Vitalijs ZELCHS

Dr. Vitalijs ZELCHS Professor of Geomorphology and Quaternary Geology, Chairman of Geomorphology and Geomatics Department of Geography Faculty of Geographical and Earth Sciences University of Latvia Postal address:                              Office address: 19 Rainis Blvd.                             Room 302 Riga, LV 1586                            10 Alberta iela Latvia                                          Riga, Latvia Phone: + 371 67 332 566 Fax: + 371 67 332 704 E-mail: Vitalijs.Zelchs@lu.lv

Born:  July 3, 1952, Briezhciems municipality, Balvi district, Latvia

Interests:

• main field:          Glacial geology 
• other fields:        Quaternary palaeogeography         
          
• current:            Development of proglacial and subglacial palaeoenvironments, depositional and landforming processes
                          during Weichselian glaciation

Languages: Latvian, English, Russian

Education

• Latvian State University of  (Faculty of Geography), geographer, geography teacher graduate with honors, 1970-1975
• M.Lomonosow Moscow State University (Faculty of Advanced Studies),  Physical Geography, 1980
• MSc Geogr.,    University of Latvia, 1993
• Dr.geol., University of Latvia (Faculty of Geography), 1993

Career/Employment

• Professor of Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology, since 2002 -
• Chairman  of the Geomorphology and Geomatics, Department of Geography, University of Latvia, since 1999
• Associate Professor of Glacial Geology, 1999-2001
• Head of the Board of the Faculty of Geographical and Earth Sciences, 1997-2005
• Dean of the Faculty of Geographyl and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia, 1994-1997
• Visiting Professor and Researcher at the Geology Department of Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA, 1994
• Docent, Faculty of Geography (since 1995 - Faculty of Geographyl and Earth Sciences), University of Latvia, 1993-1998
• Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Geography, University of Latvia, 1978-1992
• Assistant Lecturer, Faculty of Geography, University of Latvia, 1975-1977
• Geologist, all-Union Institute of Marine Geology and Geophysics, Riga, 1974-1975

Honors, Awards, Fellowships

• Corresponding Member of Latvian Academy of Sciences, since 2000 -
• Stipendium im Rahmen des Soderprogramms Osteuropa, Switzerland, 1994-1995

Professional Activities and Memberships

International

• Corresponding Member of the international Association for Quaternary Research (henceforth - INQUA) Commission on Terrestrial Processes, Deposits, and History (TERPRO Commission), since 2007 -
• President of the Peribaltic Working Group, TERPRO Commission , 2003-2007
• Vice-President, Commission on Glaciation of INQUA, 1999-2003
• Member of Eitorial Board of Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences, since 1997 -
• Member of the Scientific Committee of "Baltica", since 2004 -

National:

• Member of the Editorial Board of „Akademiska Dzive”, since 2008 -
• Head of the Doctoral Board in Geology, University of Latvia, since 2006 -
• Editor-in-chief of Series in Earth and Environmental Sciences of Acta Universitatis Latviensis, since 2002-
• Head of the Academic Committee of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Medicine at the University of Latvia, 2001-2007
• Vice-Chairman of the Senate of the University of  Latvia , 2002 - 2010
• Chairman, Latvian National INQUA (LatQUA) Committee, since 1998 -
• Expert in Geology, Expert in Earth Sciences,   Agricultural, Environmental, Earth and Forestry science Commission at the Latvian Council of Science, since 1997
• Member, Tutorial Board of Academic and Doctoral Study Programs in Geography, since 1994 -
• Member, Tutorial Board of Academic and Doctoral Study Programs in Geology, since 2000 -
• Full Member of the  Geography Society of Latvia, since 1975 -

Lectures

Number of communications to international scientific congresses, meetings and symposiums   -  82
Number of communications to national scientific meetings  - 82

Study Courses

University of Latvia -

• Geomorphology, BSGeog, BSGeol, BSEnv study programs, since 1990 -
• Environmental Geomorphology, MSGeog, BSEnv study programs, since 2000 -
• Geology and Geomophology of Latvia, BSGeog, BSGeol study programs, since 2003 -
• Glacial Geology, MSGeog, MSGeol study programs, since 2003 -
• Quaternary Geology, BSGeol study program, since 2007 -
• Regional Geology of Latvia, since 2007 -

Recent/Representative Publications

      Total number of Publications -   443:

   Number of Scientific Publications      -    240
   Number of Educational Publications  -      19
   Other Publications                            -    184

