The Joides
Resolution typically goes on six two-month expeditions each year.
Cores
undergo analysis in microbiology, sedimentology, paleontology, geochemistry,
geophysics, petrology, paleomagnetism, physical properties and downhole measurements.
Cores
are recovered from beneath the sea floor in 9.5-meter sections. Each section
is labeled and cut into 1.5-meter sections for easier handling.
(College Station)—Many in the A&M System may not realize that land-locked Texas A&M has been a pioneer in the field of scientific ocean drilling for 23 years.
What is considered by some to be Texas A&M’s best-kept secret, the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), is managed under the College of Geosciences. IODP is the largest earth-science research project in the world, studying climate changes, natural hazards, gas hydrates, microbes and numerous other topics, and is the largest research contract in Texas A&M’s history.
“This amazing program is changing our interpretation of the history of the world," Texas A&M President Robert M. Gates said during the official launch of the new IODP project in 2004.
IODP is an international marine research program that explores the earth's history and structure recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks, and monitors sub-seafloor environments. IODP builds on the successes of its predecessors, Deep Sea Drilling Project and Ocean Drilling Program (at Texas A&M from 1983 to 2003), which revolutionized our view of earth history and global processes through ocean basin exploration.
This program and its predecessor have brought more than $800 million to the state. Another $500 million is expected over the decade-long contract Texas A&M has with the National Science Foundation.
IODP employs about 200 faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduates. Work is performed by an experienced team of individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests, and almost 20 percent hold degrees from Texas A&M. From scientists, engineers and editors to computer programmers, graphic artists and accountants, the Texas A&M staff, working in partnership with the Texas A&M Research Foundation, manages a scientific ocean drilling vessel, implements shipboard drilling operations and provides technical support for laboratories.
In addition, the staff handles fiscal management, curates the scientific data and cores that are collected, publishes the results from each expedition and promotes the findings through education and outreach. This group supports the common goal of advancing earth science and disseminating scientific results to the public.
The one-of-a-kind scientific ocean drilling vessel employed for the program, the JOIDES Resolution, includes a riserless drill rig and 12 laboratories in a seven-story scientific research center. After more than 20 years of successful operations and a $110 million renovation, the vessel will soon begin a new phase of operations that will enable the program to achieve new science and engineering goals to be carried out through 2013.