Mizoram University ANNOUNCEMENT FOR A DST SPONSRED FIVE DAYS HANDS-ON TRAINING COURSE ON MAGNETOSTRATIGRAPHY

Mizoram University, Dept. of Geology, Aizawl-796 004, Mizoram. 

Phone: 0389-2330108, 2330386, Cell: 09436152815. Fax: 0389-2330834. 

Email: rptmzu@rediffmail.com.

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR A DST SPONSRED FIVE DAYS HANDS-ON TRAINING COURSE ON MAGNETOSTRATIGRAPHY

(1^st -5^th October, 2012)

Venue: Dept. of Geology, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796 004, Mizoram

BACKGROUND

We made a modest beginning in the year 2008 by setting-up the basic national facility for magnetostratigraphy at the Mizoram University under IRHPA programme of Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi. The facility includes equipments for sample collection and preparation (Portable drilling machine, Orientation fixture, Heavy duty laboratory drilling machine and core slicing machine), magnetic cleaning (Thermal demagnetizer and Alternating field demagnetizer with ARM attachment) and analysis on remanant vectors of different intensities (using Minispin Rock Magnetometer and the High Sensitivity Spinner Magnetometer -JR6A) and Magnetic Susceptibility. Basic training had been provided for users from Northeast India during the installation of these equipments in the laboratory. During these years, several young teachers and research scholars from the Northeastern region have shown keen interest for working on various aspects of magnetostratigraphy and palaeomagnetism (mainly in Tripura-Mizoram accretionary belt and Shillong basin, schuppen belt and ophiolite belt in Nagaland and Manipur). In order to provide a sound theoretical knowledge in the field of magnetostratigraphy and palaeomagnetism to such scholars and also to make them acquainted with equipments available in the Palaeomagnetic Laboratory in Mizoram University, a five days training course was organized during 28^th March – 1^st April, 2011.  As a sequel to this, we are now organising a DST sponsored 5 days hands-on training course on sample collection and preparation for magnetostratigraphic studies, analyses of the samples and interpretation of data.

Apart from magnetostratigraphy there are several significant issues leading to demands on geodynamic aspects of northeastern region from palaeomagnetic studies, paleoclimate and Quaternary environmental change studies aided by the environmental magnetism and the strain analyses based on magnetic fabric studies. All these aspects demand expert knowledge and hands-on training to proceed.

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING COURSE

The COURSE will cover the following issues:

i)                    Field training on sample collection and sample preparation for magnetostratigraphic and palaeomagnetic studies.

ii)                  Detailed hands-on training on magnetic cleaning of samples with Thermal demagnetizer and Alternating field magnetizer

iii)                Use of Spinner Magnetometer (JR6A) for determining NRM

iv)                Working out of magnetic polarity stratigraphy and Sediment accumulation rates.

DURATION OF THE COURSE: Five days i.e., October 1-5, 2012.

COURSE DIRECTORS

1. Prof. S. J Sangode, Dept. of Geology, University of Pune, Pune
2. Prof. R. P. Tiwari, Dept. of Geology, Mizoram University, Aizawl

FACULTY FOR THE COURSE

Scientists who have conducted research for several years in magnetostratigraphic and palaeomagnetic aspects of igneous and sedimentary successions shall constitute the faculty for this course.

PROGRAMME

The proposed program is as follows:

Day-0 (30.9.2012)      : Arrival of Resource Persons and Participants

Day-1 (1.10.2012): Lectures on various aspects of magnetostratigraphic studies. Collection of oriented core and block samples in the field using Portable drilling machine and Orientation fixture.

Day-2 (2.10.2012): Lectures on various aspects of palaeomagnetic studies Sample preparation using laboratory drilling machine and core slicing machine.

Day-3 (3.10.2012): Magnetic cleaning of samples using Thermal demagnetizer and Alternating field demagnetizer with ARM attachment

Day-4 (4.10.2012): Analysis of samples using Spinner magnetometer (JR6A) for determination of NRM

Day-5 (5.10.2012): Working out of magnetostratigraphy and determination of sediment accumulation rate.

Day-6 (6.10.2012): Departure of Resource Persons and Participants

HOW TO APPLY: Those desirous of participating in the course can apply in a plain paper with full biodata (phone numbers and email-id is mandatory) including list of publications and a short write-up on why they wish to attend this course and as to how they will utilize the scientific knowledge gained during the course. A hard copy of application should reach in the following address latest by 10.9.2012. In-service candidates are required to submit application through proper channel. Research scholars are required to apply through their respective supervisors. Advance application should be mailed before 3.9.2012. Preference shall be given to those research scholars and young teachers from Northeastern region who are already working in the magnetostratigraphic and palaeomagnetic aspects. Travel assistance and local hospitability shall be provided. Number of participants shall be limited to twenty.

Prof. R. P. Tiwari, Dept. of Geology, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796 004, Mizoram. Phone: 0389-2330108, 2330386, Cell: 09436152815. Fax: 0389-2330834. Email: rptmzu@rediffmail.com. Alternate id: rptmzu@yahoo.co.in.

For details, log on to the link:

http://www.mzu.edu.in/Announcement%20for%20training%20course.doc