CHART: Charting the
Future Course of Scientific Ocean Drilling
MODERATORS: Brandon Dugan, Sean Gulick, Clive Neal
and Christina Ravelo
The Initial Science Plan of the current IODP program was
produced in 2001 to provide the framework and key objectives for IODP drilling
from 2003-2013. Since 2001, we have expanded ocean drilling using the
JOIDES Resolution, the Chikyu, and mission specific platforms. While our
drilling and scientific capabilities have evolved, it is essential to assess
what new directions should be addressed and what new fields can be explored
through drilling.
What are emerging fields that have not been
previously addressed by ocean drilling? Is there benefit to integrating them
into the next phase of IODP? Is there overlap between diverse communities that
could benefit from merging their ocean drilling objectives within new
paradigms? What are key themes that have been embedded in individual drilling
endeavors but now have the potential to thrive as stand-alone science programs
with societal relevance (e.g., geohazards, life in extreme environments,
extreme weather events)?