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planet as recorded in seafoor sediments and rocks. The

UNCHARTED TERRITORY

By coring through sediments in the drifts, Expedition fnal year of full JR operations under the current arrange- 395 has the potential to reveal what the oceans were like ment will be Fiscal Year 2024, noted the NSF in a press during periods when the Earth was warmer, and in turn, release. The vessel is owned by Overseas Drilling Limited what to expect in the current era of global warming. The (a subsidiary of Siem Offshore AS) and operated by the JR team is also enthusiastic about fndings from U1602, the Science Operator (JRSO) at Texas A&M University. The new site on the Eirik Drift, as cores haven’t been taken JR began working for the Ocean Drilling Program in 1985 from that area before. “We are seeing patterns in the cores until the IODP (then under the name of Integrated Ocean that indicate much change through geological history and Drilling Program) began in 2003.

Despite not renewing its agreement with the JR due we are hoping to reach sediments that are about 48 million to rising operational costs, the NSF intends to continue years old,” Field said.

Yet as is the cliché, all good things must come to an end. supporting the U.S. scientifc ocean drilling community

Expedition 395 marks one of the JR’s last research trips through research investments and plans for future activi- with the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), ties. “Scientifc ocean drilling has signifcantly contributed to understanding the broader Earth system and NSF rec- a platform provided by the U.S. National Science Founda- tion (NSF) that focuses on the history and structure of the ognizes the importance of these contributions,” the orga-

The Expedition 395 science party. © Tiffany Liao, IODP JRSO july/august 2023 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 35