Massive research vessel conducting volcanic research in south Aegean

One of America’s biggest maritime research vessels, the Cypriot-flagged JOIDES Resolution, is conducting an unprecedented oceanographic mission in Greek waters at the moment, focusing on the underwater volcanic complex of Santorini, among others.

The 143-meter vessel arrived in the Aegean Sea to participate in the Hellenic Arc Volcanic Field-IODP Expedition 398.

The mission is financed by the International Ocean Discovery Programme (IODP), which studies the earth’s development and climate change. The mission began last month and is expected to conclude in February 2023, with the vessel’s arrival at the port of Irakleio, Crete.

JOIDES is the acronym for Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling.

The Greek side is participating in the mission through the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research.