Topics & Sessions

The architecture of the Central European Variscides is characterized by the adjacence of rock units that experienced evolutionary steps at different segments of the orogen. For example, early Carboniferous synorogenic marine basins are juxtaposed with crystalline complexes coevally experienced ultra-high-pressure metamorphism. Multiple events of high-pressure metamorphism and subsequent rapid exhumation are eventually followed by a late Variscan high-temperature overprint and the intrusion of voluminous granitic suites. In recent years, the acquisition of new geophysical and geological data and more powerful imaging, data integration and modeling tools have led to a better constraint of the Variscan orogeny. To foster multidisciplinary approaches, this session gathers contributions presenting new data sets of all fields of geosciences encompassing all crustal levels. This includes results of geophysical (seismic reflection and refraction, gravity and magnetic anomaly data), and geological data from tectonic, petrological, geochronological, geochemical, sedimentary/stratigraphic investigations.

1.b) 3D Geological Modeling: Technical Advancements and Regional Geological Insights

Bense, Frithjof A. (1); Ziesch, Jennifer (2); von Goerne, Gabriela (1)

1: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR), Germany;

2: Landesamt für Bergbau, Energie und Geologie (LBEG), Germany

This session aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of 3D geological modeling, dealing with technical innovations and the contributions of regional studies to geological knowledge, integration of geological data, structural geology modeling and visualization techniques essential for a nuanced understanding of subsurface structures.

The session shall also give space to discuss the challenges of data integration, the role of geostatistics in refining 3D models, and the application of cutting-edge software tools. Emphasis will be placed on the significance of regional 3D modeling studies in capturing local geological nuances.

Topics include but are not limited to:

Challenges and strategies in integrating diverse geological data into 3D models.
Innovations in structural geology modeling techniques and software
Uncertainty of 3D Models: Methods for assessing and quantifying uncertainty in geological models and/or case studies highlighting the impact of uncertainty on geological interpretations.
Regional 3D modeling studies: capturing local geological features, enhancing regional geological knowledge.
Parametrization for Subsurface Mapping: Explore the parametrization of 3D-volume models, incorporating crucial parameters (e.g. seismic velocity, porosity or temperature), to enhance the characterization of subsurface structures and resource distribution for more accurate subsurface mapping.
Applications of 3D modeling in simulation, reservoir characterization, mining geology, and hydrogeological modeling.
The intersection of 3D modeling with emerging technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.

1.c) Regional geology and palaeogeography

Meinhold, Guido

TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany

Regional geology is an important cornerstone of geosciences and provides the foundation for palaeogeographic reconstructions. Regional geology and palaeogeography are used to solve a wide range of questions in geosciences and provide important information in the search for natural resources. This broad session offers the opportunity to explore the diversity of methods and approaches used to study regional geology and develop palaeogeographic maps as well as how information about regional geology and palaeogeography is made available and transferred to the geoscience community in academia, industry, government, or the public. We welcome contributions on all aspects of geology that contribute to a better understanding of the regional geology and palaeogeography of Earth or other terrestrial planets.

Topic: 02 Stratigraphy

2.a) Stratigraphy – dissecting geological time

Ifrim, Christina (1); Becker, Ralph Thomas (2); Zieger-Hofmann, Mandy (3); Wilmsen, Markus (3)

1: Staatliche Naturwissenschftliche Sammlungen Bayerns, Jura-Museum;

2: Universität Münster;

3: Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden

Keynote speaker: David de Vleeschouwer, Universität Münster

”Advancing towards an astronomically-calibrated Devonian timescale: Harmonizing cyclostratigraphies between Europe and North America”

Stratigraphy is an essential discipline of geosciences that provides the temporal framework for the complex geological and evolutionary processes that shaped the Earth system for more than four billion years. Recent major advances in temporal resolution resulted from integrated approaches applying high-resolution biostratigraphy, cyclostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy, geochronology and sequence stratigraphy. This session invites contributions from all fields of stratigraphy and all periods of Earth history, Precambrian to Neogene, that aim to advance the resolution of geological time scales and to improve our understanding of the Earth system. We especially encourage contributions from applied research in order to highlight the importance of stratigraphy for the solution of societally relevant geoscientific problems such as carbon capture and storage projects or groundwater management.

2.b) Constraining the rate of change in the Earth System through integrated stratigraphic approaches

Zeeden, Christian (1); Voigt, Silke (2); Kaboth-Bahr, Stefanie (3); Wichern, Nina (4); Sardar Abadi, Mehrdad (1); Ulfers, Arne (4)

1: LIAG - Leibniz-Institut für Angewandt Geophysik, Hannover, Germany;

2: Goethe University Frankfurt, Sedimentology, Institute of Geosciences, Germany;

3: Freie Universität Berlin, Germany;

4: University of Münster, Department of Earth System Science, Germany

The geological record is characterized by major extinction events, perturbations of the global biogeochemical cycles, rapid climate shifts and tipping points. To investigate these events throughout the geological past accurate and integrated stratigraphy approaches are needed such as astrochronology, radiometric dating techniques and paleomagnetism.

This session invites contributions detailing a variety of tools for deciphering sedimentary records and their stratigraphy. Of special interest are rates across intervals of major environmental change. An emphasis is placed upon case studies showcasing new theoretical approaches and measurement techniques to spatiotemporal correlate sedimentary sequences, constrain the age of the deposits, as well as disentangle paleoenvironmental conditions.

2.c) Layers of time: Exploring sedimentary rocks and their depositional environments

Meinhold, Guido

TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany

This session invites contributions regarding the latest findings and insights into the processes, environments, and significance of sedimentary systems. Whether you are investigating ancient sedimentary rocks, and modern depositional environments, or exploring the intricate processes of sedimentary basin evolution, this session aims to provide a platform for knowledge exchange. The session’s focus encompasses a broad spectrum of sedimentological studies, including but not limited to depositional environments, diagenesis, provenance analysis, and the application of cutting-edge methodologies. Participants are encouraged to present research that unravels the complexities of sedimentary archives, shedding light on Earth's dynamic history and thus unraveling the secrets held within the Earth's sedimentary record.

Topic: 03 Mineral Resources (Minerals, Ore Deposits, Exploration, Mining)

3.a) Mineral Exploration, Economic and Ore Deposit Geology

Kolb, Jochen (1); Frenzel, Max (2); Graupner, Torsten (3); Hector, Simon (1); Fuchs, Sebastian (3)

1: Institut für Angewandte Geowissenschaften, KIT, Germany;

2: HZDR, Germany;

3: BGR, Germany

The transition to a greener world will require an intensification of mining activities on land, and perhaps in the deep sea. This intensification will only be possible if a sufficient amount of new resources can be discovered, and their exploitation made more sustainable. We want to address these global issues in this session through a broad spectrum of contributions related to all aspects of mineral deposits. We particularly invite submissions dealing with 1) the geology of ore deposits and advances in our scientific understanding of mineral systems, from source to sink; 2) mineral exploration and the development of new approaches and technologies; and 3) mining and physical and chemical processing of ores and waste products and how this can be made more sustainable. Studies from across the world, and on all metals and industrial minerals are welcome, with a focus on strategic and critical raw materials.

