Feb 17
2026

Earth's suface 152 million years ago. Source: University of Texas How Earth‘s surface might look like in 50 million years from now (without the Mediterranean). Source: Unversity of TexasGondwana, Laurasia, the Tethys Ocean – these names represent the movements of the ancient continents over millions of years. A PDF from the University of Texas at Arlington (Paleomap Project) describes and illustrates the phases in sequence. The upper graphic shows Earth 152 million years ago; the lower how it might look in 50 million years from now (without the Mediterranean) (1, 2).

A new president was elected in Portugal in February 2026. The previous president, Professor Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was not allowed to run for re-election. The country’s natural stone association Assimagra expressed its special thanks to him for his patronage of the “Primeira Pedra” program, which was an “invaluable recognition for the work of an entire industry” (Portuguese).

FIGSI, the Federation of the Indian Granite and Stone Industry, has elected its new Executive Committee for 2026–2028 with Sri Ishwinder Singh as President and Sri Manoj Kumar Singh as General Secretary of the apex stone industry body of India.

The Xiamen Stone Fair 2026 (March 16 – 19) has again its Key Buyer Program (KBP), facilitating an efficient matchmaking program between buyers and sellers. The fair‘s professional team will provide one-on-one service for a group of decision makers and help them connect with exhibitors to develop business. Application is open.

Application is open for hosted buyer programs and visitor registration for Izmir Marble Fair, April 14 – 17, 2026 (1, 2).

Níall McLaughlin was awarded the Royal Institute of Bristish Architects‘ Gold Medal, honoring his “impact spanning architectural practice, thinking, writing and education.“ We had reported on some of his projects with natural stone (1, 2, 3).

The construction of a new 6,000-square-meter air terminal on Malta was launched. When completed in 2028, the architecture will feature local elements such as limestone arches (1, Italian).

Recycled bricks will be the material of the Nobel Prize Museum to be built by David Chipperfield architects in the Swedish capital of Stockholm.

Geoarchaeologist Per Storemyr reports about the Iron Age soapstone vessel quarries in Southern Norway. He calls it “exceptionally well-preserved and one of the most ‚classic‘ quarries (in that region) I have ever visited.“

Reuters has a report on how Curling Stones are made.