Tuesday, July 7, 2015


The IAPG section of Argentina


We welcome the IAPG section of Argentina. 

The section will work under the responsibility of Elizabeth Ivonne Rovere (Servicio Geologico Minero Argentino, Dir. Geología Regional) and Roberto Antonio Violante (Servicio de Hidrografía Naval, Departamento Oceanografía, División Geología y Geofísica Marina, Sección Geología Marina).


Elizabeth Ivonne Rovere

Elizabeth has a degree and PhD in Geological Sciences (University of Buenos Aires). Specializing in Volcanology, Geochemistry Evolution Volcanic and Volcano Threat Management Assets. She is Project Manager at Regional Geology Dept. and IGRM SEGEMAR and President of Civil Association Gevaş Red Argentina: Geology, Volcanoes, Environment and Health. She collaborated on the idea, writing and creation of the Law Project in the Senate S-1911/11 Nation (Senator
Dr. H. Lores, Neuquén) to implement a law to create one Volcanological Emergency Center (CEVCOR) and Volcano Observatory (OVA). Professor at Graduate Courses and Electives on Volcanology in universities: FCEyN, National Univ San Luis (2008) - FCNyMuseo, Univ Nac. La Plata (2010, 2011, 2015), University of Comahue (2012), University of Rio Negro and University of Rio Cuarto (Cordoba, 2015).



Roberto Antonio Violante

Roberto has a degree in Geology and a PhD in in Natural Sciences (specialization in Geology). Roberto's main research field is coastal and marine geology, with secondary focus on lake studies, comprising both basic and applied research. He is participating in international IGCP and INQUA Projects aimed at studying the evolution, processes and sediments both in the shelf and deep ocean, and he has also participated in technical consultations on coastal management. Since 2004 he is involved in regional projects aimed at depicting the source-to-sink (from the Andes to the sea) processes along the Argentine territory, with a partial dedication to geological and environmental hazard. In this framework his research activities included volcanic areas of western Argentina and the environmental and social impact of eruptions.


IAPG-Argentina has the aim of promoting actions related to developing the best practices for interaction between geosciences and society.

The basic objectives of IAPG-Argentina are:

- To encourage the construction of links between society and geosciences (mainly focused on public health impact) from the awareness and training on Best Practices in the risk management facing volcanic eruptions.
- To promote interaction with medical, social and communicational sciences, and fostering transfer to society through teaching, workshops, conferences, symposia and other ways of information media.
- To collaborate with public and private agencies, institutions and actors involved in risk management, at local, national and international levels, in the planning of actions related to hazard prevention and risk mitigation in areas affected by volcanic activity or its indirect geodynamic processes.
- To perform basic scientific research (geological, geochemical, geophysical) aimed at generating new scientific knowledge and encouraging exchange with scientific organizations, NGO's and institutions, both national and international. 
- To provide technical support in order to assess and remediate the consequences of volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters (earthquakes, floodings, landslides, meteorological events, etc.) on affected populations, encouraging community participation and creating resilient social behaviors.

The National Government (Through the Ministry of Science and Technology) and the Argentina Geological Survey have presently been carrying out an organized policy protocol on Geohazards, including the organization of a National Volcano Observatory (in whose initial stages of preparation there was some input from GEVAS Red Argentina). Under the umbrella of the future Observatory, one of the objectives of IAPG-Argentina will be to generate synergy among the different actors involved (national and provincial authorities, universities, Institutions, etc.) in searching for an integration through a National Volcano and Geohazards Observatory. 
Undoubtedly, geoethics is a major topic involved in these kinds of activities, since geoscientists have ethical obligations in the fulfillment of their research, the scientific information (although with no-scientific language) provided to society, the interaction with government and civil associations, the interaction with international associations and the formation of human resources with expertise in geohazards. These principles will be a basic background of IAPG Argentina. 

Major geoethical topics for the geoscience community in Argentina are:

To provide the debate on problems of Ethics applied to Geosciences.
- To influence the awareness of society regarding problems related to geohazards.
- To guide geoscience in benefit of society.
- To consider the implementation of Best Practices in every activity related to the study of geohazard and its impact in society.
- To create synergy among the different local (national) actors involved in strategic planning facing geohazards.
- To focus the problems arising from volcanic eruptions affecting Argentina under the umbrella of geoethics.


Other IAPG national sections: http://www.geoethics.org/sections.html