3.b) Communicating responsible management of natural resources

Wittenberg, Antje (1); Gabriel, Zbyněk (2); Dobnikar, Meta (3)

1: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR), Germany;

2: Czech Geological Survey (CGS), Czech Republic;

3: Geološki Zavod Slovenije (GeoZS), Slovenia

Keynote speaker: Bianca Derya Neumann; EGRM Resource Management Young Member Group (RMYMG), UNECE

Natural resources are a fundamental and precious asset for our societies and economies. The demand for all kinds of natural resources might it be minerals (primary and secondary), groundwater, fossil or hydrothermal resources, is swelling due to the growing global population demanding its share of these resources, while the pressure on the environment and space is increasing. The challenges associated with resource utilisation require the use of a large amount of detailed information. Preparing these multidisciplinary collected scientific data, including detailed technical information, in an understandable form for a wide range of interested parties is a challenge on its self. Reliable information and coherent data are certainly key, but they need to be evaluated, interpreted and communicated likewise well to be useful for resource management. This session will provide an opportunity to share experience on the application of various standards and codes such as CRIRSCO, the United Nations Framework Classification of Resources (UNFC) and United Nations Resource Management System (UNRMS) and the developments therein.

The session is designed to bring scientists together who are dealing with natural resources of any kind and who either prepare reports on resources and reserves or who need to use these reports. Ideas and developments in the field of resource management can be discussed and expanded to meet the critical needs of society. We particularly encourage young researchers to present their ideas in this session.

3.c) Biohydrometallurgy for Biomining, Metal recycling and Bioremediation

Hedrich, Sabrina (1); Schippers, Axel (2); Pollmann, Katrin (3)

1: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany;

2: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe - BGR, Germany;

3: HZDR, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Germany

Biohydrometallurgy uses specific capabilities of microorganisms for metal extraction and recovery. Biomining is the industrial application of bioleaching for metal extraction from low-grade or complex sulfide ores mainly for the recovery of copper, cobalt, gold, nickel and zinc. Research has demonstrated metal recovery via bioleaching also from oxide ores such as laterites and of mining residues such as mine tailings as well as metal recycling from industrial residues such as slags, filter residues and electronic waste (secondary mining). Metals being leached have to be recovered from polymetallic solutions which is possible via biosorption or biomineralisation. These bioprocesses are also relevant for the treatment of process waters such as acid mine drainage for metal recycling and bioremediation.

3.d) Critical and strategic raw materials for Germany – from mining potential to renewable energy generation and storage

Ölmez, Jasemin Ayse (1); Hilgers, Christoph (1); Kolb, Jochen (2)

1: Structural Geology & Tectonics, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany;

2: Geochemistry & Economic Geology, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany

A growing world population, digitalization, and the energy- and mobility transition lead to an increasing demand of raw materials. The globally increasing demand for mineral and metallic raw materials cannot be met by recycling or substitution alone and can only deliver a limited amount of the raw material volume. For critical and strategic raw materials, which are of high economic importance for the EU and therefore Germany, a secure supply is yet missing. Germany as an industrial country is highly depending on imports for several raw materials and 100% for metallic raw materials. Also, Germany does not host any major globally operating companies in mining, smelting or refining, although the mining sector is globally increasing. Without political and geostrategic support, transparent supply chains, a resilient supply as well as the renewable energy generation and storage are at risk. The renewable energy sector requires specific strategic and critical raw materials high in quality and purity. To date, only smelting and refining ensure the production of high quality pure metals using primary raw materials or scrap. Unexplored geological potentials in e.g. African countries, strategic partnerships, and investments in recycling technologies as well as technologies for extraction, exploration, refining and smelting are needed to provide competitive and secure supply chains.

This session aims to highlight the status quo and developments for the resilient supply for strategic and critical raw materials for Germany, including aspects of georesources management. For an efficient energy transition and to secure the industry capacity of Germany, technological innovations are needed.

3.e) Mineralische Baurohstoffe – in Forschung und Inwertsetzung

Vulpius, Bert (1); Reimer, Wolfgang (2)

1: Unternehmerverband Mineralische Baustoffe UVMB, Germany;

2: Geokompetenzzentrum Freiberg e.V., GKZ Freiberg e.V.

In Deutschland werden in jedem Jahr zwischen 500 und 600 Millionen Tonnen heimischer Steine- und Erden-Rohstoffe gewonnen, aufbereitet und weiterverarbeitet. Diese stellen wichtige Vorleistungen für die Bauwirtschaft und Denkmalpflege, sowie wichtige Grund- und Ausgangsstoffe für zahlreiche Industriezweige dar und gehören mengen- als auch wertmäßig zu den bedeutendsten Rohstoffen in Deutschland.

Sand, Kies, Kalkstein, keramische Rohstoffe, Festgesteinsrohstoffe wie auch der heimische Naturwerkstein stehen für regionale Wertschöpfungsketten, kurze Transportwege, hohe Umweltstandards und Dekarbonisierung. Ohne diese Rohstoffe, sind die Ziele der Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie nicht zu erfüllen.

Die Sicherung des Zugangs zu einheimischen Rohstoffen, ihre Promotion und ein gesellschaftlicher Konsens über deren Nutzung stellen wichtige Aufgabe dar, in die sich die Geowissenschaften in vielfältiger Weise einbringen können und sollten.

Die Erkundung von Lagerstätten, die Auswertung, Digitalisierung und Bereitstellung von geologischen Daten ist eine grundlegende Voraussetzung nicht nur für unternehmerische Entscheidungen, die den Abbau und die Nutzung der Lagerstätte betreffen, sondern auch für die Sicherung von Lagerstätten im Rahmen der Landes- und Regionalplanung. Für die Inwertsetzung sind zudem wichtige Parameter zu bestimmen, die über die spezielle Verwendbarkeit des Gesteins entscheiden. In diesen Prozess sind viele Akteure eingebunden von der Rohstoffindustrie, über Gutachter- und Ingenieurbüros, die Staatlichen Geologischen Dienste bis hin zu Universitäten und Hochschulen.

Trotz der hohen Nachfrage nach heimischen Baurohstoffen und der volkswirtschaftlichen Bedeutung ist deutlich wahrnehmbar, dass Projekte der Rohstoffindustrie zunehmend auf Akzeptanzprobleme bis hin zur völligen Ablehnung stoßen. Ein Grund dafür sind unter anderem Defizite im Bereich der geowissenschaftlichen Bildung. Während das Umweltbewusstsein in den vergangenen Jahren erheblich gewachsen ist, ist das Rohstoffbewusstsein relativ schwach entwickelt. Für die Geowissenschaften bietet sich hier ein breites fachübergreifendes Aufgabenfeld.

Die Steine- und Erden-Industrie bietet Geowissenschaftlern ein breites berufliches Betätigungsfeld, ob in der privaten Wirtschaft oder der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Welche Anforderungen erwachsen daraus für die universitäre Ausbildung?

3.f) Exploration of Evaporites and their importance for Resources

van der Klauw, Sebastiaan; Jockel, Andreas

ERCOSPLAN, Germany

This session aims to bring together geologists and mining professionals that look at the economic aspects of evaporite rocks in a very wide sense, e.g. to define Mineral Resources of potassium- and magnesium-bearing salt rocks, rock salt, nahcolite or other evaporite minerals, as a potential storage host rock (e.g. natural gas or H2 storage caverns, storage of radioactive waste), as a sealing horizon in the hydrocarbon industry, as sources of brines (e.g. salars) to extract for example lithium or also geologists working with metamorphized evaporites as a source for special minerals. Because of their high solubility and their very specific rheological properties, the exploration and characterisation of rock salt and Potassium- Magnesium salts rocks, pose different constraints compared to other exploration concepts and in later phases of a project also constrains the design of the underground openings. This session invites contributions regarding evaporite rock aiming at traditional exploration concepts and new development, the genesis of these rocks, results of mineral resource estimation, geotechnical and geomechanical investigations as well as modelling. The differing types of economic value of the evaporites for the far-ranging purposes mean that geologists working in the various fields have a different focus when they look at evaporite rocks. The objective of this session is to get specialists from numerous fields together to present their work with the expectation that all will benefit from having looked at evaporites from a perspective diverging from their own.

