THE UNIVERSITY GEOPHYSICAL EDUCATION IN . LANDMARKS

AURELIAN NEGUŢ University of , Faculty of Geology and , Department of Geophysics, 6 Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania ([email protected])

The paper is a detailed account of the university geophysical education in Romania, starting with the beginnings of applied geophysics in the framework of the Geological Institute of Romania (January 1st, 1925) and introducing geophysical classes in the Polytechnical School curricula between 1927 and 1948, continuing with dedicated departments in several higher education institutions, such as the Geological and Mining Technique Institute, Oil, Gas and Geology Institute, and finally Bucharest University.

Key words: education, geophysics, university, Romania.

The university education in Geophysics, on introduced in Romania in 1931, as a distinct systematic bases, cannot be separated from the branch of Applied Geophysics. In short time it beginning and evolution of Geophysics became a compulsory geophysical technique, application in Romania with significant informative potential and major A significant marker is represented by economical implications. organizing, at January 1st, 1925 in the framework The beginnings of Romanian geophysics of the Geological Institute of Romania, by extended over about 25 years, from 1925 to 1950, initiative of Ludovic Mrazec, the president of the year when some complex specialized companies this institution, of the Geological and Mining were organized: the Prospecting and Laboratories Prospection Section, as a way of orienting the Company (“Întreprinderea de Prospecţiuni şi fundamental geological research of the Institute Laboratoare” – I.P.L.) in the framework of the towards practical and economical applications. Geological Committee of Romania, the Geological In a short time, this section became the Prospecting and Geophysical Prospecting Company for and Applied Geophysics Section, recognizing Hydrocarbons (“Întreprinderea de Prospecţiuni the role and development perspectives of the Geologice şi Geofizice pentru Hidrocarburi” – new geophysical methods for subsoil research, in I.P.G.G.H.) and the Well Logging and Perforating close connection with the identification and Company (“Întreprinderea de Carotaj şi Perforare” – evaluation of mineral resources for the Romanian I.C.P.) – Ploieşti. economy. The role and importance of geophysical The core of specialists with the role of methods in the higher education were presented, organizing and introducing geophysical prospecting methods included Toma Petre Ghiţulescu, Iulian for the first time, by Prof. Toma Petre Gavăt, Mircea Socolescu and Sabba S. Ştefănescu. Ghiţulescu in the framework of an Ore Deposits All of them conducted the Prospecting and course, taught at Bucharest Polytechnic School Applied Geophysics Section of the Geological during 1927–1935. An independent course of Institute of Romania during 1926–1950, Geophysical Prospecting Methods was presented following Prof. David Roman (died 1927), the and published for the first time by Prof. Sabba S. first head of Prospecting Section, who strongly Ştefănescu, at the same school, in 1936. supported the introduction and development of After 1948, the goals of the Romanian extractive Applied Geophysics in its beginning phases. industry development imposed the training of In close connection with exploration drilling highly-qualified specialists for the field for hydrocarbons, the geophysical logging was application of different geophysical methods and

