow’ recognises the fundamental role that the geosciences play in helping deliver a sustainable future for our planet,” Minister Ferguson said.
“The importance of Australia’s mineral and petroleum industries to Australia is strongly reflected in the Scientific Program, which also includes presentations from a range of international experts on environmental issues, energy and mineral resources exploration, natural hazards and climate change.
“The Congress has a rich history, which includes the tradition of releasing a publication on the geology of the host nation. Geoscience Australia, the national geoscientific agency, has produced a stunning interpretation of the theme with the release of - Shaping a Nation: A Geology of Australia.
“The book tells the story of Australia’s geological history through the lens of human impact – illustrating both the challenges and the opportunities that our ‘lucky country’ presents.
“This stunning coffee table book takes readers on a journey that covers every landscape, seascape and climate in Australia; from the tropics to the Antarctic and across more than twenty seven million square kilometres of the Earth’s surface. It is also a journey deep into time, from the oldest evidence of the Earth’s crust to the modern coral reefs in Western Australia.”
The 34th International Geological Congress runs from 5 – 10 August 2012 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Shaping a Nation: A Geology of Australia will be available at the IGC, and for purchase through the Geoscience Australia Sales Centre .