James Monger
Encyclopedia
James W.H. Monger is an emeritus
scientist of the Geological Survey of Canada and a world leader in the application of plate tectonics
to the study of mountain chain
formation.
Monger obtained his BSc at the University of Reading
, his MSc at the University of Kansas
, and his PhD at the University of British Columbia
(1966).
Dr. James Monger is an authority on Cordillera
n geology
. Monger concentrated his research on field studies and detailed geological mapping of upper Paleozoic
and lower Mesozoic
volcanic and sedimentary layers. He used this work to demonstrate that the Canadian Cordillera is a collage of displaced terrane
s that have been accreted to the western margin of North America.
Over his 40-year career as a research geoscientist with the Geological Survey of Canada he contributed the following to geological studies;
Monger led the Global Geoscience Transects Project. He had an essential role in the Canadian LITHOPROBE Project.
In 1997, Dr. Monger began working at the Simon Fraser University
as an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth Science. There he has developed and taught an undergraduate course and collaborate on research projects with earth science faculty and researchers
As of 2006, he was living on the Saltspring Island
in British Columbia
, Canada
.
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
scientist of the Geological Survey of Canada and a world leader in the application of plate tectonics
Plate tectonics
Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that describes the large scale motions of Earth's lithosphere...
to the study of mountain chain
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
formation.
Monger obtained his BSc at the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
, his MSc at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, and his PhD at the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
(1966).
Dr. James Monger is an authority on Cordillera
Cordillera
A cordillera is an extensive chain of mountains or mountain ranges, that runs along a coastline . It comes from the Spanish word cordilla, which is a diminutive of cuerda, or "cord"...
n geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
. Monger concentrated his research on field studies and detailed geological mapping of upper Paleozoic
Paleozoic
The Paleozoic era is the earliest of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic eon, spanning from roughly...
and lower Mesozoic
Mesozoic
The Mesozoic era is an interval of geological time from about 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago. It is often referred to as the age of reptiles because reptiles, namely dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates of the time...
volcanic and sedimentary layers. He used this work to demonstrate that the Canadian Cordillera is a collage of displaced terrane
Terrane
A terrane in geology is short-hand term for a tectonostratigraphic terrane, which is a fragment of crustal material formed on, or broken off from, one tectonic plate and accreted or "sutured" to crust lying on another plate...
s that have been accreted to the western margin of North America.
Over his 40-year career as a research geoscientist with the Geological Survey of Canada he contributed the following to geological studies;
- the first plate tectonic interpretations of the evolution of the Canadian Cordillera
- the first metamorphic map of the Canadian Cordillera
- an award-winning paper on suspect terranes that evolved into the first terrane map of the Cordillera
- a proposal for the collisional origin for the two major plutonic belts
- the first trans-Cordilleran structure section that integrated geological, geophysical and geochemical data.
Monger led the Global Geoscience Transects Project. He had an essential role in the Canadian LITHOPROBE Project.
In 1997, Dr. Monger began working at the Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University
Simon Fraser University is a Canadian public research university in British Columbia with its main campus on Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, and satellite campuses in Vancouver and Surrey. The main campus in Burnaby, located from downtown Vancouver, was established in 1965 and has more than 34,000...
as an adjunct professor in the Department of Earth Science. There he has developed and taught an undergraduate course and collaborate on research projects with earth science faculty and researchers
As of 2006, he was living on the Saltspring Island
Saltspring Island
Saltspring Island is one of the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia between mainland British Columbia, Canada and Vancouver Island. It is the largest, the most populous, and the most frequently visited of the Gulf Islands...
in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Awards
- 1995 - Presented the R. J. W. Douglas MedalR. J. W. Douglas MedalThe R.J.W. Douglas Medal is presented annually by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists in recognition of outstanding contributions to the understanding of sedimentary geology in Canada, commending major contributions to regional tectonics, petroleum and structural geology. The award is open...
by the Canadian Society of Petroleum GeologistsCanadian Society of Petroleum GeologistsThe Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists is a professional geological society in Canada. The CSPG works to advance the science of geology, foster professional development of members and promote community awareness of the profession... - 2002 - The Logan MedalLogan MedalThe Logan Medal is the highest award of the Geological Association of Canada. Named after Sir William Edmond Logan, noted 19th century Canadian geologist. It is presented annually to an individual for sustained distinguished achievement in Canadian earth science.-References:*...
is the highest award of the Geological Association of CanadaGeological Association of CanadaThe Geological Association of Canada promotes and develops the geological sciences in Canada. The organization holds conferences, meetings and exhibitions for the discussion of geological problems and the exchange of views in matters related to geology...
.
Publications
- 1987 - authored Circum-Pacific Orogenic Belts and Evolution of the Pacific Ocean Basin.
- 2003 - co-authored with R. A. PriceRaymond A. PriceRaymond Alexander Price, OC, FRSC is an award winning Canadian geologist. He has used his research on the structure and tectonics of North America’s lithosphere to produce extensive geological maps. He has also provided guidance for nuclear fuel waste disposal and reports on the human contribution...
, Transect Of The Southern Canadian Cordillera From Calgary To Vancouver: Field Trip Guidebook 2003 - 2005 - co-authored with William Henry Mathews, Roadside Geology of Southern British Columbia