Held on September 19th & 20th, 2024, at the University of Leeds, the Subterranean Forces Symposium offered a multidisciplinary exploration of the hidden forces shaping our planet, from tectonic processes and archaeological insights to artistic interpretations and cultural narratives. By bringing together diverse perspectives on energy, extraction, and formations, the symposium illuminated the complex relationships between humans and the Earth’s subterranean realms.
For me, this symposium showed how the energies driving Earth’s processes are inextricably linked to human activities and more-than-human activities. That extraction and formation of both physical landscapes and cultural narratives are two sides of the same coin of interaction between these beings. From the ancient Andean understanding of mountains as living entities to the modern challenges of balancing resource extraction with cultural heritage preservation, the symposium highlighted the ongoing negotiation between humanity and the powerful forces beneath our feet.
The forms in which we understand and interact with mountains is shaped by human and more-than-human forces. The recognition of the interconnectedness of subterranean forces, human activities, and cultural narratives is essential to work towards a more holistic and sustainable approach to our relationship with the Earth. The Subterranean Forces Symposium has not only deepened our understanding of the hidden depths of our planet but also challenged and connected us to reconsider the mutual agency in this complex system.
You can read a summary of papers here.
