160. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften
und 98. Jahrestagung der Geologischen Vereinigung e.V.
29. September - 2. Oktober 2008
in Aachen
The last decade has seen a growing demand for energy and mineral resources due to rapidly evolving economies and growing population. In this context, discovery of new resources and improved management of known resources has become one of the most important and challenging tasks for earth scientists. At the same time awareness for environmental risks and climate change has promoted new developments in storage technologies; nevertheless many questions regarding utilization of the subsurface remain unsolved at the moment.
Another challenge related to land use and civilization is protection of mankind and minimization of physical damage with respect to natural disasters. Geology has to offer answers to these challenging questions of future energy and mineral resources as well as risk management and environmental protection. The Geo2008-conference will be devoted to these topics.
Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften
Stilleweg 2
30655 Hannover
Deutschland
Tel.: +49 (0)511-643-2507
Fax: +49 (0)511-643-2695
E-Mail
http://www.dgg.de
Geologische Vereinigung e.V.
Vulkanstraße 23
56743 Mendig
Tel.: +49 (0)2652 - 989-360
Fax: +49 (0)2652 - 989-361
E-Mail
http://www.g-v.de
RWTH Aachen Lehrstuhl für Geologie, Geochemie und Lagerstätten des Erdöls und der Kohle
Prof. Dr. Ralf Littke
Lochnerstrasse 4-20
D - 52056 Aachen
Tel.: +49 (0)241/80-95 748
Fax:+49 (0)241/80-92 152
E-Mail
http://www.lek.rwth-aachen.de
RWTH Aachen Lehrstuhl für Geologie und Paläontologie
Prof. Peter A. Kukla, Ph.D.
Wüllnerstr. 2
D - 52056 Aachen
Tel.: +49 (0)241/80-95739
Fax: +49 (0)241/80-92151
E-Mail
http://www.geol.rwth-aachen.de
Shaping Earth Systems
- S1 Sedimentary Basin Dynamics (U. Bayer, Potsdam; R. Littke, Aachen)
- S2 Tectonics and Mountain Building (C. Krawczyk, Hannover; J.L. Urai, Aachen)
- S3 Dynamics of Ocean Margins (H.-P. Bunge, München; G. Wefer, Bremen)
Earth Resources
- S4 Geology of ore deposits (F.M. Meyer, Aachen; P. Muchez, Leuven)
- S5 Petroleum Geology of northwestern Europe (R. Di Primio, Potsdam; J. Grötsch, Assen)
- S6 Underground gas storage and carbon dioxide sequestration (P.Gerling, Hannover)
- S7 Coal: Geology - Production – Markets (T. Thielemann, Köln)
- S8 Geothermal energy (C. Clauser, Aachen; E. Schill, Mainz)
- S9 Deep Scientific Drilling (H.J. Kümpel, Hannover; P. Kukla, Aachen)
Earth and Mankind
- S10 Early Hominins and Environment (H. Stollhofen, Aachen; F. Schrenk, Frankfurt)
- S11 Geohazards (K.Reicherter, Aachen; T. Walter, Potsdam)
- S12 Surface Processes and Landforms (F. Lehmkuhl, Aachen; W. Stackebrandt, Brandenburg)
- S13 Paleoclimate change (M. Melles, Köln)
Other Topics
- S15 Education and Public Outreach (P. A. Kukla, Aachen; J.L. Urai, Aachen)
- S16 Quaternary of the Lower Rhine Embayment (M. Frechen, Hannover; J. Klostermann, Krefeld)
Symposium 1: Sedimentary Basin Dynamics (U. Bayer, Potsdam; R. Littke, Aachen)
Sedimentary basins are compartments of the upper crust in which mineral and organic material has accumulated over millions of years. This material undergoes partial transformation at temperatures ranging from 0° to 300°C and pressures up to approximately 100 MPa. Due to their longevity and high contents of chemically metastable components, sedimentary basins can be regarded as long-term reactors. The substance turnover and product composition of such a geo-reactor depends essentially on both externally and internally operating processes which affect the sedimentary basin fill over long geological periods. The main objective of this priority topic of the DGG meeting is to quantify the major processes that control or affect the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins, including the fluid inventory, using modern geoscientific methods. Processes of major interest are a) structure of the upper and lower crust as deduced from geophysical data, b) strain and stress in the upper crust leading to crustal extension and compression, c) evolution of fault zones, their influence on the crustal rheology and their effects on large scale and regional subsidence as well as on the geothermal field, d) inherent processes of a sedimentary system such as compaction, salt movement and fluid generation under the control of the external factors mentioned above, e) petrophysical properties and transport processes, their dependence on compaction, fault zones and the geothermal field as well as associated fluid-rock interactions, and f) the supply and redistribution of sedimentary matter acting as a mirror of tectonic activities and climate changes.
