Submissions

Author Guidelines

1. Manuscript Submission

Articles should be written in English. Contributions falling into the following categories will be considered for publication:

• Original high-quality Research Papers (preferably no more than 35-40 double-line-spaced pages, including tables and figures).

• Short Notes, for rapid high impact publication (no more than 10 double-line-spaced pages, including tables and figures).

• Other: book reviews, syntheses, reviews and discussions.

Manuscripts should comprise original, unpublished material and should not be submitted for publication elsewhere.

Papers will be reviewed by at least two referees. Authors could propose three or more potential reviewers. Note that the editor retains the right to decide whether or not the suggested reviewers will be chosen. More information in Review Process and Acceptance.

The manuscript submission and peer review system proceed totally online. Submit a unique PDF file including the text followed by captions to illustrations and the figures and tables at the end of the text (see Manuscript Preparation).

All artwork and photographs should be supplied in electronic form. Once the paper is accepted, line drawings or labelled images and half-tones (photographs) should be provided in a modifiable EPS format, as explained in Manuscript Preparation/Figures. Also, a file with the caption list will have to be added as a supplementary file.

OJS allows you to check the status of your manuscript online throughout the review process.

2. Manuscript Preparation

Name and surname of the authors
Include a superscript index (^|1|,^|2|) referring to their complete address and e-mail. Specify who the corresponding author is with an asterisk (*), who will handle correspondence at all stages of refereeing, publication and post-publication.

Abstract
It should be concise and informative. Maximum length is 250 words for Research Papers and 100 words for Short Notes.

Keywords
Four or five keywords should be included.

Main text
Follow the standard sequence of introduction, methods, results, discussion and conclusions. Ensure that all figures, tables and references are mentioned in the text.

Please maintain either British or American English spelling throughout the article, avoid mixing styles.

It may be divided into a maximum of three levels of headings: CAPITAL LETTERS for first-order, bold lower case letters for second-order and bold italic lower case letters for third-order headings. Headings should not be preceded by numerals or letters.

If required, use a large hyphen for periods or unbroken sequences and a short hyphen for word breaks or unions.

In chemical formulas, use subscripts when necessary.

The International System of Units should be followed throughout. Do not leave spaces between numbers and units (10km).

In numbers use a comma as thousands separator and a point as decimal separator.

Equations should be set off from the rest of the text by empty lines above and below, and numbered serially on the right-hand-side with Arabic numerals in parentheses. In the text, they should be referred to as equation (1). The meaning of all symbols used in the text should be clearly explained.

Abbreviations and acronyms: Avoid local or unnecessary acronyms or abbreviations other than the most common ones such as REE or MORB. Long names, no matter how well known they are, should be written in full the first time they appear including the abbreviation in brackets. The title and abstract should not include any abbreviations.

The word 'formation' should be fully spelled when used for the first time in the text. Use the abbreviation Fm. afterwards.

Acknowledgements

References
References in the text, figures, captions, tables, and appendices should be listed in the Reference section.

Examples of citations: (Bitzer et al., 2001); Ramos (1997); (Sala and Calvo, 1988); Vaquer (1987a), etc.

References should be listed in alphabetical and chronological order and double-spaced. Names of periodicals should be written in full. If available, include DOI number.

Personal communications should be written out in full.

Examples:

Journal article

Naranjo, J.A., Lara, L.E., Mazzoni, M.M., 1997. Late Quaternary monogenetic volcanoes along Río Salado, Southwest Mendoza Province, Argentina. Acta Geologica Hispanica, 32(1-2), 113-122.

Book

Tertian, R., Claisse, F., 1982. Principles of Quantitative XRay Fluorescence Analysis. London, Heyden, 385pp.

Book including several papers

a) For the whole book:

Jones, T.P., Rowe, N.P. (eds.), 1999. Fossil Plants and Spores. Modern Techniques, London, Geological Society, 396pp.

b) For one of the papers:

Golenberg, E., 1999. Isolation, identification, and authentication of DNA sequences derived from fossil material. In: Jones, T.P., Rowe, N.P. (eds.). Fossil Plants and Spores. Modern Techniques, London, Geological Society, 156-160.

Thesis

Amilibia, A., 2002. Inversión tectónica en la Cordillera de Domeyko, Andes del Norte de Chile. Doctoral Thesis or PhD Thesis. Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 161pp.

Appendices

Figure and table captions
They can be provided at the end of the main manuscript file. Make captions precise and explain all symbols and abbreviations used.

2.2 Figures and Tables

Figures

All illustrations are called Figures including stratigraphic tables and other similar graphics. In the text, they should be referred to as Figure # if not in brackets or as (Fig. #) otherwise.

Figures should be numbered consecutively along the text.

Maximum sizes are either 175 x 233mm (one journal page) or 82 x 233mm (one column). Send images near to the desired size of the printed version.

Separate parts of a single figure should be labelled A), B), etc., and referred to as A), B), etc., in the figure captions, but as A, B, etc., in the text. For each figure, labels should be located at the same position.

Use the same font in all figures (Arial or Helvetica 10 with no bold typeface or italics, except for species). Inside figures, text should have white filling and black outline.

Add a 0.5pt outline to photographs and drawings. Parts of a single figure should be separated by a 0.3pt line.

Photographs should have an absolute minimum resolution of 300dpi and should have sufficient contrast to be reproduced correctly.

All maps, field sketches, cross-sections and photographs should include a metric scale bar. Regional maps should include a National Grid or latitude/longitude coordinates.

Tables

They should be cited in the text in the form Table 1, etc.

Use 10 point Arial or Helvetica font with no bold typeface or italics (except for species).

All tables should include a brief title and be numbered consecutively.

Footnotes to tables should be typed below the table and referred to by superscript letters.

Upper and lower limits of the tables should be outlined with 0.5pt lines. Separate the first row (parameters) with a 0.3pt line. Avoid vertical lines.

When listing samples, include a petrographic name and locality (coordinates).

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For further information look at recent volumes of Geologica Acta.

Manuscripts not following the journal's guidelines will be sent back to authors.

3. Review Process and Acceptance

All manuscripts submitted to Geologica Acta are blind-peer-reviewed by two external referees before they can be accepted for publication. Reviewers will by default remain anonymous, unless they choose to disclose their identities. The authors could suggest three or more potential reviewers (including e-mail addresses and institutions). The editorial committee and the guest editors can send the manuscript to at least one referee not suggested by the authors.

Before manuscripts are sent to reviewers, the editors apply a readiness test concerning appropriate length, theme and maturity. Manuscripts that are not yet ready are returned, with a letter of explanation, providing authors the opportunity to resubmit. The function of this editorial screening is to avoid the review of manuscripts with obvious defects in construction or thematic content.

The acceptance or rejection of a manuscript is based on appraisal of the paper by two or more reviewers, the editorial committee, and the potential guest editors of special issues. Critical review determines the suitability of the paper, its originality, and the adequacy and conciseness of the presentation. Nearly all manuscripts are returned to the author with suggestions for revision. Authors will have two months to improve the manuscript following the suggestions of the reviewers and of the editor in charge. If the revised manuscript and the author's cover letter show that the author has considered and addressed these suggestions, the manuscript may be accepted directly; however, some revised papers may be sent for additional review.

The full process of revision, from submission to publication, takes about 6 to 12 months.

4. Geologica Acta Guidelines in pdf

5. How to Submit a Manuscript Tutorial in pdf

6. Submit your manuscript

7. Submit a cover