He made crucial discoveries about the nature of rivers, especially their remarkable regularity. He showed that this regularity of form applies to all rivers, whether they are in sand boxes or draining entire continents, at scales of a laboratory flume or the Gulf Stream. |
In effect, Luna turned the hydrologic division of the USGS into a premier research organization, contributing to the prominence the field now has. |
Put simply, Luna inspired. His passion about science and his joy about the natural world were felt by students. He strongly believed that simple, systematic observations of natural processes - and the keeping of good field notes - would reveal how nature worked and was a powerful tool in the fight for the environment. |