Arne Noe-Nygaard (1908-1991)

Abstract

One of Denmark's most distinguished scientists, geology professor Arne Noe-Nygaard, died on 3 July 1991 at the age of 83. ... Volcanism and igneous rocks ... were Noe's main interest. ... In 1936 Noe was appointed scientific assistant at Copenhagen's Mineralogy Museum; he moved two years later to the Geological Survey of Denmark. Here, besides taking care of the Drilling Division, he was assigned the geological mapping of the Faroe Islands, which are almost exclusively made up of volcanic material formed during the younger Cretaceous and Tertiary periods. This work was very close to his heart and he participated in it until his final days. In 1940 he was promoted to sectional geologist of the Drilling Division, a job that was in fact far from his main interests. In spite of this, Noe demonstrated his undisputed ability for management and administration, which became obvious when in 1942 he competed successfully for the Chair of Professor Geologiae at UC, .... It was not long before the university and other academic institutions became aware of Noe's enormous energy and capacity for work. A few years after taking on his professorship he was elected Decan (head) of mathematics - natural sciences faculty, and in 1955 he was made a member of the university's Supreme Governing Body (Consistorium). He became a member of boards of directors of various foundations, such as in 1963 the prestigious Carlsberg Foundation. ... Noe's name will be remembered by generations of international and Danish geologists and arctic explorers.