Wilhelm Ramsay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilhelm Ramsay
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Ramsay in 1915
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| Born | 20 January 1865 Dragsfjärd, Grand Duchy of Finland, Russia
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| Died | 6 January 1928 (aged 62) Helsinki, Finland
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| Nationality | Finnish |
| Citizenship | Russia (Finland) |
| Known for | Fennoscandia, Ijolite, Postjotnian, Timanide Orogen |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology |
| Institutions | Sorbonne University of Göttingen University of Helsinki |
Wilhelm Ramsay (born January 20, 1865 – died January 6, 1928) was an important Finnish geologist. Geologists are scientists who study the Earth, including its rocks, landforms, and how it has changed over time. Ramsay made big contributions to how we understand the geology of northern Europe.
He became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1914. The next year, in 1915, he joined the Royal Physiographic Society in Lund. These are important groups for scientists.
Contents
Discoveries and Ideas
Wilhelm Ramsay is well-known for creating several key terms in geology. These terms help scientists talk about specific areas and time periods in Earth's history.
What is Fennoscandia?
In 1900, Ramsay introduced the term Fennoscandia. This is a geographical region in northern Europe. It includes the Scandinavian Peninsula (Norway and Sweden), Finland, and parts of Russia (like the Kola Peninsula and Karelia).
Geologists use "Fennoscandia" to describe the ancient bedrock that forms the base of these countries. It's a very old and stable part of the Earth's crust.
Understanding Postjotnian
Ramsay also coined the term Postjotnian in 1909. This term refers to a specific period in geological time. It describes rocks and events that happened after the Jotnian period.
The Jotnian period was a time when certain types of red sandstone and volcanic rocks formed. So, Postjotnian rocks are those that came later.
What is Ijolite?
Another term Ramsay created was ijolite. This is a type of igneous rock. Igneous rocks are formed when hot, molten rock (magma or lava) cools and hardens.
Ijolite is special because it's made of certain minerals like nepheline and pyroxene. It's often found in areas where magma pushed up from deep inside the Earth.
His Teachers and Students
Wilhelm Ramsay learned from other great geologists. He was a student of Fredrik Johan Wiik, along with another famous geologist named Jakob Sederholm.
Later in his career, Ramsay himself taught new geologists. One of his notable students was Pentti Eskola, who also became a very important geologist.
Personal Life
Wilhelm Ramsay was a Swedish-speaking Finn. This means he lived in Finland but spoke Swedish as his first language. His family, the Ramsay noble family, originally came from Scotland.
His mother, Emmy Tham, was from Falun, Sweden. Wilhelm also had a brother named August Ramsay, who was a mathematician.
