Rock Scientist biosketch Library:

  • Walter Alvarez
  • Janne Blichert-Toft
  • Sankar Chatterjee
  • Preston Cloud
  • Charles E Fipke
  • Frieder Klein
  • J.David Lowell
  • Harrison Schmitt
  • Marie Tharp
  • József Tóth
  • Jessica Watkins
  • Janet Watson


    • Credits: Berkeley News

    Walter Alvarez (1940-Present)

    Walter Alvarez is an American geologist best known for his development, alongside his father, of the theory that the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs was caused by an asteroid impact. His expertise focuses on plate tectonics and mountain formation.

    • Alvarez and his father discovered aa worldwide layer of clay at the K-T boundary. This clay layer...
      1. had very high levels of irididium, which is only found in large quantities deep within the mantle and in extraterrestrial rocks
      2. allowed Alvarez to develop the theory that this iridium had been deposited due to a huge asteriod impact, that would have led to the mass extinction.
    • currently a professor at the University of California, Berkeley
    • was awarded the Geological Society of America’s Penrose Medal for outstanding achievements in geology in 2002
    • wrote many scientific articles and books on his findings
    • his theory is largely known today as the most probable explanation for the sudden extinction of the dinosaurs

    Left: Image of Walter Alvarez (credits: Berkeley Earth and Planetary Sciences)
    Right: Image of Luis and Walter Alvarez standing next to an outcrop in Italy where they found high concentrations of iridum (credits: Britannica)
















    Walter Alvarez and two UC Berkeley graduate students, Mark Anders and David Bice, at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary outcrop at Gubbio, Italy, where the first evidence for Alvarez’s theory was discovered. Credits: UCBerkeley News.




    Credits: Rice University Natural Sciences

    Janne Blichert-Toft

    Born in Denmark, Janne Blichert-Toft graduated with a Ph.D. in Earth Science from the University of Copenhagen in 1993. Her work has specialized in using both stable and radiogenic isotopes to gain greater understanding into the evolution of the Earth’s interior.

    • Toft’s research in geochemistry has had numerous applications. Two of the most notable include:
      1. Pioneering the use of hafnium isotopes in studies of mantle-crust evolution on Earth and other planets
      2. Advancing lead (Pb) isotope analysis techniques for the study of crustal age and composition
    • In 2022, she became the first woman to be awarded the French Academy of Sciences’ Dolomieu Prize for outstanding contributions in advancing geochemistry
    • Currently serves on the editorial board of multiple journals, including those published by the Geochemical Society and the American Geophysical Union
    • Has served as director of research at multiple institutions, including the French National Center for Scientific Research

    Above: Toft has always favored laboratory work over field work. In a 2018 interview with the Geochemical Society, Toft admitted that she is a "terrible field geologist", and greatly prefers using laboratory instruments and procedures to obtain data, which she can then work with in her studies. Image courtesy of the French Geological Survey.

    Left: Toft is the recipient of numerous international awards and accolades. She is shown here (second from right) at a ceremony in 2015 at which she was awarded the Steno Medal, given every four to five years to honor a prominent geoscientist. Image courtesy of the University of Lyon.



    Credits: Texas Tech Department of Geosciences

    Sankar Chatterjee (Born 1943)

    Indian-American paleontologist. He initially came to the United States after an invitation to be a visiting professor at UC Berkeley, then spent 1977-78 as a fellow of the Smithsonian Institute. He ended up at Texas Tech due to the desire for resources for an expedition to Antarctica.

