Tuzo Wilson - Definition

John Tuzo Wilson (October 24, 1908-April 15, 1993) was a Canadian geophysicist and geologist who achieved worldwide acclaim for his theory of plate tectonics, the assumption that the Earth's crust is comprised of plates floating on magma. As part of his theory, he maintained that the Hawaiian Islands were created as a tectonic plate extending across much of the Pacific Ocean shifting slowly in a northwesterly direction over a fixed hotspot, spawning a long series of volcanoes.

Wilson was born to Scottish emigrants to Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. He became the first person in Canada to take a university course in geophysics, beginning his studies at the University of Toronto in 1930. He obtained various other related degrees from Saint John's College at Cambridge University and Princeton University. His academic years culminated in his obtaining a doctorate in geology in 1936. After completing his studies, Wilson enlisted in the Canadian Royal Army and served in World War II. He retired from the armed forces with the rank of colonel.

In 1969 he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 1974.

The John Tuzo Wilson Medal of the Canadian Geophysical Union was named in his honor, recognizing achievements by scientists of geophysics.