The Thorarinsson Medal is awarded every 4 years at the IAVCEI Scientific Assembly to a scientist of outstanding distinction who has made fundamental contributions to research in volcanology.
The Thorarinsson Medal honours the memory of Professor Sigurdur Thorarinsson (Sigurður Þórarinsson) who was born on 8 January 1912 in Vopnafjörður, Iceland, and died in Reykjavik on 8 February 1983. Professor Thorarinsson is known for his pioneering work in volcanology, especially tephrochronology of Iceland. The medal was donated by the Iceland Geoscience Society (Jarðfræðafélag Íslands). The medal is the most senior medal of IAVCEI.
PREVIOUS THORARINSSON MEDAL winners
- 1987 – Robert L. SMITH
- 1989 – George P.L. WALKER
- 1993 – Hans U. SCHMINCKE
- 1997 – Richard V. FISHER
- 2000 – Keiiti AKI
- 2004 – Wes HILDRETH
- 2008 – Robert Stephen John SPARKS
- 2013 – Barry VOIGHT
- 2017 – Bruce Frank HOUGHTON
- 2023 – Katharine V. CASHMAN
- 2025 – Lionel WILSON
