Loading AI tools
International non-governmental organization From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) is an international non-governmental organization devoted to international cooperation in the field of geology.[1] As of 2023, it represents more than 1 million geoscientists around the world.[2]
 Logo of IUGS | |
| Abbreviation | IUGS |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1961 |
| Type | INGO, standards organization |
| Headquarters | Founded in Paris, France, secretariat in Beijing, China |
Region served | Worldwide |
President (2024-2028): | Prof. Hassina Mouri (Algerian/South African) |
Key people |
|
Parent organization | International Science Council (ISC) |
| Website | https://www.iugs.org/ |
The IUGS was founded in 1961 to ensure continued collaboration between the International Geological Congresses, which have taken place every four years since 1875. It is a Scientific Union member of the International Science Council (ISC),[3] formerly the International Council for Science (ICSU), which it recognizes as the co-ordinating body for the international organization of science. Currently geologists from 121 countries (and regions) are represented in the IUGS. A broad range of scientific topics are covered by its commission, task groups, joint programmes and affiliated organizations. IUGS promotes and encourages the study of geological problems, especially those of worldwide significance, and supports and facilitates international and inter-disciplinary co-operation in the earth sciences.[4] The Union's Secretariat is currently located at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences in Beijing, China.
IUGS is a joint partner with UNESCO for the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) and also participates in the Global Geoparks Network (GGN). The Geological Society of London oversees the production and distribution of IUGS Publications. The Geological Society of India produces and distributes the Union's quarterly journal, entitled Episodes, as well as providing editorial support. Interested parties can download the latest issues of Episodes free of charge.[5] Other activities include: Resourcing Future Generations (RFG), Young Reporters, Deep-Time Digital Earth (DDE).[6]
IUGS runs nine international commissions, covering the following topics:
The International Union of Geological Sciences is the main scientific sponsor of the International Geological Congress[8] (IGC), which takes place every four years. The first congress was in France in 1878[9] where a few geoscientists gathered to share new finds and .tTm was to create a framework and a platform for geoscientists to meet at regular intervals. The event has been growing bigger with each congress.
Brisbane hosted the 34th congress in August 2012[10] and Cape Town the 35th in 2016.[11] Delhi was to host the 36th in March 2020 as a collaborative effort by Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Because of Covid, the congress was postponed twice and developed online in 2021.[12] The 37th was held in August 2024 in Busan. Canada won the bid to host the 38th IGC in Calgary in 2028.[13]
To celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of its establishment, in 2022, IUGS published a list of 100 sites around the world that it holds to be significant in the development of the earth sciences.[14]
In 2024, IUGS published a second list of another 100 geological heritage sites.
The IUGS Scientific Awards of Excellence:
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
