random science 32: Inge Lehmann

“the master of a black art for which no amount of computerizing 

is likely to be a complete substitute.” 

from: American Museum of Natural History Profiles

Inge Lehmann was a Danish seismologist who discovered the Earth's inner core in 1936. She postulated, correctly, that an inner core exists which has physical properties that are different from those of the outer core. Earth sciences have never looked back. Lehmann is also highly regarded for her studies of Earth’s mantle. She lived to be 105.

^^ Lehmann interpreted the seismic data correctly and discovered that Earth has a 

solid inner core surrounded by a liquid outer core. (image from: Penn State U./ Inge Lehmann)

 sources:
American Museum of Natuarl History/Inge Lehman
Penn State U. Inge Lehmann
UCLA/Contributions of 20th Century Women To Physics
Encyclopedia Briantica/Inge Lehmann
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