H.F. Reid

H.F. Reid, or Harry Fielding Reid, was a pioneering American geophysicist known for his work in seismology, particularly after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. He developed the elastic rebound theory, which explains how energy builds up in the Earth's crust due to tectonic plate movements and is released suddenly during an earthquake. This theory laid the foundation for understanding earthquake mechanics and risk assessment. Reid's contributions have significantly influenced how we study and prepare for seismic events, helping to improve safety and building practices in earthquake-prone areas.