Marian Holness facts for kids

Professor Marian Barbara Holness is a very important scientist who studies our planet Earth. She works as a professor in the Earth Sciences Department at the famous University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. She is known for her amazing work in understanding rocks and how they form deep inside the Earth.

Becoming a Scientist

Marian Holness went to public schools in Southampton, England. Later, she studied at the University of Cambridge. There, she learned about many different sciences, like biology, chemistry, and physics. This was part of her 'Natural Sciences Tripos' degree. She earned her PhD, which is a very high university degree, in 1990.

What She Studies

Professor Holness is an expert in Earth Sciences. This field is all about understanding how our planet works. Her main areas of study include:

• Geology: This is the study of the Earth's solid features, like rocks, mountains, and volcanoes. It also looks at how the Earth has changed over millions of years.
• Mineralogy: This part of science focuses on minerals. Minerals are natural substances found in rocks, like quartz or diamond. Scientists study their structure and how they form.
• Petrology: This is the study of rocks themselves. Petrologists examine how rocks are made, what they are made of, and how they change over time. Professor Holness is especially interested in how rocks change when they are heated or squeezed deep underground.

Awards and Recognition

Professor Holness has received several important awards for her scientific work. In 2019, she was given the Murchison Medal by the Geological Society of London. This medal is a big honor for geologists who have made important discoveries.

In 2020, she was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. The Royal Society is one of the oldest and most respected scientific organizations in the world. Being a Fellow means she is recognized as one of the top scientists in her field.