Recognizing Significant Contributions to Geodesy, Seismology, and Tectonophysics

The Paul G. Silver Award for Outstanding Scientific Service is presented annually and recognizes significant contributions to the fields of geodesy, seismology, tectonophysics and/or Study of the Earth’s deep interior from a mid-career or senior scientist. Nominees are assessed on their mentorship of early-career scientists, leadership on community research initiatives, or other collaborative research efforts. The award is presented during AGU's annual meeting.

Recipients receive the following:

An award plaque
Recognition in Eos
Recognition at AGU's annual meeting the year the honor is awarded
Ticket to the Geodesy section event at AGU's annual meeting the year the honor is awarded

The Paul G Silver Award is Co-administered

About the Sections Sponsoring this Award

GEODESY SECTION

Geodesy is a branch of geophysics that studies the geometrical, structural, and gravitational properties of the Earth, their time evolution, and the dynamic interactions of the solid Earth with other physical components of the Earth system (atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and the core), at a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. Geodesists also study the corresponding topics for other planets in the solar system.

AGU’s Geodesy Section is proud to contribute to this heritage over the decades, in providing services and fostering interactions among geodesists as well as between colleagues in other disciplines.

SEISMOLOGY SECTION

Seismologists use seismic waves to study how earthquake faults rupture and to probe Earth's internal structure from the surface to the core. Seismology plays a key role in mitigating earthquake hazards, finding oil and other Earth resources, monitoring nuclear explosions, and understanding the internal dynamics of our planet.

STUDY OF THE EARTH'S DEEP INTERIOR SECTION

The section of Studies of the Earth’s deep interior (SEDI or DI) is dedicated to understanding the internal structure of the Earth (and other bodies) at depths inaccessible by direct sampling. A primary goal of SEDI is to address fundamental questions about the origin, evolution, composition and dynamics of Earth’s interior.

SEDI involves a wide range of disciplines that address some of the most fundamental questions regarding the origin, evolution, composition, and dynamics of our planet. SEDI scientists use a number of different approaches including global seismology, geomagnetism, surface topography and gravity, mineral physics experiments, geochemistry, and geodynamic models to investigate the depths inaccessible to direct sampling at spatial scales ranging from the sub-mineral scale to many thousands of kilometers. SEDI provides AGU a vibrant and active forum for groups from different disciplines to share and integrate their research to gain a more complete understanding of the deep Earth.

TECTONOPHYSICS SECTION

The Tectonophysics Section is highly interdisciplinary, with strong ties to other Sections including: Seismology, Geodesy, Planetary Sciences, Geomagnetism/Paleomagnetism, and Volcanology/Geochemistry/Petrology. Its members are interested in geodynamic processes and deformation from the scale of individual crystals to mantle convection and plate tectonics through the study of rock mechanics, mineral physics, seafloor geology and morphology, continental and marine tectonics and structural geology, and the thermal regime and mass balance of the Earth.

An enduring challenge facing tectonophysicists is to relate processes and measurements at Earth’s surface to their origins at depths that can’t be directly observed. Better measurements, whether in the laboratory, at sea, in deep drill holes, or from satellites, are revealing unexpected complexity that often challenges simplified descriptions and standing models. This is nowhere better illustrated than in the continents, where basic issues like the strength of the lithosphere, strength of major plate boundary faults, the origins of the mountain belts, and the mechanics of intraplate seismicity remain unresolved.