On May 28-31, 2024, a representative of the Polish Geological Institute-NRI, dr Rafał Sikora, took part in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt 2024 international conference in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.

In one of the sessions, he presented preliminary results on neotectonic issues and their relevance to the occurrence of geohazards and the preservation of archaeological sites in Mongolia (Results of structural reconnaissance in the SE part of the Arts Bogd Massif - Gobi Altai, Mongolia). This research was carried out by PGI-NRI in cooperation with the Institute of Archaeology of the University of Wrocław, the Institute of Raw Materials and Energy Management of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. They are headed by professor Mirosław Masojć of the University of Wrocław.

The highlight of the conference was the summary of research projects: "Principal mechanisms of peripheral continental growth during supercontinent cycle" and "Crustal evolution and metallogenesis of the Chinese-Russian-Mongolian accretionary collage system" conducted by the Lithosphere Research Centre of the Czech Geological Survey in cooperation with the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague. The completion of both research projects is a success for the Czech Geological Survey.

The rank of the event organised by: Mongolian University of Science and Technology, the Institute of Geology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Mongolian Plate Tectonic Studies Groups was high, as evidenced by the presence at the inauguration of, among others. J.E. Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Ulaanbaatar and the Deputy Minister of Mining and Heavy Industry of Mongolia.

Conference participants (photo Daniela Třebínová, CGS)

The two-day proceedings were accompanied by a field session on the Mongolian-Okhotic domain of the CAOB in the area east of Ulaanbaatar. The session included presentations on Palaeozoic ultramafic and sedimentary rocks and Triassic magmatic granitoids of the Khentey Province.

The conference presented topics in a very wide range of geological research: from problems closely related to the terrane accretion of the Mongolian and Chinese parts of the CAOB, to the metallogenic evolution of the Altaids, to contemporary seismic events and the influence of tectonics on terrain orography and climate change.

The presence of a representative of the PGI-NRI at the conference made it possible to learn about the scope of contemporary geological research in Mongolia, establish contacts with representatives of Mongolian science and was important in view of the planned increase in PGI-NRI's research activities in that region of the world.

Text: Rafał Sikora