Honors

SSA’s Honors Program recognizes the members of our global seismological community who have distinguished themselves through their innovative and often paradigm-shifting research, their early-career contributions to the field of seismology and their exemplary commitment to public service.

Recipients of the Reid, Richter, Press, Bolt, Joyner and Distinguished Service awards represent the very best of our Society.

We honor these individuals not only for their outstanding contributions to the SSA community and mission, but also for the professional inspiration that they provide to the next generation of seismologists.

For more information, read our Honors Program Guide.

Annual Deadlines:

Nomination packages for the Distinguished Service Award, Press Award, Richter Award and Reid Medal are due by 30 September.

Nominations for both the Joyner Lectureship and the Bruce Bolt Medal are due by 30 June.

View the complete list of past SSA award recipients.

Brian L.N. Kennett

The Harry Fielding Reid Medal

Honors outstanding contributions in seismology or earthquake engineering.
More about the Reid Medal
Daniel Trugman

The Charles F. Richter Early Career Award

Honors outstanding contributions to the goals of the Society by a member early in her or his career.
More about the Richter Award
Susan Hough

The Frank Press Public Service Award

Honors outstanding contributions to the advancement of public safety or public information related to seismology.
More about the Press Award
Mitch Withers

The Distinguished Service Award

Honors outstanding contributions to the mission of the Seismological Society of America.
More about the Service Award

Additional Honors

The following are joint honors that represent some of SSA’s many collaborations with other organizations that work to advance earthquake science.

COSMOS/EERI/SSA Bruce Bolt Medal

SSA is joining COSMOS and EERI in awarding The Bruce Bolt Medal. The award will 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.

William B. Joyner Memorial Lectures

The Joyner Memorial Lectures were established by the SSA in cooperation with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) to honor Bill Joyner’s distinguished career at the U.S. Geological Survey and his abiding commitment to the exchange of information at the interface of earthquake science and earthquake engineering, so to keep society safer from earthquakes.

Eastern Section-SSA Jesuit Seismological Association Award

The Eastern Section of the Seismological Society of America honors outstanding contributions to observational seismology with the Jesuit Seismological Association Award. The award may be given for one specific contribution or for contributions through the years.

IRIS-SSA Distinguished Lectureship Series

The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) and SSA jointly sponsor an annual national lecture series in seismology. The selection committee seeks nominations from the seismological community for two lecturers to be so honored every year. The general goal of the program is to increase visibility, awareness of relevance, and excitement for seismology with the general public.