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The Second Geochronology Summer School took place on 5 – 10th of September 2010 in Klosters, Switzerland (well known for its winter sport activities). This summer school was organised by the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL (H. Gärtner, P. Cherubini, K.F. Kaiser), the University of Zürich (M. Egli, D. Brandová) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH (S. Ivy). The Klosters – Davos – Albula pass area (photo below) is rich in geomorphic features that provide a perfect insight into landscape evolution during the Pleistocene and Holocene. This area is also susceptible to natural hazards such as avalanches, rock fall, landslides and debris flows. All these aspects were topics during outdoor excursions.
Participants from all over the world
21 participants from all over the world enjoyed an informative course within an intact nature. The programme had multifaceted topics that were presented both in the lecture room and in the field.
The programme included:
Dating techniques
numerical methods (radiocarbon, exposure dating using cosmogenic nuclides, OSL, etc.); dendrochronology, ice-core chronologies; relative methods such as soil development, weathering rinds, Schmidt-hammer technique
Reconstruction of environmental parameters
using dendroecology, stable isotopes, paleopedology, geoarchaeology etc.
Climate and landscape history
combined use of various dating techniques and archaeology to analyse the structure of pre-historic settlements
Reconstructing geomorphic processes
avalanches, mud flows, land slides, rock fall, forest fires, charcoal identification and dating Several topics were covered by invited speakers from Italy (E. Costantini: Paleopedology), Germany (E. Eckmeier: Geoarchaeology), the United States (D. Dahms: Gechronology of the Rocky Mountains) and Switzerland (F. Preusser: OSL; M. Hoelzle: Dating in glaciology, I. Hajdas: Radiocarbon dating, K. Hanselmann: Alpine ecology; C. Burga: Palynology). In addition to lectures presented during the day, all participants presented their own research topics in special evening lectures. This practice led to very informative and fruitful discussions among the participants.
Outlook
The Third International Geochronology Summer School will take place in 2011.
The organising committee is looking forward to welcoming again a group of prospective young scientists from all over the world.
Geochronology Summer School 2011:
The Summer School is open to young researchers worldwide (PhD students & Post-Docs). Online info and registration: http://www.geo.uzh.ch/geochronology
Topics: Dating techniques, climate and landscape history, reconstructing geomorphic processes
Registration fee: 880 CHF (Deadline for applications: April 30th, 2011)
Participation is competitive & will be limited to a max. of 20. The registration fee includes full accommodation (room sharing; double room) breakfast, lunch and diner, excursion and teaching material.
Markus Egli and Holger Gärtner
Department of Geography, University of Zürich Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
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