NCGT INDIAN WORKSHOP - 2011
Earth Dynamics
Perceptions & Deadlocks < EDPD -2011>
Organized by: Transect-India and NCGT-India
@
Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu /
September 2011
“Hypotheses are scaffolds which must be erected
before constructing the building and dismantled
when it is finished: they are indispensable to the
work, but must not be mistaken for the building
itself”. ..... (Goethe)
|
C |
ontroversies over scientific opinions are not uncommon in the evolution of the different branches of science. Creation versus evolution is one such prominent case. Big bang versus steady state is another example. Currently the world is gripped in a hot debate between those who believe the science of cause-and-effect relationship between CO2 and global warming is established and those who believe the jury is still out. Indeed, among the later group there is a strong opinion that out rightly rejects this relationship. Because the subject has assumed open and direct political stage for reasons that are evidently going to impact future public welfare across the globe, it is not surprising that there is an unprecedented public involvement in the debate. Each piece of scientific data presented in favor or against the two opposing views is being subjected to intense scrutiny not just by opposing camps of scientists but also by interested citizenry. And media is not far behind. No doubt this public scrutiny has exposed and smeared many scientific careers but it is expected to impose strict scientific ethics at least in climatology.
No other science or scientific controversy has had this benefit. We, the Earth scientists, know it first hand as far as the current mainstream geodynamic concept, the plate tectonics, is concerned. Like the CO2-induced global warming mantra, it caught the imagination of vast majority of Earth scientists although the fact remains that only 0.0001% of ocean floor had been mapped to any degree of certainty and vast tracks of continents remained unmapped by early 1960s when plate tectonics was formulated and propounded. However, right from its inception plate tectonics continued to be contested by scientists based in different parts of the world, though miniscule in overall numbers. Data continued to be presented that underscored its unviability and plate tectonicists continued to provide explanations that opposite camps labelled ‘ad hoc fixtures.’ However, over the time the opposite camp, like the global warming “skeptics,” even lost platforms (journals, conferences) to present their data though their numbers continued to increase. It was courtesy dedication of a small group who find scientific difficulty with plate tectonics that a platform for scientists was created in 1996 in the form of ‘New Concepts in Global Tectonics’ with its Chapters in different countries and a Newsletter that would allow scientists of any opinion to publish their data and interpretations. Since its inception the Group has hugely increased in numbers, publishing online newsletter, New Concepts in Global Tectonics Newsletter and holding international meetings in different parts of the world at regular intervals.
It is in this backdrop that ‘The Transect,’ an organization of Indian field geology practitioners and the Indian Chapter of NCGT proposes to host next NCGT meeting so as to provide platform for Earth scientists to present and discuss their data on current understanding and developments about Earth dynamics in its various facets under the banner, “Earth Dynamics- Perceptions and Deadlocks < EDPD -2011>”.
The meeting is proposed to be held in
We expect about 120 participants (including foreign nationals; ~60 already confirmed, as well as Indian citizens). A special provision will be made for 25 Indian students to attend/participate in proceedings. A special time slot will be provided for them to present their perceptions and doubts that they may have stumbled during their research.
Taking the benefit of the availability of international scientists, ‘The Transect’ plans to organize, post-meeting, a one day “Earth Science Camp” in two selected schools/colleges in
We look forward to your advice, suggestion and co-operation for the effective organization of EDPD-2011
Prof. Ismail Bhat
NCGT
Prof. M. Ramasarma
The Transect
Biju Longhinos
Convenor
longhinos@geol-universitycollege-tvm-ac.ind.in
Last updated 11 July 2010