World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Leigh H. Royden

Leigh H. Royden

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
80
Citations
34645
World Ranking
520
National Ranking
269

Leigh H. Royden publication distribution in Earth Science in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Earth Science in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Leigh H. Royden sits on this spectrum.

38–42 publications: 1 scientists 43–47 publications: 0 scientists 48–52 publications: 3 scientists 53–57 publications: 8 scientists 58–62 publications: 11 scientists 63–67 publications: 16 scientists 68–72 publications: 24 scientists 73–77 publications: 31 scientists 78–82 publications: 49 scientists 83–87 publications: 77 scientists 88–92 publications: 86 scientists 93–97 publications: 88 scientists 98–102 publications: 92 scientists 103–107 publications: 84 scientists 108–112 publications: 102 scientists 113–117 publications: 108 scientists 118–122 publications: 117 scientists 123–127 publications: 126 scientists 128–132 publications: 146 scientists 133–137 publications: 114 scientists 138–142 publications: 102 scientists 143–147 publications: 127 scientists 148–152 publications: 102 scientists 153–157 publications: 112 scientists 158–162 publications: 102 scientists 163–167 publications: 127 scientists 168–172 publications: 121 scientists 173–177 publications: 112 scientists 178–182 publications: 109 scientists 183–187 publications: 98 scientists 188–192 publications: 92 scientists 193–197 publications: 105 scientists 198–202 publications: 77 scientists 203–207 publications: 80 scientists 208–212 publications: 89 scientists 213–217 publications: 70 scientists 218–222 publications: 74 scientists 223–227 publications: 74 scientists 228–232 publications: 70 scientists 233–237 publications: 67 scientists 238–242 publications: 59 scientists 243–247 publications: 67 scientists 248–252 publications: 51 scientists 253–257 publications: 46 scientists 258–262 publications: 41 scientists 263–267 publications: 39 scientists 268–272 publications: 34 scientists 273–277 publications: 39 scientists 278–282 publications: 35 scientists 283–287 publications: 36 scientists 288–292 publications: 35 scientists 293–297 publications: 29 scientists 298–302 publications: 23 scientists 303–307 publications: 39 scientists 308–312 publications: 34 scientists 313–317 publications: 23 scientists 318–322 publications: 18 scientists 323–327 publications: 18 scientists 328–332 publications: 21 scientists 333–337 publications: 20 scientists 338–342 publications: 15 scientists 343–347 publications: 13 scientists 348–352 publications: 24 scientists 353–357 publications: 25 scientists 358–362 publications: 10 scientists 363–367 publications: 20 scientists 368–372 publications: 17 scientists 373–377 publications: 18 scientists 378–382 publications: 15 scientists 383–387 publications: 7 scientists 388–392 publications: 22 scientists 393–397 publications: 9 scientists 398–402 publications: 11 scientists 403–407 publications: 16 scientists 408–412 publications: 4 scientists 413–417 publications: 5 scientists 418–422 publications: 14 scientists 423–427 publications: 8 scientists 428–432 publications: 7 scientists 433–437 publications: 7 scientists 438–442 publications: 10 scientists 443–447 publications: 10 scientists 448–452 publications: 3 scientists 453–457 publications: 9 scientists 458–462 publications: 11 scientists 463–467 publications: 4 scientists 468–472 publications: 6 scientists 473–477 publications: 11 scientists 478–482 publications: 8 scientists 483–487 publications: 2 scientists 488–492 publications: 3 scientists 493–497 publications: 4 scientists 498–502 publications: 4 scientists 503–507 publications: 4 scientists 508–509 publications: 4 scientists 510+ publications: 100 scientists
38 publications 510+

This scientist: 158 publications — 40th percentile

40% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 510 publications or more.

Leigh H. Royden D-index placement in Earth Science in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Earth Science scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where Leigh H. Royden sits on this spectrum.

