From the director

**Welcome to the Institut des Sciences de la Terre (ISTerre)

Our laboratory is the result of the merge of LGIT and LGCA, the former two Grenoble solid earth departments. Although ISTerre was officially created the 1st of january 2011, we have been preparing the merger for a long time. Our research activities and programs are continuing within this new framework. Whether they are based in Grenoble, Chambéry, Lima or Beirut, we are confident that ISTerre will provide the means to its 250 members to promote innovative research in Earth Sciences