3.g) Advances in pegmatite exploration

Wolfgang Reimer

GKZ Freiberg e.V., Freiberg, Germany

A number of critical and strategic raw materials are enriched in pegmatite type deposits (e.g. Li, Si, REE). At global level pegmatites are major hard rock lithium resources and currently contribute to more than 50% of the overall lithium extraction. In Europe LCT pegmatites are seen as the major supplier for raising the share of domestic lithium production up to 25% in the mid term. NYF pegmatites are being mined for high purity quartz in Norway for use in the production of solar panels, fibre optics, crucibles and semiconductors. Here too the European geology provides substantial unlocked high purity quartz and feldspar occurrences to feed the EU raw materials supply chain. However, most of the LCT and NYF pegmatites are deeply buried and hidden. In recent times they became subject to extensive exploration not only in Europa but also in the US, Canada and southern Africa.

The session aims at advances in LCT-NYF pegmatite exploration at global level with a special focus on Europe. The requested presentations should provide insights into models of pegmatite genesis and setting, as well as new technology, workflows, and methodologies for prospecting and exploration. Recent advances in data analysis, e.g. machine learning, reveal unencountered data insights. State-of-the-art equipment and technology developments provide new means of exploration for pegmatites. Contributions from the full spectrum of methods and disciplines are therefore welcome, addressing different exploration scales, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and petrology, covering remotely sensed data to ground data and drill core analyses. The range of applicability covers base research up to Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 8. The target groups are the mineral exploration and mining industry as well as the academic research community.

Topic: 04 Geothermal Resources

4.a) Geothermal Resources – from Play Analysis to Case Studies

Moeck, Inga (1); von Goerne, Gabriela (2)

1: Georg-Augut Universität Göttingen, Germany;

2: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Germany

In face of the energy transition, the growing need for renewable heat is driving up the demand for geothermal energy. Various technologies are available for sustainable geothermal use of the geological subsurface. In recent years, the geothermal play type concept has been developed to estimate suitable resources, in which the dominant heat transport process and the geological control factors are analyzed. The resource analysis according to the play type concept combines the social-technical with the geological-technical potential of a location. From this perspective, this session invites speakers to present latest research results in both geoscientific methods for subsurface characterization as well as social topics regarding demand analyzes and acceptance building. In addition, we invite case studies and reservoir engineering aspects as THMC modelling to demonstrate the utilization potential of geothermal resources from shallow to deep. Ultimately, this session will underline the key role of geosciences in the development of sustainable energies as geothermal energy.

4.b) Deep Geothermal Energy of hydrothermal fault related and petrothermal systems: from geoscientific subsurface data to drilling engineering

Kämpf, Horst (1); Reich, Matthias (2)

1: Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ), Sektion 3.2 - Organische Geochemie, Germany;

2: Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Bohrtechnik und Fluidbergbau, Germany

Hydrothermal power plants already run successfully in the sediments of the Molasse basin, the North German basin and in the Upper Rhine valley. Most of the state of Saxony and adjacent areas comprises of crystalline rock thus only offering the use of hydrothermal fault related or petrothermal systems.

Hard rock drilling however is very cost-intensive and however hydrothermal fault related and petrothermal geothermal energy has not really been developed in crystalline rock in Germany – in spite of its large potential!

In order to develop deep geothermal energy projects at crystalline rock areas in Germany, geoscientific subsurface data from geology, geochemistry and geophysics and new processes and technologies needs to be developed so that

the required deep boreholes in hard rocks can be drilled at comparable costs to sediment drilling operations,
natural fractures and faults in the formation, which can be used as flow ways for the geothermal fluids can be detected and targeted during directional drilling operations,
a safe monitoring of the operation of the power plant with regards to the avoidance of induced seismic activities in the formation is given.

The session offers a platform to discuss results and perspectives related to deep geothermal energy projects in crystalline rock (hydrothermal, petrothermal and closed systems) in Germany and neighboring countries.

Topic: 05 Applied Geology, Geo-Engineering, Climate Engineering (Carbon Capture, Sequestration, etc.)

5.a) Host rock characterization and analogue studies in the site selection for a nuclear waste repository

Mann, Thomas (1); Winhausen, Lisa (2); Schleicher, Anja (3); Kneuker, Tilo (1)

1: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Hannover, Germany;

2: RWTH Aachen, Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Aachen, Germany;

3: German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Section 3.1 Inorganic and Isotope Geochemistry, Potsdam, Germany

The safe and permanent deep geological disposal of nuclear waste is a key challenge for society in the 21st century. Geological data and material properties of potential host rock formations serve as input parameters for subsurface models and numerical simulations of the long-term integrity of the geological barrier of a potential repository. In Germany, where the current stage of the site selection procedure does not allow data acquisition in areas considered favorable for the safe and final disposal of high-level radioactive waste, model input parameters typically originate from existing data or from the study of natural and artificial analogues. This session invites contributions presenting geological and geophysical field studies as well as in-situ and laboratory investigations of potential host rocks and overlying sediments, suitable analogues and their material properties in the context of nuclear waste disposal.

5.b) CO2 storage progress in Europe

May, Franz; Knopf, Stefan; von Goerne, Gabriela

Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Germany

European and national policies have recognized CO2 storage as an indispensable option in the portfolio of measures needed to achieve targets for CO2 emission reduction. Especially for industry sectors with hard to abate CO2 emissions, such as cement industry for example, storage sites are needed. Sites in deep saline aquifers and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs are under investigation and industrial projects are under construction in many countries now, after two decades of theoretical debates and dismissed project plans in Europe. The current upsurge in storage demand meets limited resources of explored storage capacity as well as scientists and engineers for storage exploration, operation, and monitoring in industry and competent authorities alike. The aim of this session is to reach out to young academic professionals and promote their interest for applied geosciences in the rapidly expanding business of CO2 storage.

The session should provide an overview of the current CCS boom in Europe, illustrated by examples from ongoing exploration and storage projects. Thus, contributions outlining the socio-economic framework for CO2 storage are welcome for an introduction into the topic, followed by examples of projects with a geotechnical focus. The geotechnical talks could cover geological as well as geotechnical aspects, preferably from ongoing site exploration or developments. Topics of basic research, development of tools and methodologies, conceptual studies or general potential assessments are welcome as well, eventually these will be gathered in a linked poster session.

5.c) Groundwater under quality stress – hydrogeochemical consequences of human action

Banning, Andre (1); Ortmeyer, Felix (2)

1: University of Greifswald, Germany;

2: TU Darmstadt, Germany

Groundwater as a resource is exposed to a variety of anthropogenically induced stressors. Numerous potentially eco- and/or human-toxicologically relevant substances are now known to reduce groundwater quality and impair its fulfillment of important ecological and water management functions. Examples include the much-discussed (yet unsolved) nitrate problem, inputs of pesticides, biocides and industrial chemicals or their degradation products. Mining still plays a major role as an emitter of contaminants to groundwater, and will keep doing so for the foreseeable future. Climate change will be a key trigger and multiplier for groundwater quality deterioration.

With the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, groundwater protection has reached the highest political level, with SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) stipulating not only the provision of safe drinking water, but also the protection of groundwater bodies themselves. This results in a significant need for research and action, including identification of sources and mobilization mechanisms, understanding of transport, degradation and accumulation processes, improvement of laboratory analysis and numerical modelling, strategies for risk management, substitution of problematic substances, remediation approaches, and derivation of guidelines.

