The George D. Louderback Fund

The mission of the Louderback fund

To establish awards, scholarships and other educational support for students of earth sciences attending the University of California at Berkeley.

The George D. Louderback Fund is a non-profit 501(C)3 corporation. Membership is open to the faculty and alumni of Earth Sciences and related fields at the University of California at Berkeley and to others interested in the objectives of the organization at the University of California. There are eight Directors of the Fund, four from the Department of Earth and Planetary Science (EPS) and four from the UC Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) and the Department of Integrative Biology (IB).

• See a list of award recipients.

About George Davis Louderback, 1874-1957

by N. Taliaferro, T. Buck, and V.F. Lenzen

George Davis Louderback was born on April 6, 1874, in San Francisco, the son of Davis and Frances Caroline (Smith) Louderback. He graduated from Boy’s High School (now Lowell) in San Francisco in 1892 and then entered the University of California, from which he received the degree of A.B. in 1896 and the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1899. Dr. Louderback married Clara Augusta Henry on October 3, 1899. His classmate in the University, she was a devoted wife and inspiring companion throughout his life. Louderback’s first teaching position was as Assistant in Minerology in the University of California from 1897 to 1900. He then taught at the University of Nevada from 1900 to 1906 and also was Research Assistant of the Carnegie Institution, 1903-1905. In 1906 Louderback returned to the Berkeley campus as Assistant Professor of Geology. He became Associate Professor in 1907 and Professor in 1917. From 1920 to 1922 and again from 1930 to 1939 Professor Louderback was Dean of the College of Letters and Science.

While at the University of Nevada, Professor Louderback began studies of the structure of the Great Basin, particularly of the Basin ranges. He also investigated the gypsum deposits of Nevada and the Mesozoic formations of southern Oregon. Shortly after his return to Berkeley he identified, described, and named the gem Benitoite and discussed its mode of occurrence; he also named and described the associated new mineral Joaquinite. This contribution is considered one of the finest descriptions of a new mineral ever published. He also wrote a paper on the relation of radioactivity to vulcanism, and undertook a study of the glaucophane and associated schists of the Coast Ranges. He also cooperated in the study of the effects of the earthquake of 1906. Subsequently he began an intensive stratigraphic and structural study of Mount Diablo which continued through several years. In 1913 he published an important memoir on the Monterey Series in California. During this period of research he began a study of sedimentation in San Francisco Bay which engaged his attention intermittently throughout his life.

From 1914-1916 Louderback headed an expedition into the interior of China to investigate the possibilities of the occurrence of petroleum in that region, initially for private interests but subsequently under a commission from the Chinese government, and in 1916 he traveled in the Philippine Islands.

During World War I Louderback was Chairman of the Committee on Geology and Mineral Resources of the State Council of Defense and was in charge of cooperation with the United States Geological Survey, the United States Bureau of Mines, and the State Council of Defense in investigations of the occurrence of California minerals yielding metals. From 1920 to 1924 he served on the Committee on Sedimentation of the Division of Geology and Geography of the National Research Council. He also resumed his studies on the structure of the Great Basin ranges in Nevada and published three notable papers. In later years he was concerned with practical problems of construction, such as the foundations of large dams. Professor Louderback’s research was recognized by his election as Faculty Research Lecturer, 1940. His influence still is felt through the students he trained.

Professor Louderback was a participant in the movement after World War I which resulted in the creation of the Academic Senate and devoted his administrative ability and critical judgment on behalf of progressive University government. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Interdepartmental Relations and also as Chairman of the Committee on Committees. Upon the creation of Northern and Southern Sections of the Senate, Professor Louderback served as Chairman of the Special Committee on Reorganization of Academic Government. When Santa Barbara College was acquired by The Regents, Professor Louderback served on the Advisory Administrative Board for the College. He was Vice-Chairman of the Northern Section of the Academic Senate in 1933-1934 and from December, 1942, to June, 1945. Professor Louderback was truly the Nestor of the Academic Senate. After his retirement in 1944, the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him in 1946 by the University.

Professor Louderback was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and also of the Geological Society of America, in the Cordilleran Section of which he held office. He was a member of the Seismological Society of America, of which he was first Secretary and later President in 1914 and 1929-1935; of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers; of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists; of the Society of Economic Geologists; of the California Academy of Sciences; of the Washington Academy of Sciences; of the Mineralogical Society of America; of the American Geophysical Union; of the American Geographical Society; of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography. He was a delegate to the Pacific Science Congress, Java, 1929, and from 1935 was editor of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.

