Augustus Love Medal 2006

The  Canadian scientist Jerry X. Mitrovica has won the prestigious EGU Augustus Love Medal for his for his astute contributions to understanding the Earth’s dynamical response to external and internal forces, including glacial unloading, mantle viscosity and composition, sedimentary basin formation, sea level variations and Earth's rotation.

The Augustus Love Medal will be awarded to a distinguished scientist in the field of geodynamics, comprising mantle and core convention, tectonophysics, post-glacial rebound and earth rotation.

Geophysicist Jerry Mitrovica presently holds the J. Tuzo Wilson Professorship at the University of Toronto.

Resumé

Jerry X. Mitrovica has made a number of seminal contributions. In a 1996 paper he identified the key observations of glacial rebound that most directly constrain the viscosity of the mantle and demonstrated consistency of modern work with that of Haskell in 1935. The key to the reconciliation was the recognition of changing definitions of what comprised the “upper mantle” along with a formal inversion procedure that revealed the quantitative resolving power of the observations. An increase of viscosity at 660 km depth was also demonstrated. Jerry’s insightful approach made practical the application of formal inversion methods and clarified a confused subject.This work has since been extended to incorporate other constraints, including those from Earth’s rotation, mantle convection, global geodesy and mineral physics. The work has also been influential in the development and design of observational programs, in which Jerry is actively involved.Professor Mitrovica is an outstanding mentor of students and junior colleagues, enthusiastic and generous with his time. He is an admirable role model for young scientists. He plays an active role in the international scientific community and is providing leadership in international collaborations

More information:
http://www.copernicus.org/EGU/awards/medallists/_2006/augustus_love.html