30 D-Index: 15 scientists 31 D-Index: 42 scientists 32 D-Index: 60 scientists 33 D-Index: 90 scientists 34 D-Index: 103 scientists 35 D-Index: 108 scientists 36 D-Index: 142 scientists 37 D-Index: 147 scientists 38 D-Index: 147 scientists 39 D-Index: 152 scientists 40 D-Index: 143 scientists 41 D-Index: 157 scientists 42 D-Index: 141 scientists 43 D-Index: 151 scientists 44 D-Index: 140 scientists 45 D-Index: 135 scientists 46 D-Index: 121 scientists 47 D-Index: 108 scientists 48 D-Index: 128 scientists 49 D-Index: 111 scientists 50 D-Index: 106 scientists 51 D-Index: 112 scientists 52 D-Index: 102 scientists 53 D-Index: 103 scientists 54 D-Index: 94 scientists 55 D-Index: 61 scientists 56 D-Index: 101 scientists 57 D-Index: 71 scientists 58 D-Index: 65 scientists 59 D-Index: 78 scientists 60 D-Index: 93 scientists 61 D-Index: 56 scientists 62 D-Index: 58 scientists 63 D-Index: 52 scientists 64 D-Index: 63 scientists 65 D-Index: 49 scientists 66 D-Index: 53 scientists 67 D-Index: 57 scientists 68 D-Index: 50 scientists 69 D-Index: 44 scientists 70 D-Index: 44 scientists 71 D-Index: 31 scientists 72 D-Index: 33 scientists 73 D-Index: 33 scientists 74 D-Index: 23 scientists 75 D-Index: 32 scientists 76 D-Index: 24 scientists 77 D-Index: 17 scientists 78 D-Index: 19 scientists 79 D-Index: 9 scientists 80 D-Index: 21 scientists 81 D-Index: 20 scientists 82 D-Index: 17 scientists 83 D-Index: 19 scientists 84 D-Index: 19 scientists 85 D-Index: 14 scientists 86 D-Index: 6 scientists 87 D-Index: 14 scientists 88 D-Index: 17 scientists 89 D-Index: 10 scientists 90 D-Index: 8 scientists 91 D-Index: 8 scientists 92 D-Index: 9 scientists 93 D-Index: 6 scientists 94+ D-Index: 98 scientists
30 D-Index 94+

This scientist: 80 D-Index — 94th percentile

94% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 94 D-Index or more.

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2018 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • 2003 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)
  • 1990 - Young Scientist Award (Donath Medal), The Geological Society of America

Overview

Leigh H. Royden is affiliated with MIT in the United States and has a research focus primarily within Earth and Planetary Sciences. Their subfields of study emphasize geophysics, with additional contributions to atmospheric science, paleontology, anthropology, and space and planetary science. The scientist's work spans various topics including earthquake and tectonic studies, geological and geochemical analysis, high-pressure geophysics and materials, geology and paleoclimatology research, paleontology and stratigraphy of fossils, Eurasian exchange networks, and archaeological research and protection.

The scientist's publication record includes research articles published in several notable venues. Frequent publication venues include:

  • Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
  • Science Advances
  • Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America
  • Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth

Recent papers authored or coauthored by Leigh H. Royden include:

  • "Paleocene latitude of the Kohistan-Ladakh arc indicates multistage India-Eurasia collision," 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
  • "Hotspot swells and the lifespan of volcanic ocean islands," 2020, Science Advances
  • "Subduction Dynamics and Mantle Pressure: 2. Towards a Global Understanding of Slab Dip and Upper Mantle Circulation," 2020, Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
  • "Subduction Dynamics and Mantle Pressure: 1. An Analytical Framework Relating Subduction Geometry, Plate Motion, and Asthenospheric Pressure," 2020, Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
  • "PALEOCENE LATITUDE OF THE KOHISTAN-LADAKH ARC INDICATES MULTI-STAGE INDIA-EURASIA COLLISION," 2020, Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America

Leigh H. Royden has collaborated frequently with several coauthors, including:

  • Oliver Jagoutz
  • Craig R. Martin
  • Rajeev Upadhyay
  • Michael P. Eddy
  • Elizabeth Bailey

The scientist has received a number of professional recognitions, including the Young Scientist Award (Donath Medal) from The Geological Society of America in 1990. They were named a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in 2003 and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2018.

