Bochum and the 'Ruhr Gebiet' (area) of Germany (named after the river Ruhr, one of the tributaries of the Rhine River) is a region with a very direct and specific geological history. Rich Carboniferous coal deposits have once been the fundament of an extensive mining and ore industry. As a tribute to its history Bochum hosts the German mining museum well worth a visit.

Over the last decades, the Ruhr Gebiet has changed from a polluted industrial area into a very diverse and culturally rich Megapolis (Essen, a neighbouring city, will be the cultural capital of Europe in 2010 and preparations are in full swing). What has remained is the uncommonly rich geological heritage of Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks cropping out in the direct vicinity of the Conference locality. The stratigraphic units are exposed in 3 dimensions due to the mining activity. Consequently, the entire 'Ruhr Gebiet' has the status of a National Geological Park, the only one in an urban area worldwide.

The Ruhr University was founded in 1965 and has preserved its pragmatic mentality over these years. Using the newly constructed state-of-the art facilities of the campus, the meeting will be held in the lecture theatres and conference halls at RUB.