The scientists at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory have been leading groundbreaking research in the Earth sciences for the past 75 years. Founded in 1949 as the Lamont Geological Observatory, Lamont has been at the forefront of scientific scholarship. From charting the ocean floor to studying tree rings for climate history, Lamont researchers are dedicated to understanding our planet.
In the late 1940s, Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen created the first map of the Atlantic Ocean floor, paving the way for the theory of plate tectonics. Maurice Ewing and William Donn’s study on ice ages in 1956 marked the beginning of large-scale climate research at Lamont. Wallace Broecker’s work on global warming and the ocean “conveyor belt” furthered our understanding of climate patterns.
Maureen Raymo’s Uplift-Weathering Hypothesis in 1988 explained global cooling over millions of years. Edward Cook’s Tree Ring Lab has linked tree rings to climate change, while Taro Takahashi’s global carbon dioxide map has enhanced climate regulation studies. In 2008, Peter Kelemen and Juerg Matter proposed using deep mantle rocks for carbon dioxide storage.
Recent research at Lamont has predicted lethal combinations of heat and humidity that exceed human endurance, already emerging in various regions. Today, Lamont continues to drive scientific discovery with 500 researchers, students, and staff on board the R/V Marcus G. Langseth. The observatory also offers education and outreach programs, including events like Open House and interactive exhibits.
Celebrate Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory’s 75 years of geosciences and stay tuned for more coverage on State of the Planet as we highlight Lamont’s contributions to our understanding of the natural world.
