topRichard J. Blakely—President–Elect, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
James E. T. Channell—President–Elect, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
William D. MacDonald—Secretary, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
Gary Acton—Secretary, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
Richard J. Blakely—President–Elect, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
AGU member since 1969. Research geophysicist, U.S. Geological Survey. Major research interests include the application of potential-field methods to geologic problems, such as identification of earthquake hazards, assessment of mineral potential, and study of groundwater resources. B.S., Oregon State University, 1964; M.S., Stanford University, 1971; Ph.D., Stanford University, 1972. Assistant professor, Oregon State University, 1973–1975; consulting professor, Stanford University. Member, Geological Society of America; member, Society of Exploration Geophysicists. Eighty-one refereed publications, 25 in AGU journals. Textbook, Potential Theory in Gravity and Magnetic Applications, 1995; 451 pages, three printings. AGU Fellow, 2003; GSA Fellow, 1987; Meritorious Service Award, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1994. Associate Editor, Journal of Geophysical Research, 1987–1990; Associate Editor, Reviews of Geophysics, 1985–1988; GP secretary, 1976–1978, 1978–1980; chairman, Macelwane Medal Committee, 1988–1989; member, AGU Committee on Meetings, 1980–1983; member, AGU Committee on Awards, 1987–1990; member, AGU Committee on Budget and Finance, 1989–1992.
Statement: Research on Earth’s magnetic field is alive and well. The Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism section may be small compared with other AGU sections, but our science flourishes, with innovative research in a broad variety of areas. Our internationally diverse membership is well recognized for advances in understanding the geomagnetic field. Less well known are our efforts to apply geomagnetism to a diverse array of related disciplines: climate change, Earth hazards, the Earth’s deep interior, mineral and rock physics, and planetary magnetic fields, to name just a few. All is not entirely auspicious, though: Current and projected funding suggests that we face challenges in gaining appropriate support. Some feel that our small section is overshadowed within AGU by larger sections. Some believe that our traditional publication outlets are flagging. As a principal goal, our section should strive to nurture its research, with focus on both fundamental theory and practical applications. We can do this by promoting cutting-edge collaborative efforts, helping young scientists to thrive, supporting the acquisition and archiving of valuable data, and working to keep journals accessible and affordable. We must communicate the excitement and significance of our work to students, the public at large, and policy makers at all levels of government. If elected, I will do my best to represent our section within AGU, while working to keep us autonomous and scientifically healthy.
James E. T. Channell—President–Elect, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida. Research involves paleomagnetism and paleogeography in the European Alps, correlation of fossil/isotope events to the polarity record particularly in the Mesozoic, timescale construction, and the determination of relative paleointensity and environmental magnetic proxies in Quaternary sediments. B.S., University of Leeds, UK 1971; M.S., University of Durham, UK, 1972; Ph.D., University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, 1975. One hundred seventy-two refereed articles, 32 in AGU journals. Research scientist (ETH Zurich, Switzerland, 1976–1981), senior postdoctoral fellow (Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Columbia University, 1981–1982), faculty positions at University of Florida (1982 to present). Senior fellow of Japan Society for Promotion of Science (1987), visiting professor, Universitá di Napoli, Italy (1987), visiting scientist, CEA-CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France (1995–1996, 2000), gastprofessor, ETH Zürich (2004). Associate Editor, JGR-Solid Earth (1994–1998), Fellow of AGU (1998), Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI) Distinguished Lecturer (1998–1999), AGU/GP Honors Committee (1999–2000, 2005–2007), Advisory Committee for Institute of Rock Magnetism (1999–2004), UF Research Foundation professor (1999–2001, 2005–2007), AGU/GP William Gilbert Award (2005), JOI governor (2007), Members Relations Committee of Consortium for Ocean Leadership (2007).