Symposium 2: Tectonics and Mountain Building (C. Krawczyk, Hannover; J.L. Urai, Aachen)
We invite contributions addressing the characterization of tectonics and mountain building in terms of structural evolution, geomechanics, petrophysics and seismic behavior. We expect contributions based on geological and geophysical studies and analog or numerical modelling, so that this session may offer a platform to integrate different approaches and contribute to a geodynamic model.There is no preference given to any regional setting. A comparison of different areas is invited. Contributions encompassing all depth and resolution levels from near-surface to crustal-scale, and from field- based studies to numerical modelling, over the full range of length and time scales are welcome.
Symposium 3: Dynamics of Ocean Margins (H.-P. Bunge, München; G. Wefer, Bremen)
Ocean margins are the transitional zone between the oceans and continents where most of the sediments derived from the land are deposited. Along passive margins they preserve an archive of the rifting process from the early phase to mature oceans, while active margins are host to important tectonic processes and plate coupling forces along the plate margin. The effective processes along ocean margins are influenced by a variety of steering mechanisms, from mountain building and climate on the land to tectonics and sea-level fluctuations at the margins of the seas. In recent times, human activity has spread farther out into the oceans as the margins gain increasing attention as potential centres for hydrocarbon exploration and industrial fisheries. The great commercial potential of these regions, however, is countered by the presence of high potential hazards, for example, in the form of earthquakes and possible tsunamis triggered by slope instability, which can have a direct impact on the densely populated coastal regions. The ocean margins are a dynamic system in which many processes shape the environment and impact the utilization and hazard potentials for humans. Research topics are: a) Structure and the development of the continental margins, b) Transport processes and paths for the sediment budget, c) Formation and distribution of gas hydrates, d) Slope stability, e) Deep earth processes such as Dynamic topography, f) Plate coupling forces and their dependence upon sediment load and margin topography
Symposium 4: Geology of ore deposits (F.M. Meyer, Aachen; P. Muchez, Leuven)
This symposium is devoted to metallic and non-metallic mineral resources and the conditions of their formation and distribution. The scope will be on a wide range of topics covering genetic as well as resource orientated research and will be focused on problems such as geodynamic processes and ore formation; distribution pattern of metallogenic districts, geology and genetic conditions of large and unique metallic and non-metallic deposits, resource inventory of metallic and non-metallic deposits; physicochemical parameters, isotopic characteristics and the geochemical environment of ore deposition, evolution of ore forming systems, economic aspects of ore districts and ore deposits development.
This symposium aims at bringing together researchers studying various aspects of the geological environments of ore formation, and contributions are welcome describing experimental and theoretical studies as well as field-based research and case histories.
Symposium 5: Petroleum Geology of northwestern Europe (R. Di Primio, Potsdam; J. Grötsch, Assen)
We invite contributions addressing all aspects of petroleum geology of northwestern Europe. Subjects of particular interest are sedimentation and facies of reservoir rocks, prediction of reservoir rock properties based on geological, geophysical, and geochemical data, reservoir analogues in outcrops, source rock studies, laboratory experiments on petroleum generation and –composition, studies on sealing efficiency of cap rocks and faults, petroleum systems modelling studies, case studies from petroleum exploration, geochemical and geological studies on hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases, but also studies on commercial aspects of petroleum development. We seek to provide a platform for specialized and integrated studies related to the general topic of the petroleum geology of northwestern Europe.
