PENROSE CONFERENCE
Deformation Localization in Rocks: new advances

Cadaqués & Cap de Creus peninsula (Catalonia, Spain)
27 June - 2 July 2011

The subject of this Tectask sponsored conference is the localization of deformation in rocks, with especial emphasis on shear zones as a physical expression of strain localization in orogens at the level of the middle and lower lithosphere. In the last two decades, there have been important advances in laboratory and numerical modelling studies of the way that deformation localizes in the Earth’s crust. An aim of the conference is to juxtapose the results of new theoretical, analytical, and laboratory research with the natural world relationships that may be observed in the exemplary field setting of Cap de Creus, northeastern Spain. The conference will offer the opportunity for researchers who employ the different approaches (theory; experimentation; seismological, petrological and field methods) to integrate results, address controversies, and identify new opportunities for interdisciplinary research that will advance our understanding of localization of deformation in shear zones at multiple scales.

The Changing Faces of Africa: Elements of African Geology

TecTask has supported the production of the Commission for the Geological Map of the World's (CGMW) latest publication, which provides an overview of African Geology, suitable for undergraduate-level teaching, which comes in French and English, with a CD containing high resolution images of all content. This work is available for €15 from the CGMW website. Researchers based in Africa can get a free copy by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

3D Structural Geophysics Modelling Tool

TecTask is pleased to be able to provide to its members, at no cost, the Noddy 3D structural and potential-field modelling system. This tool was originally designed for teaching purposes, which is still its main use. For further infomation and the download link, see here.

Damage to Outcrops

Geological sites are permanently threatened, many times even if they are included in protected sites. This can be due to the fact that protection rules are often only based on ecological criteria, showing the lack of effective tools to take actions to prevent destruction of geological heritage.

Unfortunately, geologists are sometimes the first to damage geological sites, such in the case of Aiguablava (Costa Brava, NE Spain), where some unique outcrops have recently been damaged by drill sampling.

Click here for further information

Outcropedia

The Outcropedia is a new initiative of TecTask. The aim is to make a central, public database of all important and beautiful outcrops in the World. The main aim is to record where beautiful deformation structures are to be seen, but other outcrops can also be submitted. The setup will be similar to Panoramio and other sites to share photographs, but in this case the accent will be on structural geology only, and contain more detailed descriptions. The Outcropedia will presently be accessible to members of TecTask only. If you click here you can see the Bons/Drueget Cap de Creus example (requires a plugin).

Virtual Seismic Atlas

A new Virtual Seismic Atlas is available through a industry-academia partnership involving University of Leeds and Aberdeen, the Geological Society, National Surveys and many partners from exploration industry.

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A great opportunity for teachers and researchers to access a large amount of stunning sub-surface imagery, most were acquired and processed by modern technology (3D seismic, pre-stack migration).

Teaching Geoscience Through Fieldwork

The ‘Teaching Geoscience through Fieldwork’ guide has been launched this week. Prepared by Professor Rob Butler, University of Aberdeen, the guide sets out the academic and professional rationale for geoscience fieldwork but also explores a number of key practical issues relating, for example, to fieldwork design, location, assessment and resourcing. The text also provides useful information on health and safety issues.

You can download the Teaching Geoscience through Fieldwork guide. Additional hard copies can be obtained by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Microdynamics Simulation

New Springer book on the numerical simulation of microstructures: Microdynamics Simulation see Elle Home Page for further details...The windows version of the code may be downloaded from here