Scientific Activities of the Geological Society of America as a Platform for Consolidating the Global Geological Community

Abstract

The article summarises the results of research into the scientific activities of the Geological Society of America (GSA) since its foundation and its role in expanding cooperation and consolidating the global geological community. The relevance of the topic is due to the growth of global challenges (climate change, etc.), which requires international cooperation among scientists. The novelty of the study lies in a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of GSA activities in the direction of topics related to global issues and the expansion of international cooperation as a platform for the exchange of experience and ideas. The information base for the study was the GSA documents, in particular its charter, annual reports, archives of the GSA journals, materials from annual conferences, as well as scientific articles by GSA members and recipients of its grants, published in specialised publications. The article shows that GSA, founded in 1888 in response to the need to explore new territories and support and promote geological science in North America, has gone through several stages of development. In the first stage, its main task was to promote geological research, publish scientific papers, and create a platform for discussion. Even then, GSA became an important centre for climate change research. In the next stage (1930s—1950s), GSA gained international recognition thanks to its research in the fields that were new at the time, continued to support research related to global issues (climate change, geological risks, etc.), began to engage foreign scientists in cooperation, and launched international conferences and seminars, which became a platform for the exchange of experience and ideas. The current scientific activities of GSA are aimed at studying the Earth’s resources and natural processes, developing strategies for adaptation to climate change, and the rational use of mineral, water, and energy resources. GSA organises scientific forums at various levels, publishes highly rated scientific journals, and is the founder of many scientific awards, which testifies to its high international status. Thus, thanks to the expansion of its research topics and active international cooperation, GSA has become one of the world’s leading centres of geological science.