• Rinterknecht V. R., Clark P. U., Raisbeck G. M., Yiou F., Bitinas A., Brook E. J., Marks L., Zelcs V., Lunkka J.-P., Pavlovskaya I. E., Piotrowski J. A. and Raukas A., 2006. The Last Deglaciation of the Southeastern Sector of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet. Science, 311, 10 March 2006, 1449-1452.
• Zelcs V., Markots A., Nartišs M., Saks T. 2011. Chapter 18: Pleistocene Glaciations in Latvia. In: Ehlers J., Gibbard P.L., Hughes,P.D. (eds.) Quaternary glaciations - extent and chronology. A closer look. Developments in Quaternary Sciences, 15, Elsvier, p. 221 - 229 (1126 pp.).
• Saks, T., Kalvans, A., Zelcs, V., 2012. OSL dating of Middle Weichselian age shallow basin sediments in Western Latvia, Eastern Baltic. Quaternary Science Reviews, 44, 60-68, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.11.004.  
• Saks, T., Kalvans, A., Zelcs, V., 2012. Subglacial bed deformation and dynamics of the Apriki glacial tongue, W Latvia. Boreas, 41, 124–140, doi: 10.1111%2Fj.1502-3885.2011.00222.x, ISSN: 0300-9483, eISSN: 1502-3885.
• Raukas A., Stankowski W.T.J., Zelcs V., Sinkunas P., 2010. Chronology of the last deglaciation in the Southeastern Baltic Region on the basis of recent OSL dates. - Geochronometria, 36, 47-54, doi 10.2478/v10003-010-0011-7.
• Saks T., Kalvans A., Zelcs V., 2007. Structure and micromorphology of glacial and non-glacial deposits in coastal bluffs at Sensala, Western Latvia. Baltica, 20(1-2), 19-27.
• Zelchs V., Markots A., 2004. Deglaciation history of Latvia. In: Ehlers J., Gibbard P. L. (eds.). Extent and Chronology of Glaciations, v.1 (Europe). Elsevier.
• V.Zelchs, A.Markots, 1999. The use of geological information for spatial planning. Zalktis, Riga, 126 pp. (in Latvian). 
• V.Zelchs, A.Dreimanis, 1997. Morphology, internal structure and genesis of the Burtnieks drumlin field, Northern Vidzeme, Latvia. J. Sedimentary Geology, 111, pp. 73-90.
• A.Dreimanis, V.Zelchs, 1995. Pleistocene stratigraphy of Latvia. In: Glacial Deposits in North-East Europe (J.Ehlers, S.Kozarski, Ph. Gibbard - eds.), 1995, Rotterdam/Brookfeld:A.A.Balkema, pp. 105-113.
•  

Research Projects:  

• Impact ofgeographical and geologicalfactors and processes on nature and general publice in Latvia:  Principal investigator, Project No. 09.1420 funded by Latvian Council of Science, 2010-2012.
• Bedforms Modification by Glacial Meltwater at the Margin of Polythermal Glacier, Southeastern Sector of the Fenoscandnavian Ice Sheet, Latvia Leader, Project No.09.1420 funded by Latvian Council of Science, 2009.
• Developing an Improved Event Chronology of the Late Weichselian Deglaciation of the Inner Zone of the Southern Margin of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet: Leader, Project No. 2007/ZP-87, funded by University of Latvia, 2007-2009.
• Glacial geology at the Baltic Sea bluffs between Sensala and Pavilosta, and the vicinity of Ziemupe, western Kurzeme, Latvia. Leader,  Project No. 2006/1-229717, funded by University of Latvia, 2006
• Development of Proglacial and Subglacial Palaeoenvironments, Depositional and Landforming Processes During Weichselian Glaciation in Latvia. Leader,    Project No. 05.1498, funded by Latvian Council of Science , 2005-2008
• International field symposium on Quaternary Geology and Modern Terrestrial Processes in western Latvia, September 12-17, 2004. Leader, INQUA TEPRO Commission project No. 0417, 2004
• Developing an improved chronology of the southern margin of the Scandianvian ice sheet. Co-Principal Investigator,  Collaborative Research Project funded by US-National Science Foundation, 2000-2003
• Correlation of the Weichselian Glacial Events in the Peribaltic Region: Subglacial Processes, Sediments and Landforms with Special Reference to Ice Movement Dynamics and Directions. National Coordinator,  INQUA Peribaltic Working Group Project, 1999-2003
• Central European Glaciotectonic Mapping Project (CEGMP). National Coordinator, INQUA Geospatial Analysis of Glacial Environment (GAGE) Working Group Project, 1995-2003
• Ice Flow Directions during Late Weichselian Glaciation of Latvia. Leader, Project No. 04.0417, funded by Latvian Council of Science, 2004
• Glacial Dynamics during the Last Glaciation. Leader, Project No. 01.0300, funded by Latvian Council of Science, 2001-2003
• Glaciotectonic Map of Latvia. Leader, Project No. 96.0299, funded by Latvian Council of Science, 1997-2000
• Raw Material Sector. District Planning in Latvia. Pilot Study in Kuldiga District. Consulting geologist, Report no. 30602-007, Denmark Environmental Agency/COWI, 1998
• Glaciotectonic Database Project of Latvia. Head of the Project No. 93.329, funded by Latvian Council of Science, 1994-1996

