Background
Thorsteinsson, Raymond was born on January 21, 1921 in Wynyard, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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Raymond Thorsteinsson
Edit ProfileEducation
He obtained a BSc in geology at the University of Saskatchewan (1944) and an MSc in geology at the University of Toronto. In 1955, he earned a PhD from the University of Kansas. At first, his fieldwork was completed on foot and by dog team.
Career
He was a Fellow of The Arctic Institute of North America, primarily known for his contribution to the geology of the Proterozoic and Paleozoic rocks. Thorsteinsson began work in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, in 1947, as a summer field assistant. One of his assignments included an epic canoe trip with Dr. Y.O. Fortier to perform geological reconnaissance in the centre of the largely unknown Arctic region.
He began his lifelong career with the Geological Survey of Canada in 1952. He spent most of his time studying the Arctic. He advanced the study of the Canadian Arctic by pioneering the method of landing small aircraft, with oversize tires, in remote places on the Arctic Islands.
His work and that of his fellow geologists at the GSC led to extensive land acquisitions during the late 1950s and early 1960s by oil and mining companies. Dr. Thorsteinsson made significant contributions in the fields of structural geology and biochronology, as well as in regional stratigraphy. In 1973, the Royal Society of Canada noted
His work is particularly characterized by its breadth and includes structural, stratigraphic, and biochronological histories of the enormously thick rock succession of the Islands and forms the basis of all future work.
As a result of his studies the geological history and sedimentary column in the Islands are better understood than those in many areas of Canada that have been studied far longer. Few scientists have been fortunate enough to be presented with such a challenge and opportunity, and few could have risen to and mastered such a challenge. Thorsteinsson published more than fifty maps and articles.
His geological maps had scales varying from 1/125,000 to 1/500,000. Thorsteinsson also performed paleontological studies. He made fundamental advances in the knowledge of graptolites and of the extinct ostracoderm fish.
He established the most complete succession of faunal zones in Pennsylvanian and Permian rocks in the Arctic.
Achievements
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Made Fellow of The Arctic Institute of North America1969, Awarded the Patrons Gold Medal by the Royal Geographical Society1973, Awarded the Willet G. Miller Medal by the Royal Society of Canada1979, Awarded the Logan Medal by the Geological Association of Canada1981, Awarded the Massey Medal by Royal Canadian Geographical Society1982, Awarded the R. J. W. Douglas Medal by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists1983, made a Member of the Order of Canada1989, promoted to an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Membership
Fellow Arctic Institute North America, The Royal Society Canada (Willet G. Miller medal 1973), Geological Association Canada (Logan medal 1979).
Connections
M. Jean Kristjansson, December 23, 1944. Children: Eirikur, Anna Ingrid.
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Born
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Died
April 23, 2012 (aged 91) -
Nationality
Canadian
Awards
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Officer of the Order of Canada; Massey Medal Logan Medal; R. J. W. Douglas Medal; the Willet G. Miller Medal; Order of Canada; Massey Medal Made Fellow of The Arctic Institute of North America 1969, Awarded the Patrons Gold Medal by the Royal Geographical Society 1973, Awarded the Willet G. Miller Medal by the Royal Society of Canada 1979, Awarded the Logan Medal by the Geological Association of Canada 1981, Awarded the Massey Medal by Royal Canadian Geographical Society 1982, Awarded the R. J. W. Douglas Medal by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists 1983, made a Member of the Order of Canada 1989, promoted to an Officer of the Order of Canada The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) awards the Massey Medal annually to recognize outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada.; The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is the second highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada.; The Logan Medal is the highest award of the Geological Association of Canada.Officer of the Order of Canada; Massey Medal Logan Medal; R. J. W. Douglas Medal; the Willet G. Miller Medal; Order of Canada; Massey Medal Made Fellow of The Arctic Institute of North America 1969, Awarded the Patrons Gold Medal by the Royal Geographical Society 1973, Awarded the Willet G. Miller Medal by the Royal Society of Canada 1979, Awarded the Logan Medal by the Geological Association of Canada 1981, Awarded the Massey Medal by Royal Canadian Geographical Society 1982, Awarded the R. J. W. Douglas Medal by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists 1983, made a Member of the Order of Canada 1989, promoted to an Officer of the Order of Canada The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS) awards the Massey Medal annually to recognize outstanding personal achievement in the exploration, development or description of the geography of Canada.; The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is the second highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada.; The Logan Medal is the highest award of the Geological Association of Canada.