2026 Sean C. Solomon: Earth Science Researcher – H-Index, Publications & Awards

Discipline name	D-Index	World Ranking	Current World Ranking	National Ranking	Current National Ranking	Publications	Citations
Earth Science	129	25	22	10	8	1208	52068

Research.com Recognitions

2026 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
2025 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
2022 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
2012 - US President's National Medal of Science "For creative approaches and outstanding contributions to understanding the internal structure and evolution of the Earth, the Moon, and other terrestrial planets, and for his leadership and inspiration of new generations of scientists.", Award presented by President Barack Obama at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on November 20, 2014.
2000 - Member of the National Academy of Sciences
1995 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
1995 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
1982 - Fellow of John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
1980 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)
1977 - Fellow of Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Fellow of the Geological Society of America
Fellow of the Geological Society of America

Overview

Sean C. Solomon is affiliated with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in the United States. Their research focuses predominantly on Physics and Astronomy, with a strong emphasis on Astronomy and Astrophysics.

The scientist's recent papers cover various aspects of planetary science and geology. Key publications include:

Global major-element maps of Mercury from four years of MESSENGER X-Ray Spectrometer observations, 2020, Icarus
Venus tesserae feature layered, folded, and eroded rocks, 2020, Geology
A globally fragmented and mobile lithosphere on Venus, 2021, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
HIGHLAND TESSERAE ON VENUS AS TECTONIC EQUIVALENTS TO CRATONS ON EARTH, 2023, Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America
The Impact of Peers on Occupational Choice and Long-Term Outcomes, 2024, SSRN Electronic Journal

Research topics associated with their work include:

Planetary Science and Exploration
Astro and Planetary Science
Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
Climate Change and Health Impacts
Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research
Health disparities and outcomes

Frequent co-authors who have collaborated with Sean C. Solomon are:

P. K. Byrne
Richard Ghail
A. M. Celâl Şengör
Christian Klimczak
P. B. James

Publication venues where their work appears regularly include:

Icarus
Geology
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Abstracts with programs - Geological Society of America
SSRN Electronic Journal

Sean C. Solomon's contributions to science have been recognized through multiple honors, such as:

US President's National Medal of Science (2012) presented by President Barack Obama in 2014 "for creative approaches and outstanding contributions to understanding the internal structure and evolution of the Earth, the Moon, and other terrestrial planets, and for leadership and inspiration of new generations of scientists."
Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2000)
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) (1995)
Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1995)
Fellow of John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation (1982)
Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU) (1980)
Fellow of Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (1977)
Fellow of the Geological Society of America

Best Publications

Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter: Experiment summary after the first year of global mapping of Mars

David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Herbert V. Frey;James B. Garvin

1718
Citations
The Global Topography of Mars and Implications for Surface Evolution

David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Roger J. Phillips

1013
Citations
The Crust of the Moon as Seen by GRAIL

Mark A. Wieczorek;Gregory A. Neumann;Francis Nimmo;Walter S. Kiefer

989
Citations
Internal Structure and Early Thermal Evolution of Mars from Mars Global Surveyor Topography and Gravity

Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Roger J. Phillips;David E. Smith

638
Citations
The Mars Observer laser altimeter investigation

M. T. Zuber;D. E. Smith;S. C. Solomon;D. O. Muhleman

637
Citations
Seismic structure of the Iceland mantle plume

Cecily J. Wolfe;Ingi Th. Bjarnason;John C. VanDecar;Sean C. Solomon

634
Citations
Gravity field of the Moon from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission.

Maria T. Zuber;David E. Smith;Michael M. Watkins;Sami W. Asmar

570
Citations
Ancient Geodynamics and Global-Scale Hydrology on Mars

Roger J. Phillips;Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Matthew P. Golombek

560
Citations
The role of aerosol variations in anthropogenic ozone depletion at northern midlatitudes

S. Solomon;R. W. Portmann;R. R. Garcia;L. W. Thomason

550
Citations
The Major-Element Composition of Mercury’s Surface from MESSENGER X-ray Spectrometry

Larry R. Nittler;Richard D. Starr;Shoshana Z. Weider;Timothy J. McCoy

495
Citations
Tectonic stress in the plates

Randall M. Richardson;Sean C. Solomon;Norman H. Sleep

450
Citations
The MESSENGER mission to Mercury: Scientific objectives and implementation

Sean C. Solomon;Ralph L. McNutt;Robert E. Gold;Mario H. Acuña

426
Citations
Lunar mascon basins - Lava filling, tectonics, and evolution of the lithosphere

Sean C. Solomon;James W. Head

397
Citations
Venus tectonics: An overview of Magellan observations

Sean C. Solomon;Suzanne E. Smrekar;Duane L. Bindschadler;Robert E. Grimm

379
Citations
MESSENGER Mission Overview

Sean C. Solomon;Ralph L. McNutt;Robert E. Gold;Deborah L. Domingue

371
Citations
Localized gravity/topography admittance and correlation spectra on Mars: Implications for regional and global evolution

Patrick J. McGovern;Sean C. Solomon;David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber

363
Citations
The global magnetic field of Mercury from MESSENGER orbital observations.

Brian J. Anderson;Catherine L. Johnson;Catherine L. Johnson;Haje Korth;Michael E. Purucker

339
Citations
The three-dimensional seismic velocity structure of the East Pacific Rise near latitude 9° 30′ N

Douglas R. Toomey;Douglas R. Toomey;G. M. Purdy;Sean C. Solomon;William S. D. Wilcock

337
Citations
Gravity Field and Internal Structure of Mercury from MESSENGER

David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Roger J. Phillips;Sean C. Solomon

313
Citations
Topography of the northern hemisphere of Mars from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter

D. E. Smith;M. T. Zuber;H. V. Frey;J. B. Garvin

308
Citations
Basaltic volcanism on the terrestrial planets.

W. M. Kaula;J. W. Head;R. B. Merrill;R. O. Pepin

20
Citations
The crust of the Moon as seen by GRAIL

M. A. Wieczorek;A. S. Konopliv;F. G. Lemoine;E. Mazarico

2
Citations
Major-element composition of Mercury's surface from MESSENGER X-ray Spectrometry

S. Z. Weider;L. R. Nittler;R. D. Starr;T. J. McCoy

1
Citations

Frequent Co-Authors

James W. Head Brown University

Brian J. Anderson Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

James A. Slavin University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

Roger J. Phillips Washington University in St. Louis

Maria T. Zuber MIT

Ralph L. McNutt Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Haje Korth Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Scott L. Murchie Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

David T. Blewett Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Stamatios M. Krimigis Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

External Links

Wikipedia of Sean C. Solomon Personal website of Sean C. Solomon

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

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring Earth Science can open doors to diverse fields, including environmental consulting, geology, and climate research. For students seeking flexible education options, many turn to online degrees that complement Earth Science studies. For instance, programs like short Spanish degrees online offer a quick pathway to language skills valuable in international science communication and fieldwork.

Veterans interested in merging service experience with academic growth may find suitable options through specialized programs such as the spanish degree online for veterans. These programs cater to unique needs, easing the transition to civilian careers that span environmental policy and global resource management.

Creative disciplines also intersect with Earth Science careers, especially in environmental art and visualization. Enrolling in mfa online programs can enhance skills in storytelling and design, supporting roles in public education and outreach.

For those interested in leadership roles, combining scientific expertise with management skills is crucial. The best online master degree in human resource management programs provide knowledge to effectively handle teams and projects within environmental organizations and research institutions.