This session is intended to take a closer look at current developments and research results on groundwater quality issues, regionally focusing (but not limited to) European settings. We encourage submission of studies covering the entire methodological spectrum from field to laboratory to modeling approaches. Innovative contributions from basic and applied research as well as from hydrogeochemical and regulatory practice are welcome.

5.d) Long-term safety of deep geological repositories for high-level radioactive waste

Pfaff, Maximilian (1); Rempe, Marieke (1); Nilius, Nils-Peter (1); Raith, Alexander (1); Cichy, Sarah (1); Schütz, Felina (2); Bebiolka, Anke (2); Weitkamp, Axel (2); Glotzbach, Christoph (3); Wolf, Jens Willhelm (4)

1: Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH, Germany;

2: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Germany;

3: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany;

4: Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS), Germany

Deep geological disposal has the aim of safely storing high-level radioactive waste for one hundred thousand (e.g., in Finland) to a million years (in Germany). A safe repository is designed to contain and isolate used nuclear fuel, i.e., radionuclides, within geological and geotechnical barriers inhibiting advective, diffusive, and other processes, and to exclude the harming of those barriers by endogenic and exogenic geological processes – as well as by processes induced by the stored material or the storage facility itself. The decision for a specific deep-underground repository site for high-level radioactive waste requires a sound assessment of the characteristics of the host rock (clay and crystalline rocks or rock salt), the overburden as well as the long-term (geological) processes in the region and the expected or potential developments of the repository system. In this session, we welcome contributions addressing the properties and processes relevant to the long-term safety of deep geological radioactive-waste repository sites. Studies may include laboratory experimentation, large scale experiments in underground research laboratories, field studies, theoretical analyses, as well as numerical simulations and extrapolations. Contributions that address ways to reduce uncertainties in the characterization of properties, prediction of processes and scenarios, and estimation of long-term safety, e.g., through exploration, are specifically welcome. All contributions should highlight the link to long-term safety and the relevance for a successful search for suitable deep geological repository sites.

5.e) Hydrogen in the energy transition –white to green hydrogen and subsurface storage

Febbo, Maria Belén (1); Cheng, Chaojie (2); Hasch, Maximilian (3); Ostertag-Henning, Christian (3); Weisenberger, Tobias Björn (1)

1: Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam - Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ, Germany;

2: Institute of Applied Geosciences, KIT – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany;

3: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Germany

Keynote speaker: Rodolfo Christiansen; Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG)

Hydrogen has become a key element in the energy transition due to its potential as an energy carrier. A growing number of countries have published hydrogen strategies. These include different ways to source hydrogen and to store hydrogen. In recent years, the discovery of natural hydrogen has attracted attention of scientists. This raises hope that in the future natural hydrogen can be made available in economically significant quantities. The cyclic underground storage of hydrogen can help balance periodic energy deficiency and excess caused by seasonal renewable energy production and changing demand. The subsurface storage enables medium- to large-scale storage of hydrogen in salt caverns, saline aquifers or depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs.

In the field of natural hydrogen occurrences, scientists are encouraged to present their work on formation mechanisms and transport processes, as well as trapping mechanisms for hydrogen. This includes, but is not limited to, geochemical reactions of hydrogen formation or oxidation, associated mineralogical changes, and microbiological reactions.

We welcome contributions from laboratory experiments, modelling, and simulation studies that address those important processes, either in the natural occurrence of hydrogen, or during subsurface hydrogen storage. The investigations can encompass a wide range of mechanisms on micro- to macroscopic scales, including first attempts to come up with guidelines in exploration for natural hydrogen or its resource assessment.

5.f) Challenges and developments of reservoir characterization in sedimentary systems – from small scale approaches to modelling and simulation

Ölmez, Jasemin Ayse; Busch, Benjamin

Structural Geology & Tectonics, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany

The characterization of reservoir bodies in sedimentary systems refers to an understanding of several features, considering all the characteristics and information of the reservoir body itself and exploration for field development processes. It provides critical information on one- to four-dimensional distributions and realization of the heterogeneity in the underground and therefore enhance the lifetime performance of a reservoir or storage side. Managing, monitoring, developing and optimizing production rates, and reducing risks are based on accurate reservoir studies, based on geostatic and dynamic parameters. Static analyses as petrophysical properties, and dynamic properties as pressure, temperature, saturation and fluid flow are needed to develop predictive models. The interaction of both can change the performance of the reservoir body. An understanding of fluid-rock interactions, pores, pore types and pore connectivity are important controlling factors on fluid flow and thus the reservoir performance in clastic, carbonate and mixed sedimentary rocks. Diagenetic processes as compaction, cementation, alteration, dissolution and recrystallization control the evolution of the reservoir and thus production rates. Therefore, the understanding of small scale processes is necessarily to develop exploration strategies on geological production and storage sites. Equally important is updating models with micro-scale processes, including the mineral and rock structure, which affect the fluid flow and behavior within the reservoir.

This session aims to highlight challenges and recent developments in reservoir characterization from small scale to reservoir scale analyses, integrating petrographic, petrophysical, geochemical, geophysical methods, case studies as well as presentation and interpretation of the reservoir performance for production and storage of fluids.

Topic: 06 Isotope Geology, Geochronology

6.a) Chemical Sediments as Archives of Earth Surface Conditions

Tatzel, Michael (1); Stamm, Franziska (2); Frings, Patrick (3); Bajnai, David (1)

1: Universität Göttingen, Germany;

2: Technische Universität Graz, Austria;

3: Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam, Germany

Keynote speaker: Prof. Sonja Geilert, Utrecht University

Chemical and biological sediments form and lithify at or near the Earth’s surface. These sedimentary rocks can provide crucial insights into the environmental conditions on Earth in the geological past through their geochemical and isotopic fingerprint. These fingerprints allow us to reconstruct aspects of the physical and chemical conditions of the water-rock system during the sediment’s formation, such as pH, temperature, redox state, or element concentrations. However, both ‘vital effects’ and diagenesis can hamper interpretations of sediment geochemical signatures. This session aims to bring together contributions that decipher records in (bio)chemical sediments using experimental, modeling, and empirical approaches. We also welcome research on proxy development.

6.b) Isotopes in geosciences: Geochronology and provenance

Zieger-Hofmann, Mandy; Zieger, Johannes

Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, Germany

Keynote speaker: Dr. Axel Gerdes, Goethe Universität Frankfurt/Main, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Fachbereich 11:
"U-Pb geochronology: the achievements of the last 10 years, our limits, and what's next?"

Isotopic analyses play a crucial role in setting the framework for the study of geological phenomena. They serve as a fundamental aspect of various earth science disciplines, providing the essential data needed to determine the processes, rates and timescales that affect and influence our environment. As analytical capabilities continue to advance, so do the possibilities. Improved accuracy, precision, and spatial resolution of established and new techniques are contributing to an unprecedented level of detail and complexity in isotopic investigations. As a result, isotopic analyses form the basis of both geochronological analyses and provenance interpretations.

This session aims to provide an overview of the current state of isotopic methods in geoscience and their applications. Contributions are encouraged on topics such as analytical advances, new approaches, developments in provenance studies, database studies, etc.

Topic: 07 Palaeontology, Palaeoecosystems, Palaeoenvironments

7.a) Evolution of deserts and their function as a geobiodynamic hub

Gärtner, Andreas (1); Böhme, Madelaine (2,3)

1: Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, Germany;

2: Department of Geosciences, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Germany;

3: Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment, Tübingen, Germany

Since the Archean era, sand seas and other desert features have been an integral part of Earth's environmental repertoire. Despite much effort, the history, evolution, and persistence of warm and cold deserts remain enigmatic. Nevertheless, recent studies highlight their key role in biotic evolution, species dispersal, far-field ecosystem fertilization and the potential source of globally distributed climate markers. Many deserts exhibit intense deflation or sediment recycling, which limits on-site deep-time studies and necessitates outboard geoarchives. Innovative scientific approaches and thought-provoking discussions are required to overcome the challenges of inferring rates, frequencies, and amplitudes of past aridification processes. Therefore, we invite those who are interested in studying desert environments and their impact on biota in depth, from Archean times to the present, to this session.

