Li Siguang, a native of Huanggang, Hubei Province, is a geologist, educator, musician, and founder of Chinese geomechanics.
In 1913, Li Siguang was admitted to the University of Birmingham, where he studied mining first and geology. In 1920, after returning to China, he served as a professor and head of the geology department of Peking University.
Li Siguang's scientific achievements can be roughly divided into two stages, focusing on the research of basic geological disciplines before 1949; after 1949, according to the needs of the country, he concentrated on actively exploring the field of applied research.
In 1923, Li Siguang proposed the method of identification of the family Slugs and created ten standards, and he used this method to identify a large number of fossil specimens, which became his first scientific masterpiece" "The Dragonfly of Northern China", and obtained a doctorate in science from the University of Birmingham.
In the early 1920s, Li Siguang began to study Quaternary glaciers in China and completed the book "Lushan During the Ice Age", which aroused great interest and discussion in the geological circles of China and other countries.
Li Siguang's most important achievement was the creation of geomechanics. He closely combined mechanics and geology to open up a new way to solve the problems of crustal structure and crustal movement.
Li Siguang also contributed to the successful development of China's atomic and hydrogen bombs. Based on the theory of geomechanics, he proposed to find the idea of finding 211 extraordinarily large uranium deposits.
Li Siguang has also made important contributions to the development of China's petroleum industry. After carefully analyzing the geological conditions in China, he proposed that the three settlements of the new Huaxia tectonic system have a broad prospect of oil prospects.
Li Siguang deeply felt the serious damage caused by the earthquake disaster to the lives and property of the country and the people, and in the last few years of his life, he devoted a lot of energy to the prediction and prediction of earthquakes.
Dare to question, seek truth and be pragmatic is the creed that Li Siguang has abided by all his life.
Patriotic dedication and the courage to take responsibility are the portrayal of Li Siguang's life. At a time when national construction was in dire need of energy, Li Siguang let the billowing oil bubble up.
In addition to being a geologist, Li Siguang is also a music fan, composing one of China's earliest violin pieces, "Walking Difficulty".
In October 1989, the Li Siguang Memorial Hall was completed and opened in Beijing, with 12 exhibition halls, including Li Siguang's biography exhibition, geological and mineral specimen exhibition, earthquake exhibition hall, youth science popularization activity exhibition hall, etc.
In January 1989, the state established the Li Siguang Geological Science Award to commemorate Li Siguang's great contributions to China's scientific undertakings and geological undertakings, and to encourage the vast number of geological science and technology workers to make more contributions to socialist modernization and scientific and technological progress.
Li Siguang is the founder of Chinese geomechanics, the main leader and founder of modern earth science and geological work in China. We must inherit and carry forward his spirit of "loving the motherland, pursuing the truth, pioneering and innovating, and selfless dedication", establish a correct scientific concept, be diligent in practice, have the courage to innovate, and contribute our own strength in the new era.