Dear colleagues
We called for applications for IODP Expedition 371 earlier this year, and the highly ranked applicants are now being considered for the expedition by the co-chief scientists, one of whom is Rupert Sutherland of Victoria University Wellington. It is now apparent that there is a clear lack of highly experienced scientists in three areas: Sedimentology, Cenozoic calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, and Cenozoic radiolarian biostratigraphy. For shipboard scientist responsibilities see http://iodp.tamu.edu/participants/scientist_jobs.html.
Accordingly, a special call is being made for applications to fill these positions, with a deadline of November 7, 2016. This is a wonderful opportunity for suitable ANZIC scientists to join Expedition 371, which will sail from 27 July to 26 September 2017. The chance of an excellent applicant being accepted is clearly high, as a clear lack of expertise has been identified. For the sedimentological position, experience of shipboard core analysis, and ideally ODP/IODP experience, would clearly be an advantage. For the other two positions this is not really a factor.
Brief outline: The Tasman Frontier expedition (based on IODP Proposals 832-Full2, https://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/precruise/tasman/832-Full2.pdf, and 832-Add) will investigate the Eocene Tonga-Kermadec (TK) subduction initiation (SI) and evaluate whether a period of high-amplitude long-wavelength compression led to initiation of TK subduction or determine if alternative geodynamic models were involved. Core and log data from boreholes in the Norfolk Ridge, New Caledonia Trough, Lord Howe Rise and Tasman abyssal plain will provide constraints on seismic stratigraphic interpretations and the timing and length scale of deformation and uplift associated with the largest known global SI event and change in plate motion. The Paleogene and Neogene sediments will also constrain paleoceanographic changes caused by SI as well as tropical and polar climatic teleconnections and the transition from greenhouse to icehouse climate states in a region with large meridional variations in surface water properties in a strategic ‘Southern Ocean Gateway’ setting.
Applications are due by 7 Nov. Please contact Virginia Toy for more information.
