(Ministry of Land and Resources)

I. Introduction

The former Geological Survey Institute was established in 19 16, which is the national geological institution with the longest history, the largest scale and high reputation in the world in old China. It also has a great influence on the development of geological science and geological undertakings in New China. 1995 10 when China academy of sciences held the seventh general meeting of all academicians in Beijing, some academicians who had been engaged in geological survey in the department of geology were deeply moved by the close connection between the development of new China geological science and the pre-geological survey during casual chat, so they proposed to compile a collection on the development history of geological survey, which was approved by everyone. Thank you for your active support. The book was successfully published in 1996, and its title is Historical Review and Main Contributions of the Former Geological Survey (19 16 ~ 1950). The book * * * has 540,000 words, which is relatively long. In order to facilitate the understanding of this book,

Second, the division of development period.

The geological survey officially started on 19 16 and was cancelled on 1950. After 35 years, the whole development process can be divided into four stages: ① Germination stage (1900 ~ 19 16). ② During the foundation stone laying period (19 16 ~ 1930), the national geological and mineral survey began; (3) During the development period (1930 ~ 1940), various research laboratories were established one after another, with gradually improved institutions and expanding work; ④ In the mature period (1940 ~ 1950), the organization tends to be stable, its scientific and technological strength has been enhanced, and it enjoys a high reputation at home and abroad. According to the relocation, it can also be divided into: ① Beijing (Beiping) era (1916 ~1935); ② Nanjing era (1935 ~1937); ③ Beibei Age (1938 ~1945); ④ Nanjing demobilization period (1946 ~ 1950). After the founding of New China, although the history of geological survey has come to an end, it has laid a certain foundation for the geological cause of New China. On this basis, the geological cause of New China has made unprecedented development and brilliant achievements.

Three. Main features and fine traditions

Before the founding of New China, the Central Geological Survey has made important contributions to China's geological cause for 35 years, which is inseparable from its strict management system, rigorous academic atmosphere and spirit of self-reliance and hard struggle. The specific manifestations are as follows:

1. Streamlined organization and elite management

Since the establishment of the Institute, a strict examination system has been implemented. Pass the exam every year and recruit 2 ~ 3 geologists, so on the eve of the founding of New China, although the scale of geological survey has naturally developed greatly, the total number of the two branches together is still more than 200. With regard to the examination system of geological prospecting institutes, for decades, there are almost no exceptions except a few people who are specially recommended to enter the institute. Even the first batch of graduates from Peking University Geology Department, such as the famous paleontologist Yuntao Sun, passed the exam without exception. In his later years, Sun Lao talked about the process of taking the exam that year, and he still relishes it. Pei Wenzhong, a famous Cenozoic geological expert and discoverer of "Beijingers", graduated from Peking University on 1927, and entered the Geological Survey hopefully, only to be defeated due to poor grades. Pei Wenzhong was not discouraged by this. In the second year, he continued to take the exam and was finally admitted. Not only geological technicians have to take the required exams, but also newly recruited staff have to take the exams. For example, after the victory of "War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression", the library needs to add several librarians, all of whom were hired as full-time staff after Huang personally interviewed.

Since its establishment, the Institute of Geological Exploration has been developing steadily from small to large, from small to large, both in terms of organization and staffing, in accordance with the principle of streamlining institutions. Even in the very difficult "Anti-Japanese War" period, not only did it not reduce staff, but it also expanded, such as establishing a northwest branch in Lanzhou. The early 1930s was the most prosperous period for a new generation of laboratories. At that time, there were only six or seven researchers, including foreign experts, and no more than 20 technicians, including repairing specimens and making models, but they made amazing achievements. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, as the largest research room of the Institute, the regional geological research room has only about 20 people, but in just a few years, it has completed the compilation of 1: 1: 00000000000 geological map and1:3000000000 geological map.

Since the establishment of the Institute for more than 30 years, the director and the leading members of each laboratory have remained basically stable, with few major changes. Therefore, each laboratory has a relatively fixed goal, and all businesses can be completed step by step as planned. The leading members of each laboratory have also remained relatively stable. In addition to the above-mentioned regional geological laboratories and paleontology laboratories, Yang has been the director of Cenozoic and vertebrate paleontology laboratories, Cheng has been the director of rock and mineral laboratories for a long time, Li Shanbang has been the director of earthquake and geophysics laboratories since the establishment of the laboratory, Ceng Shiying has been the director of surveying and mapping laboratories, Xiong Yi and Ma have been the directors of soil laboratories for a long time, and so on. They are not only authoritative experts in various disciplines in China, but also internationally renowned scholars, which is one of the main reasons why various laboratories can make great achievements in their business.

