Daniel Francis Merriam Explained

Daniel F. Merriam
Birth Date:	2 February 1927
Birth Place:	Nebraska, U.S.
Death Place:	Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.
Website:	KGS Bio
Occupation:	Scientist
Workplaces:	Syracuse University Wichita State University Stanford University Kansas Geological Survey
Alma Mater:	University of Kansas Leicester University
Known For:	Quantitative Techniques in Geology Computers in Geosciences
Awards:	Krumbein Medal William Smith Medal

Daniel Francis Merriam (February 2, 1927 – April 26, 2017) was an American geologist best known for fostering the development of quantitative modeling in geology after the advent of digital computers.^[1] He first joined the Kansas Geological Survey in 1953, initially working under the direction Raymond C. Moore to have a more accurate knowledge about the geology of the state. His fascination with the new possibilities offered by computers started ten years later while working with John W. Harbaugh at Stanford University as Visiting Research Scientist. In the following seven years, he was active organizing colloquia and as editor of the Computer Contributions, who saw 50 publications in the series by pioneers in the new field. Merriam accepted the position of Chairman of the Department of Geology at Syracuse University in 1971 and moved to the same position at Wichita State University in 1981,^[2] coming back to the Kansas Geological Survey in 1991 to retire in 1997,^[3] remaining as an Emeritus Scientist.^[4]

Consistent with his interest to promote the use of computers in geology, Dan was instrumental in founding the International Association for Mathematical Geology (IAMG) in 1968, serving as its second Secretary General (1972–1976) and third President (1976–1980).^[5] In 1969, he started for the Association what is today the Mathematical Geosciences journal ^[6] and in 1975 Computers & Geosciences jointly with IAMG and Pergamon Press.^[7] He received the William Christian Krumbein Medal in 1982 in appreciation for his services to the IAMG and the profession^[8] and a festschrift in 1993.^[9] In 1992, the Geological Society (London) presented him the William Smith Medal.^[10]

Education

• BS in geology, 1949,University of Kansas
• MS in geology, 1953, University of Kansas
• MSc in geology, 1969, Leicester University
• PhD, 1961, University of Kansas
• DSc, 1975, Leicester University

Selected bibliography

• Daniel F. Merriam, and John C. Davis, eds. (2001). Geologic Modeling and Simulation: Sedimentary Systems. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 352 p.^[11]
• Andrea Förster and Daniel F. Merriam, eds. (1999). Geothermics and Basin Analysis. Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 240 p.^[12]
• Andrea Förster and Daniel F. Merriam, eds. (1996). Geologic Modeling and Mapping. Pergamon Press, 334 p.^[13]
• Jan Harff and Daniel F. Merriam, eds. (1993). Computerized Basin Analysis: The Prognosis of Energy and Mineral Resources. Plenum Press, 340 p.^[14]
• Hans Kürzl and Daniel F. Merriam, eds. (1992). Use of Microcomputers in Geology. Plenum Press, 285 p.^[15]
• Daniel F. Merriam, ed. (1988). Current Trends in Geomathematics. Plenum Press, 334 p.^[16]
• Daniel F. Merriam, ed. (1981). Computers Applications in the Earth Sciences: An Update of the 70s. Plenum Press, 385 p.^[17]
• Daniel F. Merriam, ed. (1976). Quantitative Techniques for the Analysis of Sediments: A Symposium^[18]
• Daniel F. Merriam, ed. (1976). Random Processes in Geology. Springer-Verlag, 168 p.^[19]
• Daniel F. Merriam, ed. (1969). Mathematical Models of Sedimentary Processes. Plenum Press, 271 p.^[20]
• Daniel F. Merriam, ed. (1970) Geostatistics: A Colloquium. Plenum Press, 177 p.^[21]
• Daniel F. Merriam, ed. (1969). Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences. Plenum Press, 282 p.^[22]
• John W. Harbaugh and Daniel F. Merriam (1968). Computer Applications in Stratigraphic Analysis. John Wiley & Sons, 282 p.^[23]
• Daniel F. Merriam (1963). The Geologic History of Kansas. Bulletin 162, State Geological Survey of Kansas, University of Kansas Publications, 317 p.^[24]

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Geological Society of London - Daniel Francis Merriam 1927-2017.
2. 10.1007/BF01033889 . 14 . 6 . Association announcements . Journal of the International Association for Mathematical Geology . 679–681. 1982 . Davis . John C. . 198195190 .
3. http://iamg.org/documents/Newsletters/NewslettersHSP/newsletter_54.pdf
4. Web site: KGS--Staff List--A to Z. www.kgs.ku.edu. 24 July 2017.
5. Web site: Historical List of Councilors and Officers of IAMG - IAMG. iamg.org. 24 July 2017. 22 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822022421/https://iamg.org/information-about-iamg/historical-list-of-councilors-and-officers-of-iamg.html. dead.
6. 10.1007/BF02047078 . 1 . Officers and council of the IAMG and their current addresses . Journal of the International Association for Mathematical Geology . 127. 1969 . 198199030 .
7. 10.1016/0098-3004(75)90002-3 . 1 . 1–2 . Editorial . Computers & Geosciences . 1. 1975 . Merriam . D.F. . 1975CG......1....1M .
8. http://www.iamg.org/images/File/documents/bios/Krumbein%20recipients%20pdfs/1981Merriam.pdf
9. Book: Computers in Geology: 25 Years of Progress. 4 November 1993. Oxford University Press. 24 July 2017. 9780195085938. International Association for Mathematical Geology Studies in Mathematical Geology.
10. Web site: The Geological Society of London - William Smith Medal. www.geolsoc.org.uk. 24 July 2017.
11. Book: Geologic Modeling and Simulation - Sedimentary Systems - Daniel F. Merriam - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9780306466755. Harbaugh. John Warvelle. 2001-08-31. Springer .
12. Book: Geothermics in Basin Analysis - Andrea Förster - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9780306461255. Springer. 1999. Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences.
13. Book: Geologic Modeling and Mapping - Andrea Förster - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9780306452932. Springer. 1996. Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences.
14. Book: Computerized Basin Analysis - The Prognosis of Energy and Mineral - Jan Harff - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9781461362227. Springer. 1993. Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences.
15. Book: Use of Microcomputers in Geology - Hans Kürzl - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9780306443107. Springer. 1992. Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences.
16. Book: Current Trends in Geomathematics - Daniel Merriam - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9781468470468. Springer. 1988. Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences.
17. Book: Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences - An Update of - Daniel F. Merriam - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9781468477344. Springer. 1981.
18. Web site: Quantitative Techniques for the Analysis of Sediments - 1st Edition. Elsevier. store.elsevier.com. 24 July 2017.
19. Book: Random Processes in Geology - Daniel F. Merriam - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9783540072775. Springer. 1976.
20. Book: Mathematical Models of Sedimentary Processes - An International - D. Merriam - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9781468419979. Springer. 1972. Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences.
21. Book: Geostatistics - A Colloquium - D. Merriam - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9781461571056. Springer. 1970. Current Ornithology.
22. Book: Computer Applications in the Earth Sciences - An International - Daniel Merriam - Springer. 24 July 2017. 9781461586357. Springer. 1969.
23. Web site: Computer Application in Stratigraphic Analysis. J. W. Merriam, D. F.. Harbaugh. 24 July 1968. John Wiley and Sons. 24 July 2017. Amazon.
24. Web site: KGS--Geologic History of Kansas. www.kgs.ku.edu. 24 July 2017.