For a second week in a row, the extended Lamont family has reason to grieve over the loss of a long-time member. We learned late last week, from Joyce Gavin, that micropaleontologist and climatologist Lloyd Burckle passed away two weeks ago in Falmouth, Maine (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lohud/obituary.aspx?n=lloyd-burckle&pid=173220298&fhid=11167#sthash.TuoRxoJJ.dpuf). Lloyd began his career at Lamont as a Research Assistant in 1961, and he rose through appointments as Research Scientist, Associate Research Scientist, and Senior Research Scientist until 1990. He held an appointment as Adjunct Senior Research Scientist for the two decades from 1990 to 2010. One of Lloyd’s most widely remembered contributions was his proposal that the superior tonal qualities of the violins of Stradivari and his contemporary instrument makers in Cremona were the result of climate change, specifically the effect of the Maunder Minimum on the growth of the trees from which wood was used to craft the instruments (http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/news/2003/12_03_03.htm). Dennis Kent writes, “Lloyd was a really perspicacious scientist, who tended to be right on the big issues (e.g., Sirius Formation). I loved his Stradivarius paper.” Jim Hays adds, “Lloyd was a long time colleague, co-author, and friend. I last saw him a few years ago when I went to Orono, Maine. I stopped to see Lloyd in his retirement apartment. At the time he was doing well and showed great pride in his many grandchildren. We will remember his dry sense of humor and his kindly nature.”
The November edition of Lamont’s electronic newsletter was distributed on Tuesday (
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=71431ee4099fcd9f2e20d401a&id=a4d8c36bf7). In addition to links to media articles on Lamont scientists and their work, this issue includes articles on the on the global maps of ocean acidity and their seasonal and longer-term changes by Taro Takahashi and his colleagues; the elucidation by Tim Creyts and his co-workers of the mechanisms for preservation of relief on the ice-covered Gamburtsev Mountains of Antarctica; and the ongoing study by Craig Aumack and Andy Juhl of algae within and beneath Arctic sea ice, the role of the algae in the local food web, and the effect of climate change on the region’s trophic system.
Lamont’s holiday card will appear in two forms this year. In addition to the traditional printed card, we will be sending holiday wishes with an e-card designed by Miriam Cinquegrana and Kim Schermerhorn that features a collection of field photos taken by Lamont researchers across the globe. In response to a solicitation of our scientists earlier this year, many fine photos were received. A photo by Mike Kaplan of fieldwork in Antarctica will take the spotlight on the printed card, and our e-card will feature additional images contributed by Joaquim Goes, Nano Seeber, Donna Shillington, and Margie Turrin. Each photo is visually striking and captures a facet of the important work done by the Observatory. Thanks to all who sent in photos, and I hope that you will enjoy seeing the final products.
A highlight of the coming week will be an all-day symposium next Friday to honor Dave Walker and his many scientific contributions. The symposium, entitled “From the core to magmas to beyond the Earth,” will be held in the Comer seminar room and will feature presentations by what organizer Terry Plank hails as “an all-star cast of former students, postdocs, and other collaborators of Dave’s.” Symposium speakers will include Carl Agee, Liz Cottrell, Raj Dasgupta, Tim Grove, Abby Kavner, Charlie Langmuir, Chip Lesher, Jackie Li, Bruce Marsh, Keith Putirka, Rich Walker, Bruce Watson, and Youxue Zhang. The theme of the symposium will be continued with the Earth Science Colloquium, to be given by Ed Stolper, the Provost and William E. Leonhard Professor of Geology at Caltech.
In the meantime, the Thanksgiving holiday beckons. May all of us enjoy time with family and friends, remember former colleagues, find relief from an early winter storm, and give thanks for the opportunities and challenges that come from working at an outstanding scientific institution devoted to an improved understanding of our home planet.
Sean
