List of Geophysicists - B

B

• George Edward Backus (1930–) – Development of inverse methods for geophysics; contributions to dynamo theory
• Anthony R. Barringer (Canadian/American, 1925–2009) – Developed the INPUT airborne electromagnetic system for detecting ores
• Julius Bartels (German, 1899–1964) – Contributed to physics of the Sun and Moon; geomagnetism, meteorology and the physics of the ionosphere
• Louis Bauer (American, 1865–1932) – Mapped the Earth's magnetic field
• Hugo Benioff (American, 1899–1968) – Discovered link between deep earthquakes and subduction zones
• Francis Birch (American, 1903–1992) – Developed theoretical and experimental models for the Earth's interior; Vetlesen Prize
• Kristian Birkeland (Norwegian, 1867–1917) – First realized that energetic electrons cause the aurora; nominated 7 times for Nobel Prize
• Abu Rayhan Biruni (Persian, 973–1048) – Made accurate measure of circumference of Earth and other contributions to geodesy
• Martin Bott (British, 1926–) – magnetic anomalies, gravity anomalies
• Pierre Bouguer (French, 1698–1758) – geodesy; the Bouguer gravity anomaly
• William Bowie (American, 1872–1940) – geodesy and isostasy
• Wallace Smith Broecker (American, 1931–) – climate, ocean circulation; Crafoord Prize, Vetlesen Prize
• Bernard Brunhes (French, 1867–1910) – paleomagnetism; discovered the first geomagnetic reversal
• Sir Edward Bullard (British, 1907–1980) – developed theory of geodynamo, pioneered use of seismology to study the sea floor, and used seafloor bathymetry to test continental drift.
• Keith Edward Bullen (New Zealand-born, 1906–1976) – Seismological interpretation of the deep structure of the Earth's mantle and core.