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UNESCO Project IGCP-700
PALAEOZOIC CARBONATE BUILD-UPS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
IGCP 700: CARBONATE BUILD-UPS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
Organized by
Mahasarakham University, THAILAND
Department of Mineral Resources, THAILAND
Universiti Teknologi Petronas, MALAYSIA
Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CHINA
Seckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt, GERMANY
In cooperation with
Geological Society of Thailand
Union of Geological Sciences (VUGS), VIETNAM
Department of Geotechnology, Khon Kaen University, THAILAND
Department of Geological Science, Chiang Mai University, THAILAND
Department of Geology, Chulalongkorn University, THAILAND
Department of Geosciences, Mahidhol University, THAILAND
School of Geotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, THAILAND
Scientific committee
Prof. Clive Burrett
Prof. Chen Jitao
Assist. Prof. Halay Tsegab Gebretsadik
Assoc. Prof. Hathaithip Thassanapak
Assoc. Prof. Mongkol Udchachon
Prof. Steve Kershaw
Dr. Peter Königshof
Dr. Pradit Nulay
Contact: Mongkol Udchachon; Palaeontological Research and Education Centre, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai, Mahasarakham, 44150, THAILAND
Email: igcp700@msu.ac.th, cc: mongkol.c@msu.ac.th
Phone: (+66) 081-8731724; (+66) 088-301 4652; (+66) 095 7316877
Website: https://prc846.wixsite.com/igcp700
Last year achievements of the IGCP-700
From 13th to 16th December 2021, an inaugural conference meeting of the project was held in NE Thailand. Initiation of the project was delayed due to substantial domestic travel restrictions due to Covid-19. This very successful hybrid conference was both online and in-person with 19 presentations on the first day and was followed by two days examining and discussing outcrops in the Loei fold belt. The main thrust of the inaugural meeting was to introduce Thailand-based geologists to carbonate geology. IGCP project 700 is the first IGCP project to cover carbonate studies and a major focus of the inaugural meeting was to introduce Thai geologists to carbonate sedimentology, structure and palaeontology.
From 22nd - 25th August 2022, we organized the Year 2: Meeting (hybrid) + fieldtrip training for students/academics and young geoscientists on Palaeozoic carbonate build-ups in Central Thailand, after a one-day meeting, a fieldtrip was conducted along the Phetchabun fold belt in Central Thailand from Phetchabun in the north to Lopburi, Saraburi and nearby areas in the south visiting the late Palaeozoic carbonate sequences build-ups and fossils. This trip includes a field carbonate training/workshop led by prominent carbonate workers from the developed world (both in-person and online). The course includes basic concept and application for both academic knowledge and economic benefit for students/academics and geoscientists on Carbonate sedimentology, Carbonate depositional environments, Palaeontology and biostratigraphy, Regional stratigraphic correlation, mapping of the carbonate sequences in SE ASIA and Education for the general public and geoparks.
Numbers of international and national networks for IGCP700 have been conducted and maintained. For year 2 meeting, we have cooperated with senior scientists from several countries and they are keen to support academically to our young participants. These senior scientists help talks on several topics and they include Prof Dr Stephen Kershaw, Brunel University, London, Prof Dr Xiaochi Jin, Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Dr Moyra Wilson, University of Western Australia, Dr Pol Chaodumrong, Department of Mineral Resources, Bangkok, Dr Christopher K. Morley, Retired Geophysicist (PTTEP), based at Devon, U.K., and Prof Dr Clive Burrett, Mahasarakham University. For year 3 meeting, we will announce the keynote speakers in the next announcement.
Although carbonates cover a very significant area of SE Asia, carbonate studies are rarely taught at Thai universities at other than an elementary level. These lectures, hand specimens and outcrop demonstrations were valuable in introducing the numerous junior participants to details of carbonate studies and we hope that this IGCP project will encourage them to engage in further academic or applied studies.
Background
The study of limestones, particularly reef limestones requires bridging across disciplines and timescales in a comparative approach leading to the recognition of trends and patterns. Understanding of ecological changes of ancient reefs is also crucial to evaluate threats to modern coral reefs. The aims of the project are to integrate and synthesise information on Palaeozoic carbonate build-ups throughout South East Asia. Research will focus on the growth and demise of carbonate platforms, the distribution and geometry of build-ups, climate change vs. reef development, and framework-builder diversification in the Palaeozoic. Facies settings of interest will range from seamount carbonates to supratidal and shallow-subtidal environments. We will also address the economic potential of carbonates and thus the planned conference will be of interest for scientists as well as decision makers, politicians, and companies. Carbonates, particularly caves are very attractive for the general public, therefore we foster collaboration with geoparks and national parks.
