Professors Mathieu Morlighem, C. Brenhin Keller, and Justin Mankin were included among the American Geophysical Union's 2024 honorees.
The world's largest Earth and space science association, AGU annually recognizes a select number of individuals with its highest honors in research, education, science communication, and outreach.
"Individually, each award speaks to outstanding accomplishments, recognized by top peers in the area," says Jane Lipson, associate dean for the sciences and Albert W. Smith Professor of Chemistry. "Together, they demonstrate the notable presence of our Dartmouth colleagues in a field of crucial importance to a rapidly changing world."
Evans Family Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences Mathieu Morlighem was named an AGU Fellow, which recognizes AGU members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science through a breakthrough, discovery, or innovation in their field. Since 1962, less than 0.1% of AGU members have been selected as fellows, making this a highly esteemed honor.
Morlighem's research focuses on the physics of glacier ice and the role of ice sheets in the climate system. He is working to better understand the processes driving ice sheet changes and develops large scale numerical models of ice sheet flow to improve projections of sea-level rise. In recent studies, Morlighem and his collaborators have found that, while still dire, the highest prediction of sea-level rise is unlikely, and that Greenland's largest ice stream is thinning rapidly and could contribute six times more to sea-level rise than models project.
Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences C. Brenhin Keller received the James B. Macelwane Medal, which is given annually to early-career scientists in recognition of their significant contributions to Earth and space science.
Keller applies a wide range of integrated computational, field, and geochronological approaches to better understand the history of the solid Earth, including the formation of the continental crust and its coevolution with the biosphere and the surface Earth system. In recent studies, Keller and his collaborators have linked many of Earth's mass extinctions to volcanic activity, and provided evidence that ancient glaciers are responsible for massive erosion of rock across the planet.
Associate Professor of Geography Justin Mankin received the Global Environmental Change Early Career Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in research, educational, or societal impacts in the area of global environmental change by honorees within 10 years of receiving their PhD.
Mankin's research documents and predicts the physical origins and human consequences of climate change. His work attributes climate impacts on our economy, water, food, recreation, and infrastructure. Recently, Mankin has highlighted the dangers of privatizing climate information, has shown that drought monitoring and management is being undermined by climate change, and that human-caused warming is behind the sharp drop in seasonal snowpacks throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Honorees will be recognized at the AGU's annual conference in December.
