a107  0943  08 Feb 90
PM-Japan-Prize,0384
British, French and Americans Win Japan Prize
By DAVID THURBER
Associated Presss Writer
    TOKYO (AP) - An American scientist known as the ''father of
artificial intelligence'' and three geologists who developed the
theory that the Earth's crust consists of rigid plates have won the
1990 Japan Prizes, the prize committee said today.
    Professor Marvin Lee Minsky of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology will receive one of the two prizes, each worth $345,000,
for developing and popularizing the concept of artificial
intelligence - or computers that reason like the human brain, the
Science and Technology Foundation of Japan said.
    The other prize will be shared by professors William Jason Morgan of
Princeton University, Dan Peter McKenzie of Britain's Cambridge
University and Xavier Le Pichon of France's Ecole Normale Superieure
for their work on the theory of tectonic plates.
    Each year the prizes are awarded in two different areas of science
and technology, with this year's awards given in the fields of Earth
science and the techology of integration.
    According to plate tectonics, the Earth's crust is made up of about
20 rigid plates that grind against each other with a velocity of
several inches a year, causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and
the formation of ridges and mountains.
    ''The plate theory has been used widely to study earthquakes in
Japan,'' said Professor Toshi Asada of Tokai University, chairman of
the Earth science selection panel. ''Plate tectonics is still very
useful, which is why we have awarded the prize in this area.''
    Morgan first presented the plate theory in 1967, the committee said.
McKenzie applied the theory to the Pacific region, showing that the
ocean floor moves as one gigantic plate, while Le Pichon studied
plate movement in other parts of the world, it said.
    The non-profit prize foundation, formed under the direction of the
prime minister's office, began with a $172 million grant from
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and the company's founder, the
late Konosuke Matsushita.
    Since the prize began in 1985, 19 scientists in 12 fields have
received awards.
    This year's winners are to receive their prizes in Tokyo on April
17. They were selected from among 662 people nominated by scientists
and academics in Japan and around the world, the foundation said.
    
 
AP-NY-02-08-90 1234EST
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