science · 04 December 1924 · 100 years ago
birth
Born 4 Dec 1924.
American geophysicist known for his investigations of the structure of the Earth's crust and mantle and the mechanics of earthquakes. Press pioneered the use of seismic waves to explore subsurface geological structures and for his pioneering use of waves to explore Earth's deep interior. In 1950, with William Maurice Ewing, a major innovator in modern geology at Columbia University, he invented an improved seismograph,and they published a landmark paper recognized as beginning a new era in structural seismology. While at Caltech (1955-65) and later MIT, Press became known in public policy circles for his work on seismic detection of underground nuclear tests and for advocacating a national program for earthquake prediction capabilities.
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