Abstract
The phases our Society has gone through during its fifteen years of existence are of such a nature as to constitute an example for the course of progress of scientific acticities in Turkey. Indeed, when we established this Society 15 year ago, there were very etc geologists in this Country both Turkish and expatriate.
Although the period elapsed since that time is not a very long one, we are able to say with pride that, today there are several scores of Turkish geologists who are notice in almost all branches of this profession. This may be attributed mainly to the general development of our country; however, one should not orerlooh the important role played by carious scientific institutions among which our Society took primordial place.
The endeavours made by the University of lstanbul to train geologists, and the progress shown by the JIineral Research and Exploration Institute M.T.A. in the field of geological studies, have been two most important factors in the establishment and development of geology as a profession in this Country. As to our Society, it has made a successful effort towards the realization of its aim and objective the propagation and development of the science of geology in Turkey. The Society has organized a scientific congress in each and every year since its establishment to provide a medium for the discussion of geological reports and papers which were published in an annual Bulletin.
Our Bulletin has always been exchanged with those of other geological societies and institutions in all countries. Through this exchange, the scientific studies and research undertaken by Turkish geologists are introduced throughout the world and in return publications of the geological world are made available. to our colleagues here.
We firmly believe that our Society, maturing after a 15 year period of development, will forever propagate the light of geological knowledge in the competent hands of our colleagues as one of the torches of science in this Country. It is with this conviction that we have the pleasure of presenting this special anniversary issue to our colleagues everywhere.