Neil D. Opdyke
Neil D. Opdyke (February 7, 1933 – April 7, 2019)[1] was an American geologist.
He was the Distinguished
magnetic reversals in deep-sea sediments, which led to proof of the Vine–Matthews–Morley hypothesis
the governing paradigm for marine magnetic anomalies.
In 1969, Dr. Opdyke & Ken Henry used marine core data for a convincing test of the GAD hypothesis that is central to the use of paleomagnetism in continental reconstruction. Opdyke’s work with
Nick Shackleton
in 1973 marked the
beginning of the integration of oxygen isotope stratigraphy and
magnetostratigraphy that has led to current methods of tuning
timescales. Neil pioneered magnetic stratigraphy in terrestrial
(non-marine) sediments and produced some of the most impressive records, notably from Pakistan and southwestern United States. These studies led to a vastly improved time frame for vertebrate evolution and allowed the documentation of mammal migration.
Research interests
- Paleomagnetism and its application to tectonics and magnetostratigraphy.
- Paleoclimatology and paleogeography of the Phanerozoic.
Education
- B.A., Columbia University, 1955[3]
- D.Sc., University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1982
- Ph.D., Durham University, England, 1958
Memberships and distinctions
- European Geosciences Union Petrus Peregrinus Medal 2008 for pioneering work in magnetic stratigraphy of marine and continental sediments and its contribution to our understanding of the history of the magnetic field and its geological applications.[4]
- National Academy of Sciences, 1996
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1998
- Geological Society of America, fellow
- American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow
- American Geophysical Union, Fellow
- American Geophysical Union John Adam Fleming Medal 1996[5]
References
- ^ "Neil Opdyke". The Gainesville Sun. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ "Australian Academy of Science". Australian Academy of Science. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
- ^ "Other Deaths Reported". Columbia College Today. Summer 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "Awards & Medals; Petrus Peregrinus Medal 2008". European Geosciences Union. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
- ^ "1996 John Adam Fleming Medal Winner". American Geophysical Union. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neil D. Opdyke.
- Oral history interview transcript with Neil D. Opdyke on 17 March 1997, American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library & Archives - Session I
- Oral history interview transcript with Neil D. Opdyke on 11 July 1997, American Institute of Physics, Niels Bohr Library & Archives - Session II
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