USGS scientist Peter Kelly, recipient of the 2024 Dr. James R. Balsley Jr. Award for Excellence

USGS scientist Peter Kelly is recognized for his work to design, optimize, and commercialize Multi-GAS technology for monitoring of geothermal and volcanic gas emanations. Notably, he spent almost a decade designing, engineering, and perfecting a system of geochemical sensors for both portable and semi-permanent remote deployment. He then worked with an engineering firm who now has legal authority to take the USGS-designed equipment and make it available to buyers around the world. This allows both the USGS and its international colleagues to acquire field-ready, auto-standardizing, gas-monitoring equipment without requiring that the USGS manufacture the equipment. Peter’s dedication has allowed for scientific progress, improved volcano and geothermal monitoring, and global distribution of USGS-developed technology.