Objective: This group was formed at the start of the Next Decade Program. Its specific aim is to strengthen the ties to, and use of, global deep earth sampling facilities such as IODP, ICDP etc.
The working group, through international meetings and planning sessions will develop a long term plan for the drilling by conducting and participating in long term planning for ocean and continental drilling. This Working Group will organize the preparation of specific drilling proposals for submission to the Integrated ocean drilling program, monitor the progress of the program, and identify and encourage key groups of proponents.
Themes: Drilling of Active Hydrothermal Systems; Evaluation of Zero-age Ocean Crust and Axial Mantle; Exploring The Deep Biosphere; Drilling in Ophiolites; an International Crustal Penetration Drilling Project
Chair - Benoit Ildefonse (CNRS/ISTEEM)
Group Members - Peter B. Kelemen (Columbia University); Mathilde Cannat (CNRS); Jay Miller (IODP); Jan M. Peter (Geological Survey of Canada); Chris J. MacLeod (University of Wales, Cardiff); Wolfgang Bach (University of Bremen); Katrina Edwards (University of Southern California); Yasuhiko Ohara (Hydrographic & Oceanographic Dept of Japan); Henry J. B. Dick (WHOI); Damon A.H. Teagle (National Oceanography Centre); Douglas R. Toomey (University of Oregon); Kathryn Gillis (University of Victoria), Susumu Umino (University of Shizuoka), & Huaiyang Zhou (Chinese Academy of Sciences)
Deep Earth Sampling Working Group Update 2007
Deep Earth Sampling Working Group Update 2007
(May 2007)
Benoit Ildefonse (CNRS/ISTEEM)
Working group members:
Wolfgang BACH - Bremen University, Bremen, Germany
Mathilde CANNAT - CNRS, Paris, France
Henry J.B. DICK - WHOI, Woods Hole, USA
Katrina EDWARDS - University of Southern California, USA
Kathryn GILLIS - University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
Benoît ILDEFONSE (chair) - CNRS, Montpellier, France
Peter B. KELEMEN - Columbia University, Palisades, USA
Christopher J. MACLEOD - Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Mission Moho
The formation and evolution of the oceanic lithosphere is the dominant process in the chemical differentiation and physical evolution of our planet. Plate tectonic processes completely repave the ocean basins every 100–200 million years. Lithosphere formation encompasses the transfer and transformation of material and energy from Earth’s mantle to the crust and from the crust to the ocean and atmosphere. Independent of sunlight, the evolving ocean crust supports life in unique seafloor and subseafloor habitats that may resemble Earth’s earliest ecosystems. From its formation until its return to the mantle by subduction, the evolving oceanic lithosphere interacts with seawater, sequesters water and other materials, and ultimately recycles them back into the mantle.
