CZECHOSLOVAK AND CZECH IGCP NATIONAL COMMITTEE – THE IGCP HISTORY AND ISSUES OF RECENT OR CONTEMPORARY CONCERNS IN THE SOCIETY 

 

Since approval in 1972:

The foundation of International Geological Correlation Programs was a joint venture between IUGS and UNESCO. The idea to create IGCP was suggested at a joint IUGS – UNESCO Meeting in October 1967 in Prague with final approval in 1972. The first meeting of the Board of IGCP took part in May 1973 in Paris. Professor Jan PETRANEK was in original fifteen of board members. The 1974 was probably the most successful year in our history related to IGCP, because five from twenty seven accepted projects were submitted by the Czechoslovak experts: * Vladimir ZOUBEK > the IGCP Project 22 – Precambrian in younger fold belts (1974 – 1980), * Milos KUZVART, senior > the IGCP Project 23 Genesis of kaolins (1974 – 1980), * Vladimir SIBRAVA > the IGCP Project 24 Quaternary glaciation in the Northern Hemisphere (1974 – 1982), * Jan SENES > the IGCP Project 25 Stratigraphic correlation of the Tethys–Paratethys Neogene (1974 – 1982), and * Miroslav STEMPROK > the IGCP Project 26 Mineralisation associated with acid magmatism (1974 – 1980). Next IGCP Projects co–ordinated by Czechoslovak and later Czech scientists (since 1990's it was continued by the Czechs and Slovaks separately) were not so numerous as during pioneer times of IGCP but they were still significantly represented in conditions of rapidly increased competition: * Milos RAKUS > the IGCP 198 Evolution of the northern margin of the Tethys (1983 – 1987), * Jan PASAVA > the IGCP 254 Metalliferous black shales (1987 – 1992), / IGCP 357 Organics and mineral deposits (1993 – 1997), and / IGCP 429 Organics in Major Environmental Issues (1998–2002), * Petr SULOVSKY & Josef ZEMAN > the IGCP 421 Organics in Major Environmental Issues (1996 – 2000), and * Vladimir CERMAK > the IGCP 428 –Climate and Boreholes (1998 – 2002). For many years, the Czech Republic actively participated in scientific activities of up to ten IGCP Projects of which two were internationally co-ordinated from the country (compare the Annual Reports for the Board in Paris, on the main page).

 

Chairmen of the Czechoslovak and later Czech National Committee for IGCP (abbrev. CzNC_IGCP):

1973 – 1980: Karel BENES – Academy of Sciences (Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, in these times),

1980 – 1989: Vaclav BUCHA, Sn. – Academy of Sciences (Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, in these times),

1990 – 1993: Milos KUZVART, Sn. – Faculty of Science, Charles University,

1994 – to date: Jan PASAVA – Czech Geological Survey.

 

History of the CzNC_IGCP grants (CzNC_IGCP affiliated to the Czech Geological Society):

1996 – foundation of a special fund and distribution of the first grants (13 in 1997; 0 in 1998 – low funds; 8 in 1999, 9 in 2000),

2001 – to date: each year c. between 10 to 15 grants.

 

Czech scientists on international IGCP scene:

1981 – 1990: Vladimir SIBRAVA (geologist, Quaternary) – Director, Division of Earth Sciences, UNESCO, Paris.

1991 – 1999: Vladimir BABUSKA (geophysicist, refraction seismics) – IGCP Secretary, UNESCO, Paris.

1997 – 2005: Petr JAKES (geochemist, volcanic and extraterrestrial rocks) – Member, IGCP Scientific Board.