7.b) Palaeoenvironmental analysis from proxies

Wilmsen, Markus (1); Wotte, Thomas (2)

1: Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, Germany;

2: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institute of Geology, Germany

Complex geological and evolutionary processes shape the face of the Earth for almost four billion years. Considerable advances in palaeoenvironmental research have been made recently by interdisciplinary approaches that integrate classical palaeontological analyses with sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, stable isotope systems and sedimentary geochemistry within high-resolution temporal frameworks. Proxies used include trace and body fossil assemblages, organic, inorganic and isotope geochemistry as well as sedimentological and palaeoecological approaches. This session invites contributions from all fields of proxy-based palaeoenvironmental research and all periods of Earth history, Precambrian to Quaternary, that aim to improve our understanding of ancient environments and their biota and to track their variations in time and space. We especially encourage contributions reflecting the broad variety of isotopic and elemental systems as well as innovative analytical methods applied to marine and non-marine geomaterials in order to get more precise insight into the Earth’s changeable history.

7.c) Deep-time maar lakes/volcanogenic lakes as Fossil-Lagerstätten

Uhl, Dieter; Wedmann, Sonja

Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt, Germany

Maar lakes as well as other deep volcanogenic lakes represent important Konservat Lagerstätten, which can be regarded as unique windows into past ecosystems. Due to their geometry, rather deep ‘holes’ with a comparably small diameter, such lakes are often meromictic, resulting in a permanently anaerobic hypolimnion, where no bioturbation takes place, and decay is restricted to anaerobic microorganisms. This in turn often leads to undisturbed, often varved deposition of sediments and excellent preservation of animal and plant remains that are incorporated into these sediments.

Pre-Quaternary maar structures or other volcanogenic lakes are frequently covered by younger sedimentary or volcanic deposits, and often only known from geophysical surveys and /or drill cores. The accessibility of such deposits for palaeontological excavations is clearly depending on the individual outcrop situation. Several of the, at least from a palaeontological point of view, better-known maar deposits are related to former or ongoing mining. In some of these cases, non-fossiliferous volcanic deposits are the target of mining activities, but in other cases the fossiliferous deposits themselves have been mined, leading to the destruction of important palaeontological information. The Messel pit is an example that had developed from an opencast mine to a potential waste dump to a UNESCO world heritage. Several other maar deposits are still under the threat of being destroyed by mining activities, an example is the Foulden maar in New Zealand, representing a unique window into past biota and ecosystems in the southern hemisphere.

Topic: 08 Understanding the Earth System – From Endogenic to Exogenic Processes that Shape the Earth

8.a) Fluid flow, magmatism, volcanism and tectonic interactions. From crustal processes to the surface.

Walter, Thomas R.

GFZ, Germany

This session aims to discuss processes of fluid flow, magmatism, and tectonism, unraveling the dynamic relationships that shape Earth's crust from its interior to the surface. Understanding these processes and possible interactions is essential for comprehending the complex geological phenomena. From the depths of the crust to the Earth's surface, contributions to this session investigate the roles of fluids in mobilizing materials, associated magmatic activity, and contributing to tectonic processes and fault (re)activations.

We invite contributions that examine the migration of fluids through the crust, tracing their pathways and investigating their impact on the mechanical and chemical properties of rocks, pathways through volcanoes, and alteration of materials. The integration of volcanism and magmatism into the framework of fluid-rock interactions reveals a dynamic interplay that shapes the Earth's lithosphere. Magma generation and ascent are influenced by the presence of fluids, impacting the composition and style of volcanic eruptions. Concurrently, tectonic forces exerted on the crust contribute to the spatial and temporal distribution of magmatic activity. The link between tectonic processes and magmatism is essential for deciphering the broader geological context and understanding the feedback mechanisms that govern Earth's evolution.

We also welcome researchers who are analysing the surface expression of volcanoes, dike intrusions, faults and fluid expulsion, as well of seismicity and deformation, and the experimental, analog or numerical modelling of fluids and their propagation paths. Possible methods include surface mapping, geomorphology, remote sensing, in-situ monitoring and observation, drone based sensing, gas analysis and much more.

8.b) Rift-related volcanism: Achievements and perspectives from macro to micro scale

Gevorgyan, Hripsime (1); Büchner, Jörg (2); Repstock, Alexander (3)

1: Institute for Mineralogy, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany;

2: Section of Geology, Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz, Germany;

3: Section of Geological Survey and Geophysics, Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology Freiberg, Germany

Keynote speaker: Valentin Troll, Uppsala University, Sweden

Volcanism at divergent plate boundaries and intracontinental rifting zones produces various spectra of monogenetic to polygenetic volcanic structures, develops several eruption styles, and exhibits complex magma systems from mantle to surface. This precisely shows the necessity of joint and multifarious research to unravel and comprehend the enigmatic processes of rift-related magmatism throughout Earth's geological history. This includes everything from large-scale reconnaissance surveys to X-ray microanalyzes. To contain a consistent view of such volcanism, this session encompasses various aspects of physical volcanology, geophysics, igneous petrology, and mineralogy. We welcome scholars exploring multifarious aspects of volcanoes, concerning their pre-eruptive history (crystallization conditions, magma dynamics) and syn-eruptive processes (growth and degradation of volcanic structures), as well as post-volcanic activities (alteration/ weathering).

8.c) Latest Achievements in Scientific Ocean and Continental Drilling

Grob, Henrik (1); Bornemann, André (2); Heeschen, Katja (3)

1: Kiel University, Kiel, Germany;

2: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Hannover, Germany;

3: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany

Keynote Speaker:

Keynote 1: Torsten Haberzettl, University of Greifswald "News from the ICDP Project NamCore, Tibet - (hopefully) shortly after the drilling"
Keynote 2: Ulrich Harms, GFZ Potsdam "Research objectives and key sites of continental scientific drilling"

National and international Earth science programs are utilizing Scientific Drilling as a critical tool to understand climate and environmental variability, geohazards such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, natural resources, the deep biosphere and other topics of socio-economic relevance.

The principal goal of the session is to summarize latest scientific achievements in ocean, continental and polar drilling, as well as technical developments in scientific drilling and innovations in the systematic evaluation of well logging data.

8.d) Supercontinents: From Avalonian-Cadomian subduction to Alleghenian-Variscan collision – How Pangea was formed?

Linnemann, Ulf (1); Zeh, Armin (2); Žák, Jiří (3)

1: Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, GeoPlasmaLab, Germany;

2: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Institut für Angewandte Geowiss., Germany;

3: Charles University, Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Czech Republic

Keynote speaker:

Keynote 1: Damian Nance, Athens, U:S.A.
Keynote 2: Gabriel Gutiérrez Alonso, Salamanca, Spain

The Alleghenian-Variscan orogen and its Avalonian-Cadomian precursers form the heart of the supercontinent Pangea. The Variscan orogen resulted from the continent-continent collision of the landmasses of Laurussia and Gondwana and its peripheral orogens. As the dominant basement of Central and Western Europe, the Variscan mountain chain has been the target of intense geoscientific research for more than a century. Over the past few decades, numerous high quality data sets had been produced in the fields of mineralogy, geochemistry, palaeontology, geology, and geophysics. New robust geochronological data, in particular, has paved the way for new interpretations of the formation of the orogen, the architecture of the orocline, and the formation of mineral deposits. For this session we welcome presentations from all fields of geosciences that bring us closer to answering our core question: How were the supercontinent Pangea and its forerunners formed?

