Walter Munk Day provides wave of activities to honor late oceanographer

Walter Munk Day, an annual event honoring the renowned La Jolla oceanographer, returned to La Jolla Shores on Oct. 4 with dozens of exhibitors under sunny skies at Kellogg Park.

Guests heard remarks from speakers such as CBS-TV/8 meteorologist Shawn Styles and a Kumeyaay blessing to kick off the festivities, followed by interactive activities, art, music and more.

Munk was known as the “Einstein of the Oceans” for his work at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where his pioneering contributions advanced the science and understanding of ocean waves, wind-driven ocean gyres, deep-sea tides, internal waves, Earth’s rotation, ocean acoustics and analysis of geophysical data.

Munk’s studies on wave behavior led to the science of surf prediction and another nickname, the “Father of Surf Forecasting,” according to the California Surf Museum.

The Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans launched Walter Munk Day following his death in 2019 at age 101 to honor his legacy and support the advancement of ocean science.

Learn more at waltermunkfoundation.org.