Rev. Roum. GÉOPHYSIQUE, 58–59, p. 51–56, 2014–2015, Bucureşti 52 Aurelian Neguţ 2 techniques and, also, an efficient cooperation different organizational systems, like the Geological with geologists, engineering geologists and and Geophysical Section, during 1970–1974. drilling and mining engineers, in order to extend Following the transfer of the Oil and Gas the applicability domain of geophysical methods Institute to Ploieşti, the higher engineering for practical and economical purposes. education in Geology and Geophysics of the The role and place of geophysical prospecting Technical Geology Faculty moved to the and geophysical well logging in the framework Bucharest University, where, starting with the of complex geological research of subsoil being 1974–1975 academic year, a unique Engineering well defined after about 25 years of evolution, Geology and Geophysics Section was organized Geophysics was taught in the higher education at the Geology and Geography Faculty. This process. Starting with 1949, at the Geology Faculty structure was maintained until 1985, when the of Bucharest University, a Geophysics course Faculty of Geology and Geography became the was introduced and taught successively by Prof. Faculty of Biology, Geography and Geology, by Sabba S. Ştefănescu, Prof. Mircea Socolescu and including the Biology Faculty of the Bucharest Prof. Ştefan Airinei. University. In this faculty, a distinct Section of The higher education in Geophysics started in Geological and Geophysical Engineering continued Romania in 1948, in the framework of the its activity. Geological and Mining Technique Institute The last change in the higher education in (I.G.T.M.) – Bucharest. Geology and Geophysics took place in January During the 1950–1955 period, the Section of 1990, when the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics Geophysics existed with this name within the was organized at the Bucharest University and Geology Faculty, belonging in 1951–1952 to the the Geophysics Section became a distinct Geological and Mining Technique Institute and specialization. It is worth mentioning that higher from 1952 to the Bucharest Mining Institute. education in Geophysics was structured and The first series of geophysicists graduated in developed in close correlation with the higher 1952. Before 1952, the specialists who worked education in Geological Engineering. in the field of Geophysics, particularly Applied A key role in the organization and development Geophysics, originated from the graduates of of the higher education in Geophysics was Polytechnic Institutes, Faculty of Mining and played by the Geophysics Chair, where all the Metallurgy, mainly from Bucharest and Timişoara, problems of various geophysical specialties have but also from other fields such as Physics. been discussed and solved by the contribution of At the Bucharest Mining Institute, within the teaching staff. Technical Geology Faculty, Geophysics was At the beginning, the Geophysics Chair organized in a separate section of “Geophysical benefited from the competent management of Prospecting”, started from the third academic Prof. Sabba S. Ştefănescu (1950–1962), who was year with a distinct Geophysics Chair conducted extremely active in organizing and developing by Acad. Prof. Sabba S. Ştefănescu. For the the geophysical activity in Romania, with significant development of engineering education in Geophysics, theoretical and practical contributions. It is in the framework of the Geophysics Department worth mentioning that for a long time period (Section) and Geophysics Chair, a remarkable (until 1967), Prof. Sabba S. Ştefănescu coordinated support was offered by Acad. Prof. Nicolae the Geophysics activity at the Geological Petrulian, Rector of the Bucharest Mining Institute Committee of Romania, being directly involved and, later, of the Bucharest Oil, Gas and Geology in the selection of areas for geophysical Institute. prospecting works and, also, in the monthly and In 1957, the Technical Geology Faculty from yearly evaluation of the results. This activity was Bucharest Mining Institute was transferred to the carried out in parallel with the complex teaching Bucharest Oil, Gas and Geology Institute. In the activity in the framework of the Geophysics Chair. framework of this institute, the engineering At the Geophysics Chair of Bucharest Mining geophysics training was carried out under Institute, the disciplines of Geophysics have 3 The university geophysical education in Romania. Landmarks 53 been covered by Prof. Sabba S. Ştefănescu, teaching and scientific activity in the fields of Prof. Liviu Constantinescu, Prof. Iulian Gavăt, Geophysics in which they were involved. Prof. Radu Botezatu, Assoc. Prof. Constantin For a high-quality professional and scientific Gheorghiu, Assoc. Prof. Aurel Iacovache and training of the students in Geophysics, during Assoc. Prof. Mircea Paucă. At the Bucharest Oil, time, in close correlation with the established Gas and Geology Institute, after 1957, and academic programs, the Geophysics Chair especially after 1960, the teaching staff in cooperated with several specialists – Geophysics increased by including new geophysicists from industry and scientific permanent members (Mihai Săsărman, research fields, covering various domains of Constantin Calotă, Aurelian Neguţ, Adona Geophysics, on variable time periods. For this Hagiu, Paul Georgescu, Tudorel Orban, category, we mention: Misac Nabighian (Theory Gheorghe Stănescu, Adriana Pârjol, Dumitru of Electromagnetic Field and Electrical Enescu, Dinu Ştefănescu, Matei Trâmbiţaşu) Prospecting), Mircea Rădulescu (Theory of and, also, by including teaching staff from the Electromagnetic Field), Dumitru Paicu (Seismic Geodesy-Topography Laboratory of the Drilling Prospecting), Petre Tănăsescu (Gravity and Exploitation Faculty (Prof. Gheorghe Prospecting, Electrical Prospecting, Geological Constantinescu and, later, Lecturers Alexandru Data Base for Romanian Hydrocarbon Wells), Fronescu and Eftimie Pănoiu). After 1974, the Vladimir Şteflea (Magnetic Prospecting), Andrei Geophysics Chair included also Prof. Ştefan Soare (Geomagnetism), Dorel Zugrăvescu Airinei, who covered three disciplines: (Geodynamics), Vasile Vâjdea (Remote Geothermy and Marine Geophysics (for Sensing), Marius Visarion (Geological geophysicists) and