Claude Lorius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claude Lorius
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![]() Lorius in 2009
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Born | |
Died | 21 March 2023 Charnay-lès-Mâcon, France
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(aged 91)
Alma mater | University of Franche-Comté |
Awards | CNRS Gold Medal (2002) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Glaciology |
Claude Lorius (born February 27, 1932 – died March 21, 2023) was a famous French scientist. He was a glaciologist, which means he studied glaciers and ice. He worked as a director at the CNRS, a major research center in France. From 1983 to 1988, he led the Laboratoire de glaciologie et géophysique de l'environnement in Grenoble. This lab focuses on studying ice and how it affects our planet.
Lorius went on more than 20 trips to Earth's polar regions. Most of these trips were to Antarctica, the icy continent at the South Pole. He also helped set up many international science projects. One very important project was at Vostok Station. Here, scientists drilled deep into the ice to get long samples called ice cores.
Claude Lorius was key in discovering and understanding information hidden in these ice cores. These ice cores contain tiny bubbles of ancient air. By studying them, scientists can learn about Earth's atmosphere and climate from thousands of years ago. His work showed how much carbon dioxide was in the air in the past. This helped prove that human activities are changing our climate today.
Claude Lorius passed away on March 21, 2023, when he was 91 years old. His important discoveries continue to help us understand our planet.
Amazing Awards and Honors
Claude Lorius received many important awards for his groundbreaking work. These awards recognized his big contributions to science and understanding climate change.
- 2020: Grand Officer of the Légion d'honneur. This is a very high honor in France.
- 2017: Bower Medal and Prize.
- 2009: Commandeur of the Légion d'honneur.
- 2008: Blue Planet Prize. This award is given for efforts to solve global environmental problems.
- 2006: Vernadsky medal of the EGU.
- 2002: CNRS Gold medal. This is the highest scientific award in France.
- 2001: Balzan Prize for climatology. This prize recognized his work on climate science.
- 1996: Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. This award is for outstanding achievements in environmental science.
- 1998: Officer of the Légion d'honneur.
- 1994: Became a member of the French Academy of Sciences. This is a group of France's top scientists.
- 1994: Italgas Prize.
- 1989: Belgica Medal.
- 1988: Humboldt Prize.
See also
In Spanish: Claude Lorius para niños
- Ice and the Sky, a documentary film about Lorius' work in Antarctica.