Statement: For many of us, AGU is a highly successful organization and the preeminent society in the Earth, atmosphere, and planetary sciences. Its continuing success will depend on guidance by scientists and responsiveness to the membership. GP is one of the smaller AGU sections, although the impact of the GP section has been extraordinarily widespread through strong interdisciplinary links with other sections (e.g., Tectonophysics, Planetary Sciences, Biogeosciences, and Ocean Sciences). We should work to strengthen these ties, as well as maintain the cohesion and independence of the GP section. GP has a particularly strong contingent of non-U.S. members, and international linkages are vitally important for future strengthening of GP. The AGU All Meeting remains popular and successful and is a great venue for scientific exchange. Success and size introduce new challenges, and we must continually seek to further enhance the AGU Fall Meeting experience. The Joint Assembly and the Western Pacific Geophysics Meetings have been less vibrant for GP in recent years, and could benefit from sharper focus in designated special sessions and closer international partnerships. The electronic publications revolution has been a major challenge for AGU and other scientific societies. Access, dissemination, page charges, and timely output of our scientific products (both publications and data) are continuing areas of concern. We must strive to recruit and mentor young scientists to become active in GP research areas, and ensure that the GP section evolves to enhance their scientific endeavors. Finally, AGU must be active in outreach and public policy and provide a mechanism for dissemination of scientific opinion to society at large.
William D. MacDonald—Secretary, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
AGU member since 1959. Professor of geological sciences, State University of New York at Binghamton. Research interests include magnetic methods with applications in rock fabrics, regional structural geology and tectonics, emphasizing Latin America. B.S., honors, geology, and gold medalist, 1959, University of Western Ontario; Ph.D., geology, Princeton University, 1965. Faculty member at SUNY since 1965, full professor since 1979. AGU Regional Advisory Committee for North America, 1994–1998; program chair (Spring Meetings) for Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism section of AGU, 1984–1986 and 1992–1994. Forty-five refereed publications, seven in AGU journals. Fellow, Geological Society of America, since 1969; secretary of GSA Geophysics Division, 1985–1987; editorial board, Geology, 1986–1989; secretary-treasurer, Northeast Section, GSA, Annual Meeting, 1977. Member, Meteoritical Society, British APL Association; corresponding member, Sociedad Colombiana de Geologia. Invited lecturer, Second International Course in Paleomagnetism, University of Buenos Aires, 1985. Visiting professor/researcher, University of Sao Paulo, 1971; Cambridge University, 1972; Stanford University, 1978; University of Buenos Aires, 2000. NASA: Global Positioning System, Geodetic System Science Working Group, 1986–1988. Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism editor for U.S. National Report to the IUGG, 1986; International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, subcommittee 3 (Andean region), International Lithosphere Program, 1987–1989. Continuing education lecturer, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, 1981.
Statement: AGU's Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism section has a record notable for its diversity and innovation, and especially for its interdisciplinary interests. I will continue to emphasize those aspects in planning future GP programs.
Gary Acton—Secretary, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism
AGU member since 1985. Associate research scientist, University of California, Davis. My current research focuses on (1) understanding the interactions between climate change, orbital variations, and short-term geomagnetic field variability, (2) investigating seafloor spreading processes and the origin of marine magnetic lineations, (3) determining the intensity of the ancient magnetic fields of the proto-Sun from chondrules in order to constrain models for the formation of the early solar system, and (4) estimating plate and hot spot motions to place constraints on global geodynamics and the geomagnetic field. B.S., 1984, Indiana University; M.S., 1986, University of Arizona; Ph.D., 1990, Northwestern University. Postdoctoral scholar, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (1990–1991); Caswell Silver Distinguished Professor, University of New Mexico (1992–1994); lecturer in geophysics, University of New England (1994–1995); staff scientist/project manager, Ocean Drilling Program, Texas A&M University (1995–2003); Paleomagnetism Laboratory manager/associate research scientist, University of California, Davis (2003 to present). Forty-three refereed articles, 13 in AGU journals. Editor on six Scientific Results volumes for the ODP; guest editor for special issue of Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors.
Statement: As Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism secretary, I would serve the GP members by informing them about AGU events, assisting with judging student presentations, seeking qualified scientists to organize sessions at AGU meetings, helping ensure the continued success of the GP section meetings at AGU meetings, and assisting the other GP officers as needed. In addition, I would hope to work with other members to see that the GP section remains as integral a part of AGU as the geomagnetic and solar-magnetic fields are a part of the Earth and the solar system.