    • Paleontology curator for the Museum of Texas Tech since the late 70s, stepping back in 2022
    • Developed a spy drone with a design based on the pterosaur Tapejara wellnhoferi
    • Has named at least 11 Late Triassic and Early Jurassic archosaur genera, including 5 sauropod and sauropodomorph dinosaurs
    • Described the controversial Protoavis, which Chatterjee interprets as a Triassic bird but has not been able to convince most others
    • Named the Triassic pseudosuchian Shuvosaurus after his younger son Shuvo, who discovered it undescribed in the Texas Tech paleontology collection

    Left: Dr. Chatterjee with skeletons of Tapejara or Tupandactylus. Image Credit: Times of India
    Right: One design for the Tapejara-based drone. Credit: Sankar Chatterjee and Rick Lind



    Shuvosaurus, a crocodile relative described by Chatterjee and named after his son Image Credit: Nix Illustration




    Preston Cloud in the 1980s from the U.S. Geological Survey.

    Preston Cloud (1912-1991)

    American earth scientist, biogeologist, cosmologist, and paleontologist. Cloud served in the United States Navy and attended night school at George Washington University. His professor of geology was the Curator of Geology at the Smithsonian, and this connection allowed Cloud to get a job in the paleontology laboratory, where he published his first work in 1938. He earned his BS degree in 1937 and his PhD from Yale in 1940.

    • Appointed as Assistant Professor of Paleontology and Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology at Harvard University
    • First scientist to recognize the importance of fossils in Cambrian rocks in terms of evoloution. He used the term "eruptive radiation" in 1948, and it is now known as the Cambrian Explosion
    • Was a member of the National Academy of Sciences for 30 years as chairman of the Geology Section with positions in its Council and Executive Committee
    • Appointed as Chairman of the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Minnesota in 1961 and established the School of Earth Sciences
    • Also taught at University of California, Los Angeles and University of California, Santa Barbara
    • Earned the A. Cressey Morrison Prize in Natural History of the New York Academy of Sciences for his thesis
    • Author of over 200 scientific and lay publications

    Dutro, J. Thomas, Jr. "Preston Cloud: Peripatetic Paleontologist." GSA TODAY August 1999, pp. 16-17.

    Crowell, John C. Biographical Memoirs: Volume 67. National Academies Press, 1995, pp. 43-63.

    Left: Cloud in the field, north Bow River slope, Canada, 1968.
    Right: Cloud in the Navy ~1931.
    Credits: U.S. Geological Survey































    Photo from the cover of the biography of Preston Cloud. Credits: National Academies Press.




    Credits: Margo Yacheshyn

    Charles E Fipke (1946- )

    Canadian exploratory geologist and philanthropist. He is known for discovering diamonds in the Canadian Northwest Territories. Fipke graduated from the University of British Columbia with a bachelor degree in geology in 1970. He received an honorary doctorate from Okanagan University College in 1998.

    • In 1988, using his expertise in indicator minerals, he and parter Stu Blusson began prospecting for diamonds in the Northwest Territories
      1. they located the first diamond bearing kimberlite pipe in North America in 1991 near Lac de Gras
      2. this discovery became the Ekati Diamond Mine
      3. their story is told in the book, Barren Lands: An Epic Search for Diamonds in the North American Arctic, by Kevin Krajick
    • In 2006 donated CA$6000000 to the University of British Columbia to create the Charles Fipke Centre for Innovative Research
      1. in 2012 the the Fipke Laboratory for Trace Element Research (FiLTER) opened, which included a scanning electron microscope
    • He has received numerous honours and awards
      1. inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in 2013
      2. awarded the Daniel C. Jackling Award for contributions to technical progress in mining, geology, and geophysics in 2004
      3. awarded the Robert M. Dreyer Award for outstanding achievement in applied economic geology in 2005

    First image: An aerial view of the Ekati Diamond Mine in Northwest Territories Canada. Image taken from gjepc.org
    Second image: Map showing location of the Ekati Diamond Mine. Image taken from wikipedia.org


















    Credits: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

    Frieder Klein

    German petrologist, marine geologist, and aqueous geochemist. Klein uses many techniques ranging from analytical geochemistry and spectroscopy to hydrothermal lab experiments and thermodynamics to analyze how fluid-rock reactions operate. Over the last decade, he has studied the redox conditions of serpentinization, abiotic synthesis of organic compounds, and all kinds of topics relating to seafloor geology and biology.

