Bob White (geophysicist) facts for kids
Robert (Bob) Stephen White was born on December 12, 1952. He is a very respected scientist who used to be a Professor of Geophysics at Cambridge University. Geophysics is the study of Earth's physical processes, like earthquakes and volcanoes. Bob White was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1994. This is a big honor for scientists in the UK. He also leads the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion.
About Bob White
Bob White is a Fellow at St Edmund's College, Cambridge. Before that, he studied and worked at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He is also a member of the Geological Society of London, which is a group for geologists. He belongs to the American Geophysical Union and other science groups too. He helps on many committees for these groups.
Studying Earth's Crust
Bob White leads a team that studies the Earth's crust. The crust is the outermost layer of our planet. His most famous paper, written with D. McKenzie in 1989, looked at how huge amounts of volcanic rock form. These are called flood basalts. They happen when Earth's crust splits apart, often above hot spots deep inside the Earth called mantle plumes. This research helped us understand how these massive volcanic events occur.
Fieldwork and Students
Bob White has traveled to many countries for his research. He has also guided 50 students who were getting their PhDs at Cambridge University. Many of these students are now important scientists, business leaders, or teachers. His work has taken him to the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. His team is currently studying volcanoes in places like Iceland, New Zealand, and the Faroes. He has written over 350 scientific papers and articles.
Awards and Recognition
- In 2018, Bob White received the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society for Geophysics. This is a very important award for scientists who study the Earth and space.
