The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is now accepting applications for two expeditions.

Expedition 359: Experienced paleomagnetists and nannofossil micropaleontologists are needed to sail on Expedition 359 Maldives Monsoon aboard the JOIDES Resolution. Expedition 359 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. The expedition will take place from 30 September to 30 November 2015. The deadline to apply in January 16, 2015.

Expedition 357: Expedition 357 Atlantis Massif Serpentinization and Life will address two exciting discoveries in mid-ocean ridge research: off-axis, serpentinite-hosted hydrothermal activity, exemplified by the Lost City Hydrothermal Field (LCHF) on the Atlantis Massif oceanic core complex, and the significance of tectono-magmatic processes in forming and exposing heterogeneous mafic and variably serpentinized ultramafic lithosphere that are key components of slow and ultraslow spreading ridges. The expedition objectives are 1) to explore the extent and activity of the subsurface biosphere in young ultramafic and mafic seafloor, 2) assess how abiotic and biotic processes change with aging of the lithosphere and with variations in rock type, 3) quantify the role of serpentinization in driving hydrothermal systems, in sustaining microbiological communities, and in the sequestration of carbon in ultramafic rocks, and 4) characterize tectono-magmatic processes that lead to lithospheric heterogeneities and the evolution of hydrothermal activity associated with detachment faulting.

 The offshore phase of this expedition will take place in the October to December 2015 timeframe and last for 46 days, with only a subset of the science party members participating. An onshore science party (OSP) will be held at MARUM, University of Bremen, in early 2016. The OSP is expected to last 2-3 weeks; the exact length will depend on core recovery during the offshore phase. All science party members must attend the entire duration of the onshore science party.

 Opportunities exist for researchers, including graduate students, to sail as sedimentologists, microbiologists, organic geochemistists, inorganic geochemistists, structural geologists, igneous petrologists, metamorphic petrologists, paleomagnetists, geophysicists, and petrophysics/downhole loggers. Other expertises may be considered. Additional information on this expedition can be found here: http://www.eso.ecord.org/expeditions/357/357.php. The deadline to apply is January 9, 2015.

• To learn more about the scientific objectives of this expedition, life at sea, and how to apply to sail, please join us for a web-based seminar on Tuesday, January 6^th at 12 PM Eastern. To participate in the webinar, you need access to the Internet and a computer with a microphone and speaker capability or a telephone. To register, please send an email to with your name and your institution, with Expedition 357 Webinar Registration in the subject line. After registering, you will receive an email response with instructions on how to access the webinar.

For questions, please email .