Prof. Yin Zanxun, as a famous geologist and paleontologist in China, had made great contributions to the scientific works,
scientific organization and leadership, and geological education. He was very active in many geological subdisciplines such as stratigraphy, petrology, mineral resources, tectonics, volcanology, karst and Quaternary geology. Even if in the
paleontology field, he had many studies not only on invertebrate paleontology but also on other subdisciplines, including vertebrate paleontology,micropaleontology, ichnology and astropaleontology, etc.Through his educational activities, countless outstanding geologists were nurtured and trained. They have been working everywhere in China, and achieving brilliant successes in the exploration of mineral resources. As one of the scientific organizers and leaders, Prof. Yin made great contributions to many aspects, such as the founding of institutes of earth sciences, advocating rational distribution of scientific-research bases, establishing and implementing of scientific programmes, etc.It is deserved to acclaim that Prof. Yin was not only a distinguished leader and organizer who had propeled the cause of earth sciences forward but also a great pioneer and founder in Chinese geology and paleontology. He had specially stressed that we should pay equal attention to both field investigation and indoor research. In other words, during field investigation, the observation should be diligent, laying careful and measuring accurate, while in indoor studying, the probation should be deeper and deeper, comparing more and more, and coming to the conclusion cautiously and more cautiously. For example, it is necessary that the collected fossils should be studied thoroughly, not only paying attention to the exterior shape but also analysing the interior fine structures, then closely relating the population variability and ontogenesis,and additionally considering the relationship among the various taxa and the development of
stratigraphic sequence and at last coming to a scientific conclusion based on a solid foundation. His studies on the graptolites and mollusks from Southwest China and North China, and the timing and subdivision of the related strata were esteemed examples for later workers. He was the first scholar who pioneerly studied the microfossils and trace fossils in China besides macrofossils mentioned above.In order to scientifically and effectively develop Chinese stratigraphy, soon after the foundation of new China, he started to organize and compile by himself "Regional Stratigraphic Tables of China", later compiled "Stratigraphic Lexicon of China,Vol. 7, Carboniferous System" and "Annotated List of Special Names of Crustal Movements in China". On above basis, the work "Explanatory Notes on the Stratigraphic Code" was worked; out by him. As a key marker that Chinese stratigraphic works have become scientific and modernized since then, it will display more and more significant role in Chinese stratigraphic progress later on.Since 1972, Prof. Yin published successively "Brief Outline of Plate Tectonics","Plate Tectonics: A Review", "From Continentical Drift to Plate Tectonics", "The Six Major Plates of the Earth and Earthquakes", etc., which were the scientific results from dealing with the plate tectonics, a great contribution in Earth science at that time, and integrating with the concrete practice of China. Then Prof. Yin had once again become the founder who was the earliest one introducing the plate tec\tonics into China and being engaged in study on the theory, so he was a good model and guide for Chinese geologists.In the second half of 1975, because there was a rumour that the volcanoes would explode soon in Datong district, Shanxi Province, the ordinary life and productive activities of local people were disturbed. Although he was 73 years old, Prof. Yin once knew it, went to Datong volcanic area immediately regardless of his illness, and made carefully investigat