Henry Fielding Reid

Henry Fielding Reid was an American seismologist known for his groundbreaking work on earthquakes in the early 20th century. He developed the "elastic rebound theory," which explains how stress accumulates in the Earth's crust and is released suddenly during an earthquake. This theory revolutionized our understanding of seismic activity by illustrating how tectonic plates interact. Reid's insights laid the foundation for modern seismology, helping scientists develop better methods to study and predict earthquakes, ultimately enhancing safety measures for affected communities. His contributions remain vital to understanding the dynamics of earthquakes today.