Professor Qiusheng Zhang’s Contributions to Geology: In Memory of the 30th Anniversary of His Passing

Jianzhao Yin

Orient Resources Ltd., Canada

Abstract: Professor Qiusheng Zhang (1929.8-1987.12), the most well-known geological professor at Changchun University of Earth Sciences, a top school of geology in China and now part of Jilin University, suddenly passed away on December 28, 1987 while travelling on Flight 938 from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates to Beijing. He contracted a local disease while on a field trip in Tanzania for an international conference, and developed life-threatening malignant malaria as a result. Aged 58 at the time, Zhang’s passing shocked not only the geological world but also had a severe impact across China.

Amongst Zhang’s impressive resume are numerous key roles, including: Director of the Institute of Mineral Deposits; Chairman of the Geologists Association of Jilin Province, China; China Working Group leader for both Projects 91 and 247, International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP), UNESCO; the first President of the International Working Group of IGCP Project 247 (1989-1990); and Member of the International Association of Mineral Deposits.

In addition, Zhang made many contributions to the development of geological sciences, including: recognizing the granitization of Jushan Group in Jiangsu Province, China; building the evolutional model and study method of the early Precambrian geological structural cycles of China; recognizing Paleozoic ophiolite in the eastern Qin Mountain region, China; proposing the Liaojitite Suite, a special eugeosynclinal facies of the early Proterozoic in Liaoning and Jilin Provinces, China; proposing deep liquid source beds underneath the ancient crust at continental margins; researching metamorphic cycles and associated mineral deposits in China; among many others.

As his master’s student, the author of this paper describes Zhang’s overloaded schedule in 1987, the reactions of his wife, postgraduate students and colleagues before, during and after his final trip to Africa, and his significant geological contributions.

Key words: Prof. Zhang, December 28, 1987, Precambrian, Tanzania, Africa, malignant malaria