International Geoscientists Day
From a warmer Russia to a cooler Down Under, geoscientists urged to “hammer keyboards, not rocks” in online party to celebrate global #GeoscientistsDay
‘Social media street party’ to be held on Geoscientists Day (this Sunday, 2 April) to celebrate geoscientists and their contribution to society; engage the Australian public in this fascinating field of science; and promote geoscience as a fulfilling career path.
Also aims to connect Australian geoscientists with their international colleagues, to share the importance of their work and discoveries to the world we live in.
Geoscientists Day (originally Geologists Day) originated in Russia to mark the resumption of geological fieldwork after the long, cold winter. In Australia, it also marks the resumption of fieldwork — paradoxically, following our long, hot summer.
Follows success of the Australian Geoscience Council’s inaugural #OzRockStocktake, held last year, in boosting awareness of earth science via social media.
Simple steps to get involved:
- As a geoscientist, use the hashtag #GeoscientistsDay to post on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn your exciting geoscience research / work or a ‘selfie’ at an inspiring geological location or your real-life geological workplace.
- As a member of the public, post questions for geoscientists or follow the conversations using the hashtag #GeoscientistsDay. Questions can cover anything geoscience related — from finding out about geoscience as a career to learning about a fossil or rock you’ve found — or bigger questions about geoscience and this exciting multi-faceted field of science.
Australia’s peak body for more than 8000 geoscientists is urging the geoscience community, both in Australia and globally, to “hammer keyboards, not rocks” this Sunday as part of an innovative ‘social media street party’ to celebrate international Geoscientists Day (Sunday 2 April).
“Our virtual #GeoscientistsDay party aims to connect all Aussies, from seniors to students, with the geoscience community via social media to talk anything and everything geoscience or earth science related” said the President of the Australian Geoscience Council (AGC), Dr Bill Shaw.
“We hope to highlight exciting research and developments in geoscience; celebrate the contribution of geoscience to society; and boost the profile of geoscience as an inspiring career path at a time when this major scientific discipline can offer so much to the world and a positive future.
“And as well as connecting geoscientists with the Australian public, we also hope our #GeoscientistsDay social media party will connect Australian geoscientists and their international colleagues to celebrate and share their groundbreaking research and work.
“Geoscientists play an immensely critical role in society as we face the big challenges of our time.
“They are right at the centre of efforts to sustain and advance our way of life, including by meeting the growing demand for the mineral resources that are used in everything from hospitals to smartphones, as well as mainstream energy production.
“They are also at the centre of efforts to ensure groundwater is safe and food production is secure; conduct research to better understand climate change; and help to develop a cleaner energy future.
“They ensure the tunnels you travel through and buildings you work in are not in geological danger zones; and they help to predict and manage geohazards like landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.
“Given the very significant role that geoscience will continue to play in our world into the future, it is critical that organisations like ours highlight the rewarding nature of a career in this compelling field of science.
“We hope that #GeoscientistsDay will harness the power of social media to create interesting and enticing conversations about geoscience, and emphasise the crucial role of this major field of science to society.”
Geoscientists Day celebrations began in the USSR in the mid-1960s at the start of summer, a time when fieldwork can be undertaken after the long, cold northern winter. The first Sunday in April is celebrated as Geoscientists Day to recognise geoscientists around the world and their contributions to society. In Australia, April marks the start of the fieldwork season for many exploration geologists — paradoxically because it signals the end of the long, hot summer. As the wet season is finishing in Northern Australia and extreme high temperatures diminish across the Red Centre, many Australian geoscientists are getting ready to roll back into the field for geophysical studies, geochemical sampling and drilling programmes. We wish them luck in their endeavours in supporting Australia as a world-leader in resource development!
