Iraqi Kurdistan All in the Timing

In 2003, ODP came to an end, transforming into the
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP1, 2003–13) that
enhanced international cooperation and increased capability
through the introduction of two new drilling platforms. The
riserless vessel JOIDES Resolution, hosted by the USA, was
joined by a riser vessel, Chikyu, hosted by programme partner
Japan, both ships being dedicated drilling vessels equipped
with permanent drilling and state-of-the-art scientific
laboratory facilities. A third platform, known as ‘missionspecific’
platforms, coordinated by a European consortium,
contracts especially chosen vessels to meet the specific needs
of a particular project. Such needs have historically included
operating in ice-covered regions, in very shallow waters such
as those off New Jersey and in environmentally sensitive areas.
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP, since
2013) is the fourth and current evolution of this scientific
programme centred on ocean research drilling, continuing
to sample a wide variety of geological formations around the
world. An international consortium of 26 countries, including
the USA, Japan, UK and numerous European partners, IODP
continues to be a multidisciplinary collaboration between
scientists, students, engineers, technicians and educators. The
programme retains its central aim of extending sub-seafloor
exploration, but with an increased emphasis on scientific
outputs that are societally relevant. IODP is diversifying by
continuing to operate with three platforms and with increased
collaboration with industry and other third parties through,
for example, co-funded ventures.
Geography, Geology and Data
IODP has undertaken drilling projects across the world’s
oceans from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Arctic to
the Southern Ocean, and beyond. Some studies are centred
on the continental shelf and a huge
number have taken place in the deep
ocean. One of the current programme’s
primary objectives is to further our
understanding of ice sheet responses
in a warming world. High latitude
expeditions to both the Arctic and
Antarctic in 2018 will make significant
contributions to this endeavour.
The breadth of the scientific
questions addressed by the programme
ensures an equally diverse range
of geological formations have been
drilled, cored and logged. These
include siliciclastic shelf deposits,
deep-sea sediments, carbonates and
corals, landslide deposits and volcanic
basement.
Uniquely, IODP is a legacy scientific
programme with data and samples
routinely made publicly available after
a one-year post-project moratorium.
The programme has developed to
undertake a set of minimum and
standard measurements on every
The R/V JOIDES Resolution on site during Expedition 334, Costa Rica
Seismogenesis Project.
expedition, regardless of the project’s scientific objectives.
These measurements include detailed core description,
petrology, structural geology, palaeomagnetics, geochemistry,
palaeontology, biostratigraphy, physical properties and
downhole measurements, and these are often supplemented
by additional project-specific measurements, such as
microbiology and borehole monitoring. The combined
diversity in geography, geology and data type represents a vast
and invaluable public resource.
A Model of the Earth
Landmark, like IODP, adopts a multidisciplinary and global
approach in its endeavours. The Neftex Earth Model, a database
Location map of sites drilled and sampled by DSDP, ODP and IODP.
John Beck, IODP/TAMU
IODP
GEOExPro November 2015 35