YP Breakfast with Jamie Fitzgerald

On 5 September, before the Congress begins, the YP programme is focused on young professionals and student engineering geologists, it include Breakfast with adventurer Jamie Fitzgerald: World-record trans-Atlantic rower, South Pole adventurer, international speaker, business owner and ex-bank manager.

Here are some You Tube videos of what Jamie has been up to…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB0ZYaI6SXw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op57poShBq8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFh2sH7IRy0

At the YP Breakfast you will be able to hear more from Jamie… so see you there.

The Young Professionals’ Breakfast will take place on Sunday 05 September, 07:30am – 09:30am. It is a great opportunity to network with engineering geological “gurus” and like minded peers.

Jamie will assist you in meeting and getting to know industry experts and other young professionals while learning something more about yourself and advancing your career.

Congress Programme Online

We are pleased to announce that the programme for the 11th International Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG) Congress 2010 is now available online.

The keynote speakers, delegate papers (from 46 countries), hands-on field trips (which will be taking place both during and after the Congress) and the Great Debate (political vs real risk), as well as outstanding social events, together form the basis of a programme that guarantees to bring the Congress theme ‘Geologically Active’ to life.

Nestled amongst some 50 volcanoes and two harbours, Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and busiest city is an exciting and vibrant destination which is not to be missed.

We look forward to seeing you in Auckland from Monday 6^th – Friday 10^th September 2010 (the Congress is preceded by meetings of the Executive of the IAEG on 4 September and the Council of the IAEG and Young Professionals’ Day on 5 September).

For more information on the Congress please visit our website http://www.iaeg2010.com/.

We look forward to welcoming you to New Zealand!

Young Professionals’ America’s Cup Match Racing

NZL 40 & 41 Infront of Rangitoto Island

At the end of the Richard Wolters prize presentations on Sunday 5 Sept we will follow with the Young Professionals America’s Cup Match Racing. This is a chance for us to all unwind and relax becoming the crew of the iconic Americas Cup yachts NZL 40 and NZL 41. You can take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the action as we sail down the Auckland Harbour. Take in the geology along the cliff lines and watch out for those numerous islands that dot the landscape.

We will split the YP group into two teams to pit their skills against one another … at the end of the racing, we will retire to a local pub for a good New Zealand beer and some well deserved food.

I’m looking forward to seeing the YP’s in action and working hard!

NZ Webcam Links

New Zealand is well worth exploring if you have the opportunity to extend your trip downunder… for some small teasers to tantalise your travel bug take a look around.

Webcams of NZ: http://www.takeabreak.co.nz/new-zealand-webcams.asp

In particular I can recommend visiting the following webcams to give you a taste of the scenery on some of the congress field trips.

Tekapo: http://www.tekapotourism.co.nz/webcam.htm

Napier: http://www.airnet.net.nz/webcam.php

Queenstown: http://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/webcams/

Mt Cook: http://www.takeabreak.co.nz/accommodation/mt-cook.asp

Taupo: http://www.takeabreak.co.nz/accommodation/taupo.asp

White Island: http://www.geonet.org.nz/volcano/activity/white-island/cameras/whiteisland-latest.html

Check out ‘Dino’ the dinosaur in the bottom right hand corner!

Antarctica: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/scott-base/webcams

I know we can’t go there on a field trip but its still pretty cool!

Enjoy

Rotorua

This is New Zealand’s thermal wonderland, and once you get over the ‘smell’ it’s a great place to visit especially for the geologists!  I have been lucky enough to spend a bit of time in Rotorua and its surroundings, as this was my field study area for my Masters thesis (Volcanology) and now it’s my get away spot for mountain biking through the big Redwood trees of the Whakarewarewa Forest – Sometimes referred to as the ‘Disneyland of mountain biking’.

Activities –

• Mountain biking (hire or bring your own)
• Scenic flights around Mt Tarawera
• Geothermal wonderland, geysers, mud pools,
• Coffee & cake at the Fat Dog Café (a must after a big day on the bike)
• Soak in the hot pools
• Gondola ride up Mt Ngongotaha & Luge down

View from Mountian Bike Access Road

Log bridge on 16km track

Rangitoto Island

Located in the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto Island is Aucklands youngest (around 600 years old) and largest volcano within the Auckland Volcanic Field. The island is a distinctive symmetrical shield volcano and is a landmark widely visible around Auckland.

