World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Award Badge
Earth Science
USA
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
94
Citations
28704
World Ranking
203
National Ranking
103

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
  • 2020 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • 2013 - Arthur L. Day Medal, The Geological Society of America
  • 2012 - Member of the National Academy of Sciences
  • 2009 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • 2003 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Overview

Richard W. Carlson is affiliated with the Carnegie Institution for Science in the United States. Their research primarily spans Earth and Planetary Sciences as well as Physics and Astronomy, with significant contributions to subfields such as Astronomy and Astrophysics, Geophysics, Ecology, Atmospheric Science, and Paleontology.

Their principal research topics include Astro and Planetary Science, Geological and Geochemical Analysis, Planetary Science and Exploration, Isotope Analysis in Ecology, High-pressure Geophysics and Materials, Earthquake and Tectonic Studies, and Geology and Paleoclimatology Research.

Recent papers authored or co-authored by Richard W. Carlson include:

  • Samples returned from the asteroid Ryugu are similar to Ivuna-type carbonaceous meteorites (2022, Science)
  • Ryugu's nucleosynthetic heritage from the outskirts of the Solar System (2022, Science Advances)
  • The Evolving Chronology of Moon Formation (2022, Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences)
  • Oxygen isotopes of anhydrous primary minerals show kinship between asteroid Ryugu and comet 81P/Wild2 (2022, Science Advances)
  • Contribution of Ryugu-like material to Earth's volatile inventory by Cu and Zn isotopic analysis (2022, Nature Astronomy)

Frequent co-authors in their publications are:

  • Tetsuya Yokoyama
  • Ikshu Gautam
  • Tsuyoshi Iizuka
  • R. J. Walker
  • C. M. O'd. Alexander

Richard W. Carlson's work has been published across several key venues, including:

  • Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
  • Science Advances
  • Geochemical Perspectives Letters
  • Meteoritics and Planetary Science
  • Goldschmidt Abstracts

Throughout their career, Richard W. Carlson has received multiple awards and recognitions such as:

  • Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2020
  • Arthur L. Day Medal, The Geological Society of America, 2013
  • Member of the National Academy of Sciences, 2012
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2009
  • Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU), 2003

Best Publications

  • Re-Os evidence for replacement of ancient mantle lithosphere beneath the North China Craton

    Shan Gao;Shan Gao;Roberta L Rudnick;Richard W Carlson;William F McDonough

  • Os, Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope systematics of southern African peridotite xenoliths: Implications for the chemical evolution of subcontinental mantle

    R.J Walker;R.W Carlson;S.B Shirey;Boyd F.R

  • 142Nd Evidence for Early (>4.53 Ga) Global Differentiation of the Silicate Earth

    Maud Boyet;Richard W. Carlson

  • Physical, chemical, and chronological characteristics of continental mantle

    Richard W. Carlson;D. Graham Pearson;David E. James

  • Stabilisation of Archaean lithospheric mantle: A ReOs isotope study of peridotite xenoliths from the Kaapvaal craton

    D.G. Pearson;R.W. Carlson;S.B. Shirey;F.R. Boyd

  • ReOs, SmNd, and RbSr isotope evidence for thick Archaean lithospheric mantle beneath the Siberian craton modified by multistage metasomatism

    D.G. Pearson;S.B. Shirey;R.W. Carlson;F.R. Boyd

  • Depletion and enrichment history of subcontinental lithospheric mantle: An Os, Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic study of ultramafic xenoliths from the northwestern Wyoming Craton

    R.W. Carlson;A.J. Irving

  • Neodymium-142 Evidence for Hadean Mafic Crust

    Jonathan O'Neil;Richard W. Carlson;Don Francis;Ross K. Stevenson

  • Hf Isotope Systematics of Kimberlites and their Megacrysts: New Constraints on their Source Regions

    G. M. Nowell;D. G. Pearson;D. R. Bell;R. W. Carlson

  • The Origin and Evolution of the Kaapvaal Cratonic Lithospheric Mantle

    Nina S. C. Simon;Richard W. Carlson;D. Graham Pearson;Gareth R. Davies

  • Trace element fractionation during dehydration of eclogites from high-pressure terranes and the implications for element fluxes in subduction zones

    Harry Becker;Klaus Peter Jochum;Richard W. Carlson

  • Deep Slabs, Geochemical Heterogeneity, and the Large-Scale Structure of Mantle Convection: Investigation of an Enduring Paradox

    Paul G. Silver;Richard W. Carlson;Peter Olson

  • Osmium Recycling in Subduction Zones

    Alan D. Brandon;Robert A. Creaser;Steven B. Shirey;Richard W. Carlson

  • Tracking mammoths and mastodons: Reconstruction of migratory behavior using strontium isotope ratios

    Kathryn A. Hoppe;Paul L. Koch;Richard W. Carlson;S. David Webb

  • Isotopic Tracking of Change in Diet and Habitat Use in African Elephants

    Paul L. Koch;Jennifer Heisinger;Cynthia Moss;Richard W. Carlson

  • Magmatism in the South China Basin

    Kan Tu;Martin F.J. Flower;Richard W. Carlson;Guanghong Xie

  • Isotopic constraints on Columbia River flood basalt genesis and the nature of the subcontinental mantle

    Richard W Carlson

  • Residual platinum-group minerals from highly depleted harzburgites of the Lherz massif (France) and their role in HSE fractionation of the mantle

    Ambre Luguet;Ambre Luguet;Steven B. Shirey;Jean-Pierre Lorand;Mary F. Horan

  • Contributors to chromium isotope variation of meteorites

    Liping Qin;Conel M. O. 'D. Alexander;Richard W. Carlson;Mary F. Horan

  • Archaean Re–Os age for Siberian eclogites and constraints on Archaean tectonics

    D. G. Pearson;D. G. Pearson;G. A. Snyder;S. B. Shirey;L. A. Taylor

  • The age of ferroan anorthosite 60025: oldest crust on a young Moon?

    Richard W. Carlson;Gunter W. Lugmair

  • Principles of isotope geology: 2nd edition, by Gunter Faure. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1986, 589p., $42.95 (ISBN 0-471-86412-9)

    Richard W. Carlson

Frequent Co-Authors

Steven B. Shirey
Steven B. Shirey Carnegie Institution for Science
Mary F. Horan
Mary F. Horan Carnegie Institution for Science
Maud Boyet
Maud Boyet University of Clermont Auvergne
Richard J. Walker
Richard J. Walker University of Maryland, College Park
D.G. Pearson
D.G. Pearson University of Alberta
Stephen H. Richardson
Stephen H. Richardson University of Cape Town
Erik H. Hauri
Erik H. Hauri Carnegie Institution for Science
Conel M. O'd. Alexander
Conel M. O'd. Alexander Carnegie Institution for Science
John J. Gurney
John J. Gurney University of Cape Town
Jeff W. Harris
Jeff W. Harris University of Glasgow

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring Earth Science often leads students to consider complementary fields that enhance their career options. For example, language skills can be valuable in global research and environmental communication. Pursuing an online degree in Spanish can open doors to work in diverse international settings.

Veterans interested in expanding their expertise might find specialized support through online Spanish degrees for veterans, which offer flexible options tailored to their unique needs and schedules.

For individuals leaning toward creative applications of their scientific background, earning an online MFA creative writing can boost storytelling and communication skills, essential for publishing research or engaging public audiences.

Finally, combining Earth Science knowledge with leadership training through an accredited online masters degree in human resource management can prepare graduates for management roles within environmental organizations and agencies.

Best Scientists Citing Richard W. Carlson

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles