International Ocean Drilling Programme

International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP³)

The International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP³) is an international marine research collaboration that explores Earth’s history and dynamics. IODP³ uses ocean-going research platforms to recover data recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks and to monitor subseafloor environments. Each scientific ocean drilling expedition is staffed by scientists from around 20 countries to conduct state-of-the-art research throughout the world’s oceans or using ocean drilling archives.

IODP³ builds on the earlier successes of the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP 1966 – 1983), the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP 1983 – 2003), the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP 2003 – 2013) and the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP 2013 – 2024).

Scientists from the University of Leicester have been involved in IODP3 and predecessors since 1981. Active research takes place on a broad range of topics including palaeoclimatology, palaeoceanography, petrophysics, sedimentology and stratigraphy. Our staff inspire students with IODP materials and we host a set of core replicas of the biggest hits of scientific ocean drilling.

The University of Leicester also leads the European Petrophysics Consortium (EPC) as part of ECORD Science Operator (ESO) - the implementing organisation of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD). EPC provides global support and expertise in the fields of downhole logging and core petrophysics, principally for MSP expeditions. The group has also provided Logging Staff Scientists for expeditions on the MarE3-operated Chikyu and in the past for the JRSO-operated JOIDES Resolution.