On its journey the arrow of time leaves its evidence in the archives of the Earth: the geological record. If we want to conceptualise the past we have to interpret this record. This involves more than understanding the symbols: also the sequence is important. In other words: understanding the history of the Earth involves understanding the "geological language" in all its aspects.


The Netherlands Research Centre for Integrated Solid Earth Science (ISES) combines the expertise of three national research schools active in the geosciences.


The complementary skills of ISES researchers guarantee a multi-disciplinary approach in the framework of which the relevant research questions related to the System Earth can be addressed. These answers are important concerning the understanding of our Earth. They are needed tomorrow, but therefore they have to be formulated as questions today. ISES constitutes the framework for this enterprise.


ISES is one of six 'National Research Combinations' in the, funded in the framework of the Bonus Incentive Scheme for Top Research Schools (Dieptestrategie) in 1999.

• Art Research
• Sciences of Earth