First professional female geologist to survey Mount Desert Island

In 1919, Florence Bascom published her study titled "The Geology of Mount Desert Island," making her the first professional female geologist to conduct a scientific survey of Mount Desert Island, located in what is now Acadia National Park, Maine.

This coastal island, characterized by dramatic granite formations shaped by glacial activity, presented challenging terrain for detailed geological mapping and analysis. Bascom's survey contributed foundational scientific understanding of the island's bedrock geology, glacial history, and structural features, work that would later inform the National Park Service's interpretation and management of the area's natural resources.

Her survey exemplified her broader career pattern of tackling rigorous outdoor fieldwork in rugged, often physically demanding environments, at a time when such expeditions were widely viewed as inappropriate or unsuitable for women. By producing authoritative, professionally rigorous geological documentation of Mount Desert Island, Bascom further cemented her reputation as one of the era's most capable field geologists, regardless of gender.

Her work on Mount Desert Island has since been recognized by the National Park Service itself, which commemorates her contribution as part of its history of scientific research in Acadia National Park, highlighting her role as "the Stone Lady" whose meticulous studies helped establish a scientific foundation for understanding one of America's treasured coastal landscapes.