36 D4. Geoscience Communication, Education, and History and Philosophy of Geology Contributions (Posters)

Sunday, 30 March 2025
8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
North Great Hall

FRANK D'ACHILLE - A CONTROVERSIAL LIFE

Paper number: 36-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Authors

  • Linda Musser Presenting Author
    Fletcher L. Byrom Earth & Mineral Sciences Library, University Park, PA
  • Akira Regotti
    Fletcher L. Byrom Earth & Mineral Sciences Library, University Park, PA

Abstract

Dr. Frank D’Achille was a brilliant and controversial geoscientist who died just as his theories related to meteorite impacts and extinction events were being recognized. From 1939 to 1955, D’Achille worked as a chemical engineer, married and had children. During those years, he indulged in many hobbies, from astronomy to boating to playing the accordion, and became increasingly interested in the earth sciences. In 1953, he co-authored and self-published the book Target: Earth in which he theorized that meteorite impacts led to mass extinction events but his theories were largely ignored or ridiculed due to his lack of an advanced degree in the earth or astronomical sciences. In 1955 he enrolled in graduate school at the Pennsylvania State University, receiving a doctorate in geochemistry in 1959. He then joined the faculty at Penn State where he founded a high-pressure geochemistry laboratory and began work that would not only validate his theories but also contribute to the development of tools to treat kidney and heart disease, vertigo and other afflictions. Dr. D’Achille died unexpectedly in 1983 while en route to speak to a group of scientists in Italy and his work has largely forgotten by history. Much of the credit for the theory of dinosaur extinction due to meteor impacts goes to scientists whose works post-date D’Achille’s by decades.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 3

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025NE-408739

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