Explanation of the Special Field Excursion
South America can be divided into two major geological domains: the Andean Cordillera along the Pacific coast and the so-called South American Platform on the Atlantic side of the continent. A large number of Field Trips in both domains is being planned by geoscientists from Brazil and neighboring countries.
Their approximate geographical location is indicated in the Field Trip Map. Some of the planned field trips may be cancelled depending on the amount of registrations. For Pre- and Post-Congress Field Trips costs include board and lodgings, guidebook and conveyance during the Field Trips.
Participants must set their own travel routes, considering origin, final destination, Rio de Janeiro, and the starting and final locations of the chosen Field Trip.
Suitable travel agents (if possible, VARIG Brazilian Airlines representatives) should be consulted on the specific itineraries for the international air tickets. During-Congress Field Trips occur in areas within easy access from Rio de Janeiro and all begin and terminate in Rio. Their cost includes conveyance, meals, guidebook and lodging for the two-days trips.
Participants who plan to visit other South American countries during the Congress are advised to obtain multi-entry Brazilian visas, as well as specific visas for other countries to be visited. In addition, all participants are encouraged to purchase international medical accident and sickness insurance.
Due to the common problem of altitude sickness or strenuous walks with rucksacks, special attention is recommended to the General Information item of the following field trips: Bft 25, Bft 26, Bft 27, Aft 42 and Aft 46.
Magmatic arc and pre-arc basement in the Antarctic Peninsula region
The region of the Antarctic Peninsula is particularly interesting because the classical elements of the convergent plate margin of the Mesozoic to Cenozoic age are well exposed and situated relatively close to each other.
The basement of the arc is constituted by permo-triassic deep marine fan sediments with beautiful sedimentary structures indicative of turbidity, current processes, and trace fossils. Of the arc itself, volcanic and igneous intrusives will be shown, as well as the intercalated glaciogenic Cenozoic sedimentary rocks.
The third classical element to be shown on the trip is the Cretaceous accretionary wedge, partially belonging to the crossite-epidote blueschist facies, formed on the Pacific side of the contemporaneous magmatic arc.
Apart from the geology, the tremendous Antarctic landscape with huge glaciers and the surprisingly rich animal life (penguins, fur seals, sea elephants, many birds) along the beaches will certainly make this trip an unforgettable experience.
Colombian and Ecuadorian Volcanoes
The purpose of this trip is to observe the volcanoes and deposits of the North-Andean Volcanoes at the southern part of Colombia and northern part of Ecuador.
It is interesting to observe and analyze the spatial distribution of volcanoes in this region, the variations in their composition, hazards to large and populated areas, and to enjoy the beautiful and changing natural scenery.
The main goal of this excursion is to visit some of the deposits and volcanic cones of andecitic and dacitic composition of the northern Andean range. Those volcanoes are located in the central and western Colombian ranges, as well as inside the inter-Andean valley between them.
Enjoyment will also be gained from the volcanic landscape designed by the visited deposits and cones. This field trip is scheduled to take place after The Andean Volcanism and Hazards Workshop, to be held in Manizales (Colombia), as a Post-Congress Workshop, so that participants of the workshop may take part in pre- and post-workshop excursions.