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Summary
scientific advances. To a large extent, the success of IODP
U.S.-supported scientific ocean drilling has a long and
and prior scientific ocean drilling programs has been a
illustrious history—from its earliest roles in the confirmation
result of strong international collaboration. Following
of plate tectonics to more recent contributions in paleocli-
mate and global sea level reconstructions. As the current the broad themes in the IODP Initial Science Plan (2001),
phase of scientific ocean drilling draws to a close in 2013, the committee identified three general areas in which there
the National Science Foundation (NSF) requested that an ad have been significant accomplishments: solid Earth cycles;
hoc National Research Council committee review the sci- fluids, flow, and life in the subseafloor; and Earth’s climate
entific accomplishments of U.S.-supported scientific ocean history. Several of the scientific achievements that could not
drilling over the past four decades. The committee evalu- have been accomplished without scientific ocean drilling are
ated how the programs (Deep Sea Drilling Project [DSDP], listed in Box S.1.
1968-1983, Ocean Drilling Program [ODP], 1984-2003, and Scientific ocean drilling fundamentally advanced the
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program [IODP], 2003-2013) have fields of plate tectonics, paleomagnetism, geomagnetism,
shaped understanding of Earth systems and Earth history and and geochronology. It has been critical to understanding con-
assessed the role of scientific ocean drilling in enabling new nections between subseafloor fluid flow, microbial commu-
fields of inquiry. The committee also assessed the potential nities, and massive sulfide deposits. Technology pioneered
for transformative discoveries1 resulting from implementa- by scientific ocean drilling enabled the recovery of intact
tion of the science plan for the next proposed phase of sci- gas hydrates, strongly influencing the understanding of gas
entific ocean drilling, which is scheduled to run from 2013 hydrate distribution for economic and geohazard objectives.
to 2023 if funding is approved by NSF. DSDP and ODP were integral to the study of continental
breakup, in conjunction with onshore and offshore geo-
physical and geologic exploration and geodynamic model-
SCIENTIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ing. Scientific ocean drilling has contributed to increased
The committee found that the U.S.-supported scien- understanding of lithospheric formation and structure, and to
tific ocean drilling programs (DSDP, ODP, and IODP) connecting the occurrence of submarine large igneous prov-
have been very successful, contributing significantly to a inces with volcanic eruption-related climate change. It also
broad range of scientific accomplishments in a number played a central role in deciphering the relationship between
of Earth science disciplines. In addition, the programs’ atmospheric carbon dioxide and global surface temperatures,
technological innovations have strongly influenced these glacial-interglacial cycles, global sea level change, ocean
anoxia events, and the discovery of large climate excursions
and abrupt climate change. In addition, scientific ocean
1 NSF’s definition of transformative research is: “Transformative research
drilling lent credence to the meteorite impact hypothesis as
involves ideas, discoveries, or tools that radically change our understanding
of an important existing scientific or engineering concept or educational a paradigm for global extinction processes, a mainstay of
practice or leads to the creation of a new paradigm or field of science,
modern Earth science education.
engineering, or education. Such research challenges current understand-
Since their earliest days, scientific ocean drilling pro-
ing or provides pathways to new frontiers.” See http://www.nsf.gov/about/
grams have actively engaged in educating graduate students
transformative_research/definition.jsp; accessed August 2011.
1
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2 SCIENTIFIC OCEAN DRILLING
RECOMMENDATION: Formal evaluation of educa-
Box S.1 tion, outreach, and capacity-building activities should
Scientific Accomplishments That be implemented to demonstrate the broader impacts of
Could Not Have Been Achieved Without scientific ocean drilling.
