IODP Expedition 359 (The Maldives Monsoon) will investigate Neogene Indian Ocean environmental change and the onset of the modern carbonate depositional system driven by fluctuations in sea level and ocean currents. Seven sites will be drilled across the Maldives carbonate system to obtain sediments from the inner-platform to the continental slope including drifts deposits. These will (1) document environmental changes in the Maldives and place the Maldives current system into the larger scale ocean current framework during Neogene global cooling and monsoon evolution, (2) determine the onset of the modern depositional system, and (3) constrain the pre- to post-drowning evolution of the carbonate bank by linking existing seismic stratigraphic and the new sedimentary records.

        This expedition will also core one site along the western Indian continental margin (IODP Proposal 849-APL) to obtain a Paleocene-Holocene sedimentary sequence within the proximal core region of summer monsoon precipitation to reconstruct the pre-monsoonal and monsoonal ocean salinity, and erosion, weathering and run-off in the Eastern Arabian Sea. Visit http://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/ for the original IODP proposal and expedition planning information.

        China-based scientists could apply through the IODP-China Office, and submit application form, English CV as well as post-cruise research proposal no later than 7 November 2014.

        For further details, please contact:

        Shouting Tuo, Science Coordinator, the IODP-China Office

        Tel.: +86-21-65982198, Fax: +86-21-65988808

        Email: iodp_china@tongji.edu.cn