In Memoriam: Professor Vladimir Keilis-Borok

It is with great sadness that ICTP has learned of the death of Professor Vladimir Keilis-Borok. Prof. Keilis-Borok passed away at his home in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 92. 

KB, as he was called by his colleagues and friends, was an eminent mathematical geophysicist and course director for many ICTP activities related to Non-Linear dynamics of the lithosphere and prediction of extreme events. 

He was an Emeritus professor of the University of California at Los  Angeles (UCLA), and former President of IUGG (1987-1991). Prof. Keilis-Borok was the Founding Director of the Institute of Earthquake  Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics at the Russian Academy of  Sciences (RAS) in Moscow. 

Prof. Keilis-Borok served as Founding Chairman of the IUGG Union Commission on Mathematical Geophysics (1964-1979), Vice President of IASPEI (1983-1987), IUGG Bureau Member (1983- 1987), Executive Board Member of ICSU (1988-1991), Member of the Scientific Committee for the UN Decade for Natural Disasters Reduction (1990-1999), Member of the  International Working Group on the Geological Safety of Nuclear Waste Depositories  (1994-1997), and Member of the RAS Committee for International Security and Disarmament (1998-2000). 

Keilis-Borok's numerous honours, achievements and publications can be viewed on his homepage at the Institute of Earthquake Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics website.