We are proud to share the news that St Anne’s Fellow, Professor David Pyle, has been awarded the prestigious Murchison Medal by the Geological Society as it announces its 2024 Award and Fund Winners.
The Murchison Medal is awarded to geologists who have contributed significantly to ‘hard’ rock studies. This year’s recipient, Professor Pyle, is an internationally recognised volcanologist who, the Society notes, “has made outstanding contributions to understanding volcanic deposits and processes, using pioneering methods to characterise and classify tephra fall deposits and infer erupted
volumes. Highlights of his work include his research on the frequency and triggers of eruptions, the geochemistry of gas emissions, the effects of volcanism on climate, environment and society, and on understanding volcanic risk.”
Professor Pyle was the first Academic Director of Oxford’s Doctoral Training Partnership in Environmental Research from 2013-2022. He is a keen collaborator and was involved in the
STREVA project (2012-2019) – Strengthening Resilience in Volcanic Areas and is currently part of The Oxford Martin Programme on Rethinking Natural Resources. He is also committed to public engagement and has written two popular books and curated two exhibitions, one on volcanoes at the Bodleian in 2017 and more recently on the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa with Google Arts and Culture.
The Geological Society of London, founded 1807 is a learned and professional body, of c. 11,600 Earth scientists with a remit to investigate, interpret, discuss, inform and advise on the nature and processes of the Earth, their practical importance to humanity, and, in the interests of the public, to promote professional excellence. The Society offers advice to Parliament and Government, at individual and corporate levels. The full list of 2024 award winners can be found here.
The formal presentation and celebration of the Awards and Funds will take place on President’s Day on 12 June 2024 at Burlington House, London.