JOIDES RESOLUTION
Science in Search of Earth's Secrets
What is the JOIDES Resolution?
The JOIDES Resolution (JR) is a research vessel that drills into the ocean floor to collect and study core samples. Scientists use data from the JR to better understand climate change, geology and Earth’s history. It is a part of the International Ocean Discovery Program and is funded by the National Science Foundation.
EXP 400: NW Greenland Glaciated Margin
13 August – 13 October
The Greenland Ice Sheet holds a large amount of fresh water, equivalent to ~7.4 m of global sea level rise if it were to melt. Recent studies have demonstrated the sensitivity of the Greenland Ice Sheet to climate warming, and indicate the potential impact of the resulting meltwaters on global sea level rise and oceanic circulation patterns. However, the ice sheet’s response to major climate change is poorly constrained by data, leading to a knowledge gap that limits our ability to confidently project future cryospheric responses.
Expedition 400 will conduct a transect of sites in the semi-enclosed basin of Baffin Bay. By targeting high-accumulation rate sites that span the last 25 – 30 million years of Earth’s history, located close to major glacial outlets, it is hoped that the scientists will be able to map the extremes of the Greenland Ice Sheet, from maximum glaciated limits to periods with possible total ice loss. By correlating these fluctuations to global climate changes, ocean circulation and heat distribution changes, as well as
orbital and tectonic forcings, scientists will better understand what influences the Greenland Ice Sheet over a range of timescales.
To view the Expedition 400 science objectives, click here.
View the IODP Exp 400 page here
You can also:
- Sign up for a ship-to-shore broadcast
- Take tour of the ship with our interactive 360 videos
- Read blogs from past expeditions
- Watch videos read books on our multimedia page