Symposium 6: Underground gas storage and carbon dioxide sequestration (P.Gerling, Hannover)
Underground gas storage (UGS) is used to balance the daily and annually varying consumption. This technology is increasingly important for security of supply. In Germany, for example, 44 UGS are in operation in depleted oil/gas fields, in aquifers, and in salt caverns. Further growing demand can be expected due to decreasing domestic gas production. In contrast, CO2 storage is a new geoscientific topic, where large amounts of CO2 from fossil fuel combustion are planned to be permanently stored underground. Although a certain knowledge transfer from UGS is possible, geoscientists are facing a huge task to quantify and qualify the relevant storage options.
Symposium 7: Coal: Geology - Production – Markets (T. Thielemann, Köln)
For four years now, international hard coal prices have been at rather expensive levels. Some argue that these higher prices might indicate the threat of a physical scarcity of fossil fuels similar to the situation with oil and gas. This is not true. The supply situations with lignite and hard coal appear to be largely not critical. Adjusted to the rise in global coal consumption, nature by and large can meet the world's coal demand. From a geoscientific point of view, there will be no bottleneck in coal supplies on this planet. Thanks to this favourable supply situation, coal will be able to replace some of the oil and gas in the course of this century.
However, the coal use releases substantial amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere - proportionately more than other fossil energy carriers. This is likely to change in the foreseeable future. With the deployment of modern, efficient and, hence, lower-CO2 power plants, as well as a long-term alignment towards carbon storage in underground geological structures, coal will meet the requirements of sustainable climate protection.
This session aims at an up-to-date discussion of coal geology, reserves and its implication on coal production. Also welcome are contributions to the (short-term and long-term) market effects. The session will provide a sweeping swipe of coal geology and its link to recent and future energy markets
Symposium 8: Geothermal energy (C. Clauser, Aachen; E. Schill, Mainz)
Geothermal energy can be used directly, e.g. for heating, cooling, and many other direct uses. Direct conversion into electricity traditionally requires high enthalpy steam fields. Binary cycles permit to convert also low to medium enthalpy geothermal resources into electric energy.
New technologies allow to establish engineered geothermal systems by designed stimulation of high-temperature, low-permeability bedrock. We solicit contributions focusing in particular on scientific and technological methods for harnessing geothermal energy in regions lacking natural steam reservoirs.
We welcome in particular papers and posters for Enhanced Geothermal Systems, but also for hydrothermal systems and deep and shallow borehole heat exchangers.
Symposium 9: “Deep Scientific Drilling“ (H.J. Kümpel, Hannover; P. Kukla, Aachen)
Deep scientific drilling has become an invaluable tool in exploring the subsurface to improve our understanding of the physico-chemical processes within the Earth crust. A significant number of recent international deep drilling projects aims to solve fundamental open geologi-cal and geophysical questions in the subsurface and to establish their link to surface proc-esses.
We seek contributions that cover a wide range of geoscientific disciplines such as – but not limited to – structural analysis of the crust, geophysical investigations and techniques, deep fluid flow and groundwater studies, petrological studies, and natural hazard analysis.
Symposium 10: Early Hominins and Environment (H. Stollhofen, Aachen; F. Schrenk, Frankfurt)
This session will provide a forum for interdisciplinary research in the fields of palaeoanthropology, archaeology and palaeo-environmental geology. The central focus is aimed jointly at studies covering aspects of hominin evolution, behaviour and landuse and at palaeoecological, palaeoclimatological and palaeogeographical reconstructions in the context of primate and human evolution. It will encompass the full spectrum of methods in geoscience that are commonly employed in the Plio/Pleistocene in particular geochronology, sedimentology, and palaeontology, including magnetostratigraphy, tephrostratigraphy, stable isotope chronology, and biostratigraphy.
Symposium 11: Geohazards (K. Reicherter, Aachen; T. Walter, Potsdam)
The session is open to all themes related to natural hazards and geosciences, spanning the wide bridge from geological hazards, like mass-movements, volcanic hazards, earthquakes, hydrological hazards and related secondary features, such as tsunamis, flash floods, lahars and pyroclastic flows to climatic and meteorological hazards. Natural hazards have accompanied and influenced man through history, so we also like to address pre-historical and historical events, but also modeling, forecasting and management of hazards and risks. We invite all geohazards-related contributions and particularly encourage submissions from all subtopics, especially those combining data sets and new concepts of integrating methods and modeling. Hence, the major aim of the session is to bring together the variety of new approaches in natural hazards, including field, laboratory and model studies, new technology or management strategies.