Best Publications

  • Surface Deformation and Lower Crustal Flow in Eastern Tibet

    Leigh H. Royden;B. Clark Burchfiel;Robert W. King;Erchie Wang

  • Topographic ooze: Building the eastern margin of Tibet by lower crustal flow

    Marin Kristen Clark;Leigh Handy Royden

  • The Geological Evolution of the Tibetan Plateau

    Leigh H. Royden;B. Clark Burchfiel;Robert D. van der Hilst

  • Tectonics of the Longmen Shan and Adjacent Regions, Central China

    B. C. Burchfiel;Chen Zhiliang;Liu Yupinc;L. H. Royden

  • The South Tibetan Detachment System, Himalayan Orogen: Extension Contemporaneous With and Parallel to Shortening in a Collisional Mountain Belt

    Burrell C. Burchfiel;Chen Zhiliang;Kip V. Hodges;Liu Yuping

  • Surface uplift, tectonics, and erosion of eastern Tibet from large-scale drainage patterns

    M. K. Clark;M. K. Clark;L. M. Schoenbohm;L. H. Royden;K. X. Whipple

  • A geological and geophysical context for the Wenchuan earthquake of 12 May 2008, Sichuan, People's Republic of China

    B.C. Burchfiel;L.H. Royden;R.D. van der Hilst;B.H. Hager

  • Rifting process and thermal evolution of the continental margin of Eastern Canada determined from subsidence curves

    L. Royden;C.E. Keen

  • Late Cenozoic uplift of southeastern Tibet

    M.K. Clark;M.K. Clark;M.A. House;M.A. House;L.H. Royden;K.X Whipple

  • Evolution of retreating subduction boundaries formed during continental collision

    Leigh H. Royden

  • An integral approach to bedrock river profile analysis

    J. Taylor Perron;Leigh H. Royden

  • North-south extension within the convergent Himalayan region

    B. C. Burchfiel;L H. Royden

  • The tectonic expression slab pull at continental convergent boundaries

    Leigh H. Royden

  • Global Positioning System measurements from eastern Tibet and their implications for India/Eurasia intercontinental deformation

    Z. Chen;B. C. Burchfiel;Y. Liu;R. W. King

  • Motion of the Pacific plate relative to Eurasia and its potential relation to Cenozoic extension along the eastern margin of Eurasia

    C. J. Northrup;L. H. Royden;B. C. Burchfiel

  • Segmentation and configuration of subducted lithosphere in Italy: An important control on thrust-belt and foredeep-basin evolution

    Leigh Royden;Etta Patacca;Paolo Scandone

  • Mantle dynamics in the Mediterranean

    Claudio Faccenna;Thorsten W Becker;Ludwig Auer;Andrea Billi

  • Coupling and decoupling of crust and mantle in convergent orogens: Implications for strain partitioning in the crust

    Leigh Royden

  • Late Cenozoic Xianshuihe-Xiaojiang, Red River, and Dali Fault Systems of Southwestern Sichuan and Central Yunnan, China

    E. Wang;B. C. Burchfiel;L. H. Royden;Liangzhong Chen

  • Late Cenozoic Tectonics of the Pannonian Basin System: Chapter 3

    L. H. Royden

Frequent Co-Authors

Kip V. Hodges
Kip V. Hodges Arizona State University
Thorsten W. Becker
Thorsten W. Becker The University of Texas at Austin
Marin K. Clark
Marin K. Clark University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Claudio Faccenna
Claudio Faccenna Dresdner Grundwasserforschungszentrum
Peter Molnar
Peter Molnar University of Colorado Boulder
Stéphane Rondenay
Stéphane Rondenay University of Bergen
Laurent Husson
Laurent Husson Grenoble Alpes University

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