Marie Tharp, Pioneering Oceanic Cartographer, Dies at 86

The co-creator of the first global map of the ocean floor and and co-discoverer of the central rift valley that runs through the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Marie Tharp, former geologist and oceonographic cartographer with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, at Columbia University, New York, died Wednesday August 23 at the age of 86.  From the Observatory’s web site tribute:

Only in recent years has Tharp begun to be recognized for the breadth and significance of her contributions to science. In 1998 she was honored during the 100th anniversary of the Library of Congress’ Geography and Map Division. The following year, she was recognized by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. In 2001 she was honored by her home institution with the Lamont-Doherty Heritage Award. Today, a fellowship at Lamont-Doherty to promote women in science through the ADVANCE program bears her name.

The Journal News reports that the Library of Congress is assuming possession of all the documentation — photos, letters, charts, and everything that contributed to Ms. Tharp’s map making over the years.

An earlier article by the Library of Congress regarding Tharp’s methods can be read here.

[tags]Marie Tharp, Oceonography, Famous Cartographers, Cartography, Cartographic History[/tags]