AN Zhisheng, a geologist from the Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Roger Revelle Medal of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) for his exceptional contributions to understanding the global significance of Chinese loess, fundamental monsoon dynamics, and global climate changes and providing key international leadership.

Established in 1991, the prestigious Revelle Medal “recognises outstanding contributions to atmospheric sciences, atmosphere-ocean coupling, atmosphere-land coupling, biogeochemical cycles, climate or related aspects of the Earth system”.

AN’s research covers a broad spectrum, ranging from Quaternary geology, atmospheric science, global environmental change, and climate dynamics，combining past and present, observation and numerical simulation, and natural processes and human activities.

An is recognised for his exceptional and comprehensive scientific contributions to the global significance of Chinese loess, Asian monsoon dynamics and global climate change. He has successfully linked the geological past and present climate dynamics through his pioneering work on monsoon control theory and multi-scale global monsoon dynamics. His findings have brought Asian Quaternary research into a new phase characterized by climate dynamics and Earth system science.

An has published more than 400 scientific papers, including 30 in Science, Nature and its associated series, PNAS, and has co-authored several books.

AGU will formally recognise this year’s recipients at AGU23, which will convene more than 25,000 attendees from over 100 countries in San Francisco and online worldwide 11-15 December 2023.

AN Zhisheng in his office. (Image by IEECAS)