CZECHOSLOVAK AND CZECH IGCP NATIONAL COMMITTEE * FROM HISTORY TO PRESENCE

 

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 are very significant in conditions of rapidly increased contest: 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 instance, the Czech Republic actively participated in scientific activities of ten IGCP Projects of which two were internationally co-ordinated from the country (compare the Annual Reports for the Board in Paris).

 

Chairmen of the Czechoslovak and later Czech IGCP National Committee:

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

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

1990 - 1993: Milos KUZVART, Sn., from Faculty of Science, Charles University),

1994 - to date: Jan PASAVA from Czech Geological Survey.

 

History of the CzNC_IGCP grants (at CGS):

1996 - foundation of a special fund and distribution of 11 grants,

1997 - distribution of 13 grants,

1998 - no grants due to low funds,

1999 - distribution of 8 grants,

2000 - distribution of 9 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 - to date: Petr JAKES (geochemist, volcanic and extraterrestrial rocks) - Member, IGCP Scientific Board.