Olaf Holtedahl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Professor Olaf Holtedahl
|
|
|---|---|
Olaf Holtedahl
|
|
| Born | 24 June 1885 |
| Died | 26 August 1975 (aged 90) |
| Awards | Fellow of the Royal Society |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Oslo |
Prof Olaf Holtedahl (born June 24, 1885 – died August 26, 1975) was a very important Norwegian geologist. He earned his doctorate degree in 1913. He started teaching at the University of Oslo in 1914. Later, he became a full Professor of Geology there, a position he held from 1920 until 1956. He was also a respected member of important science groups like the Royal Society.
Contents
A Life of Discovery
Olaf Holtedahl was born in a city called Kristiania, which is now known as Oslo, Norway. His father, Arne H. Holtedahl, worked in public administration.
Early Inspiration
Around 1903, when Olaf was about 18, he did his required military service. He met Captain Gunnar Isachsen at Gardermoen, just north of Oslo. Captain Isachsen greatly influenced Olaf. He was the first person to make Olaf interested in exploring cold, polar regions. In 1909, Captain Isachsen even invited Olaf to join him on trips to Spitsbergen. Olaf went as the official geologist for the group.
Education and Teaching
Olaf studied geology at the University of Oslo. He finished his first degree in 1909. He then earned his doctorate, a very high academic degree, in 1913. He stayed at the university as a staff member. By 1920, he became a full professor.
Exploring the World
Olaf Holtedahl was one of the last geologists who knew a lot about every part of geology. He made huge contributions not just in Norway, but also in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. His first geological work was about the Oslo Rift, a special geological area.
He joined expeditions to Svalbard (a group of islands in the Arctic) from 1909 to 1911. Between 1914 and 1917, he explored the geology of Lapland. In 1918, he worked on Bear Island. In 1921, he led a Norwegian expedition to Novaya Zemlya, another Arctic island. He also joined the Antarctic expeditions of Lars Christensen in 1927–28. Olaf was in charge of editing the scientific findings from these trips.
He was also a teacher and mentor to other geologists. For example, he was the main teacher for Bjørn G. Andersen. Olaf greatly influenced Bjørn's later work on Quaternary geology, which studies the most recent geological period.
During World War II
During the Second World War, Olaf was a member of the Norwegian resistance movement. This group worked secretly against the occupation of Norway.
Olaf Holtedahl passed away in Oslo on August 26, 1975.
Family Life
Olaf Holtedahl married Tora Gurstad in 1912. They had children, including Hans Holtedahl (1917–2001), who also became a professor of geology.
Awards and Recognition
Olaf Holtedahl received many honors for his important work:
- He was awarded the Wollaston Medal in 1951. This is a very prestigious award in geology.
- He was chosen as a member of the Royal Society in 1961. This is a famous group of scientists.
