Kazim Ergin
Encyclopedia
Kazim Ergin is a Turkish geophysicist, whose theoretical and experimental research contributed to many aspects of geophysics.
Ergin was born on May 21, 1915 in Gaziantep
, in southeastern Turkey
. He completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in Gaziantep
under difficult conditions, with many interruptions due to French occupation of the city during World War I. After completing his basic education, he received his B.Sc.degree in mathematics at Istanbul University. In June 1937, he was sent by the Mineral Research and Exploration Institute of Turkey (MTA) to study mining, metallurgical, and petroleum engineering
at Freiberger Bergakademie near Dresden
, Germany
. His studies were interrupted by World War II
, but he moved to the United States
to continue his education. He studied geophysics and geology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) and received his B.Sc. degree in geological sciences there on December 18, 1942. In the meantime, he began studying for his M.Sc. degree with Beno Gutenberg
at the California Institute of Technology
and obtained the degree in 1943. After Ergin obtained his master’s degree, Gutenberg suggested he study seismic wave reflection and refraction at the rock-water interface for a Ph.D. degree. Unfortunately, MTA Institute requested his return to Turkey
because his services were needed.
Ergin worked at Caltech as a research fellow for a while and then returned to Turkey
. He was appointed as director of the Department of Geology at MTA Institute on March 1953 and served until 1956 on various important projects. On June 15, 1956, he was appointed as professor of geophysics at the Faculty of Mining Engineering of Istanbul Technical University
(ITU), where he established a modern department of geophysical engineering and trained many students over the years
Ergin was born on May 21, 1915 in Gaziantep
Gaziantep
Gaziantep , Ottoman Turkish: Ayintab) previously and still informally called Antep; ʻayn tāb is a city in southeast Turkey and amongst the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. The city is located 185 kilometres northeast of Adana and 127 kilometres by road north of Aleppo, Syria...
, in southeastern Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. He completed his primary, secondary, and high school education in Gaziantep
Gaziantep
Gaziantep , Ottoman Turkish: Ayintab) previously and still informally called Antep; ʻayn tāb is a city in southeast Turkey and amongst the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. The city is located 185 kilometres northeast of Adana and 127 kilometres by road north of Aleppo, Syria...
under difficult conditions, with many interruptions due to French occupation of the city during World War I. After completing his basic education, he received his B.Sc.degree in mathematics at Istanbul University. In June 1937, he was sent by the Mineral Research and Exploration Institute of Turkey (MTA) to study mining, metallurgical, and petroleum engineering
Petroleum engineering
Petroleum engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with the activities related to the production of hydrocarbons, which can be either crude oil or natural gas. Subsurface activities are deemed to fall within the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, which are the activities of...
at Freiberger Bergakademie near Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. His studies were interrupted by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but he moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to continue his education. He studied geophysics and geology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(MIT) and received his B.Sc. degree in geological sciences there on December 18, 1942. In the meantime, he began studying for his M.Sc. degree with Beno Gutenberg
Beno Gutenberg
Beno Gutenberg was a German-American seismologist who made several important contributions to the science...
at the California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
and obtained the degree in 1943. After Ergin obtained his master’s degree, Gutenberg suggested he study seismic wave reflection and refraction at the rock-water interface for a Ph.D. degree. Unfortunately, MTA Institute requested his return to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
because his services were needed.
Ergin worked at Caltech as a research fellow for a while and then returned to Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. He was appointed as director of the Department of Geology at MTA Institute on March 1953 and served until 1956 on various important projects. On June 15, 1956, he was appointed as professor of geophysics at the Faculty of Mining Engineering of Istanbul Technical University
Istanbul Technical University
Istanbul Technical University is an international technical university located in Istanbul, Turkey. It is the world's third oldest technical university dedicated to engineering sciences as well as social sciences recently, and is one of the most prominent educational institutions in Turkey...
(ITU), where he established a modern department of geophysical engineering and trained many students over the years