World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
64
Citations
11850
World Ranking
1537
National Ranking
686

William B. McKinnon 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 William B. McKinnon 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: 429 publications — 95th percentile

95% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

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

William B. McKinnon 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 William B. McKinnon 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: 64 D-Index — 82nd percentile

82% 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

  • 2020 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)
  • 2006 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Overview

William B. McKinnon is affiliated with Washington University in St. Louis in the United States. Their research primarily spans the field of Physics and Astronomy, with a focus on subfields including Astronomy and Astrophysics, Atmospheric Science, Geophysics, Aerospace Engineering, and Environmental Chemistry.

Their work extensively covers topics such as Astro and Planetary Science, Planetary Science and Exploration, Geology and Paleoclimatology Research, Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies, Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies, Geological and Geochemical Analysis, and Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena.

William B. McKinnon has contributed to a variety of scientific publications, frequently publishing in notable venues including The Planetary Science Journal, Space Science Reviews, Icarus, the Journal of Geophysical Research Planets, and arXiv (Cornell University).

Among recent papers co-authored or associated with their research are:

  • New Horizons Observations of the Cosmic Optical Background, 2021, The Astrophysical Journal
  • Anomalous Flux in the Cosmic Optical Background Detected with New Horizons Observations, 2022, The Astrophysical Journal Letters
  • Science Overview of the Europa Clipper Mission, 2024, Space Science Reviews
  • Investigating Europa's Habitability with the Europa Clipper, 2023, Space Science Reviews
  • The Europa Clipper Gravity and Radio Science Investigation, 2023, Space Science Reviews

The scientist has collaborated frequently with colleagues such as S. A. Stern, J. R. Spencer, J. M. Moore, C. B. Olkin, and P. Schenk.

Awards recognizing their contributions include being named a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in 2020 and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2006.

Best Publications

  • Jupiter : the planet, satellites, and magnetosphere

    Fran Bagenal;Timothy E. Dowling;William B. McKinnon

  • Liquid water on Enceladus from observations of ammonia and 40Ar in the plume

    J. H. Waite;W. S. Lewis;B. A. Magee;J. I. Lunine

  • The Pluto system: Initial results from its exploration by New Horizons.

    S. A. Stern;F. Bagenal;K. Ennico;G. R. Gladstone

  • Convective instability in Europa's floating ice shell

    William B. McKinnon

  • Cratering of planetary satellites.

    Clark R. Chapman;William B. Mckinnon

  • The geology of Pluto and Charon through the eyes of New Horizons.

    Jeffrey M. Moore;William B. McKinnon;John R. Spencer;Alan D. Howard

  • Interior composition, structure and dynamics of the Galilean satellites

    G. Schubert;J. D. Anderson;T. Spohn;W. B. McKinnon

  • Fault offsets and lateral crustal movement on Europa - Evidence for a mobile ice shell

    Paul M. Schenk;William B. McKinnon

  • Three-layered models of Ganymede and Callisto: Compositions, structures, and aspects of evolution

    Steve Mueller;William B. McKinnon

  • Evolution of planetary lithospheres: Evidence from multiringed structures on Ganymede and Callisto

    W. B. Mckinnon;H. J. Melosh

  • Initial results from the New Horizons exploration of 2014 MU69, a small Kuiper Belt object

    S. A. Stern;H. A. Weaver;J. R. Spencer;C. B. Olkin

  • Plasma, plumes and rings: Saturn system dynamics as recorded in global color patterns on its midsize icy satellites

    Paul Schenk;Douglas P. Hamilton;Robert E. Johnson;William B. McKinnon

  • Effect of Enceladus's rapid synchronous spin on interpretation of Cassini gravity

    William B. McKinnon

  • The mechanics of ringed basin formation

    H. J. Melosh;William B. McKinnon

  • Impact craters on Pluto and Charon indicate a deficit of small Kuiper belt objects

    K. N. Singer;W. B. McKinnon;B. Gladman;S. Greenstreet

  • Sulfate Content of Europa's Ocean and Shell: Evolutionary Considerations and Some Geological and Astrobiological Implications

    William B. McKinnon;Michael E. Zolensky

  • Reorientation of Sputnik Planitia implies a subsurface ocean on Pluto

    F. Nimmo;D. P. Hamilton;W. B. McKinnon;P. M. Schenk

  • Flooding of Ganymede's bright terrains by low-viscosity water-ice lavas

    Paul M. Schenk;William B. McKinnon;David Gwynn;Jeffrey M. Moore

  • Convection in ice I shells and mantles with self-consistent grain size

    Amy C. Barr;Amy C. Barr;William B. McKinnon

  • Hydrothermal processing of cometary volatiles--applications to Triton.

    Everett L. Shock;William B. McKinnon

  • Mean radius and shape of Pluto and Charon from New Horizons images

    Francis Nimmo;Orkan Umurhan;Carey M. Lisse;Carver J. Bierson

  • Initial results from the New Horizons exploration of 2014 MU69, a small Kuiper Belt Object

    S. A. Stern;H. A. Weaver;J. R. Spencer;C. B. Olkin

Frequent Co-Authors

Harold A. Weaver
Harold A. Weaver Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Paul M. Schenk
Paul M. Schenk Lunar and Planetary Institute
Ross A. Beyer
Ross A. Beyer Ames Research Center
Francis Nimmo
Francis Nimmo University of California, Santa Cruz
Tod R. Lauer
Tod R. Lauer National Science Foundation
Jeffrey M. Moore
Jeffrey M. Moore Ames Research Center
Dale P. Cruikshank
Dale P. Cruikshank University of Central Florida
Alan D. Howard
Alan D. Howard University of Virginia
Andrew F. Cheng
Andrew F. Cheng Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Ralph L. McNutt
Ralph L. McNutt Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

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