Kenneth C. Macdonald

Professor of Marine Geophysics. Marine geophysicist who has pioneered our understanding of the global mid-ocean ridge, the most active geologic feature on the planet and the world's longest mountain range. Defined the fundamental architecture and segmentation of the mid-ocean ridges and explored the significance of ridge-axis discontinuities including overlapping spreading centers and propagating rifts using the tools of multibeam sonar and marine magnetics. Co-Chief scientist of the expedition discovering super-heated black smoker hydrothermal vents on the East Pacific Rise, and made the first calculations of their large contribution to global heat flux. A leader in the RIDGE program that provided the research facilities to explore the most remote areas on planet Earth. Has completed nearly 50 dives in research submersibles to depths of up to 12,000 feet to conduct seafloor research. First to use a submersible to measure and sample a magnetic reversal on the seafloor. Macdonald trained a generation of seagoing scientists in seafloor exploration. Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2007), the World Innovation Foundation (2004), the American Geophysical Union (1995), and the Geological Society of America (1995). Other honors include RIDGE 2000 Distinguished Lecturer (2005-2006), the Robert L. and Bettie P. Cody Award in Ocean Sciences (1994), and the Newcomb-Cleveland Prize of the American Association for Advancement of Science (1980).