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NLIS 2
February 28, 2001
(Mines and Energy)

 

Government geoscientist awarded national medal

Dr. Ian Knight, a geoscientist with the provincial Department of Mines and Energy, Geological Survey, has been awarded the R.J.W. Douglas Medal by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. The announcement was made by Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews.

The Douglas Medal is awarded annually for outstanding scientific contributions to the understanding of sedimentary geology in Canada. Previous winners include some of the top academic researchers in Canada; this marks the first time it has been presented to a field geologist at a provincial Geological Survey. Dr. Knight received the medal in Calgary on February 27 at a special awards luncheon of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists.

Dr. Knight has been a geoscientist with the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador (a division within the Department of Mines and Energy) for 27 years. During that time he has conducted extensive field work in western Newfoundland, which has resulted in some 20 geological maps and more than 50 published reports. His expertise covers the sedimentary rocks (e.g., limestone and sandstone) in western Newfoundland that formed in a unique geological environment and have important potential for petroleum and mineral deposits.

Mr. Matthews said that Dr. Knight�s nominators for the medal consider him instrumental in promoting the economic development of western Newfoundland through his encyclopedic knowledge of the region�s geology.

"His published work and consultations have been an important resource for the petroleum industry exploring in western Newfoundland," Mr. Matthews said. "He has also contributed to lead-zinc exploration in the area, and more recently to the identification of marble deposits. His work has earned the acclaim of industry, university and government geoscientists far and wide."

Dr. Knight was born in Wales and graduated from Bristol University in Britain with a B.Sc. He received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and joined the Geological Survey in 1974. Over the years he has collaborated with several internal and external geoscientists on the geological evolution of west Newfoundland, from Cape Anguille to Cape Norman. His work has made him one of the foremost authorities on the ancient continental-margin rocks of the Appalachian mountain belt.

Media contact: Gary Callahan (709) 729-4890.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A photograph to accompany this release is available on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador News Releases Web site - www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2001/mines&en/0228n02pic.htm

2001 02 28            10:50 a.m.

 


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