Süyinshi

The Geological Park of Bershügir is becoming a reality! The final stage of registration is now underway in Astana. And all this is thanks to Academician Vladimir Vladimirovich Yurish. For 15 years, he has been ringing every bell, insisting on the need to preserve this fragment of the oceanic floor of the Paleo-Ural Ocean.

A-Z Geology, in turn, is determined to popularize this place as a tribute to the Academician’s work. This summer, we had the chance to visit the Shuyldaq River and to see with our own eyes a textbook example of an ophiolite complex. No need to travel all the way to Oman – Bershügir is enough to understand how the oceanic crust is layered, to witness the products of submarine volcanism, and even stretch out on pillow lavas. We were also fortunate to meet Vladimir Vladimirovich in person, both before and after the trip. The Academician is glad to finally have like-minded companions. In 2026, we plan to organize the very first field trip for everyone interested. It will be a 3-day course with the gathering point in the city of Aqtöbe. A word of warning: the logistics will be tough. The roads leave much to be desired; there are no hotels, no cell coverage, no place to wash up – so expect a tent camp, field kitchen, and pure romance of the field! We have received the blessing of the venerable master himself. He is truly glad that his long battle for Bershügir will bear fruit, and that many geologists will be able to see and study the Shuyldaq section.

Stay tuned for updates on our social media!

From September 2–9, A-Z Geology had the pleasure of running advanced training at KazMinerals’ Aktogay Cu-Mo mines (5.6Mt of Cu). We explored the particularity of geological setting, ore distribution patterns and structural controls — but more importantly, we built a collaborative space. Through open discussions and brainstorming sessions, mine geologists gained fresh perspectives on familiar ground and began seeing their sites from a new angle. It was an incredibly productive experience, and we’re grateful to KazMinerals Aktogay for investing in the growth and professional development of its people.

Our YouTube channel features an interview in Kazakh with Professor Baibatsha Adilkhan Bekdildauuly, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences. Kazakhstan has developed a strong geological school that has trained brilliant specialists whose discoveries have brought the country worldwide recognition. However, the economic crisis of the 1990s led to a gap in the transfer of scientific experience — an entire generation of geologists was lost. Today, as the industry is experiencing a rebirth, young specialists often hesitate to turn to their senior colleagues, who possess invaluable practical experience. Our regular column aims to fill this gap: we find outstanding scientists and, while they are still able to share their knowledge, we record detailed interviews, preserving the living tradition of Kazakhstani geological science for future generations.

We are pleased to announce that you can now register for the Applied Volcanology course, scheduled for 13–17 April 2026 in Russian and 20–24 April in English, by following the link below: