A brief history of scientific ocean drilling programs / Breve história dos programas científicos

Abstract

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SCIENTIFIC OCEAN DRILLING PROGRAMS. Brazil recently joined the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, which conducts scientific expeditions around the world. The Brazilian scientists participated in exploration of deep-sea trenches off Costa Rica. Scientific ocean drilling was first proposed in 1957 and began in the 1960s. In 1968, during only its third Leg (expedition), the "Glomar Challenger" retrieved samples of rocks and sediments from the two sides of the Mid-Ocean Ridge in the South Atlantic, and proved that the sea floors were spreading apart. Before this ability to penetrate deep into the ocean bottom, scientists had collected piston cores. The microfossils in these cores revealed much about Earth's changing climate in the last few million years. Current expeditions by the "JOIDES Resolution," "Chikyu," and mission-specific drilling vessels add to the already impressive and extensive understanding of our planet's geological history uncovered through ocean drilling. In recent years, educators have accompanied the scientists during expeditions, and created many learning activities and outreach materials for students and the general public.