GeoMinBochum 2026

20–24 September 2026

Ruhr University Bochum

WELCOME!

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the German Geological Society (DGGV) and the German Mineralogical Society (DMG), we are pleased to invite you to GeoMinBochum, which will take place from September 20 to 24, 2026. Excursions and other events are planned for September 20 and 25. The Faculty of Geography and Geosciences is excited to organise this meeting in collaboration with DVGeo, the German Mining Museum Bochum (DBM), the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructure and Geochemical Technologies (IEG), the Geological Survey of NRW and the Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola.

Join us as we celebrate a small, fragile, blue planet—our shared home—located 25,000 light-years from the centre of our galaxy. As geoscientists, we address this planet's vital issues through an enormous spectrum of scales and disciplines that span from the depths of the core to recent surface phenomena. The breadth of research within DGGV and DMG is truly remarkable, encompassing field, analytical, and experimental work, as well as numerical modelling of fundamental and applied research through geological time.

Ruhr University Bochum has been at the forefront of transformation in the Ruhr Area, evolving from a centre of heavy industry and mining—impressively documented by the German Mining Museum—into a national hub for science and education. Today, with nine institutions of higher education in Bochum alone, we are uniquely positioned to tackle fundamental and applied research questions. Examples of the latter include materials science, geoengineering, the energy transition, geothermal heat exploitation and carbon capture and storage. Our close collaboration with Fraunhofer IEG amplifies our commitment to addressing these critical topics.

We cordially invite you to join us in Bochum for a celebration of our fragile planet. Geoscientists have the responsibility to serve as a bridge between humanity and planet Earth. In a world undergoing rapid change, our planet's needs are more urgent than ever. Contribute your expertise, engage in lively discussions, and forge significant connections that transcend the traditional boundaries of our disciplines.

We look forward to welcoming you to GeoMinBochum 2026!

Sincerely,

Adrian Immenhauser on behalf of the GeoMinBochum Organising Committee

Ralph Watzel, President DGGV and Frank Schilling, President DMG