Among the leading members, it is worth mentioning that Zhou Zanheng, the deputy director, is the only deputy director, and the only one who has been sticking to the post of Geological Survey from the establishment of the Institute to the establishment of New China. Another person worthy of praise is the librarian Qian. He is the first batch of graduates of Peking University Geology Department from 65438 to 0920. He and Yuntao Sun entered the investigation office at the same time, worked hard and served as librarians for nearly 20 years, keeping the library in good order. He knows all the books and materials in the library like the back of his hand.

There are many other commendable people in the Geological Survey, especially a group of technicians engaged in auxiliary work. Most of them are versatile, skilled and unique, which is irreplaceable by others. For example, Yan Huimin, an expert in surveying and mapping, uses flat-panel instruments to measure maps faster and more accurately than ordinary people. Hu Baolin is an outstanding craftsman. During "War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression", he helped Qin Xinling to build a highly sensitive seismograph with indigenous methods. Li is an excellent photographer and a famous cutting and grinding expert in our college. Hu Chengzhi of the New Generation Research Office is an expert in modeling and an authority in China. In addition, Han, an expert typist in the library, a painter who drew a simulation map of paleontology, and draftsmen Lu Juchuan, Bai Jianbin and Li Ziping who drew a geological map of China in the Qing Dynasty, all of their superb skills are obvious to all. In a word, the great achievements of geological survey are inseparable from the important contributions of second-line figures, who are unsung heroes of geological survey.

2. The academic atmosphere is strong and the academic environment is relatively stable.

No matter in Beibei or Nanjing, most offices are always brightly lit at night. They make full use of their spare time day and night; This is not forced to work overtime, but to go to the office to study business or write papers automatically, which has formed an atmosphere. Nevertheless, every morning when you go to work, you should sign in first and write down the time when you arrive. This is an established old rule, which must be strictly observed regardless of the position. On the first morning of every week, as usual, all the staff will gather in the conference hall for a weekly meeting, which is actually an academic report, presided over by the director, and mainly invites people who come back from business trips or come to an end of the project work to introduce the harvest and experience of field trips or the main contents of phased or final results; Therefore, it is also equivalent to a work briefing, and then everyone will discuss and communicate with each other. For young geologists in the institute, these activities are the best learning opportunities, which are invisibly influenced by the academic atmosphere. At the same time, different majors can communicate with each other and expand their knowledge fields through these activities.

The new geologists are called interns and external investigators. Generally, it takes two years of internship to be promoted to a technical assistant (equivalent to a technician). After three to five years of practical training, I can be promoted to technician (equivalent to engineer). Generally, only after being promoted to a technician can you undertake tasks alone. Therefore, in the first five or six years after entering the institute, most of them basically study with the classes, practice basic skills and be good assistants, which can be called the apprenticeship stage. Geological survey attaches great importance to field work, so we must first undergo exercise in field work. In a word, to cultivate a versatile person, only a real apprentice can be regarded as a qualified geologist.

3. Talents come forth in large numbers, focusing on training.

There are many reasons for the emergence of geological prospecting talents for many years, but the most important thing is to attach importance to personnel training. Before the establishment of Geological Exploration Institute, the three founders, Zhang, Ding Wenjiang and Weng, were far-sighted. First of all, they held a training course called Geological Research Institute, and took up teaching posts in person. After three years of rigorous training, these students have been trained as the first generation geologists in China. This first generation of geologists trained the second generation of geologists; From generation to generation, each generation is stronger than the next. It is a truth that a great teacher makes a great apprentice, and shine on you is better than Blue.

