DR. THOMAS RONGE
MARINE GEOLOGIST ∣ CLIMATE SCIENTIST
DR. THOMAS RONGE
MARINE GEOLOGIST ∣ CLIMATE SCIENTIST
BIOGRAPHY
I am a Marine Geologist and Climate Scientist, working as a Staff Scientist and Expedition Project Manager for the Scientific Ocean Drilling Coordination Office (SODCO) at Texas A&M University.
At SODCO I provide scientific expertise, leadership, and advocacy for implementation of expedition projects and am responsible for overall implementation of scientific ocean drilling expeditions and achievement of the cruise science plan.
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My own research focuses on the understanding of past changes in ocean currents, their influence on the oceanic
uptake and release of COâ‚‚ , and how "warm" deep-waters affect ice sheets.
In a nutshell, I work on a better understanding of how oceans affect the climate and glaciers.
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I currently contribute to several international and interdisciplinary research projects that focus on the reconstruction of past climate change in and around Antarctica and the Arctic, as well as Mediterranean volcanism.
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I participated in numerous international expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, North and South Atlantic, North and South Pacific, and the Southern Ocean. I have extensive experience working on (polar) research vessels, as well as working on land, glaciers, ice, and mountain environments. In addition, I have used helicopters, research diving, and submersibles to facilitate my research.
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My love for science has resulted in a passion to share the knowledge and fascinating stories from the field and our research with a broader public.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Manga, M., Tominaga, M., Preine, J., Ronge, T. A., and the Expedition 398 Scientists. (2025). Low Heat Flow in the Anhydros Basin, Aegean Sea, Recorded by Deep Subsurface Temperatures. Geophysical Research Letters. paper here
Preine, J., Crutchley, G., Hübscher, C., Manga, M., Tominaga, M., Beethe, S., McIntosh, I., Nomikou, P., Kletetschka, G., Druitt, T., Kutterolf, S., Ronge, T. A., and the Expedition 398 (2025). Core-seismic integration and time-depth relationships at IODP Expedition 398 Hellenic Arc Volcanic Field sites. Proceedings of the International Ocean Discovery Program, paper here
FUTURE 2024 PI Team, Applegate, B., Dugan, B., Eguchi, N., Fornari, D., Freudenthal, T., [...], Patterson, M., Peccia, A., Ronge, T.A., Roth, E., Staro, A., Stelling, K., Todes, J., Tsang, M.-Y., Wiemann, S., Konrad, K., Reilly, B., Schrenk, M., Walczak, M., Tominaga, M. (2025). The FUTURE of the US Marine Seafloor and Subseafloor Sampling Capabilities. AGU Advances. paper here
Jutzeler, M., Clark, A., Manga, M., McIntosh, I., Druitt, T., Kutterolf, S., and Ronge, T. A. (2025). Coring disturbances in advanced piston cores from IODP Expedition 398, Hellenic Arc Volcanic Field. Proceedings of the International Ocean Discovery Program, Volume 398. paper here
Ronge, T. A., Kutterolf, S., Fernandez-Perez, T. I., Manga, M., Metcalfe, A., Preine, J., Tominaga, M., Woodhouse, A., Yeon, J., Druitt, T., and the Expedition 398 Scientists (2024). X-ray fluorescence scanning of Sites U1591 and U1599, IODP Expedition 398, Hellenic Arc Volcanic Field. Proceedings of the International Ocean Discovery Program, Volume 398. paper here
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​Reviewer for
IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere; IPCC 6th Assessment Report; Deep Sea Research; Earth and Planetary Science Letters; G-Cubed; Journal of Climate; National Science Foundation; Nature; Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology; Proceedings of the IODP; Quaternary Science Reports; Science
MEDIA INQUIRIES
I frequently respond to inquiries from journalists and media outlets looking for quotes on peer-reviewed research papers, expert opinions, new scientific findings, expeditions, or scientific press releases. I have experience working with traditional media (print, radio, TV, movie) and online outlets (science websites, podcasts, YouTube, social media).
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A non-exhaustive list of topics related to my expertise includes
Marine Geology
Scientific Ocean Drilling
Climate Research (past and present climate)
Marine Carbon Cycle (COâ‚‚)
Deep Sea Geology
Marine fieldwork (ship-based expeditions, research diving, submersibles)
Polar Research (Antarctic/Arctic)
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SHOWCASE
Several international media outlets have used my photos in various articles, documentaries, and books. Past outlets are: The BBC, The Conversation, Corriere della Sera, Cosmos Magazine, CNN, Der Spiegel, dpa, Kathimerini, National Geographic, n-tv, Oceanographic Magazine, P. M. Magazin, Popular Mechanics, Science & Vie, SAPERE, The Guardian, vox.com, and more.
Copyright Notice
The pictures used here are ©Thomas Ronge. In addition, thank you to the following people for granting me the right to use their pictures here.
Biography picture top: Sasha Plewe/IOW
Biography picture bottom left: Esther Horvath/AWI
Outreach video call picture: Chris Montgomery on unsplash
Media Inquiry photo: Erick Bravo/IODP
Outreach pub picture: Jens Kube