Robert Dolan (marine geologist) facts for kids

Robert "Bob" Dolan (born April 5, 1929 – died April 24, 2016) was an American scientist. He was a special kind of geologist called a marine geologist. This means he studied the ocean floor, coastlines, and how they change over time. He also taught at the University of Virginia as a professor of Coastal Geology. This field looks at the land where it meets the sea. Bob Dolan was born in Los Angeles, California. He helped create an important tool called the Dolan/Davis Scale. This scale helps measure the strength of big storms called Nor'easters.

Bob Dolan passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia when he was 87 years old.

Who Was Robert Dolan?

Robert Giles Dolan, known as Bob, was born in Los Angeles, California. This was on April 5, 1929. From a young age, he was interested in the natural world. He decided to study geology. Geology is the science that looks at Earth's solid features. It also studies how they are formed.

His Work as a Marine Geologist

After his studies, Bob Dolan became a marine geologist. This job involves exploring the parts of the Earth covered by water. He studied the ocean floor and the land right next to the sea. He wanted to understand how coastlines change. He looked at how waves, currents, and storms affect beaches and cliffs.

Bob Dolan became a professor at the University of Virginia. Here, he taught about coastal geology. He shared his knowledge with many students. His work helped us understand how to protect our coastlines. It also showed how to prepare for natural events.

Understanding Coastal Changes

Bob Dolan spent a lot of time studying how coastlines erode. Erosion is when land is worn away by wind or water. He looked at how storms and sea level changes affect beaches. His research was very important. It helped communities plan for future changes. This work also helped them protect homes and natural areas near the ocean.

The Dolan/Davis Scale

One of Bob Dolan's most famous achievements was helping to create the Dolan/Davis Scale. He worked with another scientist, Robert Davis. This scale is used to measure the power of storms called Nor'easters. Nor'easters are strong storms that bring heavy rain or snow. They also bring strong winds to the East Coast of North America.

How the Scale Works

The Dolan/Davis Scale helps scientists and weather experts. It helps them understand how strong a Nor'easter is. It also helps them predict how much damage it might cause. This scale is similar to how we measure hurricanes. It helps people prepare for severe weather. Knowing the storm's strength helps keep people safe. It also helps protect buildings and land.