William S. Fyfe is Canada's foremost earth scientist, widely considered the world's most eminent geochemist. He grew up as the youngest of three brothers on a farm in South Island, New Zealand, and was the first student from his one-room school to attend university. Early in his career, Fyfe's application of chemistry to geological research earned him a reputation as the "Father of Modern Geochemistry". He made important contributions to the knowledge of isomorphism, studying the behaviour of rock forming minerals under high temperature and stress. His investigation of metamorphism - the chemical and physical transformation of rocks under pressure and stress at the base of mountain systems - revolutionized the field of Metamorphic Petrology. He became a Professor of Geology and Chairman of the Geology Department at the University of Western Ontario in 1972 and then was Dean of Science there (1986-90), during which time he established the Interface Science Research Centre. Fyfe's Canadian research effort focused on the role of fluids and tectonics in creating deposits of precious metals, particularly gold. He did research on a range of biosphere-geosphere interactions, including the role of micro-organisms in concentrating metals and the role of geothermal systems in creating ocean nutrients. His research teams advanced knowledge of the lithosphere/asthenosphere boundary, the lithosphere/hydrosphere boundary, and the generation of oceanic and continental crusts. Concerned with the environmental implications of human energy consumption, Fyfe conducted research into problems associated with the industrial exploitation of lignitic coals. His knowledge of the geology of ancient rocks and the movement of fluids in the Earth's crust were key to research into the possibility of safe geological disposal of high-level nuclear wastes. As well, he devoted attention to the genesis and conservation of Earth's vulnerable fertile soils and the alarming current rate of soil erosion. He led the establishment of the Global Change program, a comprehensive international investigation of Earth's life-support systems. He is a member of the Royal Society of Canada. Fyfe is now retired from Western (1992). He likes to travel and swim.
B.Sc., Otago Univ., N. Zealand, 1948; M.Sc. 1949; Ph.D. 1952. Author of 5 text books and over 400 research papers; Chrmn. Royal Soc. Can. Ctte. on Global change 1985-88; Chrmn., I.C.S.U. Ctte. (continental storage of nuclear waste) mem., I.C.S.U. Ctte. for the Internat. Geosphere Biosphere Program 1987-90; Pres., Intrnl. Union of Geological Sciences 1992-; Companion of the Order of Canada, 1989; Logan Medal, Geological Assoc. of Can.; Willet G. Miller Medal, Royal Soc. of Can.; Arthur Homes Medal, European Union of Geosciences; Arthur Day Medal, Geological Soc. of Am.; Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engr., NSERC 1991; numerous hon. degrees, mem. of sci. soc.
Sources: Canadian Who's Who, 1993; NSERC
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