Sto lat Polskiego Towarzystwa Geologicznego (1921–2021)

Abstract

100 years of the Polish Geological Society (1921–2021).A b s t r a c t. The Polish Geological Society (PGS) was established on April 24, 1921. The seat of the PGS Board is in Kraków, as the Jagiellonian University in Kraków was the most active centre of geological sciences before Poland regained independence in 1918. For over 100 years, the main forms of the Society’s activity have been annual conferences in various parts of Poland and the publication of the journal Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae. There are three main periods in the history of the Society. During the first period, covering the years 1921–1939, the activities of PGS focused on the integration of the geological community and the development of regional branches (Warszawa, Lwów, Borysław and Wilno). During this period, the tradition of annual scientific meetings of PGS in various parts of Poland was established. Additionally, PGS members were instrumental in establishing the Carpatho-Balkan Geological Association and the INQUA. The development of PGS was abruptly stopped in September 1939 by World War II, during which several dozens of Society’s members lost their lives. The third period covers the post-war period. The most intense development of the society took place in the 1960s and 1970s, when membership reached almost 1,500 active members, and the attendance at the annual meetings was in the order of hundreds of participants, often including foreign guests. During this period, many regional branches and specialist sections were established. The society's activity was high also during the crisis years of the 1980s. After the political changes in 1989–1990, PGS significantly developed international contacts. In the 1990s, representatives of the Society were invited to AEGS, EFG and AAPG, which resulted in the organization of numerous international conferences. One of the most important initiatives of the 21st century was the organization of the Polish Geological Congresses in 2008, 2012 and 2016. The most important element of the Society’s activities is still the very popular annual PGS Scientific Meetings together with the accompanying field trips and seminars.