No. 812 Robert B. Smith, 2013

File — Box: 75, Folder: 6

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Robert Smith talks about his early life growing up in Logan, Utah and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He spent a lot of time skiing and describes his experiences. He describes his first job in Yellowstone and his time studying at Utah State. Robert spent time in the Air Force during which he did work and research in the Alps. After his time in the Air Force he took a job at the University of Utah in what was then called the College of Mines. He talks about his work for the Swiss Federation of the Institute of Technology as well as his time working in Spain and at Cambridge in England. Robert describes his involvement with geophysical research at the Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. His experience and research with the Hebgen Lake Earthquake was a turning point in his desire to do geophysical work. Robert describes working with the NSF to acquire funds and execute research projects. For Robert, geophysical research is like looking into the Earth with a telescope. Robert was also consulted about the Yucca Mountain nuclear storage facility. He talks about the many different research organizations he has established and participated in, the journals he has published in and edited, and the many different colleagues he has worked with, as well as the students he has taught. He talks about the impact of his article “Yellowstone Park is a Window on the Earth’s Interior” on the scientific community. Robert explains his teaching philosophy and his philosophy about sharing his research with the public at large. He taught at the Teton Science School and describes his experiences there. Robert plans to continue his research into retirement. He believes there is still a lot of research work to be done in Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Project: Environmental oral history project.
Interviewer: Anne Peterson

Dates

2013

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.