SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY

Scope & Guideline

Connecting geoscientists to shape the future of geology.

Introduction

Explore the comprehensive scope of SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY through our detailed guidelines, including its aims and scope. Stay updated with trending and emerging topics, and delve into declining areas to understand shifts in academic interest. Our guidelines also showcase highly cited topics, featuring influential research making a significant impact. Additionally, discover the latest published papers and those with high citation counts, offering a snapshot of current scholarly conversations. Use these guidelines to explore SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY in depth and align your research initiatives with current academic trends.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1012-0750
PublisherGEOLOGICAL SOC SOUTH AFRICA
Support Open AccessNo
CountrySouth Africa
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1987 to 2024
AbbreviationS AFR J GEOL / S. Afr. J. Geol.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPO BOX 61809, MARSHALLTOWN 2107, SOUTH AFRICA

Aims and Scopes

The South African Journal of Geology serves as a significant platform for disseminating research on various aspects of geological sciences, particularly focusing on southern Africa's geological history, mineral resources, and environmental geology. The journal encourages diverse methodologies, including field studies, geochemical analyses, and advanced geochronological techniques, to contribute to the understanding of geological processes and formations.
  1. Geological History and Stratigraphy:
    The journal emphasizes studies that explore the geological history of southern Africa, including stratigraphic frameworks, sedimentary processes, and basin analyses.
  2. Mineral Resources and Geochemistry:
    Research focused on mineral deposits, their formation, and geochemical characteristics is a core area, with papers often discussing the petrogenesis and economic significance of various minerals.
  3. Palaeoclimate and Environmental Change:
    The journal includes studies that investigate past climate changes through geological records, contributing to the understanding of environmental shifts over geological time scales.
  4. Geochronology and Provenance Studies:
    A significant focus is placed on the dating of geological formations and the provenance of sedimentary rocks through advanced techniques such as U-Pb zircon dating.
  5. Tectonics and Structural Geology:
    Research on tectonic processes, structural geology, and their implications for the geological evolution of the region is a recurring theme in the journal.
  6. Geohazards and Environmental Geology:
    The journal also addresses contemporary issues related to geohazards, their assessment, and the environmental implications of geological processes.
Recent publications in the South African Journal of Geology indicate several emerging themes that reflect current scientific interests and advancements in geological research. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to evolving geological challenges and discoveries.
  1. Archaean Geology and Ancient Earth Processes:
    There is a rising interest in Archaean geology, particularly studies related to the Barberton Greenstone Belt and its implications for early Earth processes and crustal evolution.
  2. Geochemical and Isotopic Studies:
    An increasing number of papers are utilizing geochemical and isotopic analyses to investigate mineral genesis, provenance, and environmental changes, showcasing a trend toward precision in geological investigations.
  3. Advanced Geochronological Techniques:
    Publications utilizing sophisticated geochronological methods, such as high-precision U-Pb dating, are on the rise, reflecting a trend towards improving the chronological understanding of geological events.
  4. Environmental Geology and Geohazards:
    Research addressing environmental impacts of geological processes and the assessment of geohazards is gaining traction, highlighting the journal's engagement with contemporary issues.
  5. Integration of Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technologies:
    The application of remote sensing and geospatial technologies in geological studies is increasingly common, indicating a shift towards modern methodologies in geological research.

Declining or Waning

While the South African Journal of Geology has consistently focused on various geological aspects, certain themes appear to be declining in frequency or prominence in recent publications. This shift may reflect changes in research priorities or advancements in methodologies.
  1. Late Quaternary and Archaeological Geology:
    Research related to late Quaternary geological processes and archaeological implications has seen a reduction, possibly due to a shift towards more ancient geological studies.
  2. Non-mineral Resource Geology:
    Themes focusing on geological aspects unrelated to mineral resources, such as general geological mapping or non-economic geology, seem to be receiving less attention in favor of economically relevant studies.
  3. Geological Modeling and Theoretical Studies:
    There is a noticeable decline in purely theoretical or modeling studies, with a trend towards empirical research that provides direct geological insights.
  4. Regional Geology Outside Southern Africa:
    Papers focusing on geological aspects of regions outside southern Africa have become less frequent, indicating a more concentrated focus on local geological studies.

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