Geophysical Research Interpretation of Geophysical Data), Dragomir Methods and Techniques (for geologists). Romanescu (Magnetic Prospecting, As Heads of the Geophysics Chair, Petrophysics), Şerban Veliciu (Geothermy), Prof. Sabba S. Ştefănescu and later Prof. Liviu Nicolae Heredea (Radiometry, Environmental Constantinescu (1962–1973) and Prof. Radu Protection), Dumitru Ioane (Gravity and Botezatu (after 1974) were permanently Magnetic Prospecting, Geological Interpretation concerned for professional training and of Geophysical Data), Vlad Roşca (Gravity orientation of young teaching staff in the main Prospecting), Virgil Bardan (Processing of fields of interest of the Geophysics Chair and, Seismic Signal). also, in maintaining and developing the scientific Ever since its beginning, the Geophysics debate spirit regarding these fields. Such tasks Chair worked as a homogeneous and coherent were accomplished via periodical presentation of team, covering a variety of Applied Geophysics large scientific reports on theoretical and fields. All the teaching staff members, practical aspects concerning the application of particularly the young ones, gained from their geophysical methods or compulsory predecessors (Prof. Sabba S. Ştefănescu, participation at the bi-monthly Seminars of Prof. Iulian Gavăt, Prof. Liviu Constantinescu and Geophysics, organized by the Geophysics Chair. Prof. Radu Botezatu) an extremely important For the same purpose of improving the body of knowledge regarding not only the professional training of the teaching staff, the professional accomplishment, but also the Chair of Geophysics supported and covered the personal development: necessity of continuous participation at specialization programs abroad and solid work, responsibility, exigency and for four young teaching staff members at that correctness, punctuality, scientific rigor and time: Aurelian Neguţ, Constantin Calotă optimism. (Fulbright scholarships, U.S.A.) and Paul A special mention to Prof. Iulian Gavăt for Georgescu and Gheorghe Stănescu (scholarships his decisive role in the complex activity of in the Federal Republic of Germany), during Geophysics, within the first nucleus organized at 1968–1973, with obvious benefits for their the Geological Institute of Romania in 1925, 54 Aurelian Neguţ 4 focused mostly on gravity and seismic  Solving specific problems of Hydrogeology, prospecting for hydrocarbons. In addition, Engineering Geology and Environmental Prof. Iulian Gavăt had a long teaching activity in Protection; our faculty, in the higher education of geologists  Marine Geophysics and Remote Sensing. and geophysicists belonging to the Engineering Sections. Two main disciplines were illustrated The particular training in the field of General by Prof. Iulian Gavăt: Geology of Oil and Gas and Applied Geophysics is continuously improved Deposits and Geological Interpretation of and adapted to the national and international Geophysical Data. The Geological Interpretation of technical-scientific evolution and, also, includes Geophysical Data, a unique discipline, which a fundamental training (Mathematics, Physics, was maintained and continuously kept up to date Geology, etc.), in order to allow the graduates an in our faculty, offered to the geophysicists-engineers easy adaptation to the current technologies and an essential advantage in their professional activity: their rapid changes in the future. The the capacity to interpret, in an integrated manner, Geophysics specialization is highly requested by in geological terms, the complex geophysical industry and scientific research institutions in results for a defined area of interest. At the Romania and worldwide. present time, this course is also offered in the Presently, the geological and geophysical Geological Engineering program of our faculty. engineering education is organized according to The permanent members of the current the Bologna System, with 4 years of studies Department of Geophysics are: Prof. Dumitru (240 credits). In the 1st and 2nd years the academic Ioane, Prof. Marian Ivan, Prof. Victor Mocanu, training is common for all engineering programs; Prof. Cornel Păunescu, Assoc. Prof. Bogdan Mihai the specialization for the domain of Geophysics Niculescu, Assoc. Prof. Ionelia Panea, Lecturer is carried out in the 3rd and 4th years. Florina Chitea-Tuluca, Assist. Prof. Gina Andrei, The academic disciplines, under the coordination Assist. Prof. Gabriela Militaru and Teaching of the Department of Geophysics, correspond to Assist. Matei Mezincescu. the following geophysical fields: Currently, Geophysics is a distinct domain of 1. Applied Geophysics (Seismic, Gravity, Geosciences and a profession in continuous Magnetic, Electrical, Electromagnetic, Radiometric development and diversification. The Geophysics and Geothermal prospecting methods, Borehole specialization, in the framework of the Faculty Geophysics and Geological Interpretation of of Geology and Geophysics, covers the fundamental Geophysical Data); training of specialists for specific domains: 2. Planetary Geophysics (Earth’s Physics,  Planning, organizing and managing the ); geophysical prospecting and borehole 3. Environmental Geophysics. geophysics activities for fluids (hydrocarbons, ground waters) and solids The Licence studies are finalized with the (ore deposits, coals, mineral salts, raw title of Engineer. Geological background training minerals) by application of gravity, magnetic, has a significant weight in the geophysicists’ electrical, seismic, radiometric and geothermic education, along the academic years. In addition methods and complex well logging, in to the theoretical and practical training, field various geological and technical conditions applications are offered to the students in the 2nd (environments); and 3rd years of studies, continued with a  Elaboration of geophysical maps, cross documentation practice for the Licence thesis sections and interpretation models (national, during the 4th year. regional or detailed); The Licence (Diploma) thesis, elaborated by  Fundamental and applied research specific every student in Geophysics, represents the to the Earth’s Physics (Seismology, beginning of a specialization in a distinct domain Geomagnetism and Geodynamics); of Geophysics for: 5 The university geophysical education in Romania. Landmarks 55

