After 30 years in the field of seismology, a distinguished visiting professor at The University of Memphis is getting some notoriety.
Charles A. Langston, professor of seismology and earth structure in the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, has been named a fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).
“I think it’s quite an honor,” Langston said.
The AGU is an organization that promotes the research and understanding of earth systems.
Of a membership directory listing over 38,000 members in its community from 117 different countries, Langston was one of the 0.1 percent of the members chosen to be a fellow.
“It’s one of the very highest accolades that a scientist can reach,” said Gary Patterson, information services director for C.E.R.I.
Langston said to be a fellow, the scientists “have attained eminence in one or more branches of geophysics.”
Also, those being named fellows in the AGU must have consistently published and researched in the field of geophysics, according to Langston.
Langston, who came to The U of M in 2000, will receive his fellowship certificate at the AGU fall meeting in San Francisco.
In addition to teaching at The U of M, Langston also does extensive research of the earth and its movement.
“My major field is seismology,” Langston said. “Using physics to study the earth and the motion of the ground during earthquakes.”
Langston attended Case Western Reserve University and attained both his master’s and doctoral degrees at the California Institute of Technology.
Before coming to The U of M, Langston served as president of the Seismological Society of America and chair of the NSF Visiting Committee for the Southern California Earthquake Center.
He also advised the U. S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency on the verifiability of the Comprehensive Ban Treaty.
Patterson said although he has known Langston personally for only three years, he has known of him for much longer.
“He is a very well known seismologist that cam from Penn State.” Patterson said. “He’s been a leader in earth science research for years.”
Langston appreciated the praise.
He said, “It’s a nice gesture that people have seen my work and I appreciate it.”