Professor Louderback was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity; of Theta Tau geological and mining professional fraternity; of Phi Beta Kappa; of Sigma Xi; of Tau Beta Pi; of Phi Lambda Upsilon. He belonged to the Faculty Club and was President thereof from 1939 to 1946; to the Kosmos Club; to the Berkeley City Commons Club; to the Athenian-Nile Club of Oakland; to the LeConte Geological Club; and to the Commonwealth, Engineers, Sierra, and Bohemian clubs of San Francisco.

Professor Louderback died in Berkeley on January 27, 1957, and is survived by his wife. During his long career he saw the University of California grow from an isolated small college into a statewide University, and through his wisdom and devotion contributed in large measure to that development. He was one of the founders of the scientific tradition of the University of California and the most influential statesman in academic government of his era.

Selected publications

• Byerly, P., and G.D. Louderback. 1964. Andrew Cowper Lawson, July 25, 1861-June 16, 1952. National Academy of Sciences Biographical Memoirs 37:185-204.
• Louderback, G.D. 1957. Notas a la “Tabla para la determinacion megascopica de rocas igneas.” Boletin de la Sociedad Geologica Mexicana 1:71-73.
• Byerly, P., and G.D. Louderback. 1954. Memorial to Andrew Cowper Lawson (1861-1952). Proceedings of the Geological Society of America 1953. Pp. 141-147.
• Louderback, G.D. 1954. Andrew Cowper Lawson (1861-1952). Bulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists 38(1):188-191.
• Louderback, G.D. 1951. Geologic history of San Francisco Bay. Pp. 75-94 in O.P. Jenkins (ed.), Geologic Guidebook of the San Francisco Bay Counties. California Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mines Bulletin 154.
• Louderback, G.D. 1950. Faults and engineering geology. Pp. 125-151 in S. Paige (ed.), Application of Geology to Engineering Practice. Geological Society of America.
• Louderback, G.D. 1948. California earthquakes in 1812. Geological Society of America Bulletin abstract 59(12, Part 2):1394.
• Louderback, G.D. 1947. Central California earthquakes 1818-1829. Geological Society of America Bulletin abstract 58(12, Part 2):1266.
• Louderback, G.D. 1947. Central California earthquakes of the 1830s. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 37(1):33-74.
• Louderback, G.D. 1946. Sidney Dean Townley, 1867-1946. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 36(4):323-325.
• Louderback, G.D. 1945. Harry Fielding Reid, 1859-1944. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 35(3):95-97.
• Louderback, G.D. 1944. The reputed destructive earthquake of January 16-18, 1840 [Santa Cruz, California]. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 34(2):103-107.
• Louderback, G.D. 1944. The personal record of Ada M. Trotter of certain after-shocks of the Charleston (S.C.) earthquake of 1886. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 34(4):199-206.
• Louderback, G.D. 1942. Coal measures and red-bed section of northern Szechuan, China. Geological Society of America Bulletin 53(12).
• Louderback, G.D. 1942. Faults and earthquakes. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 32(4):305-330.
• Louderback, G.D. 1942. History of the University of California seismographic stations and related activities. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 32(3):205-229.
• Louderback, G.D. 1941. Development of San Francisco Bay. Geological Society of America Bulletin abstract 52(12, Part 2):1952.
• Louderback, G.D. 1940. San Francisco Bay sediments. Proceedings of the Sixth Pacific Science Congress 2:783-793.
• Louderback, G.D. 1939. Characteristics of the Haywards fault [California] from observed cuts and tunnels. Geological Society of America Bulletin abstract 50(12, Part 2):1954.
• Louderback, G.D. 1938. Evidence from bore holes bearing on the geologic history of valleys in the Coast Range east of Berkeley, California. Proceedings of the Geological Society of America abstract 49:339.
• Louderback, G.D. 1938. Geologic section through the Berkeley Hills. Proceedings of the Geological Society of America 1937 abstract. P. 246.
• Louderback, G.D. 1937. Characteristics of active faults in the central Coast Ranges of California, with application to the safety of dams. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 27(1):1-27.
• Louderback, G.D. 1937. Sedimentary cycles in west China. Proceedings of the Geological Society of America 49:307-308.
