William Sefton Fyfe

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William Sefton Fyfe , CC , FRSC , FRS (born June 4, 1927 in Ashburn , New Zealand ; † November 11, 2013 in London , Ontario , Canada ) was a New Zealand geologist and Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Earth Sciences at the University of Western Ontario in Canada . He was considered one of the most important geochemists .

Life and research

Fyfe studied at the University of Otago , earned a Bachelor of Science in 1948 , a Master of Science in 1949 and a Ph.D. in 1952. After a period as a geology lecturer , he conducted research at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley . He worked as a professor at Berkeley , Imperial College London and the University of Manchester before moving to the University of Western Ontario in 1972 . From 1986 until his retirement in 1990 he was the scientific dean of the University of Western Ontario .

Early in his research, he focused on the isomorphism of minerals and their behavior under high pressure and high temperature in the rock - metamorphosis . In Canada he later focused on the role of fluids in the formation of deposits , especially gold deposits , and the influence of tectonics on these processes. In this context, he explored the role of microorganisms in the concentration of metals. Fyfe also studied the generation of nutrients by geothermal processes in the oceans and the effects of burning coal on the environment. He used his knowledge of the geology of Canada and the movement of fluids in geological systems in the exploration of nuclear waste repositories and was involved in the research and prevention of soil erosion processes . Under his leadership, the Global Change Program was launched, which aims at a comprehensive investigation of terrestrial biosystems.

Honors and prizes

He was a fellow of eight different scientific academies, such as the Royal Society in London, Royal Society of New Zealand , Royal Society of Canada , Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences, Indian Nation Academy of Sciences, Geological Association of Canada and the Geological Society of America .

Furthermore, the asteroid (15846) Billfyfe was named in his honor.

Web links

  • William S. Fyfe . GCS Research Society, September 16, 2001,accessed February 23, 2018.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b FYFE, William Sefton CC, FRS, the FRS (C), FRS (NZ) . The Globe and Mail , November 16, 2013, accessed November 20, 2013 .
  2. ^ Royal Society of Canada Fellows . Western University , accessed March 26, 2018 .
  3. ^ Four scientists to receive honorary degrees . In: Gazette . Memorial University of Newfoundland , October 5, 1989, accessed March 27, 2018 .
  4. ↑ Wollaston Medal . The Geological Society of London , archived from the original on August 19, 2010 ; accessed on January 23, 2016 (English, original website no longer available).
  5. ^ Nine honorary degree recipients named . University of Alberta April 5, 2006, archived from the original May 27, 2011 ; accessed on February 26, 2018 (English, original website no longer available).
  6. ^ Asteroids with a Canadian Connection . The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada , accessed January 23, 2016 .
  7. ↑ 15846 Billfyfe (1995 UK28) . In: JPL Small-Body Database Browser . NASA , accessed September 20, 2010 .
personal data
SURNAME Fyfe, William Sefton
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Fyfe, William
BRIEF DESCRIPTION New Zealand geologist
DATE OF BIRTH June 4, 1927
PLACE OF BIRTH Ashburn, New Zealand
DATE OF DEATH 11th. November.2013
Place of death London , Ontario , Canada