Current Conference:
Defining the Future of Timescale Calibration

Iowa, USA | 30 May–5 June 2026

Conveners

Overview and Objectives

We are pleased to announce the 2026 GSA Penrose Conference will be held in Iowa City, Iowa, hosted by the International Subcommission on Timescale Calibration (ISTC). Please join us for a week of posters, presentations, and panel discussions on the future of timescale calibration as we officially kick off activities for the creation of the Geologic Time Scale 2030 (GTS2030). The meeting is limited to 90 participants and financial assistance to attend is widely available.

Meeting includes an icebreaker event the evening of the 30th, five days of meetings and panels to discuss the present and future of the GTS, and an additional field trip day included to view the spectacular Devonian-Carboniferous boundary sections in southeastern Iowa. Full meeting registration costs include icebreaker, conference banquet, field trip, and meeting registration.

Registration costs (not including housing, meals, or travel) are currently estimated at $350 per person for the week-long event.

Application and Registration

GSA and the conveners are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community of researchers engaged in geologic timescale development. We welcome interest from individuals of all backgrounds, and we particularly encourage participation from students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career faculty.

A total of 90 participants will attend this meeting including keynote addresses and invited lectures from members of many subcommissions of the International Commission on Stratigraphy. The meeting is formally hosted by the International Subcommission on Timescale Calibration, and students and early-career scientists are strongly encouraged to apply to attend. Priority for attendance and financial support will be given to rising early-career scholars. We welcome applications from practitioners of any discipline or sub-discipline within geoscience for whom the GTS is a critical component. Accepted participants will be notified following review by the conveners.

Application

Penrose Conferences require an application to attend due to the limited space for participation (90 total participants). If you are interested in attending, please complete the application form at the GSA website below by January 30th.

Participation in Penrose Conferences is intentionally limited to foster deep scientific discussion and collaboration. Applications to attend the meeting and for financial support will be followed by the abstract and registration deadline.

Total conference attendance will be limited to 90 participants. Each participant will be expected to present at the conference (either oral or poster presentation), and to attend the full duration of the conference. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance, nor does it commit you to attendance.

Applicants will be notified of their attendance by or before 21 February. Registration will open 21 February. Conference participants will be asked to register and submit a full abstract at that time.

Session Formats and Themes

Formats

The conference will include a mix of oral, poster, and discussion session formats.

Oral sessions will feature keynote and invited speakers, as well as presentations drawn from at-large applicants to the conference.

Preliminary keynote speakers: TBD

Field Trip

The one-day field trip will take attendees to Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary Strata in Iowa. Transportation and lunch are included with the conference registration.

Cost

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, portions of the meeting costs will be covered. The registration is $350, plus rooming costs, totaling $770 for double occupancy or $1190 for single occupancy. This fee covers conference venue facility use, transportation for the field trip, snacks and coffee breaks during the conference, field trip lunch, icebreaker dinner and banquet dinner.

Financial support for attendance will be available. This will be distributed on a needs basis.

Conference Venue: Iowa Memorial Union

Located on the University of Iowa campus, the Iowa Memorial Union, or IMU, has been at the center of campus life since 1923. It houses numerous offices, meeting rooms, dining and entertainment areas as well lounges and other services.

Conference activities and lodging will be hosted in Iowa City, Iowa.

Travel and Transportation

Attendees will be responsible for arranging travel to Iowa City, Iowa, arriving no later than mid-day 30 May 2026.

Arrival airport: Flights arrive at Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) Cedar Rapids, IA.

Transit Information: Airport (CID) – The Graduate by Hilton, Iowa City

Distance and travel time: Iowa City is approximately 23 miles from the airport. Travel time typically ranges from 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic and time of day.

Transportation options:

• Shuttle: Anaman Concierge Services offers an airport shuttle between CID and the Iowa City area, including round trips to and from local hotels.
• Ride services/taxis: Readily available at the airport

Transportation to/from Conference Venue: the hotel is walking distance from the IMU.

Preliminary Schedule

The following is an example conference schedule and is subject to change.

Day 0 – 30 May: All attendees arrive in Iowa City no later than this day. Evening welcome reception and icebreaker.

Day 1 – 31 May: Stratigraphy and GSSPs. Conference Banquet in evening.

Day 2 – 1 June: Geochronology and Numerical Time.

Day 3 – 2 June: One Day Field Trip to Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary Strata in Iowa.

Day 4 – 3 June: Computational Stratigraphy and Big Data.

Day 5 – 4 June: Current Challenges of the Subcommissions.

Day 6 – 5 June: Numerical Calibration of the Timescale & GTS2030 – Close of meeting in evening.

Day 7 – 6 June: Participants depart.

Additional Sponsors

International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)

International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS)

National Science Foundation (NSF)

For questions, contact penroseiowa26@gmail.com.