I obtained a scholarship from Columbia University and I went back to my work
at Lamont in November 1964. I was working in the core lab with Roy Capo and
under the supervision of my advisor, Charles Fray.
My first scientific publication was written with Neil Opdyke and Hekinian
(1967). It was among the first studies of its kind dealing with the measurement of
the intensity of magnetization of rocks collected from the ocean floor. Neil was
well known in the field of Earth magnetism and 1 day he approached me while I
was looking at thin sections of rocks under the microscope and asked, ‘‘What do
you think about doing some magnetic measurements on the rocks that you are
looking at?’’ During our discussion it turned out that nothing had been done about
measuring the properties of magnetization in oceanic rocks. Neil said he would
take care of the geophysical aspect if I were willing to do the petrographic work. I
was thrilled with the idea and mostly with the fact of being able to collaborate and
put my knowledge to use.
Since in the 1960s, many sea-going expeditions had been routinely measuring
the magnetic field of the Earth along large transects and Neil and I thought that
maybe our approach could help to find out what the magnetic intensity of different
rock types might be. This study had an important application for determining what
kind of rocks are the most intensely magnetized and has also served to help in
prospecting to find ore bodies.
Cnexo-Ifremer
One of the major oceanographic centers in Europe is the French Centre National
d’Exploitation des Oceans (CNEXO) that was founded in 1968. The center
changed its name and became ‘‘IFREMER’’ (Institut Français de Recherche pour
l’Exploitation de la Mer) after 1984 when the national fishery institute became part
of the center. IFREMER is located on the cliffs of the town of Plouzané, looking
out on the Rade de Brest (Brest roadstead) near the city of Brest. When we lifted
our eyes from our desks and stood to stretch our backs, we could see the many
commercial and military vessels entering or leaving the port of this western city in
northern Brittany.
Personal Feelings and Experience
I believe that if someone spends more than 30 years in the same institute for more
than 8 h a day, this place should eventually become a second home and even a
shelter. My office at IFREMER was a place where I was comfortable and also a
place where I exercised a certain amount of power. I felt powerful, or empowered,
because I was hoping to orient future research in oceanographic exploration and
the idea of making new discoveries totally fulfilled my life.
Back to Lamont
11
at Lamont in November 1964. I was working in the core lab with Roy Capo and
under the supervision of my advisor, Charles Fray.
My first scientific publication was written with Neil Opdyke and Hekinian
(1967). It was among the first studies of its kind dealing with the measurement of
the intensity of magnetization of rocks collected from the ocean floor. Neil was
well known in the field of Earth magnetism and 1 day he approached me while I
was looking at thin sections of rocks under the microscope and asked, ‘‘What do
you think about doing some magnetic measurements on the rocks that you are
looking at?’’ During our discussion it turned out that nothing had been done about
measuring the properties of magnetization in oceanic rocks. Neil said he would
take care of the geophysical aspect if I were willing to do the petrographic work. I
was thrilled with the idea and mostly with the fact of being able to collaborate and
put my knowledge to use.
Since in the 1960s, many sea-going expeditions had been routinely measuring
the magnetic field of the Earth along large transects and Neil and I thought that
maybe our approach could help to find out what the magnetic intensity of different
rock types might be. This study had an important application for determining what
kind of rocks are the most intensely magnetized and has also served to help in
prospecting to find ore bodies.
Cnexo-Ifremer
One of the major oceanographic centers in Europe is the French Centre National
d’Exploitation des Oceans (CNEXO) that was founded in 1968. The center
changed its name and became ‘‘IFREMER’’ (Institut Français de Recherche pour
l’Exploitation de la Mer) after 1984 when the national fishery institute became part
of the center. IFREMER is located on the cliffs of the town of Plouzané, looking
out on the Rade de Brest (Brest roadstead) near the city of Brest. When we lifted
our eyes from our desks and stood to stretch our backs, we could see the many
commercial and military vessels entering or leaving the port of this western city in
northern Brittany.
Personal Feelings and Experience
I believe that if someone spends more than 30 years in the same institute for more
than 8 h a day, this place should eventually become a second home and even a
shelter. My office at IFREMER was a place where I was comfortable and also a
place where I exercised a certain amount of power. I felt powerful, or empowered,
because I was hoping to orient future research in oceanographic exploration and
the idea of making new discoveries totally fulfilled my life.
Back to Lamont
11