Raymond Alexander Price, OC FRSC (born March 25, 1933) is an award winning Canadian geologist. He has used his research on the structure and tectonics of North America’s lithosphere to produce extensive geological maps. He has also provided guidance for nuclear fuel waste disposal and reports on the human contribution to Global warming.
Price was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He obtained his BSc in Geology from the University of Manitoba in 1955. He completed two more degrees in geology at Princeton University; an A.M. in 1957 and a PhD in 1958.
In 1958, Price began working in the Petroleum Geology Section of the Geological Survey of Canada. For the next ten years he studied the structure and tectonics of the Cordillera of western Canada, mapping its geological features.
In 1968, he left the Geological Survey to work at Queen’s University as an associate professor. Between 1972 and 1977, he was the head of the Department of Geological Sciences. From 1978 to 1980, Price was a Killam Research Fellow.
From 1980 to 1985, Price was the president of the International Lithosphere Program.
In 1981, Price returned to the Geological Survey to be director-general. He held that position as well as the assistant deputy minister in the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources in Ottawa for the next 7 years. From 1988 to 1998, Price was a professor at Queen’s University. From 1989 to 1990, he was president of the Geological Society of America.
Since 1998, Price has been professor emeritus of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering at Queen's. He continues to conduct research and to supervise thesis research projects.
Price’s structural geology and tectonic mapping of the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains provided new insights on the evolution of the Cordilleran foreland thrust and fold belt in Canada. He has also researched the role of science in public policy development, nuclear fuel waste disposal, earth system science, and the human dimensions of global change.
Fellow, Royal Society of Canada, since 1972Foreign Associate, US National Academy of Sciences, since 1988Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, since 1997Fellow, Geological Society of AmericaDistinguished fellow, Geological Association of Canada, since 1995Professional engineer, member of Professional Engineers of OntarioHonorary member, Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, since 1996Honorary foreign fellow by the European Union of Geosciences, since 1989Member, American Geophysical UnionMember, American Association of Petroleum GeologistsHonours and awards
2010, awarded the Massey Medal by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society 2003, made an Officer of the Order of Canada1998, invited to be the John P. Buwalda Lecturer by the California Institute of Technology1997, awarded the Michel T. Halbouty Human Needs Award by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists1993, invited to be the Muan Distinguished Lecturer by Pennsylvania State University1990, invited to be the Herzberg Lecturer by Carleton University, Ottawa1989, presented with a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) by Memorial University of Newfoundland1989, awarded the Major Edward D'Ewes Fitzgerald Coke Medal by the Geological Society of London, England1988, awarded the Leopold von Buch Medal by the Deutsche Geologische Gesellschaft, Germany1988, invited to be the D. F. Hewett Lecturer by Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania1988, made an Officier de l'Ordre des Palmes Académiques, France1987, presented with a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) by Carleton University1985, awarded the Logan Medal by the Geological Association of Canada1984, awarded the R. J. W. Douglas Medal by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists1981, judged to have written the Best Technical Paper by the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Denver1980–1981, recognized as distinguished lecturer by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists1978–1980, awarded a Killam Senior Research Fellow1969, recognized as Distinguished Lecturer by the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy1957, awarded a Procter Fellow by Princeton University1955, awarded the Gold Medal in Sciences by the University of ManitobaPrice, R.A., 1956. "The base of the Cambrian system in the southeastern Cordillera of Canada". Canadian Mining and Metallurgical Bulletin, Vol. 49, pp. 765–771.Norris, D.K., and Price, R.A. 1956. "Coal Mountain, British Columbia". Geological Survey of Canada Map 4-1956.Price, R.A., 1959. "Flathead, British Columbia and Alberta". Geological Survey of Canada Map 1-1959.Price, R.A. and Mountjoy, E.W., 1970. "The geological structure of the Southern Canadian Rockies between Bow and Athabasca Rivers, -- A progress report", in "A structural cross-section of the Southern Canadian Cordillera", J.O. Wheeler, editor, Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper Number 6, pp. 7–25.
