Papers
2
Total Citations
79
H-Index
2
About
Kirby Runyon is a planetary geologist whose research focuses on the Moon’s geologic history and the processes that have shaped its surface, particularly impact cratering and volatile deposits. His work has been instrumental in identifying and characterizing impact melt facies in lunar basins, such as Crisium, providing critical context for understanding the Moon’s thermal and impact evolution. Runyon is perhaps best known for his influential 2014 paper on high-priority lunar landing sites for in situ and sample return studies of polar volatiles, which has garnered 57 citations and helped guide mission planning for future exploration of water ice and other resources at the Moon’s poles. His research connects the lunar rock record to the epoch of Late Heavy Bombardment, a period that coincides with the emergence of Earth’s first life—a profound link he continues to explore. With a knack for identifying scientifically compelling targets for sample return, Runyon’s work bridges planetary geology and astrobiology, offering students and researchers a clear vision of how the Moon preserves clues to both our solar system’s violent past and the origins of life on Earth.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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