Walter H. Bucher Medal — AGU Union Medal for contributions to crust and lithosphere

About this program

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) awards the annual Walter H. Bucher Medal to a senior scientist for original, lifetime contributions to understanding the Earth's crust and lithosphere across disciplines such as seismology, tectonophysics, geochemistry, petrology, geodesy, and related fields. Recipients receive an engraved medal, induction into the AGU College of Fellows (subject to membership/fellowship rules), recognition at AGU’s annual meeting, and two Honors Reception tickets. Nominees must be experienced senior scientists and established leaders; nominators and co‑nominators must be active AGU members, with self‑ and peer‑nominations permitted, and all parties must comply with AGU conflict-of-interest and professional conduct policies. Nominations are judged on sustained scientific excellence and fundamental insights from the candidate’s body of work; submission window is 5 January–2 March (questions: honors@agu.org).