Jörn Thiede

Jörn Thiede (14 April 1941 – 15 July 2021) was a German palaeontologist and polar scientist, known for his studies on the climate history of the Mediterranean and North Atlantic oceans. He was awarded numerous medals and awards for his work.

Early life Jörn Thiede was born in Berlin, Germany on 14 April 1941. He attended primary school in Schleswig-Holstein, and from 1951 to 1960 went to high school (gymnasium) in Kiel. After completing his military service, in 1962 Thiede went to the University of Kiel to study geology. He also spent time in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Vienna, Austria. In 1967, he completed his diploma thesis on rocks of Devonian age from the Rhenish Slate Mountains, supervised by professor Krömmelbein. Thiede then stayed in Kiel to complete a doctorate on ocean-floor sediments of the eastern Atlantic under the supervision of German marine geologist, Eugen Seibold.

Professional work Thiede served as president of the European Polar Board from 1999 to 2002 and president of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research from 2002 to 2006. He was also vice-president of the Helmholtz Association from 2003 to 2006.

Selected works Thiede published many papers and reports over his career. Selected examples:

Awards and recognition Thiede received many awards in recognition of his scientific achievements, and his contributions to international polar and marine science. These include: 1984 Steno Medal of the Danish Geological Society 1988 Leibniz Prize of the German Research Foundation (DFG) 1994 Murchison Medal of the Geological Society of London 1995 The Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 2003 Hans Stille Medal of the German Research Foundation (DFG) 2010 honorary citizenship of the city of Bremerhaven 2011 Willy Brandt Prize

He was also awarded the Grand Prix d`Océanographie of the Fondation Rainier III de Monaco and appointed Chevalier de l'Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite, France. Among a number of honorary fellowships, he was awarded the status of Honorary Fellow of the European Union of Geosciences, and Honorary Member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research by acclamation in 2006. He received Honorary Doctorates from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden and from St. Petersburg State University.

Family In 1970, Thiede married Sigrid, daughter of German oceanographer Günter Dietrich. Thiede died on 15 July 2021 in Kiel.