Scientific Ocean Drilling
ASSESSMENT OF THE 2013-2023 SCIENCE
Solid Earth Cycles
PLAN
• erification of the seafloor spreading hypothesis
V
and plate tectonic theory The committee also assessed the potential for future
• evelopment of an accurate geological time
D transformative scientific discoveries envisioned in Illumi-
scale for the past 150 myr
nating Earth’s Past, Present, and Future: The International
• onfirmation that the structure of oceanic litho-
C
Ocean Discovery Program Science Plan for 2013-2023,
sphere is related to spreading rate
which was released in June 2011 by Integrated Ocean Drill-
• xploration of the emplacement history of
E
ing Program Management International. The science plan is
submarine large igneous provinces
divided into four research themes: climate and ocean change,
• ontribution to a new paradigm for continental
C
biosphere frontiers, Earth connections (deep Earth pro-
breakup due to studies of rifted margins
cesses), and Earth in motion (direct time series observations
• efinition of subduction zone inputs and confir-
D
mation of subduction erosion on human scales). There are 14 scientific challenges within
these four themes, which the committee evaluated indi-
Fluids, Flow, and Life in the Subseafloor vidually for potential for transformative discovery, synergy
• n situ investigation of fluid flow processes, per-
I between science plan challenges and themes, and linkages
meability, and porosity in ocean sediments and
to NSF-supported and other research programs. Each of the
basement rocks
four themes within the science plan identifies compelling
• haracterization of the sediment- and rock-
C
challenges with potential for transformative science that
hosted subseafloor microbial biosphere
can only be addressed by scientific ocean drilling. Some
• tudy of subseafloor water-rock interactions and
S
challenges within these themes appear to have greater
the formation of seafloor massive sulfide depos-
potential for transformative science than others.
its in active hydrothermal systems
The committee was particularly positive about the
• xamination of the distribution and dynamics of
E
gas hydrates in ocean sediments potential for transformative discoveries resulting from
subseafloor biosphere exploration and for continuing paleo-
Earth’s Climate History climate investigations to provide constraints on projected
• econstruction of global climate history for the
R climate change. It also noted the need for data in under-
past 65 myr, based on ocean sediments
represented regions such as high latitudes and for deeper
• evelopment and refinement of the Astronomical
D
sampling into intact ocean crust. The themes and challenges
Geomagnetic Polarity Timescale
identified in the science plan were well-justified and timely,
• ocumentation of the pervasive nature of orbital
D
although there was a lack of guidance as to which challenges
forcing on global climate variability
were most important.
• ecognition of past geological analogs (for
R
example, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maxi-
RECOMMENDATION: The scientific ocean drilling
mum) for Earth’s response to increases in atmo-
community should establish a mechanism to prioritize
spheric carbon dioxide
• iscover y of the history of polar ice sheet initia-
D the challenges outlined in the science plan in a manner
tion, growth and variability, and their influence on that complements the existing peer-review process.
fluctuations in global sea level
The scientific ocean drilling programs have a history of
making excellent use of legacy samples and data that have
helped to quickly advance new areas of research. Using leg-
in the Earth sciences. During ODP, informal activities aimed
acy data and samples to their maximum capabilities will
at undergraduates, K-12, and community outreach were
continue to increase the scientific value of the scientific
initiated. More structured and extensive programs during
ocean drilling programs. Expanded use of legacy materi-
IODP included a vigorous education initiative aimed at K-12,
als could help, for example, with prioritization of drilling
undergraduate, graduate, and informal science educators.
objectives in the next phase of scientific ocean drilling.
The education, outreach, and capacity-building programs are
There are several natural areas of synergy between the
of significant value, but evaluations of each of them would
challenges and themes, and more detailed examination of
enable a better understanding of the impacts of these activi-
potential integration would be valuable in lending strength
ties on different groups and would demonstrate the broader
to the overall program. Integration of scientific ocean drilling
impacts of scientific ocean drilling.
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3
SUMMARY
objectives is currently done in an ad hoc fashion during the scientific ocean drilling programs to continue to advance a
expedition planning process. technological agenda. This is an area where prior programs
have demonstrated great strength.
RECOMMENDATION: From the earliest stages of
proposal development and evaluation, possibilities for RECOMMENDATION: Pathways for innovations in
increasing program efficiency through integration of technology should be encouraged. In addition, setting
multiple objectives into single expeditions should be aside some resources specifically to promote technologi-
considered by proponents and panels. cal research and development could increase the potential
for transformative science.
Transformative discoveries are critically dependent on
technological breakthroughs, and it is essential for future
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