Description: (US Geophysicist and Physical Oceanographer Known for his Pioneering Research on Ocean Currents)
Walter Munk, a pioneering American physical oceanographer, introduced statistical methods to oceanographic data analysis. His nearly 80-year career spanned various research areas, including surface waves, Earth's rotation variations, tides, deep-ocean drilling, acoustical measurements, sea level rise, and climate change. Munk's innovative work earned him prestigious awards like the National Medal of Science and the Kyoto Prize. He played a crucial role in developing oceanographic forecasting methods during World War II and continued to advance ocean acoustic tomography throughout his career.