James Gregory Moore (born 30 April 1930, Palo Alto, California)[1] is a geologist and winner of the 2020 Penrose Medal.

[4] James Moore has had a significant impact on the study of the structures of Hawaiian volcanoes.

[5][6][7] His studies in the field have contributed to the understanding that basaltic islands, like those in Hawaii, are susceptible to landslides or collapses, an event that could cause a tsunami.

[8] Accounts differ on when Moore served as Scientist-in-Charge of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

He was crucial in determining the order of events leading up to, and following after the eruption and measuring the volumes of resulting landslides.