Backgrounder

The Society

The mission of the Geological Society of America (GSA) is to advance the geosciences, to enhance the professional growth of its 21,500 members, and to promote the geosciences in the service of humanity. GSA provides geoscientists from all sectors - academic, government, and industry - with a vehicle for expressing core professional values of science, stewardship, and service. The Society is also a venue for establishing and maintaining professional relationships that span a lifetime.

Brief History of GSA

Founded in 1888 in Ithaca, New York, the Society is an offshoot of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). GSA was formed in recognition of the rapid growth of geology as a science, and the need for a forum dedicated to this new area of scientific inquiry. Its founders envisioned the Society disseminating results of geologic studies and conducting meetings for the presentation and discussion of geologic research. These activities remain the core of GSA's contemporary mission. The Society moved to its current home in Boulder, Colorado, in 1967, where its operations and headquarters staff of approximately 60 people are housed.

GSA Programs, Services, and Products

The Society's primary activities are:

• Publishing current scientific information in books, journals, compact discs, and a variety of other formats. The Society's two monthly journals, GSA Bulletin and Geology, are primary vehicles for publication of academic research in the geosciences. GSA also co-publishes Environmental and Engineering Geoscience with the Association of Engineering Geologists. Other publications include special papers, treatises, memorials, maps, and charts. The Society's internal publication for members, GSA Today, is also published monthly.
• Conducting scientific meetings that present the latest in geoscience research. Approximately 6000 geoscientists attend GSA's annual meeting, held in the fall. Upwards of 3000 scientific papers are presented in symposia and technical sessions. Smaller, geographically-based Section meetings also focus on geoscience research, and are held each spring.
• Assisting teachers, students, and policy makers in understanding and making informed decisions about complex environmental, economic, and social issues, of which the geosciences are an integral component. GSA's Science and Outreach programs, including the Institute for Earth Science and the Environment, foster public awareness and understanding of geoscience issues. Education programs provide support for K-16 teachers. Assistance for GSA student members is available from research grants and mentoring programs.
• Enhancing the professional growth of members. GSA recognizes outstanding scientific contributions through a number of awards and research grants. The Society coordinates professional education and career enhancement activities for geoscientists, including short courses, field trips, field forums, and Penrose Conferences.

How GSA is Organized

The Society's elected officers provide overall governance of GSA. The six geographic Sections have their own governance boards and meetings. In addition, 34 specialized geoscience organizations are formally associated with GSA; they assist in developing the extensive scientific program of the Society's annual meeting.

Members have access to 15 GSA divisions defined by scientific specialty: archaeological geology, coal geology, engineering geology, geobiology and geomicrobiology, geology and health, geology and society, geophysics, geoscience education, history of geology, hydrogeology, limnogeology, planetary geology, quaternary geology and geomorphology, sedimentary geology, and structural geology and tectonics. A sixteenth division, international, provides a forum for global scientific exchange. These divisions facilitate communication among scientists within disciplines and facilitate cross-disciplinary activity within the Society. They also help develop the technical program for GSA's annual meeting, facilitate student participation in meetings, and help fund student research.

How GSA is Supported

Member dues, meeting fees, and the sale of publications support the work of the Society. In addition, the GSA Foundation raises funds for research grants, achievement awards, special projects, and to support some GSA publications.

For Additional Information

Ann Cairns, Director Communications, Marketing and Sales
Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place, PO Box 9140
Boulder, CO 80301-9140
Telephone: +1-303-357-1056
Fax: +1-303-357-1071
E-mail:

Jack Hess, Executive Director
Geological Society of America
3300 Penrose Place, PO Box 9140
Boulder, CO 80301-9140
Telephone: +1-303-357-1039
Fax: +1-303-357-1074
E-mail:

GSA on the Internet - www.geosociety.org

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