The platform unifies societies and scientific bodies that are active in the field of geoscience. It acts as an interface between the various academic disciplines of geosciences as well as between research, practice, administration, politics and the public.more

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6th Swiss Geoscience Meeting, 2008 in Lugano

Speakers and organiser of the Year of Planet Earth Symposium in honour of Peter A. Ziegler at the SGM 2008 in Lugano
Speakers and organiser of the Year of Planet Earth Symposium in honour of Peter A. Ziegler at the SGM 2008 in Lugano

The sixth edition of the Swiss Geoscience Meeting focused on applied geosciences, on practical applications derived from research in geosciences, as well as on the latest advances in research on the coupling between Earth's interior dynamics and surface processes.

The Institute of Earth Sciences of the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) and the Platform Geosciences of the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) cordially welcomed the 450 participants in the 6th Swiss Geoscience Meeting held in Lugano from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd November 2008.

At a pre-event on the evening of Thursday November 20th, the Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier gave a presentation on his views of planet Earth and the book and picture exhibition "Magie di pietra" was unveiled.

On Friday 21st, Keynote presentations were devoted to topics dealing with applied geosciences and illustrated how research in geosciences leads to practical applications. The evening presentation was given by the new State Secretary for Education and Research, Dr. Mauro Dell'Ambrogio, on his visions for scientific research in Switzerland for the coming years.

On Saturday 22nd,
About 147 talks were given and 141 posters were presented in 13 scientific symposia that focused on diverse domains of geoscience research encompassing the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere and the atmosphere without neglecting to also address the interactions between society and the various components of the geosphere.

On Sunday 23rd, a special symposium was devoted to the International Year of Planet Earth. Under the title «Deep Earth – from crust to core: A tribute to Peter A. Ziegler» a panel of internationally renowned scientists presented the latest advances in research on the coupling between Earth's interior dynamics and surface processes. Several geological excursions in and around Lugano were also organized on that day.

The SGM offers an ideal environment to also foster informal contacts and discussion between scientists: Such opportunities occur at the Swiss Geoscience Party on Friday evening, or during the poster session on Saturday. Special time slots are allocated to two poster sessions, at which the authors are present.