8.e) Tectonic Systems - TSK Open Session

Dielforder, Armin (1); Kenkmann, Thomas (2); Nagel, Thorsten (3); Stipp, Michael (4)

1: Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany;

2: Universität Freiburg, Germany;

3: Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany;

4: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle, Germany

The open session on tectonics, structural geology, and crystalline geology provides a forum to present and discuss recent research results from active and fossil tectonic settings. We welcome both process-oriented and regional studies that provide insights into a wide range of geodynamic processes, from rifting and ocean spreading to subduction, collision, and intraplate deformation. This session will bring together a diverse community that builds on and advances multimethodological research including mapping, microstructural, geochemical, geochronological, and petrological analyses, as well as analogue and numerical modeling, and concept development. As such, we invite both overarching and thematic presentations from early carrier to senior scientists.

8.f) Interactions between mountain building, climate and biodiversity

Ballian, Armelle (1,2); Meijer, Niels (1); Boateng, Daniel (3)

1: Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Frankfurt am Main, Germany;

2: Institute of Geosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany;

3: Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

Keynote speaker:

Dr. Yanyan Wang; ETH Zürich “Escarpment retreat drives diversification of eastern Madagascar through allopatric speciation”
Prof. Dr. Peter van der Beek; University of Potsdam “Tectonics, Climate, Erosion and the Relief of Mountain Belts”

Mountain building over geological time is controlled by the interplay between tectonically driven surface uplift and Earth surface processes driving denudation. In return, such surface processes are also controlled by topography affecting regional atmospheric circulation and driving global climate through interactions with the carbon cycle (e.g. silicate weathering, sulfide oxidation). In addition, elevation gradients and relief have produced unique ecosystems and hotspots for speciation. Reconstructing the evolution of topography is therefore crucial in understanding past climate change, geodynamic drivers of mountain building and the distribution of biodiversity.

Disentangling the intricate relationships between topography and climate requires a multi-disciplinary approach for paleoenvironmental and paleoaltimetric reconstructions as well as geodynamic, landscape evolution and climate modeling.

We are therefore inviting a wide range of contributions on topics related to the topographic evolution of various mountains (e.g., European Alps, Andes, Tibet, and Himalayas, among others) and sedimentary records in neighboring basins across various spatial and temporal scales. This also includes recent advancements using tools such as low-temperature thermochronology, luminescence dating, cosmogenic nuclides, stable isotope paleoaltimetry, clumped isotope thermometry, biomarkers, palaeobotany, source-to-sink approaches and geodynamic or atmospheric modeling to quantify the links between the geosphere, climate and biosphere.

8.g) Sedimentary Basins across time: past, present and towards a sustained future

Andrić-Tomašević, Nevena (1); Methner, Katharina (2); Tofelde, Stefanie (3); C.G. Ravidà, Domenico (4)

1: Institute of Applied Geosciences, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany;

2: Institute for Earth System Science and Remote Sensing, Leipzig University, Germany;

3: Universität Berlin, Institute of Geological Sciences, Germany;

4: Department of Structural Geology and Geothermics, Geoscience Center, University of Göttingen, Germany

Sedimentary basins are critical archives for understanding the Earth’s surface response to environmental disturbances, including climate changes, and serve as the primary field for reconstructing Earth’s evolution throughout geological time. Moreover, they offer insights into the mechanisms controlling natural hazards, pollutant transport across the land, the genesis and preservation of natural resources, as well as potential gas/waste storage sites and geothermal reservoirs. Therefore, understanding the processes operating in sedimentary systems is pivotal to effectively address societal challenges such as global warming, natural resources management, energy transition and security by providing a scientific basis for sustainable development strategies.

Here, we invite contributions that utilize multi-disciplinary approaches to investigate and characterize sedimentary successions aiming to retrieve insights about (1) the evolution of depositional environments and the impacts of environmental perturbations – such as changes in climates or tectonic settings – on their development across various temporal and spatial scales; (2) the drivers, magnitudes and frequencies of natural hazards such as mass wasting processes; (3) the quantification of the rates of erosion, sediment transport and deposition. Contributions are welcome from field observations, subsurface studies, proxy reconstructions, as well as physical and numerical modelling that take a holistic approach to understanding the evolution of marine and terrestrial sedimentary systems as recorders of changes in climate, ecosystems and/or tectonics/geodynamics.

Topic: 09 Early Earth Processes and Long-Term Earth and Planetary Evolution

9.a) Early Earth – Archean crustal evolution, metamorphism and tectonics

Müller, Thomas (1); Nagel, Thorsten (2)

1: Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Germany;

2: TU Freiberg, Germany

The early Earth experienced transitions from magma oceans to proto-lithosphere and finally the formation of tectonic plates as we know them today on modern Earth. The processes shaping our planet during the Archean are documented sparsely in the rock record. Yet, crustal processes involving crust formation, metamorphism and geodynamics are pivotal to the understanding of the major driving forces governing the early evolution of the Earth shaping it into a habitable environment.

The sparse crustal rock record of Archean terranes provide the ultimate source of knowledge for studying this crucial period of planet evolution addressing first order questions such as the timing and conditions of metamorphism and the onset of plate tectonics. At the same time, recent technological as well as methodological advances have opened up exciting new avenues to explore this dynamic epoch in geological history.

In this session, we would like to focus on the textural and geochemical information provided by the rock record and bring together different types of information across various disciplines describing the lithospheric evolution of the Archean Earth. We are looking forward to contributions covering structural geology, petrology, and modelling.

Topic: 10 Recent Developments of Geoanalytical Methods

10.a) Recent Developments of Geoanalytical Methods

Möckel, Robert; Renno, Axel

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Germany

In modern geological research, geological questions are becoming increasingly complex. May it be geo-chronological, trace element or resource and processing related, the need for accurate and precise complete datasets is increasing. Addressing this need, analytical methods are developing and emerging technologies gaining interest, not only for scientific but also for commercial uses. In addition, the traceable combination of analytical methods will gain in importance, as an increasing number of questions unfortunately cannot be solved with a single method. Also, new technological developments enable us to produce smaller detectors, faster devices, leading to ground breaking applications and results both in the labs and the field.

This session is dedicated to recent developments, frontiers in geoanalytical research and analytical methods in general as well as mobile devices and their applications.

Topic: 11 Anthropocene and Anthropocene Biodiversity Loss

11.a) Welcome to the Anthropocene

Lau, Maximilian P

TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany

The Anthropocene is the proposed geological epoch during which global environmental change developed at unprecedented rate. At the heart of the Anthropocene concept is the dominance of the force of humanity in shaping the geology and biology of the planet. The stratigraphic formalization is mainly based on the signal of the fallout of radionuclides from nuclear weapons tests from the 1950s. The formal establishment of the Anthropocene, envisaged for 2024, will be accompanied by a sharp increase in the socio-political relevance of a hitherto geological subject.

In this session, we will address the Anthropocene as concept that can transcend geology. We invite presentations on recent empirical and conceptual advancements of Anthropocene research, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies. We encourage contributions that employ novel geological, biogeochemical and paleo approaches, as well as conceptual works, directed towards obtaining a fundamental understanding of the Anthropocene epoch, stratigraphy and cultural relevance.