    • Klein has worked on several reasearch papers, labaratory experiments, and field tests. Including:
      1. testing of chlorine rich chondrites to obtain a reference for the compositions of primitive solar system objects
      2. study of oceanic serpentinites to better understand reaction pathways of seafloor rock
      3. rock testing of subseafloor sediment and its relation to microbial diversity
      4. quantification of water in meteorites
      5. analysis of serpentinite in the San Andreas Fault and what it tells us about seismic creep

    Left: A map of the California coast that illustrates spatial relationships between several geologic features ranging from serpentinite to springs. This map also follows the San Andreas fault. Image courtesy of Frieder Klein, AGU.
    Right: Submersible used to collect pushed up rock from undersea layers. Image courtesy of Tom Metcalfe, NBC news.


















    Credits: MINING AND MINERALS EDUCATION FOUNDATION

    J.David Lowell (1928-2020)

    Lowell received a BS degree in mining engineering from the University of Arizona in 1949 and a MS in geology from Stanford University in 1957. He also obtained a Professional Engineer degree from the University of Arizona in 1959 and honorary degrees from Universidad Nacional de San Marcos in Peru in 1998 and the University of Arizona in 2000.

    • Lowell co-authored with John Guilbert, defines the Lowell and Guilbert Porphyry Copper Model. This article...
      1. indicates the hydrothermal alteration minerals and their types.
      2. became a standard reference for exploration geologists worldwide.
    • Lowell discovered and contributed to the discovery of a number of major producing mines, including La Escondida in Chile, which was developed into the world’s largest copper mine, and the nearby Zaldivar-Escondida Norte orebody.
    • Between 1961 and 1990, he worked for 110 companies in 26 countries, largely in porphyry copper exploration.
    • was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1999.
    • He received the SME Daniel C. Jackling and Robert Dreyer Awards, the AIME Earl McConnell Award, the SEG Silver Medal and Penrose Gold Medal, the MMSA Gold Medal, the Australian Academy of Science Haddon Forrester King Silver Medal, and the Chilean Centro de Estudios de Cobre y la Mineria CESCO Award.

    The Escondida Mine, located in Antofagasta, Chile. Escondida open-pit mine in Chile is one of the largest copper mines in the world.






    David Lowell at the Toromocho mine in Morococha, Peru, in 2004.CREDIT: Credits: The peaks of David Lowell.




    Credits: NASA Image and Video Library

    Harrison Schmitt (b. 1935)

    Harrison Schmitt was born in New Mexico. He had a high degree of academic success, culminating in a PhD from Harvard and employment with the USGS. Shortly after, he was appointed as an astronaut. His only space flight was the Apollo 17 mission that landed on the moon. He left NASA to run for Senate and served one term. Since then, he has spoken out against the "scientific consensus" on climate change.

    Education [1]

    • 1957 B.S. in Geology from California Institute of Technology
    • 1958 Fullbright Scholar studing at the University of Oslo
    • 1964 Ph.D. in Geology from Harvard University

    Career

    • 1957 Performed field work for the Norweigan Geological Society. [2]
    • 1964 Worked at the USGS developing lunar fieldwork techniques. [3]
    • 1965 Selected as a training astronaut in the first scientist group and began training with the Airforce. [3]
    • 1972 Walked on moon as part of the Apollo 17 crew. The mission aimed to sample older rocks than previous missions and look for evidence of volcanism so the crew went on geology field trips to prepare. Schmitt served as the lunar module pilot. The crew of this mission took the famous Blue Marble photo of the Earth. [1].
    • 1977 Elected as a Senator in his home state of New Mexico. He served for one term. [2]
    • 1983 Served on numerous government advisory boards. [4]
    • 2005 Chair of the NASA Advisory Council. Resigned over disagreements with the NASA Administation in 2008. Denied evidence for Climate Change. [5]
    • Since then, he has focused his efforts on teaching and consulting. [3]

    Left: Harrison Schmitt next to a large boulder on the moon with the Lunar Roving Vehicle, courtesy of the NASA Image and Video Library.
    Right: Sen. Harrison (R) official headshot from the Congressional Pictorial Directory.
















