Hans Benndorf

Hans Benndorf (December 13, 1870 - February 11, 1953) was an Austrian physicist who was born in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1895 he earned his doctorate from the University of Vienna, and subsequently became an assistant to Franz Serafin Exner (1849-1926). In 1904 be became a professor (extraordinary) at the University of Graz, and from 1910 to 1936 was a full professor of physics at Graz. He was the son of archaeologist Otto Benndorf (1838-1907) and the grandson of physiologist Rudolf Wagner (1805-1864).

Benndorf made several contributions in his research of atmospheric electricity and seismology. In 1907 he was winner of the Ignaz Lieben Prize for his work on the propagation of seismic waves. In a mine-shaft at Pribram he was able to differentiate between long-distance earthquakes and local microseismic activity with the use of seismometers. He was also the first to solve the problem concerning refraction of seismic rays in spherical layers. A device known as a "Benndorf electrometer" is used for atmospheric electrical measurements.

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* "This article is based on a translation of an article from the German Wikipedia."