• Louderback, G.D. 1936. The age of the earth from sedimentation. The Scientific Monthly 42(3):240-246.
• Louderback, G.D. 1935. The stratigraphic relations of the Jung Hsien fossil dinosaur in the Szechuan red beds of China. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geological Sciences 23(14):459-466.
• Louderback, G.D. 1935. River action in the San Gabriel Mountains. Pan-American Geologist abstract 63(4):305-306.
• Louderback, G.D. 1934. Red-bed dinosaurs of the Szechuan Basin, China. Proceedings of the Geological Society of America 47:333-334.
• Louderback, G.D. 1934. Notes on the geologic section near Columbia, California, with special reference to the occurrence of fossils in the auriferous gravels. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 440:7-13.
• Louderback, G.D., and F.L. Ransome. 1933. Geologic report on Kennett, Iron Canyon, and Table Mountain dam sites on Sacramento River. California Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division Bulletin 26(1931):431-454.
• Louderback, G.D. 1933. Permian inset outliers in the Tsinling Shan, China. Proceedings of the Geological Society of America abstract 1933:94-95.
• Louderback, G.D. 1933. Geologic report on Fairview dam site on Trinity River. California Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division Bulletin 26(1931):471-478.
• Louderback, G.D. 1933. Memorial of J. Claude Jones [1877-1932]. Geological Society of America Bulletin 44(Part 2):374-377.
• Louderback, G.D. 1930. Geological conditions at Lafayette Dam. Pan-American Geologist abstract 54(1):72.
• Louderback, G.D. 1930. An outline of earth movements in the central coast region of California in late Pliocene and post-Pliocene time. Fourth Pacific Science Congress, Java, Proceedings 2B:841-848.
• Louderback, G.D. 1928. The geology of the Saint Francis dam site. Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers, San Francisco section 24(3):9-10.
• Louderback, G.D. 1928. Geologic conditions at the [Saint Francis] dam site. In Report of the Commission appointed by Governor C.C. Young to investigate the causes leading to the failure of the St. Francis Dam near Saugus, California. California State Printing Office.
• Louderback, G.D. 1928. Geologic features of Kennett dam site [Sacramento River]. California Department of Public Works, Division of Engineering and Irrigation Bulletin 13:56-59.
• Louderback, G.D. 1926. Morphologic features of the Basin Range displacements in the Great Basin. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geological Sciences 16(1):1-42.
• Louderback, G.D. 1924. Period of scarp production in the Great Basin. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geological Sciences 15(1):1-44.
• Louderback, G.D. 1924. Geologic section across the Coast Ranges of California (abstract, with discussion by Robin Willis). Geological Society of America Bulletin 35(1):95.
• Twenhofel, W.H., E. Blackwelder, R.O.E. Davis, W.A. Johnston, E.M. Kindle, J.V. Lewis, G.D. Louderback, R.W. Sayles, and W.A. Tarr. 1924. Report of the committee on sedimentation. National Research Council, Washington, D.C.
• Louderback, G.D. 1923. Basin range structure in the Great Basin. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geological Sciences 14(10):330-376.
• Louderback, G.D. 1921. Certain marked differential movements in the San Francisco Bay region (abstract with discussion by W.H. Hobbs). Geological Society of America Bulletin 32(1):189.
• Louderback, G.D. 1920. Preliminary results of a study of the San Francisco Bay sediments (abstract with discussion by E.W. Shaw). Geological Society of America Bulletin 31(1):123-124.
• Louderback, G.D. 1920. Age of the scarp-producing faults of the Great Basin. Geological Society of America Bulletin 31(1):127.
• Louderback, G.D. 1920. Proceedings of the nineteenth annual meeting of the Cordilleran section, held at Pasadena, California, June 19-22, 1919. Geological Society of America Bulletin 31:191-196.
• Louderback, G.D. 1918. Californian manganese problem. Mining Science Press 116:451-452.
• Louderback, G.D. 1915. Proceedings of the fifteenth annual meeting of the Cordilleran section of the Geological Society of America held at Seattle, Washington, May 21 and 22, 1914. Geological Society of America Bulletin 26(1):129-140.
• Louderback, G.D. 1915. Basin Range faulting in the northwestern part of the Great Basin. Geological Society of America Bulletin 26:138-139.
• Louderback, G.D. 1914. Proceedings of the fourteenth annual meeting of the Cordilleran section of the Geological Society of America, held at Berkeley, California, April 11 and 12, 1913. Geological Society of America Bulletin 25(1):119-126.