Limestones are well-known in SE Asia both in Indochina and Sibumasu terranes as extremely attractive karst areas for instance Hai Long Bay in the World Heritage area of Vietnam, in Krabi and Phang Nga in Thailand, in the UNESCO Geoparks in Langkawi, Satun and Dong Van (Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, respectively) and in the Kinta Valley (Malaysia) and Khammouane and Vang Vieng areas of Lao PDR. Apart from scenic beauty, all these areas and many more have caves that are both aesthetically attractive and have considerable actual and potential for palaeontological, palaeoclimatic, archaeological, historical and biological research. Limestones are also sites of large cement works and many karst areas are being or potentially will be destroyed by quarrying for cement (Kiernan, 2010). One aim of this project is to map areas of suitable quality limestone distant from tourist areas in order to help avoid conflict between the two important industries: tourism and construction. Limestone is important economically as host to very important mineral deposits (e.g. Devonian limestone of the Sepon copper-gold mine in Lao PDR, (Thassanapak et al., 2017) and to important petroleum accumulations such as the Permian limestone of North East Thailand (Booth and Sattayarak, 2011).
Limestones are scientifically important as they are important archives of palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic data, of palaeodiversity and as palaeogeographic features. South East Asia contains not only ancient tropical limestones but also cold-water limestones (e.g. early Permian limestones in Malaysia and Thailand (Rao, 1996; Thassanapak et al., 2019). Platform limestones of various ages are widespread across South East Asia and occur in a variety of tectonic environments (e.g. Udchachon et al., 2013). How they accumulated and the controls from tectonic, biotic and palaeoclimatic factors are amongst the academic aims of this project. How the widespread platforms grew, laterally and vertically, how the carbonate factories kept-up with subsidence and the mystery of carbonate platform demise (Wilson et al., 2019) will be important considerations. These also have significant economic implications as platform growth and their palaeogeographic setting controls primary porosity and hence petroleum reservoir formation (e.g., Saw et al., 2019).
Important time
May 2023 - Open for registration and abstract submission (please visit website for online registration)
30th August 2023 - Deadline for abstract submission
5th September 2023 - Online registration/bank transfer close/Final circular distribution
25th September 2023 - Meeting in Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand
26th-30th September 2023 - Fieldtrip in Southern Thailand and Northern Malaysia
Sponsors
IGCP-700 is also seeking sponsoring agencies/companies to help support the meeting especially for students. To support the IGCP-700 meeting or student registration, please contact us.
Accommodation
The participants can choose and pay for their own options for the accommodation during the meeting at Ao Nang, Krabi. There are fairly numbers and ranges of accommodations around the Ao Nang Beach. Please check from the booking websites.
Refund policy IGCP-700
For all refunds, a fee of 50% will be deducted from the amount initially paid, corresponding to the international bank transfer fee and administrative fee. Refunds can be issued in the following cases:
•If the meeting is cancelled or postponed in cases of force majeure, registered participants have the choice to keep their registration for the new meeting (in case of postponement) or to be refunded.
•If participants cancel their participation, registration fees will only be refunded if the notice of cancellation is received before 15th August 2023. After 15th August 2023, no refund will be possible even if you do not attend the congress.
The registration fees will not be canceled and refunds will not be issued if the registrant is unable to attend due to travel delays or due to visa application rejection or any other extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of IGCP-700.
Programme
Preparation for field excursion and visa
The excursion will take place in Krabi, Satun and northern Malaysia. All these places are generally very safe but normal safety precautions and attention to personal security are recommended. Covid is present but is not a serious threat-vaccination is recommended. Mosquito-borne diseases are possible so a good insect repellent and long sleeves and trousers are recommended. Sun screen and lomatil (or imodium) are also useful.
For entrance to Malaysia and Thailand a six-month validity on your passport is required. For participants planning to join the whole fieldtrip (both in southern Thailand and northern Malaysia), a visa to enter Thailand and Malaysia might be required. A single or multiple-entry visa to Thailand is also recommended if the participant wants return to Thailand during the end of the field trip. Participant who requires an invitation letter for travel and visa proposal to enter Thailand, please register to join our IGCP event and email to us as soon as possible. For short visit for this meeting, tourist visa type might be issued faster, please check for more detail from the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand (https://www.thaievisa.go.th/tourist-visa) as well as the Malaysian one.
Note that if participant who registers to join the fieldtrip only in Thailand but won’t have a plan to go to Malaysia, please let us know before 5th September 2023.
The registration fee for the field excursion includes transportation during the fieldtrip including van ferry and boat, accommodation, meals and field guidebook. Note that for accommodation we normally arrange one room for two persons, participants who like to stay in the same room, please let us know. Any other conditions might be open and cost extra payment. If more information is needed, please contact us as soon as possible.
Due to several reasons, there is only a limited number of participants allowed for field excursion Please register as soon as possible and we will close the online registration when it is full.
This trip includes a field carbonate training/workshop led by prominent carbonate workers from the developed world. The course includes basic concept and application for both academic knowledge and economic benefit for students/academics and geoscientists on Carbonate sedimentology and depositional environments, Palaeontology and biostratigraphy, Regional stratigraphic correlation and mapping of the carbonate sequences in SE ASIA and Geopark and education