There are also various cultivation methods. As mentioned above, it takes about five years to be a strict apprentice after entering the institute, and the main goal is to master the basic skills of field work through the study of the classes. One of the main advantages of Geological Exploration Institute is that each laboratory has one or more authoritative experts who always take the initiative to impart knowledge to young people without reservation. It not only sets an example in work, but also leads young geologists to practice in the field. For example, in Beibei era, Huang once led a group of young people who had just entered the institute to learn how to draw profiles in Tianfu Coal Mine. In Weiyuan area, lead a group of young people to practice how to draw geological maps. In the room, the older generation instructs the new generation on how to write papers and corrects them sentence by sentence in person, just as teachers seriously correct primary school students' compositions.

The three founders, Zhang, Ding Wenjiang and Weng, all had the experience of studying abroad, and they attached great importance to sending overseas students for further study as an important measure to cultivate talents. The first generation of geologists who graduated from the School of Geology, such as Ye, Wang Zhuquan, Xie, Zhou Zanheng, Tan Xichou, Zhu Tinghu, etc., with the active support of previous deans, studied abroad through different channels and achieved excellent results. After they returned to China, they all made important contributions to the development of geological science in China.

4. Attach importance to geological publishing, and establish a set of systematic publishing series by specialty.

It mainly includes five categories: report, special report, paleontology, special issue or special issue, geological map, among which special report is also divided into geology, soil, earthquake and other categories, and paleontology is divided into four categories: A, B, C and D, and so on. In addition, it also includes Geological Review and Journal of Geological Society edited by Geological Society. The above publications are open to the public, that is, the research results of outsiders can also be included in a series of publications. Due to the emphasis on geological publishing, a large number of research results can be spread to the world in time, which is one of the important reasons why Geological Survey can achieve great academic achievements and enjoy a high reputation in the world.

5. Learn from foreign experience and pay attention to international cooperation.

Ding Wenjiang and Weng attached great importance to learning foreign experience and hired many famous foreign experts as consultants in China. For example, Greep in the United States was hired as the director of the Paleontology Department, and An Tesheng in Sweden was engaged in archaeological research of Cenozoic and northwest prehistoric cultures. Ding Gelan is engaged in the study of mineral deposits, and has written important monographs such as China Iron Mine Records and China Mercury Mine Minutes. Canadian scholar Bu Sheng Da, French scholar De Jinri and Swedish vertebrate paleontologist Brin participated in the excavation and research of Zhoukoudian. In addition, American soil expert Sobo and Swedish paleobotanist Heller also came to China to assist in the work. They have played an important role in improving the theoretical level of geological science and promoting the development of geological undertakings in China.

6. The Geological Library and the Geological Exhibition Hall of the Geological Survey are called the two treasures of the Geological Survey.

On the eve of the founding of New China, the library has a collection of 77,732 volumes, which is the most complete library in geosciences in China, especially a large number of precious maps. The library and exhibition hall of this institute have become the most desirable places for earth scientists, which can provide all kinds of materials that are difficult to find in other institutions.

Historical experience deserves attention. After the founding of New China, China's geological undertakings entered a period of great development. Although the achievements are remarkable, there are also many painful lessons. At present, the geological institutions in China are undergoing major reforms. Reviewing the development history of geological science in the 20th century, taking history as a mirror, carrying forward the past and facing the challenges of the new century is still of great significance to the further development of geological science in the future.

Fourth, blaze new trails and keep pace with the times

The Geological Survey Institute was formally established on 19 16, and began to carry out geological and mineral surveys nationwide. By l950, it was taken over, reorganized and diverted by the Steering Committee of China Geological Work Plan, only 35 years before and after. In this short period of 35 years, the institute has made great progress in geological and mineral investigation and basic theoretical research in regional geology, stratigraphy and paleontology, rock mineralogy, deposit science, geotectonics, hydrogeology and engineering geology. Especially in the creation and development of new theories, new disciplines and new technologies, the achievements are particularly outstanding, which has laid a good foundation for the development of geoscience in new China.

For example, in regional geology, the first1:3 million geological map of China and the first 15 1: 1 10,000 geological map of China were edited and published. In the aspect of stratigraphic paleontology, a lot of paleontological research results have been completed, and the stratigraphic system of China has been established relatively completely. In terms of geotectonics, the orogenic period of China is divided, and the multi-cycle tectonic theory and applied geomechanics are put forward, which constitute the geotectonic system of China. In the aspect of rock mineralogy, combined with orogeny, the magmatic activity (including volcanic activity) and lithologic characteristics of each orogenic period are deeply studied. In terms of deposit research, such as the geological survey of northern coalfields, the study of iron ore and metallogenic belts in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the survey of tungsten mines in Jiangxi and lead-zinc mines in Hunan, and the survey of oil and gas fields in the new three provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu and Sichuan Basin. All these have created favorable conditions for the basic theoretical research of new China geological science and the development of geological exploration.

