Earl E. Brabb ’51

Earl E. Brabb ’51, Ph.D., a world-renowned geologist with special expertise in the hazards of landslides and earthquakes, died September 14, 2012, in Roseville, California. He is survived by his wife, Gisella, two daughters and two grandchildren. Earl was a scientific pioneer in the development of geographic information systems for the preparation of geological hazard maps and for the techniques he devised to reduce landslide hazards. His professional colleagues praise his “uncompromising ethical standards,” “his ability to gather, interpret and apply geologic information to help society” and his “major impact on individuals, governments and earth sciences around the world.” Earl received numerous awards for his work, including the Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Department of the Interior (the highest recognition given by a U.S. government department), a Special Achievement Award from the U.S. Geological Survey, the Federal Scientist of the Year Award, the Sergey Soloviev Medal from the European Geophysical Union (the second American to receive this award) and the Distinguished Service Citation and Medal from the Italian National Research Council. He was a fellow of the Geological Society of America and founder of the International Landslide Research Group. At Dartmouth Earl was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the Dartmouth Christian Union and the Outing Club and was president of the Camera Club. He played varsity lacrosse and freshman football. He received his Ph.D. in 1960 from Stanford University. He spent his working career with the U.S. Geological Survey where he was a project chief.