The Andean Geotrail: why?

More than any other science, Earth sciences are of paramount importance for the develoment of the world. Intelligently managing natural resources, forecasting volcanic eruptions, predicting earthquakes, and understanding the evolution of the climate are primary challenges for geoscientists and climatologists in the 21st century. Understanding very well the strategic, economic and environmental importance of the geosciences, UNESCO and the International Union of Geologic Sciences (IUGS) have designated 2008-2009 the International Year of Planet Earth. Their goal is to raise awareness, particularly amongst the young, of the role of geoscience on sustained development and on the preservation of our patrimony: the Planet Earth.

As children, we were fascinated by volcanic eruptions and imagining what the world was like during the reign of dinosaurs more than 65 millions years ago. Unsurprisingly, we caught the bug of travelling in space and time. Twenty years on, we have managed to convert our passion for the Earth into our profession and, despite the years, the pleasure of exploring the Earth and its history remains intact. The Andean Geotrail project was born from our enthusiasm for our profession and our wish to spread it. With this project, we want to inspire the curiosity of young generations in our planet and to create scientific vocations by sharing our passion and our knowledge.

Through the Andean Geotrail project, we propose a scientific, human, educational and sport expedition in an exceptional geological environment: the Andean Cordillera. We will follow and cross the Andes, cycling from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, to Lima, Peru, over approximately 9 months (November 2008-August 2009). During our trip, we will visit spectacular geological sites such as Torres del Paine, Villarica Volcano, Cerro Rico de Potosí, to highlight and explain the geological phenomena, and we will meet the people whose lives directly depend on the geological resources of the Andes (miners, farmers, etc…).

With the help of our observations and the interviews of people we will meet, we aim to generate a public consciousness that the Earth offers its resources, but it is our duty to manage them intelligently to not waste them. This collective consciousness requires a good diffusion of geologic knowledge, and we propose through this project to provide our contribution. An efficient protection of the Earth starts with a good knowledge of it.