In addition to the theoretical research of the above-mentioned traditional geological science projects, exploring and creating new geoscience fields is one of the most important contributions of geological survey. Mainly includes:

1) established the earliest seismological laboratory in China (1930) and the first seismological station in China, called Jiu Feng Seismological Station, also known as Jiu Feng Seismological Laboratory. During the Anti-Japanese War, it was renamed "Geophysical Laboratory", and its research content was extended to geophysical prospecting and geomagnetic survey except earthquakes, which laid the foundation for seismology and geophysics in China.

2) The first soil laboratory in China (1930) was established, a nationwide soil survey was carried out, and a lot of research results were completed in combination with field work, which laid a good foundation for the development of soil science in New China.

3) Established the first Cenozoic laboratory in China (1929), and later renamed it "Cenozoic and Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory", which not only studies Cenozoic strata, but also focuses on paleoanthropology, vertebrate paleontology, paleobotany and prehistoric cultural archaeology. The discovery of "Beijingers" shocked the world.

4) Established the first domestic fuel laboratory (1930), named "Qinyuan Fuel Laboratory", mainly engaged in oil and coal petrography research, and established the basic theory of coal petrography. There is also a well-equipped laboratory attached to this room, which is responsible for the analysis and research of rocks and minerals. This is the first chemical analysis room for rocks and minerals in China.

5) The earliest mapping laboratory in China was established (1930), and in 1934, the first new map of the Republic of China in China, the famous provincial atlas, was compiled and published, which initiated the method of three-dimensional mapping.

6) Establish the first engineering geological laboratory in China.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) conclusion

Geological Survey was formally established in l9 16 and started to work. It was taken over by the Steering Committee of China Geological Work Plan in l950, with a history of only 35 years. However, under the guidance of patriotism, the older generation of geologists love China's geological career and science. After decades of hard work, they have made remarkable achievements and enjoyed a certain reputation at home and abroad. Although the working conditions were very difficult during the war years, I always stuck to my post and worked hard, which made important contributions to the development of geosciences and geology in China and laid a good foundation for geosciences and geology in New China.

In terms of basic theoretical research, a relatively complete scientific system has been formed through geological survey, including the division of stratigraphic system in China, the basic outline of China geotectonics, the basic types of various deposits in China and the relationship between China orogeny and magmatic activity, which provides favorable conditions for large-scale geological scientific research and geological education in New China. All the exhibition halls and libraries of the Geological Survey were handed over to the Ministry of Geology, which provided important material wealth and spiritual strength for the further development of the geological cause in New China. The tradition of hard study, rigorous scholarship and hard struggle in geological survey also has a far-reaching impact on the new generation of geologists.

The most important contribution of Geological Survey Institute to the geological cause of New China is to send a group of mature scientific and technological talents, including some well-known scholars with high international reputation, who have played an important role in the related fields and departments of geosciences and geological sciences in New China.

New China was founded on 1949. After about one year's military management and internal adjustment, the Geological Exploration Institute (including two branches in Lanzhou and Beijing) was taken over by the China Geological Work Plan Steering Committee established by 1950, which was reorganized and diverted in an all-round way. Among them, the soil laboratory and the Cenozoic laboratory evolved into the Institute of Paleoanthropology of Nanjing Institute of Soil and vertebrate paleontology, China Academy of Sciences respectively. The Geological Laboratory (Earthquake and Geophysics Room) was established as a part of the Institute of Geophysics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Geological Exhibition Hall and Geological Library were basically placed under the Geological Libraries of geological museum and China of the Ministry of Geology. Most of the original other scientific and technical personnel have become the geological backbones of the relevant departments of the Ministry of Geology and the Institute of Geology and the Institute of Paleontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. According to statistics, there are 47 geological technicians engaged in geological survey. After the founding of New China, they were successively elected as academicians of China Academy of Sciences (faculty members), and they all held important positions in relevant departments.