Topic: 12 Earth and Society: Climate, Sustainability and Environment

12.a) Advancements on the distribution, reactivity and behaviour of TCEs in aquatic systems: updates and future research direction

Gil-Díaz, Teba; Eiche, Elisabeth

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany

Keynote speaker: Dennis Krämer, BGR

The European Union has identified rare earth elements (REEs), platinum group elements (PGEs), and a series of complementary elements (i.e., gallium, germanium, niobium, indium, tellurium, tantalum and thallium) as both Technology-Critical Elements (TCEs) and Critical Raw Materials. Despite their emerging use and on-going studies/reviews in environmental compartments, there are still several knowledge gaps. Current status of TCE research in aquatic systems is mainly dominated by analytical development and point sampling campaigns. This session aims at compiling the current research status of TCEs in Germany and at acting as a nexus point for collaborations in this research field. With the main focus on current developments and future trends in TCE research, we welcome contributions addressing at least one of the following topics:

Certified Reference Materials: is there a consensus on TCE validation?
Speciation and complexes: are they relevant and in which systems?
Transport mechanisms (e.g., truly dissolved vs colloidal vs nanoparticles): what role do they play?
Transfer between environmental compartments: is it known/relevant?
Contamination: are TCEs present at levels of concern?
Climate change and sustainability: temporal trends and physical-chemical impacts?

Surface complexation and reactive transport models: are there any for TCEs?

Extraction methods for recycling/industrial use: are we still aiming at a general understanding of their environmental distribution, reactivity, behaviour and fate in different aquatic systems (surface-, ground-, hydrothermal waters, brines) or is extraction the new goal?

12.b) Geoheritage and Geoconservation – Ideas, Concepts and Practical Implementations

Ellger, Christof (1); Kaldich, Annett (2); Peterek, Andreas (3)

1: GeoUnion Alfred-Wegener-Stiftung, Germany;

2: Fachsektion Geotope und Geoparks der DGGV, Germany;

3: Arbeitgemeinschaft deutscher Geoparks (AdG) c/o GEOPARK Bayern-Böhmen, Germany

Geoconservation has become an important and lively field of activities for geosciences and neighbouring disciplines – on regional, national and global scales. It involves the identification of geosites and geological landscapes as geoheritage elements, conceiving and organizing conservation strategies, measures and tools, and communicating geoheritage into the wider public. A number of schemes have been set up to institutionalize geoheritage and geoconservation, both worldwide and in individual countries. Globally we have, among others, UNESCO Global Geoparks and IUGS Global Geoheritage Sites; in many nation states, including Germany, specific concepts have been developed and special schemes have been established.

We invite contributions from a wide range of topics, focusing on both theoretical aspects – methodology, criteria, questions of organisation – and practical issues.

12.c) Post-mining: From risks and uncertainties to opportunities

Rudolph, Tobias (1); Neukum, Christoph (2); Hilgers, Christoph (3)

1: Research Center of Post-Mining - Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA), Germany;

2: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Research and Development Centre for Post-Mining Areas, Germany;

3: Institute of Applied Geosciences - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany

Keynote speaker: Prof. Dr. Christian Melchers, Vice President Research Center of Post-Mining

The closure of operations for the provision of georesources, but also the supply of domestic georesources, in the context of the energy transition in Germany, have an impact on entire regions, both in technical and social terms. These changes require a complete consideration of the mining life cycle. In addition to mine surveying, integrated geo- and environmental monitoring methods are required to establish a broad understanding.

Examples include water management in former mining operations. In regions affected by mining, ground movements also occur, triggered by processes in the reservoir, the overburden and the surface layers. In addition, mining legacies such as gas and water leaks, surface/underground facilities, waste rock piles and tailing storage facilities must be dealt with.

Nevertheless, the sites offer the possibility of subsequent use, e.g. as a new natural (geo)heritage site, for geothermal use and for the extraction of other minerals and former by-products and recreation areas.

The former activities have produced a wealth of geodata (geology and tectonics, ore deposits, geodesy, geophysics, geochemistry, geomechanics, (geo-)ecology). Based on this multidisciplinary data, interdisciplinary geoscientific models and technical solutions can be developed. This helps to reduce the post-mining risks and uncertainties and opens up new opportunities to enable domestic supply of georessources, metal extraction from mine water and production of renewable energy. Overall, these modern results can then also be used in public participation processes.

This session invites contributions from different scientific disciplines that investigate post-mining processes in Germany and worldwide and help to build an integrated understanding.

Topic: 13 Managing the Future of Earth Sciences: Data, Citizen Science, Education, Outreach

13.a) Museen als Fenster in die Forschung

Ifrim, Christina

Staatliche Naturwissenschftliche Sammlungen Bayerns, Germany

Keynote speaker: to be decided upon submissions

Wissenschaftskommunikation ist wichtiger denn je. Naturkundliche Museen sind vor allem für die Kommunikation geowissenschaftlicher Themen eine gute Plattform. In dieser Session sollen Projekte und Konzepte vorgestellt werden, in denen direkt aus der Forschung berichtet wird. Die Session soll einen Überblick über existierende Ansätze geben und zum Ideenaustausch anregen. Von Wissenschaftler:in bis Museumpädagog:in sind alle eingeladen, Projekte in und aus ihren Museen vorzustellen.

13.b) Geoscience Education Research - What do we Know About Learning and Teaching geosciences?

Hlawatsch, Sylke (1); Felzmann, Dirk (2); Locke, Sharon (3)

1: Richard-Hallmann Schule, Germany;

2: Universität Koblenz - Landau, Natur- und Umweltwissenschaften, Germany;

3: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, USA

Keynote speaker: Sharon Locke, professor of environmental sciences and geoscience education, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, USA

Schools should enable young people to make informed decisions regarding sustainable development of planet Earth. However, German geoscientists and geoscience institutions have repeatedly expressed their concern about the lack of basic geoscience knowledge among the general public and the limited geoscience school education. This is disturbing, because an in depth understanding about the functioning of the Earth as a system, e.g. the development of natural resources or the climate, is an essential prerequisite. Research into teaching and learning has shown that problem solving is not possible without knowledge of the subject matter (Weinert, 2014). Invited are researchers that have been involved in geoscience school education and teacher training, also as part of geography, biology, chemistry, physics education to present and discuss their findings. With this session we aim to illustrate the field of geoscience education research (“fachdidaktische Forschung” in German). We are looking forward to learn for example about prerequisites of the learners and teachers (e.g. their interests, their conceptions, their competencies), the effects of geoscientific learning environments on the cognitive, social, motivational development of the learners, the analysis of alternative teaching concepts or assessments on the situation of geoscience education in various nations. References Weinert, F. E. (Ed.). (2014). Leistungsmessungen in Schulen (3. Aufl.). Beltz.

13.c) Tearing down borders with Open Science practices and initiatives

Lorenz, Melanie (1); Elger, Kirsten (1); Semmler, Malte (2)

1: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany;

2: Lower Saxony State and University Library, Goettingen, Germany

The shift towards Open Science practices is increasingly demanded (by science policy makers) and practised throughout the geoscience community. This is essential to support modern data-driven methods, which increasingly require the convergence of multiple research disciplines and the provision of interoperable and well-described data following the FAIR principles for research data management. More and more research infrastructures and initiatives are emerging to enable this shift by developing means to integrate scientific data, software and tools from multiple, globally distributed resources to unlock their full potential to contribute.

However, the full spectrum of Open Science goes far beyond this, including open access to literature, open peer review, open methods and workflows, and the development of new paradigms for research assessment (e.g. DORA, CoARA). It is relevant not only for the academic world, but also for federal agencies and geological surveys, which have been working for many years to make their (monitoring) data publicly available in a standardised form (e.g., INSPIRE Directive) through dedicated “Geoportals”.

