The COSMOS/EERI/SSA Bruce Bolt Medal
The Bruce Bolt Medal is awarded jointly by COSMOS, EERI, and SSA to recognize individuals worldwide whose accomplishments involve the promotion and use of strong-motion earthquake data and whose leadership in the transfer of scientific and engineering knowledge into practice or policy has led to improved seismic safety. Professor Bolt’s legacy of involvement with the three sponsoring organizations and contributions to the fields of seismological science, engineering seismology, and seismic safety policy inspired the creation of this award following his death in 2005.
The award is issued annually and is presented to the recipient at the annual meeting of the recipient’s choice among the three sponsoring organizations.
Call for Nominations
Members of SSA, EERI, and COSMOS are encouraged to submit nominations for this distinguished award. Nominations will be reviewed in confidence by a six-person Joint Nomination Panel formed by two representatives of each if the three sponsoring organizations. The nominee will be considered in confidence by each organization’s board for their approval and selection of the medalist.
Nominee Criteria
The following criteria are used to select the recipient:
- Promotion of strong-motion instrumentation or advancing strong-motion data processing or data utilization;
- Technical contributions in seismic engineering or engineering seismology; and
- Leadership in the transfer of knowledge into practice or policy that has led to improved seismic safety.
The Joint Nomination Panel is charged with applying these criteria to select a nominee worthy of the high level of professional recognition represented by the sponsorship of the Bruce Bolt Medal by SSA, COSMOS, and EERI.
The nomination letter must address the ways in which the candidate meets all three of the criteria. This submittal should not be longer than two pages. A summary of the professional history of the candidate, and the current contact information for the candidate should also be supplied. Up to three supporting letters may be included in the nomination package. The closing date for submitting nominations is October 31st.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations for the Bruce Bolt Medal should be sent to the Bolt Medal Nomination Panel, in care of William (Woody) Savage at wusavage [at] usgs [dot] gov. Questions regarding the Bolt Medal criteria or the nomination process for candidates may be directed to Woody at the above email address or 702-794-1361 (office number). While electronic submissions are preferred, in .pdf or .doc formats, hard copies may be sent to the following mail box or fax. If a hard copy is sent, the sender should notify Woody by phone or email.
Bolt Medal Nomination Panel
In care of William Savage
1930 Village Center Circle #3-292
Las Vegas, NV 89134
Fax 702-794-1350
Email wusavage [at] usgs [dot] gov
The COSMOS/EERI/SSA Bruce Bolt Medal Recipients
2009: Wilfred D. (Bill) Iwan
Iwan is honored for his many accomplishments in advancing earthquake strong-motion monitoring networks and instrumentation in the US and internationally, his research accomplishments in earthquake engineering and engineering seismology, and his effective leadership roles in professional organizations to further the acquisition and application of strong-motion data. Notable among these activities is his organization and leadership in 1978 of the International Workshop on Strong-motion Earthquake Instrumentation Arrays, which produced a visionary plan for networks and dense arrays focused on collecting the data needed for the development and predictive testing of earthquake engineering modeling methods. He has also served as chair of the IAEE-IASPEI International Strong-Motion Array Council and has chaired the California Strong-Motion Instrumentation Advisory Committee in the past two decades.
Iwan will receive the Bolt Medal at the COSMOS Annual Meeting in November 2009.