Dermitzakis, Michael D.

English

National Documentation Centre - EKT journals

   
   
Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece
Vol. 40, 2007
 
  
  PREFACE
Dermitzakis Michael The President of the
Organizing Committee; f.
Vice-Rector of the University
of Athens
https://doi.org/
 
  Copyright © 2018 Michael D. Dermitzakis 
   
  
   
To cite this article:
Dermitzakis, M. (2007). PREFACE. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece, 40(3), iv-vii. Retrieved from 
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PREFACE 
The Earth constitutes a compound and dynamic system, and better and broader 
knowledge of our planet and the processes that are in progress on it might enable us to 
better understand our past as well as foresee our future. The research of historic 
development of the Earth system as a total deep in time distinguishes Geology from any 
other Natural sciences. However, this research as such requires the inter-relation of all 
Natural sciences for its comprehension, thus rendering Geology a particularly interactive 
sector that can and should produce top research at theoretical as well as at applied level. 
Finally, Geology, just as every other science, has its own objectives and its own 
methodological tools, which, though, are being currently broadened through inter-
scientific approaches - a process that is constantly gaining ground at the international 
level among the modern research tendencies. 
A geologist-geoscientist researches the Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, but also 
conducts research beyond that level. He is concerned about the Earth and its future. 
He/She is currently summoned, apart from the classic geological activities, to provide 
persuasive answers to the questions that puzzle all the human beings. Why and how 
does the world climate change? How do the Earth systems function and inter-relate? How 
should we allocate our industrial waste? How are we supposed to face the energy needs 
of all the more demanding modern society? How should we cover the needs for water 
and food? 
A geologist of the 21st century accumulates all the historic geological knowledge that 
has been acquired by the previous generations but also a big selection of research and 
professional options. He/she is able to: 
• Look for life existence on Mars and other planets 
• Research the ocean bottom 
• Monitor the activities of big volcanoes 
• Conduct museum research 
• Participate in land and urban planning 
• Study ways of environmental pollution control and shape the decision-making for 
the Earth environment management 
• Research and contribute to the reduction of degree of risk for the human life and 
fortune from natural disasters 
• Comprehend and explain why the climate changes 
• Provide geological knowledge for the benefit of small and large scale technical 
projects 
• Research the potential natural resources and manage them in environmentally 
safe way 
• Ensure qualitative aquatic resources 
• Ensure the surface quality for the needs of agricultural production 
However, although a geologist acquires more and more responsible position in the 
society, the evidence shows that unemployment and underemployment henceforth 
constitute the basic traits of the particular sector so much in the private as in the public 
sector, which is not an exclusively Greek phenomenon. Its repercussions have already 
influenced the international domain for the last 10 years. A lot of academic Geological 
Departments in Europe and America have limited their activities or have suffered 
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administrative changes. A considerable number of them have changed their title in an 
attempt to successfully approach modern tendencies. 
In Greece, the three geological departments that function at the Universities of 
Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras at the high level of modern under and postgraduate 
study, annually provide roughly 300 graduates with specialised high level training, who 
are ready to offer the Greek society the best possible services in the domain of 
Geosciences. 
In order to reach its current level, the teaching of Geosciences has followed a long 
course of time development, the principles that we should seek in the first phase of 
operation of the Universities of Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras. 
In particular, in 1839, in the operation Organization of National and Kapodistrian 
University of Athens, among the other permanently operating departments, there was 
created a department of Natural History aimed at the scientific subjects of Zoology, 
Mineralogy, Geology and Botanic. Furthermore, as a mandatory subjects, in compliance 
with the same year issued decree, there were defined the subjects of Mineralogy and 
Geology. 
In 1932, in accordance with the law requirements, there are founded the fifth 
department of the School of Physics and Mathematics and the Natural History 
Department and thus the Faculty grants, among the others, the degree in Natural History 
and Geography, combining the streams of Biological and Geological sciences. 
In 1970, the Department of Natural History and Geography is divided into 
independent departments of Biology and Geology, granting the corresponding degrees. 
In 2004, the Department of Geology is renamed into the Department of Geology and 
Geoenvironment covering all the subjects of Geosciences related to the Environment. 
In 1926, following the foundation of Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, there 
were founded the Laboratories of Geology, Petrology and Mineralogy and Meteorology 
that started operating in the academic year of 1928-1929, in the framework of the former 
School of Physics and Mathematics. 
In 1943, there started the operation of Natural History Department, basically aimed at 
studies in the domain of Geological and Biological Sciences. In the duration of the 
following 30 years, the Department was further developed as until 1973, when it was split 
into the Departments of Geology and Biology. 
The Department of Geology of the University of Patras, the newest one out of the 
three Departments of Geology of the country, was founded in 1977 in the School of 
Sciences (the former School of Physics and Mathematics) of the University of Patras and 
started operating in 1978. 
One thing is certain. The rescue of Geological Science is not an exclusively academic 
matter. It concerns the total of Geological Scientific community at both - local and 
international level. 
