Professor Bob Smith awarded Best Paper of the Year

University of Utah professor emeritus of geology and geophysics Bob Smith has been chosen as the 2021 recipient of the Colorado Scientific Society’s (CSS) Past Presidents’ Award for Best Paper of the Year! This annual distinguishment, which began in 1962, is awarded for an exceptional lecture given at a CSS meeting. The name of the recipient and the title of their paper is engraved on a plaque alongside the names and papers of past winners dating back over 50 years – Smith’s name appears on the fourth plaque. Smith won the award for his paper “Anatomy of Old Faithful,” exploring nearly 40 years of data collected by Smith and his team revealing the hydrothermal reservoir the iconic geyser sits upon and the relationship between Yellowstone’s volcanic system and the Earth’s mantle.

The Colorado Scientific Society is the oldest scientific society in the Rocky Mountain region – it was founded in Denver, Colorado in 1882, only six years after Colorado became a state. Its members include earth scientists from universities, federal and state workers, members of private industries, and individuals with a passion for furthering knowledge of science and its application to human needs. With a distinguished career as a researcher and educator for over 60 years, Bob Smith’s contributions to the field of geology are immeasurable. Congratulations to Professor Smith!