Organization and Management of International Meetings, Workshops and Excursions

• Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the 8th Baltic Stratigraphic Conference, 28 August - 1 September 2011, Latvia.
• Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the 10th Marine Geological Conference "The Baltic Sea Geology - 10", 24 - 28 August 2010, saint-Petersburg, Russia.
• Member of the  Organizing Committee of the Peribaltic Working Group International Field Symposium on Extent and timing of the Wtichselian glaciation southeast of the Baltic Sea, September 13 -17, 2009, Southern Estonia and N orthern Latvia.
• Member of the Scientific Committee of the International Field Symposium on the Quaternary of Western Lithuania: from the Pleistocene glaciations to the evolution of the Baltic Sea, May 27 – June 02, 2007, Plateliai, Lithuania.
• Member of the Program Committee of the International Field Symposium on Late Pleistocene Glacigenic Deposits in the Central Part of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet, September 11-15, 2006, Kola Peninsula, Russia.
• Member of the  Organizing Committee of the 9th Marine Geological Conference "The Baltic Sea Geology - 9", 27 August - 3 September, 2006, Jurmala, Latvia.
• Head of the Organizing Committee, the International Field Symposium on Quaternary Geology and Modern Terrestrial Processes in Western Latvia, September 12-17, 2004.
• Member of the Program Committee of the 6th International Drumlin Symposium of the INQUA Commision on Glaciation, June 17-23, 2001, Nicholas Copernicus University, Poland.
• Head of the Organizing Committee, the INQUA Commission on Glaciations, Peribaltic Group and Friends of Baltic Quaternary field Symposium on Glacial Processes and Quaternary Environment,  May 25-31, 1998, .Latvia.
• Member of the Organizing Committee, the XIV INQUA Congress in Berlin, August 3-10,1995. Postcongress Excursion C-3, Baltic Traverse, August 11-20, 1995.
• Member of the Organizing Committee, Pleistocene Stratigraphy, Ice Marginal Formations and Deglaciation of the Baltic States. Scientific Excursion of Peribaltic Group IGCP 253 Termination of the Pleistocene, June 14-19, 1993.
• Head of the Organizing Committee, Glaciotectonic Processes, Sediments, Landforms and Their Influence on the Present Geological Situation // Baltic Regional Summer Field Meeting of Geologists and Geomorphologists. North and Central Vidzeme, Latvia, July 27- August 01, 1992.
• Head of the Organizing Committee, Glacial Lithomorphogenesis, Paleogeography of Quaternary Epoch, Present Exodynamic Processes and Their Paleoecological Aspects // Winter Seminar Geomorphologists and Geologists of the Baltic States, Belarus and European part of Russia. Jurmala, Latvia, March 18-21, 1991. 

Titles of Doctoral Theses supervised and completed

• Strautnieks, I., 1999: Glaciogenic Landforms of the Eastern Kursa Upland and Their Genesis. University of Latvia, Riga, 178 pp. (in Latvian).
• Kalnina, L. 2001: Middle and Late PleistoceneEnvironmental Changes as Recorded by Biostratigraphy in the Latvian Part of the Baltic Sea Basin. Stockholm University, Sweden.
• Saks, T., 2010: Middle and Late Weichselian paraglacial and subglacial environments in the coastal plains of Western Latvia. University of Latvia, Riga, 82 pp.
• Kalvans, A., 2010:  Micromorphology and microfabric of tills and glacially disturbed sediments, Baltic coastal plain, Western Latvia. University of Latvia, Riga, 148 pp.
• Markots, A., 2011:  Morphology, structure and formation conditions of plateau-like hills of insular accumulative-glaciostructural uplands  iin Latvia.    University of Latvia, Riga, 124 pp. (in Latvian).

Last update 03.10.2012.