For all those volcano spotters out there this is an amazing place to visit for a short day trip across the Waitemata Harbour to climb to the top of the volcano (259m above sea level). If you do not have time while you’re in NZ to do a lot of sight seeing then this is one not to miss and its so close to Auckland. There are lava caves to explore with NZ cave wetas and a fantastic view from the top of both Auckland and into the volcanic crater.

For interest Rangitoto is Maori for ‘Bloody Sky’. The rest of the interesting facts I will leave for you to find out when you visit the island. OR if you are really keen read up about the Rangitoto Island Scenic Reserve on NZ’s Department of Conservation (DOC) website.

A day in the office – kind of! (Auckland Photos)

I was thinking of the blog on Friday 12-03-2010 while heading out to some jobs in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. I was lucky enough to be asked along as co-pilot (not literally) on a job to Waiheke Island in the gulf. So here are some pictures of the journey. Sometimes being a Geologist gets you some pretty lucky adventures.

The Hauraki Gulf (12-03-2010)

Browns Island

Motihue Island

Looking towards Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island

And on the return trip back to the helicopter base….

Ports of Auckland

Auckland City Central

Auckland Harbour Bridge

All in a hard days work… the weather wasn’t perfect but the bumps were worth it…

So when you come over to the Congress, book a trip on a boat to visit the Gulf Islands… or better yet take a scenic Helicopter flight.

Auckland – Congress Central

The Congress will be based in Auckland for the week… so heres an intro to what you can expect.

Auckland (a day in the office!) taken 12-03-10

Auckland (Akarana), known as the ‘City of Sails’, is set on the edge of the Waitemata Harbour, amongst 50 volcanic cones in proximity to beaches, hiking trails, beautiful parks and islands.

Auckland City occupies a narrow isthmus between two harbours (Waitemata and Manukau Harbours): drowned valley systems inundated by post-glacial sea level rise between c. 14,000 and 6,500 years ago. It has a generally subdued topography developed on Miocene age flysch. Apart from the numerous small volcanic cones which dot the Waitemata Harbour and isthmus, the city is known for its dissected coastal cliffs, rugged bush-clad ranges composed mainly of volcaniclastic rocks, wild western coastline and eastern lowlands underlain by Quaternary sediments made up of mainly pumiceous and organic materials.

There is so much to do and see in Auckland so come and see for yourself.

Best picks would have to be:

• Auckland Harbour Bridge Climb
• Cycling Tamaki Drive
• Kayaking Aucklands Waterfront
• Visiting one of the Hauraki Gulf Islands
• Walking in the Auckland Domain
• Sky Tower Jump
• Scenic flight out to the rugged West Coast
• Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World
• Visiting/ shopping in Devonport or Parnell Village
• Bungy Jumping off the Harbour Bridge
• Drinking coffee in a local café

And of course sailing off around the harbour in the ‘City of Sails’.

See you in 6 months!

Auckland Harbour Bridge

Richard Wolters Prize

So what is the Richard Wolters Prize all about… I thought I would do a little research… for those of you that are interested here are some links to read up a little more.

http://www.iaeg.info/AboutIAEG/Awardsandprizes/RichardWoltersprize/tabid/74/Default.aspx

http://www.springerlink.com/content/au86740989559682/ Article on Richard Wolters in IAEG Bulletin Volume 23 Number 1/ June 1981

The Richard Wolters’ Prize was formally established at the 1986 IAEG Council Meeting in Buenos Aires to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Richard Wolters.

The Prize specifically recognises meritorious scientific achievement by a younger member of the engineering geology profession and is awarded to honour Dr. Wolters’ many contributions to international understanding and co-operation.This year the Richard Wolters Prize is a highlight of the Young Professionals day at the congress and it would be great to have a whole bunch of young professionals there on Sunday 5 Sept for the presentations.

Up to 16 young (under the age of 40!) representatives from countries around the world will be presenting at the Richard Wolters Prize Finalist Presentations.

Has your country nominated their representative yet? Nominations have to be in to the IAEG Secretary General by 5 March 2010.

Richard Wolters Prize Medal

Making the most of your time in New Zealand

It’s a great time to be thinking whether to stay longer in NZ after the Congress. There’s lots of options from the awesome scenery to a wide range of tourist activities – coastal walks, scenic boat trips, biking tours, kayaking, viewing an active volcano or relaxing at a picturesque vineyard.

Here are some photos from my recent trip to White Island; an active volcano!  I’ll add more photos from my own adventures around NZ… I better get back to writing my paper.

Flying in to land on White Island (not me!)

Hot and steamy!