Professor Brian Jacob, M.R.I.A.

Professor Brian Jacob, the Senior Professor of Geophysics in the School
of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS)
since 1990, died on Nov 5th after a long illness at the age of 63. Brian
will be well known to many members of the BGA. He was a founder member
of the Royal Society's Working Group on controlled source seismology and
a participant in many UK and international projects, including KRISP
with which he was associated since 1968. But he is best known
internationally for his development and application of the methods of
controlled source seismology to the study of the deep geology of Ireland
and surrounding areas in a series of major projects which he led. The
most noteable of these is the RAPIDS (Rockall And Porcupine Irish Deep
Seismic) series, which has greatly enhanced our understanding of the
complex continent-ocean transition off the West coast of Ireland.

Brian was a physics graduate of Dublin University where he also obtained
his PhD in Geophysics in 1969 on work he carried out at the DIAS in
collaboration with the Blacknest Group. He then worked with the Global
Seismology Unit of  the Institute of Geological Sciences in Edinburgh on
the completion of the LOWNET earthquake recording array which he used
for local seimicity studies. It was here that he developed an interest
in using artificial sources, particularly underwater explosions, for
high resolution studies of the earth's interior. One shot he fired in
the north Sea was recorded at the south Pole.  He was the co-leader of
the LISPB experiment to determine the crustal structure from the north
to south of Britain. He left his post as a Principal Scientific Officer
of the IGS to return to DIAS as Professor of Geophysics in 1976 to work
in seismology.

Brian Jacob was Ireland's leading geophysicist. His calm efficiency and
good humour endeared him to colleagues many of whom will remember the
two recent lively workshops he organised in 1997 on Continental Rifts
and in 1999 on Active and Passive Seismic Techniques Reviewed.  He was
the Chairman of its National Committee for Geodesy and Geophysics of
which he was a member since 1988, and  was the Irish Representative on
many International bodies including Pugwash and the European Geophysical
Society of which he was the Secretary General from 1992-96 and which
awarded him a Gold Badge in 1997. He was elected an Associate of the
Royal Astronomical Society, and to Membership of the Royal Irish Academy
in 1998

He is survived by his wife Chris whom he met while in Edinburgh while
with the BGS and two sons, Stephen and Alan.  

The funeral will be on Sat 10 Nov at 10 am at St Paul's Church,
Glenageary,Dublin followed by interment at Shananaga Cemetery.  Family
flowers only but donations may be made, mentioning the name of Professor
A.W. Brian Jacob, to the Irish Cancer Society (Research), 5
Northumberland Rd, Dublin 4, Ireland.

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For further information please contact 
Professor Aftab Khan at the Department of Geology, Leicester University
email : [log in to unmask]