The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program has begun accepting applications for scientific participation on the Great Barrier Reef Expedition.  Coral reefs are excellent sea level indicators and are critical for constraining the timing, rate, and amplitude of deglaciation events.   This expedition aims to:

1. Establish the course of sea-level rise during the last deglaciation (~20-10 ka),
2. Reconstruct the nature and magnitude of seasonal-millennial scale climate variability (i.e., sea-surface temperature and sea-surface salinity), and
3. Determine the biologic and geologic response of the Great Barrier Reef to abrupt sea-level and climate changes in the past as a possible template to improve predictions of ecosystem response to future global climate changes.

U.S.-affiliated scientists interested in participating in this expedition should apply to sail through the U.S. Science Support Program of the Consortium for Ocean Leadership by August 15, 2008.  

A detailed description of this expedition can be found on the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD) Science Operator website. For more information on the currently scheduled IODP expeditions, please visit the IODP website.

Staffing Process: USAC reviews and prioritizes staffing applications.
Apply to Sail: Apply to sail on IODP expeditions.
Apply for a PEA award: Apply for supplemental funding to fulfill expeditions obligations.

• Past Participants: U.S. shipboard scientists supported by USSSP during the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) and IODP.
• Past PEA Awards: U.S. scientists supported with USSSP funding to fullfill expedition obligations.