    Harrison Schmitt Elementary School was named for the astronaut in honor of his achievements. It is located in his hometown of Silver City, New Mexico. Credits: Google Maps.


    1. NASA, "Biographical Data: Honorable Harrison H. Schmitt, NASA Astronaut (Former)" July 2022.
    2. New Mexico Museum of Space History, nmspacemuseum.org.
    3. Howell, Elizabeth. "Harrison Schmitt: Geologist on the Moon" Space.com, April 23, 2013.
    4. CalTech, "Harrison 'Jack' Schmitt, Astronaut" caltech.edu, July 26, 2007.
    5. Weisberger, Mindy. "Last Man to Walk on the Moon Mistaken About Climate Change on Earth." livescience.com, October 15, 2018.


    Credits: Library of Congress

    Marie Tharp (1920-2006)

    American geologist and oceanographic cartographer. Tharp graduated from Ohio University in 1943 and planned to become an English or music teacher. During the Cold war, there was a call for more geoscientists and Tharp changed her path and earned her masters in geology at the University of Michigan.

    • Tharp and a colleague created the first scientific map of the Atlantic Ocean floor. This map…
      1. revealed the topography, and the presence of a continuous rift valley along the axis of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
      2. led to acceptance of plate tectonics and continental drift theories
    • one of the first women to work at the Lamont Geological Observatory
    • opened a map making business
    • received an Outstanding Achievement Award in 1966 from the Society of Women Geographers
    • in 1997 the Library of Congress’ Phillips Society honored her as one of the 20th Century’s Outstanding Cartographers

    Left: A map of the Atlantic Ocean floor published in 1968 based on a large number of deep ocean soundings compiled by Bruce Heezen and Marie Tharp, painted by Heinrich Berann for National Geographic Magazine. Image courtesy of Ken Field, International Cartographic Association.
    Right: Oil painting by Dr. Sarah Kachovic
















    Marie Tharp working on a map of the ocean floor at Columbia in the 1960s. Credits: Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.




    Credits: Wikipedia

    József Tóth (1933-Present)

    Hungarian geologist and hydrologist. He studied geophysics in Sopron, Hungary, then fled to the Netherlands during the Hungarian Revolution to finish his studies. He later would move to Canada and solve the LaPlace equation for groundwater flow resulting in his regional groundwater flow theory.

    • Tóth solved the steady state groundwater equation for a unit basin. This solution…
      1. allowed him to construct a groundwater flow net for a regional setting.
      2. revealed relationships between topography and groundwater flow paths.
    • Began his studies at the School of Mining and Geodesy of Sopron. Required frequent interviews by Communist leaders to ensure his political views aligned with the USSR, which they didn't.
    • Obtained his doctorandus from the State University of Utrecht in the Netherlands after fleeing Hungary. Then moved to Canada and became a professor and head of the Groundwater Department of the Research Council.
    • Realized that scientific theories are just that: theories. So he decided to solve the LaPlace Equation by himself and "see where the water wants to go" (Tóth 2002).
    • Obtained International Association of Hydrologists 1999 Presidents Award for outstanding contributions to hydrogeology, the Theis award, and M. K. Hubbart Award.
    • Source: Tóth Jozsef's Autobiography published in Groundwater 2002, May/Jun v. 40

    Left: A portrait of József taken before he fled Hungary. Credit: József Tóth's autobiography published in Groundwater 2002.
    Right: A colorized depiction of Tóth's solution to the LaPlace equation. Shows regional, intermediate, and local flow systems. (Tóth, 1962/1963).
















    Tóth's flow net showing a more ind depth look at subsurface flow and the impact of local and regional topography on discharge. Regional Groundwater Flow Commission.




    Credits: Jessica Watkins.


