Fayetteville in Washington County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Nuclear Chemistry

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023

1. Nuclear Chemistry Marker

Inscription. In the 1950s, Professor Paul Kuroda of the University of Arkansas' Department of Chemistry predicted that self-sustaining nuclear chain reactions could have occurred naturally in earth's geologic history. In 1972, his prediction was confirmed when scientists discovered a natural nuclear reactor in Gabon, Africa. In 1960, he predicted the existence of plutonium-244 as an element present during the solar system's formation. Confirmation of his theory enabled scientists to more accurately date the sequence of events in the solar system's early history. Kuroda's two papers on these topics were featured in "The 20th Century's 85 Benchmark Papers in Nuclear Chemistry," edited by Nobel laureate Glenn Seaborg.

Erected 2000 by Arkansas Alumni Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.

Location. 36° 4.086′ N, 94° 10.373′ W. Marker is in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in Washington County. It can be reached from North Campus Walk south of West Maple Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in front of the Chemistry Building at the University of Arkansas. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 345 N Campus Walk, Fayetteville AR 72701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwest Arkansas,

on the Ozark Plateau,

in the Cherokee Heritage Region,

and in Osage Territory.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ozarks.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Gray Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Buchanan Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Hill Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Statistical Avian Ecology (about 400 feet away); Chi Omega (about 400 feet away); Phi Alpha Theta (about 400 feet away); Schola Cantorum (about 400 feet away); The Dale Bumpers Legacy (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fayetteville.

Also see . . .
1. Paul Kuroda. Wikipedia entry on the Japanese-American chemist and nuclear scientist. (Submitted on May 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Oklo Mine. Wikipedia entry on the Gabonese mine where self-sustaining nuclear fission reactions are thought to have taken place approximately 1.7 billion years ago, lasting for hundreds of thousands of years. (Submitted on May 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 20, 2023

2. Nuclear Chemistry Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.