On 1 September 2022, the official retirement event of Professor Dr Onno Oncken took place on the Telegrafenberg. Prof. Oncken headed the section "Geodynamics of the Lithosphere" at the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam for almost 30 years, was director of the department "Geodynamics and Geomaterials" for 15 years and was programme spokesperson of the scientific programme "Geosystem: The Changing Earth" from 2004 to 2020.

Onno Oncken was honoured with a scientific colloquium attended by more than 70 invited guests and numerous GFZ staff members. The content of the programme reflected Prof. Oncken's system-oriented, interdisciplinary approach, as well as his commitment to future-oriented education for students, doctoral candidates and young scientists.

His international commitment was acknowledged by the presence of several international guests, especially from Chile, the USA and Europe. After the dedication of the traditional tree for former department directors - a pear tree at Onno Oncken's request, inspired by Theodor Fontane, whom he admired, and the location here in Brandenburg - the occasion came to a wonderful culinary conclusion at and with Café Freundlich.