Today’s special Google Logo, aka Google Doodle, celebrates the life of Nicolas Steno, the father of modern geology.

The logo symbolizes the study of the earth, from the ocean to the mountain tops. In Google Doodle fashion, the art makes up the letters of Google’s name, and this one has the Google colors as well.

Nicolas Steno was born 374 years ago on 1638 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He along with James Hutton founded what we know today as geology, the study of Earth. He died at the age of 48 in Schwerin, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on December 5, 1686.

Pope John Paul II beatified Nicolas Steno for his work and contributions to the world. To learn more about his life, see Wikipedia.

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