• Sumner, F.B., G.D. Louderback, W.L. Schmitt, and E.C. Johnston. 1914. A report upon the physical conditions in San Francisco Bay, based upon the operations of the United States Fisheries’ steamer Albatross during the years 1912 and 1913. Pp. 1-198 in W.E. Ritter and C.A. Kofoid (eds.). University of California Publications in Zoology 14(1).
• Louderback, G.D. 1913. The Monterey series in California. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geology 7(10):177-241.
• Louderback, G.D. 1913. Proceedings of the thirteenth annual meeting of the Cordilleran section of the Geological Society of America, held at Stanford University, California, April 5, 1912. Geological Society of America Bulletin 24:91-98.
• Louderback, G.D. 1913. General features of the structure of the bedrock complex of the Sierra Nevada. Geological Society of America Bulletin 24(1):98.
• Louderback, G.D. 1912. Pseudostratification in Santa Barbara County, California. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geology 7(2):21-38.
• Louderback, G.D. 1912. Proceedings of the twelfth annual meeting of the Cordilleran section of the Geological Society of America, held at Berkeley, California, March 31 and April 1, 1911. Geological Society of America Bulletin 23:69-76.
• Louderback, G.D. 1912. Some general features of the Miocene of the southern coast range region of California. Geological Society of America Bulletin abstract 23:72.
• Louderback, G.D. 1911. Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada. Journal of Geography 9(10):277-279.
• Louderback, G.D. 1910. The Geological Society of America eleventh annual meeting of the Cordilleran section. Science 32(809):30-31.
• Louderback, G.D. 1910. Secondary pseudostratification in Santa Barbara County, California. Geological Society of America Bulletin 21:791.
• Louderback, G.D., and W.C. Blasdale. 1910. Ruby corundum from San Bernardino County, California. Science abstract 32:31.
• Louderback, G.D. 1909. Benitoite, its paragenesis and mode of occurrence, with chemical analyses by Walter C. Blasdale. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geology 5(23):331-380.
• Louderback, G.D. 1909. Chief features of the stratigraphy and structure of Mount Diablo, California. Geological Society of America Bulletin abstract 19:537-538.
• Louderback, G.D. 1908. General geological features of the Truckee region east of the Sierra Nevada. Geological Society of America Bulletin 19:662-669.
• Louderback, G.D. 1908. The chief features of the stratigraphy and structure of Mount Diablo, California. Science abstract 27:406.
• Louderback, G.D., and W.J. Sharwood. 1908. Crocidolite-bearing rocks of the California coast ranges. Geological Society of America Bulletin abstract 18:659.
• Louderback, G.D. 1907. Benitoite, a new California gem mineral. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geology 5(9):149-153.
• Louderback, G.D. 1907. Where mammoths roved: Recent discoveries in Carson, Nevada, State Prison. Sunset Magazine 19:205-216
• Louderback, G.D. 1906. The relation of radioactivity to volcanism. Journal of Geology 14:747-757.
• Louderback, G.D. 1905. Study of the Basin range structure and glaucophane and associated schists of California and Oregon. Carnegie Institution of Washington Year Book 4:193.
• Louderback, G.D. 1905. The Mesozoic of southwestern Oregon. Journal of Geology 13:514-555.
• Louderback, G.D. 1904. Gypsum deposits in Nevada. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 223:112-118.
• Louderback, G.D. 1904. Basin Range structure of the Humboldt region [Nevada]. Geological Society of America Bulletin 15:289-346.
• Louderback, G.D. 1903. Some gypsum deposits of northwestern Nevada. Journal of Geology 11:99.
• Louderback, G.D. 1903. A structural section of a Basin range. Journal of Geology 11:102-103.
• Louderback, G.D. 1901. General geological features of Nevada, and their relationships to the prevailing economic deposits. Report of The Proceedings of the International Mining Congress. Pp. 200-207.
• Louderback, G.D. 1899. On the origin of the glaucophane and associated schists of the Coast Ranges. A contribution to the theory of crystalline schists. Ph.D. thesis. [NOTE: Although Louderback’s thesis was completed at UC Berkeley and it is recorded in GeoRef as being at Berkeley, it has never been cataloged into the library collection nor is a copy available from any of the campus libraries]