Original paper
22nd International Geographical Congress, Montreal, August 1972
Clayton, K. M.
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie Volume 17 Issue 2 (1973), p. 246 - 249
1 references
published: Jun 26, 1973
ArtNo. ESP022001702006, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
The request to write this report came almost four months after the end of the International Geographical Congress. It is therefore in no sense a well-documented day-to-day record of that Congress, or even of that part of it that may be labelled geomorphological. It suffers from the passage of time in that recall of sessions and papers is incomplete, and the opportunity to learn of other sessions has passed. On the other hand, this report may be given some perspective by the lapse of time, and the judgements that might have been made last August may be a little more mature through reconsideration after so long a time. The Montreal Congress marked the centenary of the International Geographical Union, and a small, and barely noticed, exhibit commemorated that fact. In a centenary volume, R. P. Beckinsale reviewed the role of geomorphology in Congresses, noting that in the post war years its dominance has been challenged by other sections with rising attendances, notably such fields as economic geography. There has in fact been no decline in the activity of geomorphologists at International Congresses, but others have become more active in presenting papers and attending sessions. Some geomorphological effort on an international scale has gone elsewhere: the International Geological Congress, which followed the 22nd IGC, included several sessions on Quaternary topics, and many geomorphologists find themselves attracted to meetings of INQUA. Nevertheless, the IGC remains the major international forum for geomorphologists, and the pattern of papers at Congresses represents a crosssection of international activity. The scale of this activity remains impressive, and, as in past years, the geomorphology sessions were distinguished by the size and commitment of the audience. Geomorphologists take their subject seriously, and will sit patiently through a large number of papers to learn of new work in their field.
Keywords
Geographical Congress • Montreal • Geomorphologie • Kanada