XVI International Scientific Conference "Modern Problems of Geology, Geophysics, and Geoecology of the North Caucasus"

From September 17 to 19, 2026, the XVI International Scientific Conference "Modern Problems of Geology, Geophysics, and Geoecology of the North Caucasus" (GEOKAVKAZ-2026) took place at the Teberda National Park and the U.D. Aliev Karachay-Cherkess State University. The event was dedicated to the 75th birthday of V.I. Cherkashin, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences.

The event brought together students, postgraduate students, young scientists, and Earth science specialists from various research and educational centers across Russia, including Gubkin University (National Research University), the Academician M.D. Millionshchikov Grozny State Oil Technical University, the S.I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology (RAS), the Geophysical Institute (Vladikavkaz Scientific Center, RAS), the Institute of Geology (Dagestan Federal Research Center, RAS), the North Caucasus Federal University (SKFU), the U.D. Aliev Karachay-Cherkess State University, and the Academy of Sciences of the Chechen Republic, as well as representatives from other organizations.

Representatives of the organizing committee and the leadership of the host institutions delivered welcoming remarks to the participants.

The conference featured sessions covering the following areas: "Geology and Mineral Resources of Southern Russia," "Geophysics, Geodynamics, and Seismology," "Geoinformatics," "Geography, Geoecology, and Climatology," "Carbon Test Sites," and "History and Methodology of Earth Sciences." Gubkin University (National Research University)... Gubkin University was represented at the event by Aisha Eskerkhanova, a member of the Student Scientific Society and a student in group GEM-25-03, who presented a paper titled "Comparative Analysis of Upper Cretaceous Carbonate Reservoirs in the TKKP and the North Sea." Her academic supervisor was Professor Olga Postnikova (Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences), with Ilnur Sabirov (Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences) serving as the academic consultant.

During the conference, Aisha Eskerkhanova attended breakout sessions featuring presentations relevant to her research interests, specifically those covering the geology, tectonics, and oil and gas potential of the Caucasus region.

On September 19, 2026, a geological field trip to the Dombay area—including visits to local waterfalls—was organized for conference participants. During the excursion, attendees examined the geological structure of the Western Caucasus, including outcrops of Cretaceous and Jurassic deposits, and observed contemporary geomorphological processes in the high-mountain zone.

Aisha Eskerkhanova’s presentation sparked interest among specialists and led to a substantive discussion regarding the oil and gas potential of Upper Cretaceous deposits in the TKKP and the applicability of international experience to the region.

Participation in the conference provided an opportunity not only to present her research findings but also to discuss them with colleagues working in related fields of geology and to establish professional contacts for future collaboration.

The participation of Gubkin University Student Scientific Society members in external events is carried out as part of the Society’s development program, "Strategy of New Discoveries."