The Geological Society of London Obituary
After graduating in geology, chemistry and history from the University of Wisconsin in 1964, and acquiring a pilot's license, Mike went on to obtain an MSc from the University of Wyoming (1966) and PhD from Trinity College Dublin (1969), studying the Dalradian metasediments and their Paleoproterozoic basement in north west County Mayo, lreland.
Mike's work was diverse, covering geology, geophysics, geochemistry, physical acoustics, information technology, gas hydrates, marine desalination and atmospheric drinking water.
Geological Survey
Working for the Geological Survey of lreland (1969 - 1985), Mike studied lrish Precambrian and Lower Palaeozoic rocks and discovered the Mannin Thrust, in Connemara, western lreland. Working with Tony Barber, he recognised the Menai Strait Fault, which separates Anglesey from the mainland of north Wales, as a major shear zone terrane boundary.
Mike established a scuba-diving unit and investigated near-shore geology. While working with colleagues on Doonguddle rocks, northwest Galway Bay, Mike was fired at during gun practice by the Fisheries Protection vessel. He was a familiar figure at conferences, projecting a macho image, with his broad shoulders and signature Buffalo Bill moustache.
International exploration
Between 1985 and 1999, Mike worked at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL in Washington, DC, USA). Here, he undertook geological and geophysical studies of the continental shelves of the Barents Sea, northwest Norwegian and Greenland seas, and participated in geophysical research adjacent to AntarctIca. Mike developed a joint NRL-USGS research project on gas hydrates and was loaned as a consultant to Shell.
A secondment to NATO's Supreme Alhed Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) at La Spez1a ltaly (1991 - 1996) allowed Mike to further his appreciation of ltalian opera. He assIsted NATO Sonar projects through geolog1cal and geophysical analysis of continental shelves as chief scientist on major cruises, co-organised with Urbino University an international meeting on geology and geophysics of the SicilianTunisian Platform, and organised and ran oceanographic and acoustic studies on an Albanian continental shelf project with the ltalian Navy.
Returning to NRL, Mike studied the tectonics and crustal assembly of the Argentine continental shelf, led research on natural methane hydrates, and joined the Department of Energy select task force to develop a National Gas Hydrate Research Program (1997 - 1999). He assisted the Senate Energy Committee to prepare the Gas Hydrate Research Act (2000).
As co-founder and Chief of Research at Hydrate Energy International lnc. (1999 - 2020), Mike developed consulting and research in gas exploration, investigating unconventional gas resources, natural gas hydrates, carbon capture and sequestration, marine desalination and patent applications.
Mike became an Adjunct Professor in Petroleum Geology (Unconventional Energy Resources) at the School of Geological Sciences, National University of lreland, University College Dublin, from 2012. He was a member of numerous professional organisations and authored over 300 publications, patents and gas hydrate books.
Big personality
Mike was born to Ruth and Oscar on 29 May 1942 in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. He died on 31 May 2020 in Washington DC, USA. He had a big personality, and was inspirational and encouraging to many. His macho image concealed a cultured and considerate individual. He will be widely remembered and greatly missed by his wife Eleanor, daughter Rachel and sister Debbie, as weil as by his friends and colleagues.
Written by Barry Long and John Winchester.
Published Winter 2021.