    Jessica Watkins (1988- )

    Jessica Watkins recieved her bachelor's degree in geological and envrionmental sciences at Stanford University. Later, she earned her Doctorate degree in geology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). After completing Astronaunt training, Watkins became the chief geologist for the NASA Spaceward Bound Crew 86 at the Mars Desert Research Station and completed her first space flight on NASA's SpaceX Crew-4 mission in 2022.

    • As a graduate student at UCLA, Watkins studied Mars surface processes. Her Ph.D. research focused on large landslides on Mars and Earth through orbital images, geological mapping, and field work
    • Both as an undergrad and a graduate student, Watkins participated in several NASA internships
    • In addition to being chief geologist, Watkins also served as a aquanaut crew member in the Aquarius underwater habitat for the the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations 23 in 2009
    • In August 2017, Watkins reported for duty and completed two years of training as an astronaut candidate where she trained in: spacewalks, robotics, physiological training, T-38 training, instruction in International Space Station systems, water and wilderness survival training, geology training, and expeditionary skills training
    • Jessica Watkins completed her first spaceflight (April 27 - Oct. 14, 2022) and logged a total of 170 days in space, orbited the Earth 2,720 times and traveled a distance of 72,168,935 statue miles
    • Received the NASA Group Achievement Award, Mars Science Laboratory Prime Mission Science and Operations Team in 2015

    Left: 2017 NASA portrait of Astronaut Candidate Jessica Watkins in front of a T-38 trainer aircraft near NASA's Johnson Space Center.
    Right: Watkins on June 24, 2022 on the International Space Station's veggie facility testing soilless methods to grow plants. A study that could enable large scale production of crops that could sustain future space explorations farther from Earth.
    Credit: NASA AUSTRONAUNT JESSICA WATKINS.






    Jessica Watkins wearing her spacesuit while training at SpaceX headquarters. Credits: JGR: Planets Author Aboard the International Space Station.




    Credits: https://www.jstor.org/stable/770159?read-now=1&seq=2#page_scan_tab_contents

    Janet Watson (1923-1985)

    Janet Watson was a British geologist first attending reading university for biology and geology then Imperial College where she was the only woman in the geology department. She graduated with first class honors in geology in 1947 and would eventually become the first woman to serve as president of the Geological Society of London.

    • Watson is known for her work on precambrian metamorphic rock specifically the Lewisian complex of northern Scotland and later the general chronology of precambrian rock through unconformities.
    • Wrote six publications with subjects ranging from paleontology to the geology of the British Isles
    • Used the then newly introduced isotropic dating to date the Caledonian orogeny in 1965
    • became a professor at Imperial College in 1974
    • Recieved many awards including the Lyell medal in 1973 and the Bigsby Medal in 1965
    • Researched the evolution of Scotland through diagenesis in the 1970s

      • Credits:Bowes, D. R. “Janet Watson—an Appreciation and Bibliography.” Geological Society, London, Special Publications, vol. 27, no. 1, Jan. 1987, pp. 1–5, https://doi.org/10.1144/gsl.sp.1987.027.01.01. “The Geological Society of London - Janet Watson, FGS (1923-1985): The First Female President of the Geological Society.” Www.geolsoc.org.uk, 2012, www.geolsoc.org.uk/Library-and-Information-Services/Collection-Highlights/the-first-women/janet-watson#:~:text=Janet%20Vida%20Watson%2C%20one%20of. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024. Watson, Janet Vida, 1923-1985, scientist and geologist. “Catalogue of the Papers and Correspondence of JANET VIDA WATSON FRS (1923 - 1985).” National Archive of the UK, 1923, discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/795d5385-e5a0-40d5-9769-6640b1706975. Accessed 4 Mar. 2024.


    Left: A map of the distribution of rock on the Lewisian complex of northwest Scotland, created by Mike norton. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hebridean_Terrane.png
    Right: Watson as president of the Geological Society





    Watson on the right attending an International Geological Congress in South Finland. Credits: The Geological Society of London.