Scientists launch drill rig to acquire information-rich sediments off New Jersey coast

An international team of researchers working under the auspices of the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) launched the New Jersey Shallow Shelf Expedition during the early hours of April 30, 2009, taking advantage of the high tide to sail to the continental shelf just off the New Jersey shore. There, they will conduct coring operations to collect geological sediments that will inform them about Earth cycles that relate to sea level change. Greg Mountain, professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Rutgers, is one of two scientific leaders on the expedition. Following is a selection of photos from the launch preparation and press briefing on April 29.