Vetlesen Prize

Established in 1959, the Vetlesen Prize honors scientific achievements that result in a clearer understanding of the Earth, its history, or its relations to the universe. The prize is awarded on average once every two years, provided that the jury selects at least one worthy candidate. Although specific details of medals or monetary awards are not publicly detailed, the prize confers significant academic prestige on its recipients. The first award was presented in 1960 to W. Maurice Ewing. Selection and administration of the prize are conducted by Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University.

33

Laureates

1960

First awarded

Announcement

Columbia University's Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory and the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation

Presented by

Awards by year

Scientific achievement resulting in a clearer understanding of the Earth, its history, or its relations to the universe

View all laureates

History

G. Unger Vetlesen established the foundation bearing his name shortly before his death in 1955. In 1959, the foundation created the prize to recognize outstanding research in the field of geology. The first award was presented to W. Maurice Ewing in 1960. Since then, the prize has been awarded approximately every two years whenever the jury identifies deserving candidates. In addition to the prize, the foundation supports institutions of excellence in Earth sciences.

2023

2023 Vetlesen Prize
David L. Kohlstedt

2020

2020 Vetlesen Prize
Anny Cazenave

FranceFrance

2017

2017 Vetlesen Prize
Mark Cane

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

S. George Philander

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

2015

2015 Vetlesen Prize
Robert Stephen John Sparks

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

2012

2012 Vetlesen Prize
Susan Solomon

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

Jean Jouzel

FranceFrance

2008

2008 Vetlesen Prize
Walter Alvarez

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

2004

2004 Vetlesen Prize
Nicholas Shackleton

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

W. Richard Peltier

CanadaCanada

2000

2000 Vetlesen Prize
W. Jason Morgan

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

Walter C. Pitman III

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

Lynn R. Sykes

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

1996

1996 Vetlesen Prize
Robert E. Dickinson

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

John Imbrie

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

1993

1993 Vetlesen Prize
Walter Munk

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

1987

1987 Vetlesen Prize
Wallace S. Broecker

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

Harmon Craig

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

1981

1981 Vetlesen Prize
Marion King Hubbert

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

1978

1978 Vetlesen Prize
J. Tuzo Wilson

CanadaCanada

1974

1974 Vetlesen Prize
Chaim Leib Pekeris

IsraelIsrael

1973

1973 Vetlesen Prize
William A. Fowler

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

1970

1970 Vetlesen Prize (1)
Richard R. Doell

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

S. Keith Runcorn

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

1970 Vetlesen Prize (2)
Allan V. Cox

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

1968

1968 Vetlesen Prize
Francis Birch

United States of AmericaUnited States of America

Edward Bullard

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

1966

1966 Vetlesen Prize
Jan Hendrik Oort

NetherlandsNetherlands

1964

1964 Vetlesen Prize (1)
Arthur Holmes

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

1964 Vetlesen Prize (2)
Pentti Eskola

FinlandFinland

1962

1962 Vetlesen Prize (1)
Felix Andries Vening Meinesz

NetherlandsNetherlands

1962 Vetlesen Prize (2)
Harold Jeffreys

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

1960

1960 Vetlesen Prize
W. Maurice Ewing

United States of AmericaUnited States of America