The European Geosciences Union awarded Dr. Ben Horton the 2016 Plinius Medal for his contributions to the Earth, planetary and space sciences.
“The Plinius Medal has been established by the EGU Natural Hazards (NH) Division to recognise interdisciplinary natural hazard research. The name of Gaius Plinius Secundus (~23 – 79 A.D.) acknowledges the role of our ancestors working to improve both knowledge and mitigation of natural hazards. From 2002-2003 (EGS) and 2004-2011 (EGU) the Plinius medal was awarded to early career scientists. Since 2012 the Plinius medal is devoted to recognise interdisciplinary research in natural hazards by mid-career scientists. The Plinius medal will be awarded to outstanding mid-career scientists who meet the following criteria: (a) outstanding research achievements in fields related with natural hazards, (b) important interdisciplinary activity in two or more fields related with this topic, and (c) research that has been applied in the mitigation of risks from natural hazards.” (http://www.egu.eu/awards-medals/plinius/)