Document Type

Oral History

Publication Date

1-22-2008

Collection Name

Karst Oral History Project

Publisher Information

University of South Florida Tampa Library

Keywords

Electron spin resonance dating, Fluid inclusions, Geophysical instruments, Karst conservation, Mass spectrometers, Methodology, Henry Schwarcz, Science, Speleothems, Uranium-lead dating, Uranium-thorium dating

Abstract

Dr. Henry Schwarcz, karst scientist of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, begins the interview with background information about his childhood and education. He mentions how proximity to great karst scientists and a "hot bed" of research was highly influential while seeking his undergraduate and graduate level degrees. The bulk of the interview consists of Dr. Schwarcz chronologically discussing breakthroughs in various processes for determining the age of karst samples. He details the progression in the theory of dating karst and the increasingly sophisticated scientific apparatus involved in dating karstic samples. Dr. Schwarcz closes by expressing concern over what he sees as a trend among scientists towards reduced respect for and lessened emphasis on conservation of karst environments.

Physical Information

1 sound file (111 min.) : digital, MP3 file + 1 transcript (digital, PDF file)

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