Orrin H. Pilkey Explained

Orrin Pilkey
Birth Date:19 September 1934
Alma Mater:Florida State University
University of Montana
Washington State College
Occupation:Professor at Duke University
Nationality:American

Orrin H. Pilkey (born September 19, 1934) is an American Professor Emeritus of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment, at Duke University, and founder and director emeritus of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines (PSDS) which is currently based at Western Carolina University.[1] [2] [3]

Life and career

Pilkey received his B.S. degree in geology at Washington State College, his M.S. degree in geology at the University of Montana and his Ph.D. degree in geology at Florida State University. Between 1962 and 1965, he was a research professor at the University of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo Island.[4] He has been at Duke University since 1965, with one year breaks with the Department of Marine Science at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, and with the U.S. Geological Survey in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Pilkey began his career with the study of abyssal plains on the deep sea floor. As a result of the destruction of his parents' house in Waveland, Mississippi in Hurricane Camille (1969), he switched to the study of coasts. Pilkey's research centers on both basic and applied coastal geology, focusing primarily on barrier island coasts and the effects of shoreline stabilization and development, and sea level rise. The PSDS has analyzed the numerical models used by coastal geologists and engineers to predict the movement of beach sand, especially in beach replenishment. In general, Pilkey argues that mathematical models cannot be used to accurately predict the behavior of beaches, although they can be useful if directional or orders-of-magnitude answers are sought. In the book, Useless Arithmetic, written with his daughter, Linda Pilkey-Jarvis, they argue that the outcome of natural processes in general cannot be accurately predicted by mathematical models.[5] The Rising Sea, written with Rob Young, current director of PSDS, focuses on the global threat from sea level rise. The Last Beach sounds the alarm that recreation on many of the world's beaches is going to be a thing of the past. It explains that "the future of the world's beaches hangs in the balance, from big threats such as engineering, mining, and pollution, to activities that seem harmless, like driving on beaches." In many places, pollution is in the beach sand as well as in the water. Retreat from a Rising Sea, written with daughter, Linda, and son, Keith, highlights the need for moving back from the coast, a process that is already beginning in some parts of the world, such as Arctic barrier islands, atolls, and river deltas. The authors think that New Orleans and Miami, among other cities, are doomed. His most recent book, Lessons from the Sand, offers easy experiments for kids (and adults)to do while learning about beach processes. Orrin co-wrote this colorful book which is completely illustrated by his son and co-author, Charles Pilkey, an artist/sculptor.[6]

Pilkey has received numerous awards, among them the Francis Parker Shepard medal for excellence in marine geology in 1987,[7] and in 2003, the Priestley Award, for distinguished research in coastal geology and public service in policy formulation and education about America's coastal resources, presented by Dickinson College, Pennsylvania.[8] In 1990, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation in cooperation with theNational Wildlife Federation, presenting Pilkey the Governor's Award, for Conservation Educator of the Year. Several others include: 1992, George V. Cohee Public Service Award, Eastern Section, AAPG, in recognition of the many accomplishments and untiring efforts in research and public education concerning the processes and geologic hazards in coastal zones, from The American Association of Petroleum Geologists; 1993, James H. Shea Award, for exceptional contributions in the form of writing and/or editing of Earth Science materials, from the National Association of Geology Teachers; 1993, American Geological Institute Award, for outstanding contributions to the public understanding of geology, for developing the 20-volume book series, Living with the Shore (with William Neal); and in 2001, he received the Honorary Doctor of Science Degree, University of the South (Sewanee), Sewanee, Tennessee. In 2012, Duke University honored Pilkey by naming a new research building for him at the Duke Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, North Carolina.[9]

Pilkey has published more than 250 technical publications and 45 books and has appeared in several documentary films (see below).

Publications

Books

Selected articles

Documentaries and videos

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Orrin Pilkey, Director Emeritus. 29 March 2014. Psds.wcu.edu. 16 October 2018.
  2. "Orrin H. Pilkey, shoreline expert, answers questions,"
  3. Web site: Orrin H. Pilkey, shoreline expert, answers questions. 26 September 2006. Grist.org. 16 October 2018.
  4. News: Crusader on the Beach. Barnard L.. Collier. The New York Times. 16 October 2018. 1988-12-04.
  5. Web site: Book Assails Unrealistic Mathematical Models. Today.duke.edu. 25 January 2007 . 16 October 2018.
  6. Web site: index. Charlespilkey.com. 16 October 2018.
  7. Web site: SEPM - Past Winners. Sepm.org. 16 October 2018.
  8. Web site: Dickinson Awards. Max. Pearlstein. Dickinson.edu. 16 October 2018.
  9. Web site: Orrin Pilkey Laboratory - Nicholas School. Nicholas.duke.edu. 16 October 2018.
  10. Web site: Lessons from the Sand - Charles O. Pilkey - University of North Carolina Press. Uncpress.unc.edu. 16 October 2018.
  11. Book: Retreat from a Rising Sea - Columbia University Press. Cup.columbia.edu. 16 October 2018. 9780231541800. Columbia University Press. May 2016.
  12. Web site: The Last Beach. Dukeupress.edu. 16 October 2018.
  13. Book: The World's Beaches. Ucpress.edu. 16 October 2018.
  14. Web site: The Rising Sea. Islandpress.org. 9 July 2015 . 16 October 2018.
  15. Web site: Mountain Press Publishing Company. Mountain-press.com. 16 October 2018. 17 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001754/https://mountain-press.com/item_detail.php?item_key=722. dead.
  16. Book: Useless Arithmetic - Columbia University Press. Cup.columbia.edu. 16 October 2018. 9780231506991. Columbia University Press. January 2007.
  17. Web site: How to Read a North Carolina Beach - Orrin H. Pilkey - University of North Carolina Press. Uncpress.unc.edu. 16 October 2018.
  18. https://islandpress.org/book/the-corps-and-the-shore
  19. Web site: The Beaches Are Moving. Dukeupress.edu. 16 October 2018.
  20. Web site: Rethinking Living Shorelines. Wcu.edu. 16 October 2018.
  21. Web site: SAND WARS. Sand-wars.com. 16 October 2018.
  22. Web site: Shored Up - Home Page. Shoredupmovie.com. 16 October 2018.

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