We deeply value the strength of international scientific communities — and last week was a vivid example of that!

At the 📍Karpinsky Institute, we hosted the International Round Table on “Perspectives on Modern Methods and Approaches to Regional Geological Exploration in the Context of International Cooperation.”

Participants included specialists from CIS countries — Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan — as well as partner nations such as Cuba, Ethiopia, Mongolia, and Venezuela.

🖍️ In 2024, the Karpinsky Institute was honoured to be designated as the base organisation for the Commonwealth of Independent States in matters of exploration, use, and protection of mineral resources.

We’re proud to lead and support collaborative geological research — because global challenges require global science.

🏔️ Landslide Amphitheatre (Landslide Bowl)

— A landslide amphitheatre is a bowl-shaped or amphitheatre-like depression on a mountain or hill slope formed as a result of landslide processes. It represents a distinctive landform created by the displacement of soil and rock masses downslope under the influence of gravity. The amphitheatre typically comprises a large niche (the area from which the landslide originated), a steep rock scarp (the head of the landslide), and a flattened area of material accumulation (the body of the landslide).

👉 Origin of the Term:

It is difficult to attribute the introduction of the term «landslide amphitheatre» to a specific individual. Like many other geographical and geological terms, it evolved gradually through the development of science and the accumulation of knowledge about natural phenomena. It was most likely introduced by specialists in geology and geomorphology during the description and classification of landslide formations in mountainous areas. The term probably emerged in the 19th or early 20th century when geology and geomorphology began actively studying landform formation processes, including landslides. While the exact date of its first appearance in literature is hard to establish, its widespread use is linked to the development of geological research into landslides and their classification.

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Context of Use:

• Landform Description: When describing characteristic landforms created by landslide processes.
• Landslide Classification: For classifying and typifying landslide formations based on their morphology and formation mechanisms.
• Geological Mapping: In creating geological maps, particularly when identifying landslide-prone areas and marking hazardous sections.
• Geoecological Research: When assessing environmental risks associated with landslides and developing measures to prevent or mitigate their consequences.
• Engineering Geological Surveys: During construction and infrastructure planning in landslide-prone areas.
Relevant Geological Fields:
• Geomorphology: The study of landforms and the processes shaping them.
• Engineering Geology: The study of soil and rock properties, slope stability assessment, and designing engineering structures in landslide-prone areas.
• Dynamic Geology: The study of geological processes altering the Earth’s surface over time, including landslides.
• Palaeogeography: The study of past landscapes, including traces of ancient landslide processes.
• Geological Mapping: Creating maps reflecting the geological structure of an area and landslide development zones.
• Geoecology: The study of interactions between the geological environment and the surrounding environment, and assessing landslide-related environmental risks.

Danalite & James D. Dana

📌 Danalite is a rare beryllium iron silicate mineral with the chemical formula (Fe²⁺₄Be₃(SiO₄)₃S). It was first discovered in 1866 in Massachusetts, USA 🇺🇸 , and named in honour of James Dwight Dana (1813–1895), an influential American geologist and mineralogist.

Dana made major contributions to the classification of minerals and helped lay the foundation for modern geology in North America. Naming this mineral after him was a tribute to his groundbreaking work in understanding Earth’s materials.

✏️ Fun fact: did you know that there were two geologists named James Dana, and both have minerals named after them? Don’t get them confused! 🤭🤗😆

Unlike Danaite, which is a cobalt-rich variety of arsenopyrite, Danalite is recognised as a distinct mineral species. Today, it stands as a symbol of Dana’s impact on mineralogy and scientific thought.

🌍 Despite it being summer and vacation season, the Karpinsky Classes continue their work, sharing knowledge with all those eager for new discoveries. In turn, our participants remain drawn to the Institute’s expert insights 🔎

Over the past few weeks, specialists from the Karpinsky Institute have delivered a series of lectures as part of the “Karpinsky Geological Classes” project. These included:

“Understanding the Earth” for participants from Ghana 🇬🇭

“Searching for Geological Information Online” for Mozambique 🇲🇿

“Introduction to Quaternary Geology” and “Use of Remote Sensing Data in Geology” for Cuba 🇨🇺

⚡️All lectures sparked lively interest and interedting questions, encouraging discussion and exchange of experience. At the end of the sessions, participants received certificates.

New lectures and events are already in the works 🤫🙃💪

Stay tuned, we have a lot of exciting plans ahead!