JOIDES Resolution

Drilling Operations

Bridge deck/Level 6

Fo'c'sle deck/Level 5

Main deck/Level 4

Upper 'tween deck/Level 3

Lower 'tween deck/Level 2

Hold deck/Level 1

Lab house top/Level 7

Poop deck/Fantail

Fo'c'sle deck/Forward

Shipboard Laboratories

JOIDES Resolution Tour: JOIDES Resolution

The "JOIDES" in the ship's name stands for Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling. The name reflects the commitment of the program's international partners. The "Resolution" honors an earlier ship, the HMS Resolution, commanded more than 200 years ago by Capt. James Cook, who explored the Pacific and Antarctic regions.

LABORATORY FACILITIES

The heart of this floating scientific research center features seven stories of laboratory facilities. The ship dedicates more than 12,000 square feet of space to scientific laboratories and equipment. The laboratories contain facilities for studies in sedimentology, paleontology, geochemistry, geophysics, petrology, paIeomagnetism, physical properties, and downhole measurements. Computer systems and photographic facilities lend critical technical support. A marine geophysics laboratory produces digital, single-channel seismic reflection profiles while the ship is under way.

DYNAMIC POSITIONING SYSTEM

A positioning system, supported by 12 powerful thrusters, uses computers to maintain the ship over a specific location while drilling in water depths up to 8,200 meters (5 miles). The ship can suspend as much as 9,150 meters of pipe to obtain core samples. The 400-ton heave compensator keeps the drill string stable relative to the ocean floor.

The ship was built in 1978 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1984, ODP converted it into a floating scientific research center. An ice-strengthened hull allows it to drill in high-latitude seas.