| RELEVANT 
                  PRELIMINARY INFORMATION The Conference 
                  is planned as a direct continuation of the 7th International 
                  Zonenshain Conference on plate tectonics that will be held in 
                  Moscow on October 30 and 31, 2001. This will enable the scientists 
                  wishing to participate in both events to take a night train 
                  from Moscow with subsequent departure to their destinations 
                  from St. Petersburg.  You are 
                  kindly invited to send your application forms by fax, mail or 
                  e-mail by 20 April 2001. Abstracts should be submitted by 10 
                  June 2001. Please, forward your questions and comments to the 
                  Organizing Committee Secretariat at: VNIIOkeangeologia, 1, Anglyisky Ave., St. Petersburg 190121 
                  Russia,
 tel.: (812)-318-5064 (Mikhail Torokhov), (812)-113-8379 
                  (Elena Miloradovskaya),
 fax (812)-114-1470,
 e-mail: miloradovskaya@mail.ru
 The participants 
                  will be expected to pay a modest registration fee needed to 
                  partly cover the expenses for publication of the Abstracts volume 
                  (in Russian and English), synchronous translation of oral presentations, 
                  coffee-breaks and reception, and processing of formal visa invitations 
                  for foreign scientists. The amount to be paid will depend on 
                  the number of received applications and availability of sponsors, 
                  but we hope to keep it at a reasonable level. Final information 
                  concerning the registration fee and means of its submission 
                  will be included in the following circulars. The participants 
                  of the both conferences (in Moscow and St. Petersburg) will 
                  be charged a single registration fee. You 
                  are kindly invited to attend our Conference and the accompanying 
                  events. We shall appreciate the earliest possible 
                  notification of your intentions (Application Form is attached), 
                  and we would also be grateful for your comments and suggestions 
                  regarding the proposed Program. This will enable us to take 
                  account of your opinion during the preparation of the second 
                  Circular and to timely determine the organization parameters 
                  of the sessions (specific meetings agendas, timing, venues, 
                  names of conveners, etc.) |