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Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana
http://dx.doi.org/10.18268/BSGM2005v57n2a1 |
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Bosquejo sobre la evolución de la Geología en México (1904-2004)
Enrique González-Torres
Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad Universitaria, Delegación Coyoacán, México, D.F., 04510
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Abstract
In the last century the evolution of the science of Geology in Mexico has been a complex process influenced by different factors that can be grouped into three categories: those of an economic-political-social nature, those related directly to the evolution of the geological sciences during this period, and those variables inherent to the geological record of Mexico.
This work has, in a general way, defined six periods in the evolution of geology in Mexico for which distinctive features are recognized. Those periods are: i) 1904-1909: The founding of modern geology, ii) 1910-1928: An interruption, iii) 1929-1955: The gradual transition, iv) 1956-1975: The prelude to a rebirth, v) 1976-1991: The reevaluation of geology in Mexico in the framework of the theory of plate tectonics, and vi) 1992-2004: The great integration of information.
In spite of the strategic importance that geology should have had in Mexico in the last century due to, among other things, the vast mineral and petroleum resources, it should be mentioned that in general the government policies for promot- ing development have been inconsistent. The few actions that have been implemented by the government have had a very limited vision based principally on economic factors which have, on occasions, obstructed its evolution. It has mainly been the academic-scientific institutions that have been responsible for the advancement of geology during the last one hundred years, even though the development of this science is in an initial stage with respect to other disciplines.
Keywords: History of Geology, Mexico.
