Great Geologists | 137
dynamic topography driven by vertical
motions in the mantle.
peer-reviewed journals to more general
pieces aimed at a wider audience.
Communication of science has always
Raymo and her colleagues have visited
been high on her agenda and she
Australia, Italy, South Africa, the eastern
has been frequently interviewed by
United States and, Patagonia to measure
the media, both to explain how the
past sea-level high stands. After
study of past climates can inform an
correcting for shoreline movement from
understanding of future climate change
tectonic activity and the loading and
and as a leading female scientist.
unloading of ancient ice sheets, she and
Written in Stone — a Geological History
her team are amassing a continent-by-
of the Northeastern United States
continent map of where the seas stood.
co-authored with her father is a well-
Ultimately, they hope to understand to
received book aimed at the interested
what extent melting from Greenland and
layperson.
Antarctica contributed to sea-level rise
when global average temperatures were The Wollaston Medal is just one of
2–3°C warmer than today.
many accolades awarded to Raymo.
In 2014 she received the Milutin
Raymo’s many publications range from
Milankovic Medal at the European
the detailed science in high-impact
Geosciences Union’s annual meeting
in April for marshalling evidence from
geochemistry, geology and geophysics
to solve paleoclimatology’s big
problems. “In an age of progressive
research specialization, Raymo remains
a model of interdisciplinary research”
reads the award citation. In 2016 she
was elected a member of the National
Academy of Sciences. Her citation for
the Wollaston Model notes that “you
are a profoundly important figure in
marine geology, paleoceanography,
climate and Earth System science. Your
ideas and creativity have set the agenda
for 30 years.” A fitting tribute to an
extraordinary geologist.
REFERENCES
This essay has drawn upon information from the following sources:
https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/About/History/Awards-Citations-Replies-2001-Onwards/2014-Awards-Citations-replies
http://www.bu.edu/bridge/archive/2003/09-26/raymo.html
https://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/news-events/climate- scientist-first-woman-win-geologys-storied-wollaston-medal
https://www.egu.eu/awards-medals/milutin-milankovic/2014/maureen-e-raymo/
http://moraymo.us/projects