Gillian Foulger
Encyclopedia
Gillian Foulger is a professor
of geophysics
at Durham University
.
She is one of the leading proponents of alternative models to the established deep mantle thermal plume
hypothesis.
This work makes an important contribution to the understanding of volcanic and earthquake areas such as the Hawaii
, Iceland
and Yellowstone hotspot
s.
For her work she was awarded the 2005 Price Medal
"for investigations of outstanding merit in solid-earth geophysics, oceanography, or planetary sciences" of the Royal Astronomical Society
.
That same year she was also made a Fellow of the Icelandic National Academy of Sciences.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of geophysics
Geophysics
Geophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
at Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
.
She is one of the leading proponents of alternative models to the established deep mantle thermal plume
Mantle plume
A mantle plume is a hypothetical thermal diapir of abnormally hot rock that nucleates at the core-mantle boundary and rises through the Earth's mantle. Such plumes were invoked in 1971 to explain volcanic regions that were not thought to be explicable by the then-new theory of plate tectonics. Some...
hypothesis.
This work makes an important contribution to the understanding of volcanic and earthquake areas such as the Hawaii
Hawaii hotspot
The Hawaii hotspot is the volcanic hotspot that created the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, and is one of Earth's best-known and most heavily-studied hotspots....
, Iceland
Iceland hotspot
The Iceland hotspot is a hotspot which is partly responsible for the high volcanic activity which has formed the island of Iceland.-Description:...
and Yellowstone hotspot
Yellowstone hotspot
The Yellowstone hotspot, also referred to as the Snake River Plain-Yellowstone hotspot, is a volcanic hotspot responsible for large scale volcanism in Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming, United States. It created the eastern Snake River Plain through a succession of caldera forming eruptions...
s.
For her work she was awarded the 2005 Price Medal
Price Medal
Price Medal is a medal of the Royal Astronomical Society. It is now awarded every other year for investigations of outstanding merit in solid-earth geophysics, oceanography, or planetary sciences.- Price Medalists :Recent award winners are:...
"for investigations of outstanding merit in solid-earth geophysics, oceanography, or planetary sciences" of the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
.
That same year she was also made a Fellow of the Icelandic National Academy of Sciences.