 Identification, delineation and evaluation (Ph.D.) studies have been organized exclusively of mineral resources (hydrocarbons, coals, in Bucharest, at the present Faculty of Geology ore deposits) or ground waters by geophysical and Geophysics. During the 1960–2010 time methods (ground and airborne geophysical period, 111 geophysicists obtained the Ph.D. surveys, measurements in boreholes, scientific title in the main domain – Geology and remote sensing); different branches of Geophysics specialization;  Deciphering the structure of the Earth’s 25 of them were foreign students from deep interior, continental and oceanic crust 12 countries. A number of 8 scientific titles of and, also, the tectonic/geodynamic processes Doctor (Ph.D.) were obtained by Romanian at a regional, continental or global scale; geophysicists at foreign universities.  Studies of the geological hazards by Currently, at the Faculty of Geology and geophysical methods, the evaluation of Geophysics – Bucharest University, the Doctor seismicity and seismic risk being the most Degree programs are organized in the form of important topics; Doctor Degree School, the candidates usually  Delineation and monitoring of soil, subsoil originating from graduates of Master programs. and ground waters pollution using geophysical The Doctor Degree studies cover an extended methods. area of theoretical and practical problems of Engineering Geology and Geophysics. The specialization in Geophysics is continued In the present organizational and development by a part of the graduates in Geophysics in the form of engineering higher education in Geology framework of Master studies (2 years program) and Geophysics, the Geophysics specialization, organized by the Faculty of Geology and unique in Romania at the Faculty of Geology Geophysics for the domain of Geological and Geophysics – Bucharest University, must Engineering, in Romanian language (“Master in remain a distinct specialization due to the Geophysics”) or in English language (“Master in particular role and place of Geophysics in the Applied Geophysics”). The Master in Geophysics framework of Geosciences, with multiple program started in the 2009–2010 academic year scientific, practical and economic implications. and may continue, depending upon the number As in the past, Geophysics is omnipresent in of applicants, either in Romanian language, in all fields of exploration and exploitation of English language or in parallel. mineral resources. New challenges will arise for The programs of Master in Geophysics geophysicists in the future, such as: complement two other Master studies domains  Re-evaluation of mature hydrocarbon for Geological Engineering: reservoirs by applying modern techniques  Evaluation of Sedimentary Basins and and technologies in order to increase the Mineral Resources (EBSRM); final recovery factor;  Engineering Geology and Environmental  Exploration for gas hydrates; Geotechnics (IGGA).  Identification and evaluation of gas reservoirs in compact formations (“Tight The graduates in Geophysics may chose to Gas Shales”); continue their Master studies in the two domains  Definition of the geological conditions for above mentioned. underground CO2 storage; During more than 50 years of higher  Multiple applications in environmental education in Geophysics organized in Romania, geology: evaluation, protection, more than 1500 geophysicists-engineers have remediation; graduated, 170 of them being foreign students.  Increasing the number of underground gas In the framework of the Geophysics Chair storage facilities; (currently, the Department of Geophysics) and  Re-evaluation of alternate energy sources Geophysics specialization, the Doctor Degree (e.g., the geothermal energy in Romania). 56 Aurelian Neguţ 6

SELECTED REFERENCES Florea, M., Gheorghe, Al., Neguţ, A. (2010), The Romanian School of Geological and Geophysical “Half-century of Romanian Geophysical Prospecting”, Engineering. Past and Future. Monitorul de Petrol şi Communications Session organized by the Romanian Gaze, nr. 4, Bucureşti. Academy and the Ministry of Mines, Oil and Geology, Bucharest, 26 February 1975 (Ştefănescu, Sabba S. – Foreword; Ghiţulescu Toma Petre, Gavăt Iulian – The Received: October 29, 2014 Beginnings of Romanian Geophysics). Accepted for publication: January 11, 2015