Thomas Dibblee
Encyclopedia
Thomas Wilson Dibblee, Jr. (11 October 1911 Santa Barbara, California
- 17 November 2004, Santa Barbara, California) was an American geologist best known for his extensive geological mapping. He is also known, together with co-author Mason Hill, for their assertion in 1953 that hundreds of miles of lateral movement had taken place along the San Andreas Fault
in California
, an idea that was radical at the time, but which has been vindicated by later work and the modern theory of plate tectonics
. Dibblee was one of the most prolific field geologists in American history, and over a 60-year career of field mapping, including 25 years with the US Geological Survey, left a legacy of 40000 square miles (103,599.5 km²) of geologic maps, covering approximately one fourth of the state of California.
, the Comandante of the Presidio of Santa Barbara
. Dibblee grew up on Rancho San Julian
, one of the Dibblee - de la Guerra family ranches. He became interested in geology as a boy, when he assisted a geologist who surveyed the family ranch for potential oil-bearing structures.
in 1936, Dibblee worked briefly for the California Division of Mines, then went to work for Union Oil Company and then Richfield Oil as a field exploration petroleum
geologist. His field mapping led to the discovery of the Russell Ranch Oil Field
, the first oil field to be found in the Cuyama Valley
, in 1948, and then to the nearby larger South Cuyama Oil Field
in 1949.
Dibblee was known for "roughing it" during his field mapping trips, for which he dropped out of sight for a week or two at a time. When he submitted one expense account totaling $14.92 for one such mapping project, his Richfield Oil supervisor objected that he couldn't have even fed himself for that amount, to which Dibblee replied: "Oh, I find lots of things I like to eat up in the hills."
theory, there was no known mechanism that could cause such large-scale movements.
as a volunteer. Although "retired," he mapped the geology of more than 3000 square miles (7,770 km²) in the national forest.
. The foundation continues to publish maps based on Dibblee’s work.
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
- 17 November 2004, Santa Barbara, California) was an American geologist best known for his extensive geological mapping. He is also known, together with co-author Mason Hill, for their assertion in 1953 that hundreds of miles of lateral movement had taken place along the San Andreas Fault
San Andreas Fault
The San Andreas Fault is a continental strike-slip fault that runs a length of roughly through California in the United States. The fault's motion is right-lateral strike-slip...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, an idea that was radical at the time, but which has been vindicated by later work and the modern theory of plate tectonics
Plate tectonics
Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that describes the large scale motions of Earth's lithosphere...
. Dibblee was one of the most prolific field geologists in American history, and over a 60-year career of field mapping, including 25 years with the US Geological Survey, left a legacy of 40000 square miles (103,599.5 km²) of geologic maps, covering approximately one fourth of the state of California.
Biography
Dibblee was born in 1911, the eldest son of Thomas Dibblee Sr. and Anita Oreña Dibblee. His earliest California ancestor was Captain José de la Guerra y NoriegaJosé de la Guerra y Noriega
José Antonio de la Guerra y Noriega was a soldier and early settler of California.-Biography:José de la Guerra was born 1779 at Novales, Cantabria, Spain. As a boy he wished to be a friar...
, the Comandante of the Presidio of Santa Barbara
Presidio of Santa Barbara
The El Presidio Real de Santa Bárbara, also known as the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara, was a military installation in Santa Barbara, California. It was built by Spain in 1782, with the mission of defending the Second Military District in California...
. Dibblee grew up on Rancho San Julian
Rancho San Julian
Rancho San Julian was a Mexican land grant in present day Santa Barbara County, California given in 1837 by Governor Juan B. Alvarado to José de la Guerra y Noriega. The grant name probably refers to José Antonio Julian de la Guerra...
, one of the Dibblee - de la Guerra family ranches. He became interested in geology as a boy, when he assisted a geologist who surveyed the family ranch for potential oil-bearing structures.
Petroleum geologist
After graduating from Stanford UniversityStanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1936, Dibblee worked briefly for the California Division of Mines, then went to work for Union Oil Company and then Richfield Oil as a field exploration petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
geologist. His field mapping led to the discovery of the Russell Ranch Oil Field
Russell Ranch Oil Field
The Russell Ranch Oil Field is an oil and gas field in the Cuyama Valley of northern Santa Barbara and southern San Luis Obispo Counties, California, in the United States...
, the first oil field to be found in the Cuyama Valley
Cuyama Valley
The Cuyama Valley is a valley along the Cuyama River in central California, in northern Santa Barbara, southern San Luis Obispo, southwestern Kern, and northwestern Ventura counties. It is a sparsely inhabited area containing two significant towns – Cuyama and New Cuyama – and is largely used for...
, in 1948, and then to the nearby larger South Cuyama Oil Field
South Cuyama Oil Field
The South Cuyama Oil Field is a large oil and gas field in the Cuyama Valley and the adjacent northern foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains in northeastern Santa Barbara County, California...
in 1949.
Dibblee was known for "roughing it" during his field mapping trips, for which he dropped out of sight for a week or two at a time. When he submitted one expense account totaling $14.92 for one such mapping project, his Richfield Oil supervisor objected that he couldn't have even fed himself for that amount, to which Dibblee replied: "Oh, I find lots of things I like to eat up in the hills."
US Geological Survey
He joined the US Geological Survey in 1952, and was assigned to geologic mapping in the Mohave Desert. In 1953 he and co-worker Mason Hill published a paper proposing 350 miles (563.3 km) of lateral movement along the San Andreas Fault. At that time, prior to plate tectonicsPlate tectonics
Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that describes the large scale motions of Earth's lithosphere...
theory, there was no known mechanism that could cause such large-scale movements.
Los Padres National Forest
Diblee retired from the USGS in 1977, and the following year began mapping the geology of the Los Padres National ForestLos Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest is a forest located in southern and central California, which includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey, extending inland...
as a volunteer. Although "retired," he mapped the geology of more than 3000 square miles (7,770 km²) in the national forest.
Family
In 1949 Dibblee married Loretta Escabosa, whom he met when she was a secretary at Richfield Oil. She died in 2001. Dibblee died in 2004, at age 93.Awards
- US Geological Survey - Distinguished Service Award, 1967
- American Association of Petroleum GeologistsAmerican Association of Petroleum GeologistsThe American Association of Petroleum Geologists is one of the world's largest professional geological societies with over 31,000 members as of 2007. The AAPG works to advance the science of geology , to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct...
- Human Needs Award, 1981 - Presidential Volunteer Action Award, 1983
Dibblee Geological Foundation
The Dibblee Geological Foundation was established to publish Dibblee’s many unpublished geological maps. In 2002 the foundation was adopted by the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural HistorySanta Barbara Museum of Natural History
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is the oldest museum in Santa Barbara, California, founded in 1916. The museum is located in Mission Canyon, immediately behind the Santa Barbara Mission. Set in a traditional southern California environment, the museum campus occupies of oak woodland...
. The foundation continues to publish maps based on Dibblee’s work.
Published works
- (with Mason L. Hill) “San Andreas, Garlock, and Big Pine faults, California,” Geological Society of AmericaGeological Society of AmericaThe Geological Society of America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of the geosciences. The society was founded in New York in 1888 by Alexander Winchell, John J. Stevenson, Charles H. Hitchcock, John R. Proctor and Edward Orton and has been headquartered at 3300 Penrose...
Bulletin, April 1953, p. 443-458. This is considered a classic publication in the history of plate tectonics theory.