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RECONSTRUCTING GEOMORPHOLOGY: AN APPRECIATION OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF J. ROSS MACKAY (1915-2014) Session: John Ross MacKay Symposium - Permafrost I / Symposium John Ross MacKay - Pergélisol I Michael Church, The University of British Columbia (Canada) Based as they are entirely on his own field experiences, Ross Mackay’s geomorphological contributions are commonly regarded as the fruit of solo inspiration. In fact, his work is decidedly the product of its time. At the outset of his career, geomorphology was entering a radical transformation from interpretive study of landscape history toward quantitative study of landscape-forming processes. Accordingly, Mackay’s earliest works are accounts of regional geography. From 1960, however, his work, following the new perspective, expresses its dominant character: quantitative measurement in the field and on maps, and application of physical theory for interpreting the observations. By 1965 his mature style was firmly established. The outstanding aspects of Mackay’s contributions are his genius for making critical field observations and his ability to use them to test geophysical theory. But his early regard for landscape history remained an important aspect of his insight throughout his career.
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