World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Richard D. Law

Richard D. Law

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
43
Citations
8360
World Ranking
4898
National Ranking
1852

Richard D. Law 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 Richard D. Law 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: 140 publications — 31st percentile

31% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

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

Richard D. Law 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 Richard D. Law 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: 43 D-Index — 37th percentile

37% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

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

Overview

Richard D. Law is affiliated with Virginia Tech in the United States and contributes to the field of Earth and Planetary Sciences, with a specialization in geophysics and related subfields. Their body of work encompasses multiple areas including geological and geochemical analysis, earthquake and tectonic studies, high-pressure geophysics and materials, geochemistry and geologic mapping, geology and paleoclimatology research, rock mechanics and modeling, and seismic waves and analysis.

They have published extensively with a strong presence in scientific journals and conference abstracts. Frequent publication venues include:

  • Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America
  • Journal of the Geological Society
  • Tectonics
  • Journal of Structural Geology
  • Geological Society London Special Publications

Frequent co-authors in their research network include:

  • J. Ryan Thigpen
  • Calvin A. Mako
  • Mark J. Caddick
  • Ella Davis
  • Brandon M. Spencer

Some of the recent papers published include:

  • "Transpressive Deformation in the Southern European Variscan Belt: New Insights From the Aiguilles Rouges Massif (Western Alps)," 2020, Tectonics
  • "Unravelling the development of regional-scale shear zones by a multidisciplinary approach: The case study of the Ferriere-Mollières Shear Zone (Argentera Massif, Western Alps)," 2021, Journal of Structural Geology
  • "Water loss during dynamic recrystallization of Moine thrust quartzites, northwest Scotland," 2020, Geology
  • "Prolonged Slip on the South Tibetan Detachment Constrains Tectonic Models for Synorogenic Extension in the Central Himalaya," 2022, Tectonics
  • "Interplay Between Crustal-Scale Thrusting, High Metamorphic Heating Rates, and the Development of Inverted Thermal-Metamorphic Gradients: Numerical Models and Examples From the Caledonides of Northern Scotland," 2021, Tectonics

Their work addresses geological structures, tectonic deformation, and metamorphic processes, often employing multidisciplinary methods and numerical modeling approaches. The research spans significant geoscientific topics such as regional shear zone development, tectonic extension mechanisms, and metamorphic gradient formation within mountainous regions.

Best Publications

  • Channel flow, ductile extrusion and exhumation in continental collision zones: an introduction

    L. Godin;Djordje Grujic;R. D. Law;M. P. Searle

  • Strain, deformation temperatures and vorticity of flow at the top of the Greater Himalayan Slab, Everest Massif, Tibet

    R.D. Law;M.P. Searle;R.L. Simpson

  • The structural geometry, metamorphic and magmatic evolution of the Everest massif, High Himalaya of Nepal-South Tibet

    M.P. Searle;R.L. Simpson;R.D. Law;R.R. Parrish

  • Deformation thermometry based on quartz c-axis fabrics and recrystallization microstructures: A review

    Richard D. Law

  • Defining the Himalayan Main Central Thrust in Nepal

    Michael P. Searle;Richard D. Law;Laurent Godin;Kyle P. Larson

  • Crystallographic fabrics: a selective review of their applications to research in structural geology

    R.D. Law

  • Coesite in Himalayan eclogite and implications for models of India-Asia collision

    P.J. O'Brien;N. Zotov;R. Law;M.A. Khan

  • Multiscale magmatic cyclicity, duration of pluton construction, and the paradoxical relationship between tectonism and plutonism in continental arcs

    Michel de Saint Blanquat;Eric Horsman;Guillaume Habert;Sven Morgan

  • Strain path partitioning within thrust sheets : microstructural and petrofabric evidence from the Moine Thrust zone at Loch Eriboll, northwest Scotland.

    R.D Law;R.J Knipe;H Dayan

  • Water-weakening of sandstone and quartzite deformed at various stress and strain rates

    J. Hadizadeh;R.D. Law

  • Structural evolution and vorticity of flow during extrusion and exhumation of the Greater Himalayan Slab, Mount Everest Massif, Tibet/Nepal: implications for orogen-scale flow partitioning

    M. J. Jessup;R. D. Law;M. P. Searle;Mary S. Hubbard

  • Channel Flow, Ductile Extrusion and Exhumation in Continental Collision Zones

    R. D. Law;M. P. Searle;L. Godin

  • Crustal structure, restoration and evolution of the Greater Himalaya in Nepal-South Tibet: implications for channel flow and ductile extrusion of the middle crust

    M. P. Searle;R. D. Law;M. J. Jessup

  • The Miocene elevation of Mount Everest

    Aude Gébelin;Andreas Mulch;Christian Teyssier;Micah J. Jessup

  • Kinematic and tectonic significance of microstructures and crystallographic fabrics within quartz mylonites from the Assynt and Eriboll regions of the Moine thrust zone, NW Scotland

    R. D. Law;M. Casey;R. J. Knipe

  • Structural insights into the early stages of exhumation along an orogen-scale detachment: The South Tibetan Detachment System, Dzakaa Chu section, Eastern Himalaya

    John M. Cottle;Micah J. Jessup;Dennis L. Newell;Michael P. Searle

  • Unusual transition in quartzite dislocation creep regimes and crystal slip systems in the aureole of the Eureka Valley–Joshua Flat–Beer Creek pluton, California: a case for anhydrous conditions created by decarbonation reactions

    Sven S. Morgan;Richard D. Law

  • Simple shear deformation and quartz crystallographic fabrics: a possible natural example from the Torridon area of NW Scotland

    R.D Law;S.M Schmid;J Wheeler

  • The Rigid Grain Net (RGN) : An alternative method for estimating mean kinematic vorticity number (Wm)

    Micah J. Jessup;Richard D. Law;Chiara Frassi

  • P-T-t-Dpaths of Everest Series schist, Nepal

    M. J. Jessup;J. M. Cottle;M. P. Searle;R. D. Law

  • Deformation temperatures and flow vorticities near the base of the Greater Himalayan Series, Sutlej Valley and Shimla Klippe, NW India

    R.D. Law;D.W. Stahr;M.K. Francsis;K.T. Ashley

Frequent Co-Authors

Michael P. Searle
Michael P. Searle University of Oxford
Geoffrey E. Lloyd
Geoffrey E. Lloyd University of Leeds
John M. Cottle
John M. Cottle University of California, Santa Barbara
David Mainprice
David Mainprice University of Montpellier
Allen F. Glazner
Allen F. Glazner University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
John M. Bartley
John M. Bartley University of Utah
David J. Waters
David J. Waters University of Oxford
Martin Casey
Martin Casey University of Leeds
Robert J. Knipe
Robert J. Knipe University of Leeds
John Wheeler
John Wheeler University of Liverpool

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