Victor Vacquier Sr., professor emeritus of geophysics at UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, died Jan. 11 in La Jolla from pneumonia.
Vacquier, who was 101 years old, led a distinguished career that included the invention of the fluxgate magnetometer and magnetic surveying, both airborne and marine.
His work resulted in the discovery of magnetic-field patterns preserved in the seafloor. During World War II, Vacquier’s fluxgate magnetometer was used from the air to detect submarines, and was later applied to airborne exploration for oil and minerals.
‘What always impressed me about Vic was that, in addition to his scientific confidence, he was always so energetic and enthusiastic about the work he was doing,’ Scripps geophysicist John Sclater said during a 1992 Scripps symposium honoring Vacquier’s work. ‘His interest in going to sea, ability to do high-quality work and to make it fun both for himself and for others was the keystone of the success of the marine geology and geophysics program at Scripps.’
Vacquier joined Scripps as a research physicist in 1957 to direct the geomagnetic program in the marine physicial laboratory. In mapping magnetic-field patterns along the seafloor, Vacquier’s groundbreaking research revealed that vast tracks of the oceanic crust in the Eastern Pacific Ocean were offset at long linear-fracture zones, and led to the acceptance of the theory of plate tectonics in the mid-1960s.
Survived by his wife Mihoko Vacquier, son and Scripps professor Victor Vacquier, daughter-in-law Judith Vacquier, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Vacquier held a renowned research career that spanned more than seven decades and included’ recognition in more than 50 scientific publications, 18 patents and numerous awards for his revolutionary work in geophysics.’
Memorial services will be held at Scripps Insitution of Oceanography at a later date.