The History of the International Geophysical Year

Origins of the IGY

The primary goal of the IGY was a coordinated, global effort meant to study the geophysical phenomena and gather data from all regions, but specifically the polar areas, to create a more comprehensive picture of our planet ("The IGY").

Home of James Van Allen (NASA 2022).

Maryland, USA

The idea for the IGY originated at the home of physicist James Van Allen and his wife Abigail at 1105 Meurilee Lane, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA (NASA 2023).

1105 Meurilee Lane, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.

Conversation Starters

At James Van Allen's dinner party held on April 5, 1950, several prominent geophysicists discussed the idea of a third International Polar Year, which were initiatives devoted to the studies of the upper atmosphere in the Arctic regions. It was there that the scope was broadened from a polar-focused study to a worldwide effort coinciding with a period of maximum solar activity, laying the groundwork for the IGY (Bullen 1957, p. 16).

First science planning meeting for the proposed Third International Polar Year, held in California, 1050 (NASA 2022).

A meeting of the Special Committee for the International Geophysical Year (NASA 2022).

From Talks to Taking Action

As scientists continued to talk with one another and the idea spread, a consensus emerged that this international endeavor should not limit itself to just studying the Earth’s poles. In May of 1952, the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) had endorsed the initiative and established a Special Committee for the IGY, which is better known by its French acronym CSAGI (Comité Spécial de l'Année Géophysique Internationale, or Special Committee for the International Geophysical Year). The CSAGI then established the IGY for the 18-month period from July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958. The time period coincided with the next expected maximum activity phase of the Sun’s 11-year cycle (Martin 1958, p. 20).

The scope of the IGY encompassed 11 different Earth sciences: aurora and airglow, cosmic rays, geomagnetism, glaciology, gravity, ionospheric physics, precision mapping, meteorology and radiation, oceanography, seismology, and solar activity (NASA 2023).

Who was involved?

Prominent geophysicists who contributed to the foundation of the IGY.

James Van Allen (USA) - University of Iowa, Head of Physics and Astronomy

James Van Allen was a prominent contributor to the International Geophysical Year as he led the effort to put scientific instruments on radio satellites. This led to his monumental discovery of Earth's radiation belts using Geiger counters on Explorer 1 and 3. Allen would go on to name this phenomenon the Van Allen Belts. This discovery led Allen to be a key figure in space science and one of the first major U.S. scientific triumphs of the Space Age. His organized efforts in the scientific community maximized the research potential of satellite launches, ensuring that they fulfilled the goals of the International Geophysical Year (NASA 2021).

Lloyd V. Berkner (USA) - Physicist and Engineer

Lloyd V. Berkner was one of the key figures who proposed and championed the idea of the International Geophysical Year in 1950, transforming what was a small polar study concept into a global, multidisciplinary scientific effort from 1957-1958. This initiative advanced space science and international scientific cooperation. Berkner was crucial due to his expanding of the original idea from an International Polar Year to a worldwide study of the Earth. He used his influence as a scientist and administrator in order to push for open data and global participation (Korsmo 2010, p. 55).

Sydney Chapman (UK) - Geophysicist and Mathematician

Sydney Chapman was prominent to the International Geophysical Year primarily as the president of the special committee that organized and led the global scientific enterprise. Chapman served as the president of the CSAGI, which was a committee established in order to coordinate the massive international effort that involved 67 nations. His efforts and inspiration were crucial to organizing global, simultaneous observations across various scientific fields. Chapman was a renowned geophysicist with fundamental contributions to the study of the Earth's atmosphere, the ozone layer, geomagnetism, and solar-terrestrial physics (Wikimedia).

James Van Allen

(NASA 2021)

Lloyd V. Berkner

(Wikimedia)

Sydney Chapman

(Akasofu 2020)

Grigory Gamburtsev (USSR) - Director of the Geophysical Institute

Grigory Gamburtsev was a prominent figure to the International Geophysical Year primarily die to his role as the leading Soviet geophysicist who spearheded the Soviet Antarctic program. As a seismologist, Gamburtsev developed crucial seismic techniques (e.g. deep sounding) used by his expeditions to discover the massive subglacial Gamburtsev Mountains located in Antarctica during the IGY. He had established the groundwork for Antarctic geophysics, focusing on deep crustal studies, which had become essential to the IGY's polar research. And while Gamburtsev had passed away before the IGY began, his vision and methods had guided the initiative (Wikimedia).

Syun-iti Akimoto (Japan) - University of Tokyo, head of Institute for Solid State Physics

Syun-iti Akimoto was a prominent figure in geophysics, especially paleo-magnetism and high-pressure mineral physics, both during and after the International Geophysical Year. Akimoto contributed significantly to the understanding of Earth's magnetic history and mantle properties, laying the groundowkr for planetary magnetism. While not explicitly named as an IGY leader, Akimoto's core research in geomagnetism and high-pressure mineral physics directly advanced the goals of the IGY and subsequent geophysical exploration for years to come (UAF Centennial).

John Tuzo Wilson (Canada) - University of Toronto, Geologist and Geophysicist

John Tuzo Wilson was a prominent figure both during and after the International Geophysical Year, as his primary role was as a leading international science administrator who not only encouraged global participation but also helped to coordinate geophysical research efforts. As the elected president of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) from 1957-1960, Wilson played a critical role in coordinating and promoting global geophysical research. He had arranged for Canada to host the IUGG General Assembly in 1957, which was the first international meeting attended by a sizable Soviet delegation (Department of Physics).

Grigory Gamburtsev

(Alchetron)

Syun-iti Akimoto

(UAF Centennial)

John Tuzo Wilson

("Department of Physics")

(NASA 2022)

Goals of the Initiative

The primary goals of the IGY were to perform simultaneous and coordinated global observations of the Earth and its environment, all the while promoting international scientific cooperation across Cold War political divides (Bullen 1957, p. 17).

The IGY Goes Public!

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was the U.S. President who approved and launched American participation in the International Geophysical Year ("The IGY").

The IGY established a precedent for large-scale international scientific collaborations, which would go on to inspire similar future events to come, such as the construction of the International Space Station (NASA 2023).

Van Allen radiation belts (NASA 2022).

The Legacy of the IGY

Executions and outcomes of the International Geophysical Year included the space age, scientific discoveries including the Van Allen radiation belts, innovations in data sharing, Antarctic research, and international cooperation despite being held during the Cold War (NASA 2023).

Click here to learn about the negative outcomes of the IGY:

NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

Positive Impacts!

Click here to learn about the positive outcomes of the IGY!

Group of women mathematicians at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They calculated Explorer 1's trajectory by hand (NASA 2022).

Fun Fact! The success of international scientific collaboration that came from the IGY had led the ICSU to create the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) in order to carry forward a collaboration in Antarctic science that had begun during the IGY (Summerhayes 2008, p. 321).