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Harry B. Whittington
Harry Blackmore Whittington FRS (24 March 1916 – 20 June 2010) was a British palaeontologist who made a major contribution to the study of fossils of the Burgess Shale and other Cambrian fauna. His works are largely responsible for the concept of Cambrian explosion, whereby modern animal body plans are explained to originate during a short span of geological period. With initial work on trilobites, his discoveries revealed that these arthropods were the most diversified of all invertebrates during the Cambrian Period. He was responsible for setting the standard for naming and describing the delicate fossils preserved in '' Konservat-Lagerstätten''. After completing his PhD from the University of Birmingham, Whittington spent much of his career out of Britain. He started his professional career at the University of Rangoon, Burma. Then he moved to China to teach at Ginling Women's College. After the end of World War II, he moved to Harvard University to become Professor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Birmingham
Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands metropolitan county, and approximately 4.3 million in the Birmingham metropolitan area, wider metropolitan area. It is the ESPON metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom, largest UK metropolitan area outside of London. Birmingham is known as the second city of the United Kingdom. Located in the West Midlands (region), West Midlands region of England, approximately from London, Birmingham is considered to be the social, cultural, financial and commercial centre of the Midlands. Distinctively, Birmingham only has small rivers flowing through it, mainly the River Tame, West Midlands, River Tame and its tributaries River Rea and River Cole, West Midlands ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cambrian Explosion
The Cambrian explosion, Cambrian radiation, Cambrian diversification, or the Biological Big Bang refers to an interval of time approximately in the Cambrian Period when practically all major animal phyla started appearing in the fossil record. It lasted for about 13 – 25 million years and resulted in the divergence of most modern metazoan phyla. The event was accompanied by major diversification in other groups of organisms as well. Before early Cambrian diversification, most organisms were relatively simple, composed of individual cells, or small multicellular organisms, occasionally organized into colonies. As the rate of diversification subsequently accelerated, the variety of life became much more complex, and began to resemble that of today. Almost all present-day animal phyla appeared during this period, including the earliest chordates. A 2019 paper suggests that the timing should be expanded back to include the late Ediacaran, rather than just the na ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Geological Period
The geologic time scale, or geological time scale, (GTS) is a representation of time based on the rock record of Earth. It is a system of chronological dating that uses chronostratigraphy (the process of relating strata to time) and geochronology (scientific branch of geology that aims to determine the age of rocks). It is used primarily by Earth scientists (including geologists, paleontologists, geophysicists, geochemists, and paleoclimatologists) to describe the timing and relationships of events in geologic history. The time scale has been developed through the study of rock layers and the observation of their relationships and identifying features such as lithologies, paleomagnetic properties, and fossils. The definition of standardized international units of geologic time is the responsibility of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), a constituent body of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), whose primary objective is to precis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cambrian Explosion
The Cambrian explosion, Cambrian radiation, Cambrian diversification, or the Biological Big Bang refers to an interval of time approximately in the Cambrian Period when practically all major animal phyla started appearing in the fossil record. It lasted for about 13 – 25 million years and resulted in the divergence of most modern metazoan phyla. The event was accompanied by major diversification in other groups of organisms as well. Before early Cambrian diversification, most organisms were relatively simple, composed of individual cells, or small multicellular organisms, occasionally organized into colonies. As the rate of diversification subsequently accelerated, the variety of life became much more complex, and began to resemble that of today. Almost all present-day animal phyla appeared during this period, including the earliest chordates. A 2019 paper suggests that the timing should be expanded back to include the late Ediacaran, rather than just the na ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cambrian Fauna
The Cambrian Period ( ; sometimes symbolized Ꞓ) was the first geological period of the Paleozoic Era, and of the Phanerozoic Eon. The Cambrian lasted 53.4 million years from the end of the preceding Ediacaran Period 538.8 million years ago (mya) to the beginning of the Ordovician Period mya. Its subdivisions, and its base, are somewhat in flux. The period was established as "Cambrian series" by Adam Sedgwick, who named it after Cambria, the Latin name for 'Cymru' (Wales), where Britain's Cambrian rocks are best exposed. Sedgwick identified the layer as part of his task, along with Roderick Murchison, to subdivide the large "Transition Series", although the two geologists disagreed for a while on the appropriate categorization. The Cambrian is unique in its unusually high proportion of sedimentary deposits, sites of exceptional preservation where "soft" parts of organisms are preserved as well as their more resistant shells. As a result, our understanding of the Cambrian biol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fossils Of The Burgess Shale
The fossils of the Burgess Shale, like the Burgess Shale itself, formed around 505 million years ago in the Mid Cambrian period. They were discovered in Canada in 1886, and Charles Doolittle Walcott collected over 65,000 specimens in a series of field trips up to the alpine site from 1909 to 1924. After a period of neglect from the 1930s to the early 1960s, new excavations and re-examinations of Walcott's collection continue to reveal new species, and statistical analysis suggests that additional discoveries will continue for the foreseeable future. Stephen Jay Gould's book '' Wonderful Life'' describes the history of discovery up to the early 1980s, although his analysis of the implications for evolution has been contested. The fossil beds are in a series of shale layers, averaging and totalling about in thickness. These layers were deposited against the face of a high undersea limestone cliff. All these features were later raised up above current sea level during the cr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Palaeontologist