What can and what should we do? 
It is essential to create a carefully documented, widely supported and certified 
recording and a corresponding data at both - national and international level - of the 
sectors where Geology can contribute to the modern society. 
The progressive course of Geological science has always had direct relation as much 
to the material development of the society, as to the mental development that was 
necessary so that the people should develop effective relations with their environment. 
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Geology already constitutes an integral part of industrial revolution. Afterwards, the 
human being acted and is still acting as a geological factor that enters into the rhythm of 
nature and his/her participation is rendered more and more intense day by day, with 
either positive or negative repercussions for himself and his natural environment. 
The certified recording of the sectors of modern Geological activity, just as the study 
of Geoenvironment and the development of Biogeosciences, is going to contribute to the 
penetration of applied Geological science into the social structure and the comprehension 
and acceptance of possibilities offered to the modern humanity and in particular, to the 
Greek society. 
So that a graduate geologist should be ready to face the challenges of the modern 
society, he/she is required to have conducted modern and high level studies, thus it is 
essential that the state should permanently support the geological departments so much 
with regard to the upgrading of the educational and research personnel as to the 
upgrading of the material and technical infrastructure. 
The on-going concern for the promotion of research and this creative anxiety for the 
enlightening of one more aspect of truth constitute the motive that is found behind each 
scientific effort and it is precisely this aspect that is outlined in the framework of the 
present 11th International Conference of the Geological Society of Greece which is 
fortunately included in the celebration of the 170 anniversary of the foundation of National 
and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 
Geology and the points at which the geological research "intersects" with the subjects 
of other scientific domains define the projects presented here that are mainly motivated 
by the interminable course of science aimed at research and truth, in tandem with the 
approach of the geological science conclusions concerning the broader public. 
The 11 t h International Geological Conference "Geoenvironment: past-present-
tomorrow" of the Geological Society of Greece that is organized by the Faculty of 
Geology and Geoenvironment of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and 
which takes place at the premises of the Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment from 
24th to 26th May, 2007 has attracted the participation of a lot of distinguished scientists 
from Greece and overseas as well as the young scientists and researchers who have the 
opportunity to present their studies on the top subjects related to Geoenvironment. There 
participate more than 500 congress members, 250 reviewers, 500 authors making 151 
oral and 41 poster presentations from 22 countries. 
The work of the congress is characterized by quality and originality and covers all the 
subjects of Geosciences. Also, in the framework of the congress, there are organised 
nine "Round Tables" (Economic Geology-geochemistry, Technical Geology, Didactics of 
Geosciences, Geomorphology and Environment, Geological-geomorphological Heritage, 
Hydrogeology, Paleontology-stratigraphy, Tectonics, Nanogeoesciences,) that provide 
the possibility for discussion and insight into the interesting subjects of Geosciences. 
The official languages of the congress are Greek and English, while the presentations 
are published in the English language with extensive summary in the Greek language, 
providing the Greek Geological community with the possibility of organised and direct 
access to international geological "sphere of activities". 
The aim of the Conference is the presentation and development of the subjects that 
are related to the modern Geoenvironmental problems and, in particular, to the 
improvement and management of knowledge of the past, the recording and study of the 
activities that affect Geoenvironment as well as the prospects of the basic and applied 
research in the domain of Geosciences. 
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However, any progress that has been achieved, should be always found within the 
frame of maintenance of natural environment and, more generally, the nature. This frame 
is the vital space of survival of the social human being of our era. The objectively 
enormous interest that geology presents and the constantly intensified effort aimed at the 
discovery of raw materials have rendered Geology the domain of vital importance to the 
mankind. We should not, though, forget what Pindar mentioned: "Even wisdom has to 
yield to self-interest". 
We regard it as our obligation to thank all those who participated in the organisation 
of this Conference. The members of the organisational committee, the reviewers, the 
students and the sponsors. 
In particularly, we would like to thank the National and Kapodistrian University of 
Athens and especially the Vice-Rector professor loannis Karakostas who included the 
works of the 11th International Geological Conference of the Geological Society of 
Greece in the frame of the official celebration of its 170 foundation anniversary. 
The University of Athens with references to its historic past, faces the present with 
the feeling of responsibility and looks into the future with optimism. And that is the future 
that is indissolubly connected with the future of our planet. The academic family cannot 
and does not want to remain neutral or indifferent in front of the anxiety of the mankind 
for the protection of its biotic space. 
The 11 th International Geological Conference "Geoenvironment: past-present-
future" reflects the Greek Geoscientific reality and its international extensions through 
the institution of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens that henceforth 
concludes a hundred and seventy years of productive operation and sustainable offer. 
The President of the Organizing Committee 
Michael D. Dermitzakis 
Professor of Geology & Paleontology 
f. Vice-Rector of the University of Athens 
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