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French geophysicist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Xavier Le Pichon (French pronunciation: [ɡzavje lə piʃɔ̃]; born 18 June 1937 in Qui Nhơn, French protectorate of Annam (later South Vietnam and today Vietnam)) is a French geophysicist.[1] Among many other contributions, he is known for his comprehensive model of plate tectonics (1968), helping create the field of plate tectonics. In 1968 he combined the kinematic ideas of W. J. Morgan, D. McKenzie and R. L. Parker with the large data sets collected by Lamont, and especially with the respective magnetic profiles, to show that Plate Tectonics could accurately describe the evolution of the major ocean basins. He is professor at the Collège de France, holder of the Chair of Geodynamics (1986–2008).[1] He is a lifelong devout Catholic, and has come to think of caring attention to others' weakness as an essential quality that allowed humanity to evolve.[2] He lives with his wife and has five children and eleven grandchildren.
Xavier Le Pichon | |
---|---|
Born | |
Citizenship | French |
Known for | Comprehensive model of plate tectonics |
Awards | CNRS Silver Medal, member of the French Academy of Sciences; knight of the Legion of Honour; Wollaston Medal; foreign associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Geophysics |
Institutions | Columbia University, Collège de France, oceanological centre of Brittany, Pierre and Marie Curie University, École Normale Supérieure |
Le Pichon holds a doctorate in physics. Professional career:[1]
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