The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) is an international scientific research endeavor scheduled to begin in October 2003. This program will use both the new Japanese riser drilling vessel now under construction and an U.S. non-riser vessel. Opportunities for scientists to participate will clearly expand.

Through and following the CONCORD (1997) and COMPLEX (1999) meetings, three major scientific themes have been identified for IODP: 1) the Deep Biosphere & the Sub-Seafloor Ocean, 2) Environmental Change & Its Impact on Life, and 3) Solid Earth Cycles & Geodynamics. These core themes are closely linked to studies of biotechnology, climate change, earthquake hazards, natural resource potential, sea level change, and volcanic eruptions, which are of societal relevance. Direct examination of the seismogenic zone is one of the prime targets of the IODP, which has been planned for practical purpose and to satisfy long held scientific ambitions.