This session invites contributions from all types of individuals/ teams/ initiatives/ projects/ infrastructures interested in sharing their experiences, best practices, solutions, and challenges that arise along the long road to making data, scientific software, scholarly literature, samples, technical reports, etc., openly available.

13.d) Rocks, People, Time and [epistemological] Leadership

Bohle, Martin (1,4); Grutzpalk, Jonas (2); Hildebrandt, Dominic (3,4)

1: Ronin Institute, Montclair, NJ, US;

2: Hochschule für Polizei und öffentliche Verwaltung NRW, Bielefeld, Germany;

3: Geological Institute, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland;

4: International Association for Promoting Geoethics, Rome, Italy

Adopting a broad Earth Science perspective, this session focuses on the geo-sociocultural implications of concepts of the geosciences, such as the contentious yet widely recognised term 'Anthropocene'. The professional meaning, public understanding, and daily use (by citizens, news people, or politicians) of scientific terminology often exhibit tensions. Given that Earth Sciences, including Geology, are pertinent to contemporary societies' knowledge base and associated practices, responsible sciences should care about these tensions.

For example, the notion of an 'Anthropocene' encapsulates insights into planetary-scale anthropogenic changes (PSAC). Likewise, it has sparked debate within geological circles, and (in some future) the International Union of Geological Sciences might settle it as a specific geological terminus technicus. However, geoscientific concepts like an 'Anthropocene', 'tipping points', 'deep time', etc. encompass scientific, philosophical, and cultural interpretations. Therefore, considering them to be mere professional terms seems short-sighted.

Typically, Geologists analyse Earth through the specific lens of their discipline. However, the intricate sociocultural ramifications of geoscientific concepts seem to necessitate an interdisciplinary approach. Consequently, this session highlights the multifaceted nature of (popular) geoscientific concepts. The session explores that a comprehensive understanding, e.g. of the notion of Anthropocene, requires grasping geological aspects and integrating sociocultural and philosophical considerations. Hence, the session studies the extent to which geological terminology should incorporate the cultural dimensions associated with the Earth Sciences. Specifically, the session seeks to discuss how the geological community should take leadership in defining and interpreting generic epistemic concepts associated with but going beyond their field of science.

13.e) Innovative approaches to geoscience communication

Heinze, Rebecca (1); Kogan, Ilja (2,3)

1: Geopark Porphyrland, Germany

2: Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz, Germany

3: TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany

Being able to travel in time and to witness the formation of continents and landscapes are some of the eternal dreams of mankind. Innovative technology and interactive approaches create increasingly realistic impressions. Fascination by the actual experiecnce of present and past bio- and geodiversity provides an emotional access to geoscience, bearing a huge potential for successfully imparting scientific results and principles to a widespread audience.

We would like to exchange ideas and experiences with colleagues from museums, universities, geoparks, science centers and other facilities employing new developments in media and exhibition design for communicating geoscience.

Topic: 14 Data Science

14.a) Geodata management and 3D visualization techniques

Stueck, Heidrun Louise (1); Ziesch, Jennifer (2); Steuer, Stephan (1)

1: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Germany;

2: State Authority for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG), Germany

This session invites all contributions that deal with the latest developments and technologies in geodata management and 3D visualization techniques.

Both geodata management and 3D visualization techniques are crucial for efficient utilization and optimization of geological information in different scales, from regional models to very detailed models of single structures. The session therefore focusses on the challenges and solutions in dealing with geodata analysis and processing, as well as database management systems and specific case studies.

Geological 3D models offer numerous benefits for various tasks in both science and economy. However, employing suitable 3D visualization techniques that effortlessly convey the complex details of these models in a clear and engaging manner, not at least for the general public, remains a persistent challenge. We therefore also welcome all contributions that deal with the challenges of 3D visualization techniques, be it through specific examples or in general.

14.b) How can research data infrastructures meet today’s and future needs of the geosciences?

Elger, Kirsten (1); Agemar, Thorsten (2)

1: Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ, Germany;

2: Leibniz-Institut für Angewandte Geophysik LIAG, Germany

Keynote speaker: Rebecca Farrington, AuScope Ltd

As Earth and Environmental Sciences become increasingly data-driven, the development of digital tools and research data infrastructures (including repositories) is revolutionising how we explore and understand our planet.

The sharing and processing of geosciences data play a key role in addressing many current societal challenges (e.g. energy, resources, environmental pollution, climate change). While research data repositories are permanent archives and access points for data and metadata, other research data infrastructures, like synthesis databases and specialised information systems aim at bringing data from distributed sources together in order to enable transdisciplinary research (e.g. GeotIS, NFDI4Earth, EPOS, GEOROC, Geoportal etc.).

The session would like to overview the current repositories, data services, and digital tools and issue recommendations on data and metadata provision (e.g. FAIR data principles, certificates etc.). New approaches to finding relevant data will be covered, as will concepts for data handling and visualisation. The session will also focus on concepts and methods to assess and improve the quality and interoperability of data.

This session invites researchers from academia and geological surveys, industry professionals and IT enthusiasts to come together and explore the soaring domain of data provision, data management and data science. Our aim is to discuss experiences, perspectives, strategies, current and future challenges and spark innovative ideas that will shape the future of environmental and Earth sciences.

14.c) Data Meets Earth: AI-Driven Innovations in Geoscience

Broda, Stefan (1); Torizin, Jewgenij (1); Preugschat, Benedikt (1); Nikonow, Wilhelm (1); Brysch, Marco (1); Müller, Simon (2)

1: Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR), Germany;

2: Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Germany

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) become pivotal in driving innovation and discoveries across different scientific fields. This session calls for contributions demonstrating the transformative impact of AI and ML, encompassing various facets of Earth system modeling, such as atmospheric sciences, oceanography, geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, environmental sciences, natural resource management, mine reclamation, climate change analysis, and geological hazard assessment.

We welcome abstracts that illustrate the role of AI and ML in deepening our understanding of Earth's processes and resources. In particular, we encourage submissions employing deep learning, predictive analytics, neural networks, and other ML techniques for data analysis, pattern recognition, and simulation across all scales.

To delve into challenges and opportunities integrating AI/ML with conventional geoscience approaches, we seek discussions on data acquisition, algorithmic transparency, model validation, and ethical considerations in AI-driven geoscience research. Also, we highly value contributions demonstrating interdisciplinary collaborations and innovative data integration and visualization methods.

This session will establish a collaborative and insightful environment for a diverse community of geoscientists, technologists, and educators, allowing us to share advancements and learn from one another in a setting that values thoughtful discourse. In this environment, we aim to collectively explore how AI and ML can be effectively and responsibly used in geosciences, contributing to a deeper understanding of our planet and its environmental challenges.

Topic: 15 Open Topic

15.a) Young Scientist Session

Matthies, Fiene (1); Lang, Moritz (2); Arndt, Iris (3); Sawall, Joshua (4)

1: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany;

2: RWTH Aachen University, Germany;

3: Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany;

4: jDGGV, Germany

The Young Scientist Session offers all young scientists the opportunity to present their latest research among peers. Anyone without a PhD as well as anyone who obtained their PhD within the last 3 years will be considered a young scientist. We especially encourage young scientists who attend a conference for the first time or who are not sure whether their topic fits in another session, to submit contributions. This session invites contributions from all areas within the geosciences. This includes, but is not limited to, contributions based on the latest project, the BSc or MSc thesis, or the progress of a PhD project. The Young Scientist Session aims to give young scientists a platform to present and discuss their latest research in a conference environment with a diverse audience. We are pleased to announce that the best presentation(s) of this year's Young Scientist Session will be honoured with the Young Scientist Award in the form of a certificate and a book prize in cooperation with Springer.

A cordial thank you to

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