Paleontology (), also spelled palaeontology or palæontology, is the scientific study of life that existed prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene epoch (roughly 11,700 years before present). It includes the study of fossils to classify organisms and study their interactions with each other and their environments (their paleoecology). Paleontological observations have been documented as far back as the 5th century BC. The science became established in the 18th century as a result of Georges Cuvier's work on comparative anatomy, and developed rapidly in the 19th century. The term itself originates from Greek (, "old, ancient"), (, (gen. ), "being, creature"), and (, "speech, thought, study"). Paleontology lies on the border between biology and geology, but differs from archaeology in that it excludes the study of anatomically modern humans. It now uses techniques drawn from a wide range of sciences, including biochemistry, mathematics, and engineering. U ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wollaston Medal
The Wollaston Medal is a scientific award for geology, the highest award granted by the Geological Society of London. The medal is named after William Hyde Wollaston, and was first awarded in 1831. It was originally made of gold (1831–1845), then palladium, a metal discovered by Wollaston (1846–1860). Next in gold again (1861–1929) and then in palladium again (1930–present). Laureates SourcGeological Society 1831–1850 *1831 William 'Strata' Smith *1835 Gideon Mantell *1836 Louis Agassiz *1837 Proby Thomas Cautley *1837 Hugh Falconer *1838 Richard Owen *1839 Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg *1840 André Hubert Dumont *1841 Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart *1842 Leopold von Buch *1843 Jean-Baptiste Élie de Beaumont *1843 Pierre Armand Dufrenoy *1844 William Conybeare *1845 John Phillips *1846 William Lonsdale *1847 Ami Boué *1848 William Buckland *1849 Joseph Prestwich *1850 William Hopkins 1851–1900 *1851 Adam Sedgwick *1852 William Henry Fitton *1853 Adol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
International Prize For Biology
The is an annual award for "outstanding contribution to the advancement of research in fundamental biology." The Prize, although it is not always awarded to a biologist, is one of the most prestigious honours a natural scientist can receive. There are no restrictions on the nationality of the recipient. Past laureates include John B. Gurdon, Motoo Kimura, Edward O. Wilson, Ernst Mayr, Thomas Cavalier-Smith, Yoshinori Ohsumi and many other great biologists in the world. Information The International Prize of Biology was created in 1985 to commemorate the 60-year reign of Emperor Shōwa of Japan and his longtime interest in and support of "Biology." The selection and award of the prize is managed by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The laureate is awarded a beautiful medal, 10 million yen, and an international symposium on the scientist's area of research is held in Tokyo. The prize ceremony is held in the presence of Emperor of Japan. The first Internationa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lapworth Medal
The Lapworth Medal is the highest award of the Palaeontological Association, given to those who have made a significant contribution to the science by means of a substantial body of research. Recipients Source Palaeontological Association*2020 - Prof. Andrew B. Smith *2019 - Prof. Derek E.G. Briggs, FRS *2018 - Prof. Derek J. Siveter *2017 - Prof. Stefan Bengtson *2016 - Dr Adrian William Amsler Rushton *2015 - Prof. Jennifer Clack FRS *2014 - Prof. Richard A. Fortey, FRS *2013 - Prof. Dianne Edwards, FRS *2012 - Prof. Euan Clarkson *2011 - Prof. Richard Aldridge *2010 - Dr Robin Cocks *2009 - Prof. Bruce Runnegar *2008 - Prof. Charles Holland *2007 - Prof. Tony Hallam *2006 - Prof. Dolf Seilacher *2005 - Prof. William Chaloner FRS *2004 - Prof. James Valentine *2002 - Prof. Sir Alwyn Williams FRS *2000 - Prof. Harry B. Whittington FRS See also * List of paleontology awards This list of earth sciences awards is an index to articles on notable awards for earth scienc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mary Clark Thompson Medal
The Mary Clark Thompson Medalis awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "for most important service to geology and paleontology." Named after Mary Clark Thompson and first awarded in 1921, it was originally presented every three years together with a $15,000 prize. From 2017 the medal will be awarded alternately with the Daniel Giraud Elliot Medal as the triennial NAS Award in the Evolution of Earth and Life. The Elliot Medal will recognise meritorious work in zoology or paleontology whilst the Mary Clark Thompson Medal will continue to honour important services to geology and paleontology. Each medal will be presented with a $20,000 prize. Recipients SourceNAS Shuhai Xiao (2021) Susan M. Kidwell (2015) For her groundbreaking work on fossil preservation that has transformed our view of how the history of life is encoded in the rock record. Her studies have revealed the fidelity of the fossil record, and thereby have yielded powerful insights to the evolution and ecology ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lyell Medal
The Lyell Medal is a prestigious annual scientific medal given by the Geological Society of London, equal in status to the Murchison Medal. This medal is awarded based on one Earth Scientist's exceptional contribution of research to the scientific community. It is named after Charles Lyell. Lyell Medalists SourceGeological Society 19th century * 1876 John Morris * 1877 James Hector * 1878 George Busk * 1879 Edmond Hebert * 1880 John Evans * 1881 John William Dawson * 1882 John Lycett * 1883 William Benjamin Carpenter * 1884 Joseph Leidy * 1885 Harry Govier Seeley * 1886 William Pengelly * 1887 Samuel Allport * 1888 Henry Alleyne Nicholson * 1889 William Boyd Dawkins * 1890 Thomas Rupert Jones * 1891 Thomas McKenny Hughes * 1892 George Highfield Morton * 1893 Edwin Tulley Newton * 1894 John Milne * 1895 John Frederick Blake * 1896 Arthur Smith Woodward * 1897 George Jennings Hinde * 1898 Wilhelm Waagen * 1899 Charles Alexander McMahon * 1900 John Edward Marr 2 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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