HESS, formed in 1982, is an international society concerned with the advancement of the discipline and the various ways in which earth sciences has been perceived throughout history. Their goal is to bridge the gap between the humanities and sciences by bringing together earth scientists interested in the development of their field and historians interested in the geosciences. The international scope gives the society and its journal a wide breadth, and allows for the exchange of ideas and materials globally.
The development of the geological sciences during the 19th and 20th centuries is one of exploration, adventure and discovery. HESS celebrates this rich heritage and, until HESS' formation, historical figures and studies in geosciences lacked attention. HESS remedied this situation by creating its peer-reviewed journal, Earth Sciences History, which provides a venue for scholarly works in the field, filling an important void in geological literature. Many scientists and historians of note have contributed to Earth Sciences History, including William I. Ausich, Kenneth L. Taylor, Léo F. Laport, and Sally Newcomb, all of whom have helped the journal reflect the myriad aspects of geosciences, from plate tectonics to paleontology. AGI and its 42 other member societies welcome HESS to the federation and look forward to working together on issues of common concern in the geosciences. It is truly a pleasure to welcome HESS to the AGI family of societies. For more information about HESS and its journal, Earth Sciences History, visit http://www.historyearthscience.org/.
The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 43 scientific and professional associations that represent more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources and interaction with the environment. More information about AGI can be found at http://www.agiweb.org.