NOTES

EARTHQUAKE - HOW SAFE IS THE REGION?

Malwa region is an important geographical territory in , was the chief guest who stressed on the need for western . The region is characterized by a strong academia-society interaction for better development plateau developed over the Deccan basalts that covers and optimal benefit to man and society. The second session the subsurface extension of the Vindhyan rocks. The past dedicated to the public awareness was attended by a records indicate occurrence of earthquakes in the area. large number of delegates including teachers, students, The region experienced massive Bhuj earthquake during professional geologists, social scientists, architects, doctors, January 26,2001 leading to panic amongst local people on representatives from NGO and government officials. A free the stability of Malwa plateau. The Vikarm University and frank discussion was held amongst the participants over Science Research Promotion Cell and the School of earthquake-related issues. The following recommendations Studies in Geology, Ujjain organized a one-day Scientific were made to the authorities: Discussion and Public Awareness Programme on "Earth- 1 A task force must be developed at the local level for quake - How safe is the Malwa region?" on February 16, proper planning and rapid action during such 2001. The objective of the programme was to take stock of calamities. the available earthquake-related information over the 2 The dos and don'ts in case of earthquakes must be Malwa region and to make the public aware of the do's and taught to the local people and particularly to the youth don'ts about earthquakes. through programmes like NSS, NCC, Scouts etc. R.K. Chaturvedi of Geological Survey of , Bhopal 3 A proper inventory of locally available resource inaugurated the session and presented the keynote paper on persons, specialists, machinery, safer locations etc. must "Earthquakes - Why, how and where: the state-of-art". A be maintained and updated at regular intervals. total of seven papers were presented in the session, including the keynote paper. The other main speakers were School of Studies in Geology PRAMODK. VERMA P. Dev, S. Choure, P. Choudhary and P.K. Verma. Vikram University Prof. R.G. Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, Vikram University, Ujjain - 456 010

SEMINAR ON PRECAMBRIAN CRUSTAL EVOLUTION AND MINERALISATION IN INDIA

The two-day seminar jointly organized by the Patna occasion. The volume was dedicated to GSI on its 150th Year Chapter of the South Asian Association of Economic of Service to the Nation. Eighteen papers were presented. Geologists (SAAEG), Geological Survey of India and Patna During the Annual General Body meeting of the SAAEG, University was held on 26-27 March 2001 at the Seminar K.L. Rai, Secretary General, briefed the gathering about the Hall of the Department of Geology, Patna University. It was achievements and future programmes of SAAEG, such as inaugurated by K. Krishnanunni, Director General of to bringing out the Journal of Indian Economic Geologists, Geological Survey of India (GSI) and presided over by S.N. institution of an award for a meritorious economic geologist Ahsan, Vice-Chancellor of Patna University. Binod Kumar and supporting the unemployed post-graduates for self- was the Organising Secretary. Krishnanunni gave a call for employment. He also voiced SAAEG's concern about the innovations to improve the economics of mineral deposits decline in the interest for geology and its plans to conduct and interdisciplinary collaboration for furthering the summer classes for school teachers and students. knowledge of mineral deposits. Ahsan called upon the An exhibition of maps and books was arranged by GSI, geoscientific community to step up mineral production for Kolkata. K. Krishnanunni released the District Resource Map the welfare of mankind. S.P. Singh, Convener highlighted of Siwan District, Bihar. R.K.Roy donated a set of volumes the activities of Patna Chapter which were also presented in including the Mineral Atlas of India and Geothermal Atlas a Hindi booklet called "Prayas". A souvenir with abstracts of India to the Department of Geology, Patna University. of the papers was distributed on the occasion. A full text volume priced at Rs.7001- (328p) was also released on the GSI, Bangalore - 560078 H.S.M.-PRAKASH

JOUR.GEOL.SOC.INDIA,VOL.57, JUNE 200 1