The Rise and Fall of the Vendian/Ediacaran Biota Origin of the Modern Biosphere

IGCP493, UNESCO, Symposium, Moscow, 2007

Information for Participants

Dear colleagues, thanks for your interest in the IGCP493 2007 Conference, the final meeting of IGCP493. The Organizing Committee would like to offer information on accommodation and the field trip to the Winter Coast of the White Sea. Based on the information provided by you, an official invitation letter will be forwarded along with a Visa Application Form. Please provide your data (birth date, professional position, etc. on the accompanying form provided as an attached file)  along with a scan of your passport by June 4 so that we can arrange your documents.

Accommodation in Moscow

Participants can be accommodated  the hotels Uzkoe*** and Pallada*** located in public green space of southwest Moscow near “Konkovo” Metro station (10-15 minutes walking distance from the station).  Konkovo Metro station is about 30 minutes from the centre of Moscow and about about 45 minutes drive from Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo Airports.

Hotel Uzkoe: http://www.svoyhotel.ru/Uzkoe/index.html (in Russian)
Hotel Pallada: http://www.pallada-hotel.ru/main/ (in Russian)

*including breakfast

Zimnii Bereg Geological Excursion: Information and Recommendations

1. Program of the excursion

The main goal of the excursion is study of Zimnie Gory section. It is large part  (more than 100 m) of Upper Vendian deposits in a region. Also you can observe the most rich localities of Vendian (Ediacaran) soft-bodied animals. The good exposition of the section allows to study lаteral succession of  the layer lithology, rhythmic composition of members and local taphonomic features of fossiliferous surfaces.  
The program of the trip include following obcervation objects:

1. Stratigrafic section: succession of Ust’Pinega and Mezen formations.
2. The level of Redkino/Kotlin “regional stages” boundary.
3. The Vaizitsa ash bed (U-Sb dated 555,3 Ma).
4. Several local levels with rich assemblages of Vendian body and trace fossils.

2. Climate and Nature of the Environment

2. Climate and Nature of the Environment

 The White Sea is characterised by relatively severe, cold climatic conditions. It is  situated not far from the northern margin of the taiga (boreal forest) zone. Mean temperatures in August vary from +15° C during the day to +5° at night, but they could fall to -3° C.  Strong, stormy winds are common. Weather along the sea coast can change quickly and one needs to keep this in mind when preparing for the excursion.  Bring clothing that will suit both warm and cold conditions.

 There can be many mosquitoes and black flies during August, but not as many as in June or July. The major part of the walking between sites traverses the boulder strewn beaches littered with cliff debris, so it is important to choose the good hiking boots and appropriate socks.  Remember too, that feet can easily get wet, so a few pairs of socks would not go amiss.

3. Transport

The trip from Arkhangelsk to Zimnii Bereg takes about 40 minutes by helicopter. There is a chance that the flight will be suspended due to a weather conditions. The objects of the excursions on the Zimnii Bereg locality situated on the walking distance (0-5 km) from the base camp at Yershiha Creek.

4. Accomodation

Participants will be accommodated  in modern tourist tents  (Tatonka Mountain Dome, Mountain Dome+ and/or analogues), two persons per tent. Base camp will have several large, open tents for equipment storage and cooking/eating. Base camp will have an electric generator allowing participants  to charge batteries for cameras, notebook computers, etc.

5. Food

There will be three hot meals a day in base camp. The menu will be based on Russian traditional cuisine. On some longer day trips, the hot lunch may be replaced by a packed, cold meal.  Participants with particular dietary requirements should alert the organizing committee.

6. Recommended Personal Equipment

Sleeping bag, sleeping mat, trekking boots, rubber boots, waterproof jacket and wind pants, warm jacket or pullover, flash light, folding knife, a small bottle or thermos, a wool gauntlets and a cap or hat, waterproof  pocket(s) for documents and equipment, light backpack, a spray or cream for mosquitoes (strong insect repellant), mosquito hood of net, sun cream.

7. Medical Care and Outside Commutation

The field group will have a medical kit that can treat the mild illness. In the case of serious health problems, transportation can be arranged to the health centers in Arkhangel’sk.  You will need to provide your own health insurance. In addition, the telephone commutation with medical staff in Arkhange’lsk for emergency cases will be provided.

8. Payment

The field trip fee covers transport expenses from Moscow to Arkhangelsk to Zimnii Bereg and back to Moscow via  air,  with transfers between airports, use of field equipment, accommodation in an Arkhangel’sk hotel  in case of the delay of a helicopter flight due to weather conditions,  all meals during field trip, and an excursion guidebook.

The fee for this trip will be collected in Moscow just prior to the trip. We can accept only cash in US dollars. Foreign participants may obtain cash using credit cards in Moscow at teller machines or banks – one teller machine operates in the Pallada Hotel for those who will be residents there.  We recommend participants to carry some rubles during the trip if you wish  to buy local products. Not all trade organizations in Arkhangel’sk accept credit cards or foreign cash.

9. Additional Information

We ask all participants to present a summary of any information that might be of use: medical conditions, required medications,  preferred food or food allergies, special equipment requirements and any other queries concerning with this trip. In a case if you have no appropriate field equipment, we can advise how to obtain it in Moscow.

Hope to see you soon in Moscow!

The Organizing Committee

mailto: originbiosphere@paleo.ru