Raymond Thorsteinsson
Encyclopedia
Raymond Thorsteinsson (born January 21, 1921) is an award-winning Canadian geologist
who focuses on the geology of the high Arctic
. He is a Fellow of The Arctic Institute of North America, primarily known for his contribution to the geology of the Proterozoic
and Paleozoic
rocks.
. He obtained a BSc in geology at the University of Saskatchewan
(1944) and an MSc in geology at the University of Toronto
. In 1955, he earned a PhD
from the University of Kansas
.
Thorsteinsson began work in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
, in 1947, as a summer field assistant. One of his assignments included an epic
canoe trip with Dr. Y.O. Fortier
to perform
geological reconnaissance in the centre of the largely unknown Arctic region. He began his lifelong career with the Geological Survey of Canada in 1952. He spent most of his time studying the Arctic. At first, his fieldwork was completed on foot and by dog team. He advanced the study of the Canadian Arctic by pioneering the method of landing small aircraft, with oversize tires, in remote places on the Arctic Islands. His work and that of his fellow geologists at the GSC led to extensive land acquisitions during the late 1950s and early 1960s by oil and mining companies.
Dr. Thorsteinsson made significant contributions in the fields of structural geology
and biochronology
, as well as in regional stratigraphy
. In 1973, the Royal Society of Canada
noted
Thorsteinsson published more than fifty maps and articles. His geological maps had scales varying from 1/125,000 to 1/500,000.
Thorsteinsson also performed paleontological
studies. He made fundamental advances in the knowledge of graptolites and of the extinct ostracoderm
fish
. He established the most complete succession of faunal zones in Pennsylvanian
and Permian
rocks in the Arctic.
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...
who focuses on the geology of the high Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
. He is a Fellow of The Arctic Institute of North America, primarily known for his contribution to the geology of the Proterozoic
Proterozoic
The Proterozoic is a geological eon representing a period before the first abundant complex life on Earth. The name Proterozoic comes from the Greek "earlier life"...
and Paleozoic
Paleozoic
The Paleozoic era is the earliest of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic eon, spanning from roughly...
rocks.
Biography
Thorsteinsson was born in Wynyard, SaskatchewanWynyard, Saskatchewan
-Climate:-Sites of interest:Frank Cameron Museum provides local historical artifacts as well as tourism information and is located in Wynyard. Wynyard Regional Park is the local camping site and is 2 km or 1 mi from Wynyard. Wynyard is located just to the south of Big Quill Lake which is the...
. He obtained a BSc in geology at the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
(1944) and an MSc in geology at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. In 1955, he earned a PhD
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
from 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...
.
Thorsteinsson began work in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Canadian Arctic Archipelago
The Canadian Arctic Archipelago, also known as the Arctic Archipelago, is a Canadian archipelago north of the Canadian mainland in the Arctic...
, in 1947, as a summer field assistant. One of his assignments included an epic
canoe trip with Dr. Y.O. Fortier
Yves Fortier (geologist)
Yves Oscar Fortier, OC, FRSC is a Canadian geologist.He was the director of the Geological Survey of Canada from 1964 to 1973....
to perform
geological reconnaissance in the centre of the largely unknown Arctic region. He began his lifelong career with the Geological Survey of Canada in 1952. He spent most of his time studying the Arctic. At first, his fieldwork was completed on foot and by dog team. He advanced the study of the Canadian Arctic by pioneering the method of landing small aircraft, with oversize tires, in remote places on the Arctic Islands. His work and that of his fellow geologists at the GSC led to extensive land acquisitions during the late 1950s and early 1960s by oil and mining companies.
Dr. Thorsteinsson made significant contributions in the fields of structural geology
Structural geology
Structural geology is the study of the three-dimensional distribution of rock units with respect to their deformational histories. The primary goal of structural geology is to use measurements of present-day rock geometries to uncover information about the history of deformation in the rocks, and...
and biochronology
Biochronology
Biochronology is the dating of biological events using biostratigraphic or palaeontological methods.-External links:* * *...
, as well as in regional stratigraphy
Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy, a branch of geology, studies rock layers and layering . It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks....
. In 1973, the Royal Society of Canada
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
noted
- His work is particularly characterized by its breadth and includes structural, stratigraphic, and biochronological histories of the enormously thick rock succession of the Islands and forms the basis of all future work. As a result of his studies the geological history and sedimentary column in the Islands are better understood than those in many areas of Canada that have been studied far longer. Few scientists have been fortunate enough to be presented with such a challenge and opportunity, and few could have risen to and mastered such a challenge.
Thorsteinsson published more than fifty maps and articles. His geological maps had scales varying from 1/125,000 to 1/500,000.
Thorsteinsson also performed paleontological
Paleontology
Paleontology "old, ancient", ὄν, ὀντ- "being, creature", and λόγος "speech, thought") is the study of prehistoric life. It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments...
studies. He made fundamental advances in the knowledge of graptolites and of the extinct ostracoderm
Ostracoderm
Ostracoderms are any of several groups of extinct, primitive, jawless fishes that were covered in an armor of bony plates. They belong to the taxon Ostracodermi, and their fossils are found in the Ordovician and Devonian Period strata of North America and Europe...
fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
. He established the most complete succession of faunal zones in Pennsylvanian
Pennsylvanian
The Pennsylvanian is, in the ICS geologic timescale, the younger of two subperiods of the Carboniferous Period. It lasted from roughly . As with most other geochronologic units, the rock beds that define the Pennsylvanian are well identified, but the exact date of the start and end are uncertain...
and Permian
Permian
The PermianThe term "Permian" was introduced into geology in 1841 by Sir Sir R. I. Murchison, president of the Geological Society of London, who identified typical strata in extensive Russian explorations undertaken with Edouard de Verneuil; Murchison asserted in 1841 that he named his "Permian...
rocks in the Arctic.
Awards
- Made Fellow of The Arctic Institute of North America
- 1969, Awarded the Gold Medal by the Royal Geographical SocietyRoyal Geographical SocietyThe Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
- 1973, Awarded the Willet G. Miller MedalWillet G. Miller MedalThe Miller Medal is an award of the Royal Society of Canada given for outstanding research in any branch of the earth sciences.In 1941, twelve friends of Willet Green Miller, FRSC , a distinguished geologist, and a guiding force in the development of the Ontario mining industry, subscribed funds to...
by the Royal Society of CanadaRoyal Society of CanadaThe Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada... - 1979, Awarded 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:*...
by 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... - 1981, Awarded the Massey MedalMassey MedalThe Royal Canadian Geographical Society awards the Massey Medal annually to recognize outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada. The award was established in 1959, by the Massey Foundation, named for industrialist Hart...
by Royal Canadian Geographical SocietyRoyal Canadian Geographical SocietyThe Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The... - 1982, Awarded 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...