International scientific conference on geophysics – cooperation and sustainable development
The science of geophysics is the study global physical fields, including solid, liquid and atmosphere, which have great impact on the living environment for communities of people in all localities and regions around the globe. Over the past 55 years, Vietnam’s geophysics sector has incessantly developed its facilities and staff. In 1986, the Government issued a decision on establishing the Institute of Geophysics under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The event was a sharp shift in the organization and scale of conducting surveys and studies on geophysics in Vietnam. Major establishments in geophysics in Vietnam such as the Department of Geology, Vietnam National University in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and the Hanoi University of Mining and Geology have been strengthened to be suitable with the expansion of training and study. Formed from the first group of researchers, the Institute of Geophysics has constantly developed since its establishment. Results of studies on characteristics of atmosphere, solar radiation, winds, thunderstorms and thunderbolts have been used in the fields of national defence, health, agriculture and disaster prevention, especially lightning strike prevention for human, property and constructions. Now, there are eight study rooms with 105 workers at the Institute of Geophysics. Its facilities include the network of geophysics stations: 24 seismic stations, four geomagnetism stations, one deformation station, three GPS stations, two electrolytic dissociation stations, eight thunderstorm location stations and three atmosphere physics stations that can conduct basic investigations and application.
The Institute of Geophysics coordinated with the Vietnam Association of Geophysicists to organize an international scientific conference entitled “Geophysics – cooperation and sustainable development” in Hanoi and Sapa from November 14th to 17th 2012. The event was held to mark the 55th anniversary of Vietnam’s geophysics sector and 25 years of development for the Institute of Geophysics under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. This was an opportunity for scientists to exchange and access results of studies on building the potential of Vietnam’s geophysics sector to improve the application effectiveness in searching and exploring minerals, minimizing and preventing disasters, and coping with climate change.
The conference in Hanoi drew the participation of Prof. Dr. Sc. Duong Ngoc Hai, vice president of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Prof. Acad. Nguyen Van Hieu, former president of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; Le Dinh Thao, chief of Office of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; leaders of units under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; foreign and domestic scientists; and the board of management and all staff of the Institute of Geophysics.
Dr. Nguyen Xuan Anh, Director of the Institute of Geophysics, made a speech at the ceremony to mark the 55th anniversary of the Vietnam’s geophysics sector and 25 years of development of the Institute of Geophysics
The event attracted more than 300 scientists from Vietnam, and institutes and universities of Russia, Poland, Japan, Ukraine, New Zealand and the US. 52 presentations in the fields of seismology, electrolytic dissociation, atmosphere physics, geomagnetism, inner earth formations, geophysical exploration and other related fields were given at the conference.
Pro. Dr. Sc. Duong Ngoc Hai, vice president of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, presented insignias to international scientists at the conference
In the framework of the conference, participants took part in field trips along the Red River Fault and visited the first geophysics station in Vietnam, which was built in Sapa in the northwestern mountainous province of Lao Cai more than 50 years ago with help from Poland.
During renovation, national industrialization and modernization, Vietnam sets forth requirements and creates a good environment to conduct basic investigation and apply the research achievements of geophysics. Therefore, geophysics needs to be strengthened in organization, technical equipment and professional qualifications, to serve the national sustainable development of Vietnam, contributing research to protect our green planet.
Translated by Tuyet Nhung