Symposium 12: Surface Processes and Landforms (F. Lehmkuhl, Aachen; W. Stackebrandt, Brandenburg)
The primary goal is to host a session that will provide new research concerning geomorphologial processes and landforms on different scales. We wish to solicit papers from the speakers that show a range of approaches towards understanding of Cenozoic and especially Late Quaternary landscape development. This should include new field observations, numerical modeling, or physical dating techniques (such as OSL, CRN) as contribution to e.g. tectonic geomorphology or soil erosion strengthened by mankind.
Symposium 13: Paleoclimate change (M. Melles, Köln)
Paleoclimate research is directed at securing qualitative and quantitative understanding of past variations in global and regional climate, extending beyond the period of some decades to centuries covered by instrumental meteorological data. Such paleoclimatic information is needed to differentiate between natural and human-induced climate changes, to validate numerical climate models, and, thus, to make sound predictions of future climate, ecosystems and sustainability. For this session, we invite papers providing new information and preliminary syntheses regarding the mechanisms and consequences of paleoclimate changes. No restrictions are given to the kind of natural archive investigated, the proxies employed, the timescale investigated, or the temporal resolution achieved. Taking the broadness of paleoclimate research, the session does not aim on a summary of our present understanding of climate changes throughout Earth´s History. Rather, the intention of the session is to provide an overview about the most promising archives and methods in paleoclimate research, with their assets and drawbacks. Some key periods for paleoclimate research shall be emphasized, as shall be the prerequisite for mutli-disciplinary geoscientific research.
Symposium 15: Education and Public Outreach (P. A. Kukla, Aachen; J.L. Urai, Aachen)
Education and Public Outreach are increasingly important parts of geoscience. In this session we invite contributions from this field, including the new BSc-MSc Programmes in Germany and Europe, The International Year of Planet Earth, Cooperation of Universities with Secondary School Programmes, and the establishment of International Geoscience Branches of German Universities.
Symposium 16: Quaternary of the Lower Rhine Embayment (M. Frechen, Hannover; J. Klostermann, Krefeld)
The Lower Rhine Embayment provides a very detailed Plio-Pleistocene sediment succession, as exposed in the large lignite open cast mines. New innovative multidisciplinary approaches yielded significant progress in the reconstruction and quantification of environment change in an area of strong interaction between tectonics and climate driven surface processes. This session will incorporate methodologiscal and applied developments that have occured recently including updated chronologies for aeolian and fluvial sediments, regional Quaternary Geology, archaeological findings, digital mapping of Quaternary sediments and neotectonic implications.
Sedimentary basins are compartments of the upper crust in which mineral and organic material has accumulated over millions of years. This material undergoes partial transformation at temperatures ranging from 0° to 300°C and pressures up to approximately 100 MPa. Due to their longevity and high contents of chemically metastable components, sedimentary basins can be regarded as long-term reactors. The substance turnover and product composition of such a geo-reactor depends essentially on both externally and internally operating processes which affect the sedimentary basin fill over long geological periods. The main objective of this priority topic of the DGG meeting is to quantify the major processes that control or affect the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins, including the fluid inventory, using modern geoscientific methods. Processes of major interest are a) structure of the upper and lower crust as deduced from geophysical data, b) strain and stress in the upper crust leading to crustal extension and compression, c) evolution of fault zones, their influence on the crustal rheology and their effects on large scale and regional subsidence as well as on the geothermal field, d) inherent processes of a sedimentary system such as compaction, salt movement and fluid generation under the control of the external factors mentioned above, e) petrophysical properties and transport processes, their dependence on compaction, fault zones and the geothermal field as well as associated fluid-rock interactions, and f) the supply and redistribution of sedimentary matter acting as a mirror of tectonic activities and climate changes.
