Four German students became the participants of the International Summer School "Geological tour of Crimea" organized by St. Petersburg Mining University.
As Maximillian, one of the students, explains "Applied geology barely exists in Germany nowadays. That's why we came to Russia, as here we get to see everything firsthand. We can do the plotting, select formation or fauna samples. This is a field work, which is extremely valuable for us."
Maximillian is an international exchange student, who is currently studying in St. Petersburg. This is also his fourth time in Russia. On the contrary, for Franz, another German student, this is a first visit to our country. However, he truly appreciates the real beauty of the Crimean nature, the weather and beautiful landscapes. He also holds similar to Maximillian opinion. As he notes, "It was a great practical training here."
According to the students, "One of the most interesting places is the point at the field site – Danish Cuesta. Our practical activities took place there." It is located as high as 502 meters above sea level, and, while ascending to that point, the students had to collect the samples and diagnose them to prepare a geological map of the area.
In a response to the question of whether it was hard to climb the mountain, the Germans say that it was not, and participating in the field works was very interesting. Maximillian answered in Russian that it was "normal".
The rock age is defined by the future geologists through consolidated organic matter. For example, in one of the marls the group found a shell, dating back to Cretaceous period, which means that the stone crystallized more than 150 million years ago, and back then, at the place of its current location, it was washed by the sea.
According to Irina Talovina, the Head of the Department of Historical and Dynamic Geology of the Mining University, "It is an absolutely amazing place, which was chosen by our forerunners in the 30s. To find a better field test site, where the students could learn the basics of plotting as well as develop their practical skills, would be a difficult task. Therefore, during the past four years, since the restoral of practical trainings in the Crimea, we bring here the students from the Geological Surveyance Department. For the same reason, we decided to hold an International School here".
The student’s accommodations were just an hour away from the foot of the Danish Cuesta, in the small settlement called Beregovoe, at the scientific training center of the Mining University. The training center was a year ago handed to the University by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Crimea.
The management of the Mining University plans to expand the program, and International Summer Schools are about to meet new students this year. The doors of the reconstructed building will be opened for students coming from different countries. Same as this year, they will be able to participate in geological activities, and in the meantime have a look at the most important Crimean monuments – the Swallow's Nest, Livadia Palace and many others as well.
You can learn more about International Summer School programme as well as find contact information of the responsible persons here.
