# List of geophysics awards

This list of geophysics awards is an index to articles on notable awards for contributions to geophysics, the branch of natural science concerned with the physical processes and physical properties of the Earth and its surrounding space environment, and the use of quantitative methods for their analysis. The list gives the country of the organization that sponsors the award, but the awards are not necessarily limited to people from that country.

## International

| Award | Sponsor | Notes |
| Craig J. Beasley Award | Society of Exploration Geophysicists | Given from time to time to a person or organization that has made a meritorious achievement that supports the application of geophysics to a humanitarian, public service, or other socially significant cause |
| Andrei Borisovich Vistelius Research Award | International Association for Mathematical Geosciences | Young scientist for promising contributions in research in the application of mathematics or informatics in any field of the earth sciences |
| Felix Chayes Prize | International Association for Mathematical Geosciences | Excellence in research in mathematical petrology |
| Maurice Ewing Medal | Society of Exploration Geophysicists | SEG’s highest honor, for having made distinguished contributions both to the advancement of the science and to the profession of exploration geophysics |
| Reginald Fessenden Award | Society of Exploration Geophysicists | To a person who has made a specific technical contribution to exploration geophysics, such as an invention or a theoretical or conceptual advancement, which merits special recognition |
| Cecil Green Enterprise Award | Society of Exploration Geophysicists | To an individual who has demonstrated courage, ingenuity, and achievement while risking his/her own resources and future in developing a product, service, organization, or activity which is recognized as a distinct and worthy contribution to the petroleum industry |
| J. Clarence Karcher Award | Society of Exploration Geophysicists | Given in recognition of significant contributions to the science and technology of exploration geophysics by a young geophysicist (<35 years old) of outstanding abilities |
| Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal Award | Society of Exploration Geophysicists | For having made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the science of geophysical exploration as manifested during the previous five years. The contribution may be of a technical or a professional nature. |
| Georges Matheron Lectureship | International Association for Mathematical Geosciences | Proven research ability in the field of spatial statistics or mathematical morphology |
| John Cedric Griffiths Teaching Award | International Association for Mathematical Geosciences | Outstanding teaching that involves application of mathematics or informatics to the Earth's nonrenewable natural resources or to sedimentary geology |
| William Christian Krumbein Medal | International Association for Mathematical Geosciences | Distinction in application of mathematics or informatics in the earth sciences, service to the IAMG, and support to professions involved in the earth sciences |

## Americas

| Award | Sponsor | Country | Notes |
| J. Tuzo Wilson Medal | Canadian Geophysical Union | Canada | Outstanding contribution to the field of geophysics in Canada |
| Harry H. Hess Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | To honor outstanding achievements in research of the constitution and evolution of Earth and sister planets |
| Charles A. Whitten Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | Outstanding achievement in research on the form and dynamics of the Earth and planets |
| Guenter Loeser Memorial Award | Air Force Research Laboratory | United States | Outstanding research contribution |
| Inge Lehmann Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | Outstanding contributions to the understanding of the structure, composition, and dynamics of the Earth's mantle and core |
| John Adam Fleming Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | Original research and technical leadership in geomagnetism, atmospheric electricity, aeronomy, space physics, and related sciences |
| James B. Macelwane Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | Early career scientists in the field of Geological and Planetary Sciences |
| Maurice Ewing Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | Significant original contributions to the understanding of physical, geophysical, and geological processes in the ocean; to those who advance oceanographic engineering, technology, and instrumentation; and to those who perform outstanding service to the marine sciences |
| Robert E. Horton Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | Outstanding contributions to the geophysical aspects of hydrology |
| Roger Revelle Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | Outstanding accomplishments or contributions toward the understanding of the Earth's atmospheric processes, including its dynamics, chemistry, and radiation; and toward the role of the atmosphere, atmosphere-ocean coupling, or atmosphere-land coupling in determining the climate, biogeochemical cycles, or other key elements of the climate system |
| Vetlesen Prize | Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation | United States | Scientific achievement resulting in a clearer understanding of the Earth, its history, or its relations to the universe |
| Waldo E. Smith Award | American Geophysical Union | United States | Individuals who have played unique leadership roles in such diverse areas as scientific associations, education, legislation, research, public understanding of science, management, and philanthropy, and whose accomplishments have greatly strengthened and helped advance the geophysical sciences |
| Whipple Award | American Geophysical Union | United States | Individual who makes an outstanding contribution to the field of planetary science |
| William Bowie Medal | American Geophysical Union | United States | Outstanding contributions to fundamental geophysics and for unselfish cooperation in research |
| William Gilbert Award | American Geophysical Union | United States | Outstanding and unselfish work in magnetism of Earth materials and of the Earth and planets |

## Asia

| Award | Sponsor | Country | Notes |
| Krishnan Medal | Indian Geophysical Union | India | Outstanding geophysicist/geologist whose age does not exceed 40 years for outstanding work in specific branches of geophysics/geology and related geosciences |

## Europe

| Award | Sponsor | Country | Notes |
| Alexander von Humboldt Medal | European Geosciences Union | Europe | Research in developing regions for the benefit of people and society through which they have achieved exceptional international standing in geosciences and planetary and space sciences |
| Arthur Holmes Medal | European Geosciences Union | Europe | Scientists who have achieved exceptional international standing in solid Earth sciences for their contributions and scientific achievements |
| Bullerwell Lecture | British Geophysical Association | United Kingdom | Significant contribution to the field of geophysics |
| Chapman Medal | Royal Astronomical Society | United Kingdom | Investigations of outstanding merit in the science of the Sun, space and planetary environments or solar-terrestrial physics |
| Conrad Schlumberger Award | European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers | Europe | Outstanding contribution over a period of time to the scientific and technical advancement of the geosciences, particularly geophysics |
| Desiderius Erasmus award | European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers | Europe | Outstanding and lasting achievements in the field of resource exploration and development. |
| Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society | Royal Astronomical Society | United Kingdom | Achievement in geophysics |
| Hans Oeschger Medal | European Geosciences Union | Europe | Outstanding achievements in ice research and/or short term climatic changes (past, present, future) |
| Keith Runcorn Prize | Royal Astronomical Society | United Kingdom | Best British doctoral thesis in geophysics |
| Louis Néel Medal | European Geosciences Union | Europe | Outstanding contributions in the application of experimental and theoretical methods of solid state physics to the study of earth sciences |
| Price Medal | Royal Astronomical Society | United Kingdom | Investigations of outstanding merit in solid-earth geophysics, oceanography, or planetary sciences |