Marie Tharp was born on July 30, 1920, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the only child of Bertha Louise Tharp, a German and Latin teacher, … See more

By 1948, Tharp had spent four years in Tulsa and was looking for her next career step. She moved to New York City and initially sought work at the American Museum of Natural History. Still, after learning ho… See more

Before the early 1950s, scientists knew very little about the ocean floor structure. Though studying geology on land was cheaper and easier, the overall structure of the Earth could not be understood without knowledge of the struct… See more

After Heezen's death, Tharp continued to serve on the faculty of Columbia University until 1983, after which she operated a map-distribution business in South Nyack during her retirement. Tharp donated her map collection a… See more

In 1948, she married David Flanagan and moved with him to New York. They divorced in 1952. See more

Like many scientists, Marie Tharp was recognized mainly later in life. Her awards include:
• 1978 – National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal
• 1996 – Society of Woman Geographers Outstanding … See more