The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) and the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) have a complementary approach in addressing key issues concerning the dynamic Earth. Substantial progress has been made by drilling in understanding fundamental questions such as climate and environmental changes, sea-level variations, geohazards, natural resources, the structure and evolution of the Earth crust, the nature and extent of the deep biosphere... However, there are still exciting challenges to take up for a better understanding of the Earth system and its changing environment.

An brief update on IODP and ICDP plans will be presented. But this townhall meeting will be also the opportunity for all scientists to express their needs and to discuss future directions in scientific drilling.

Organized by Catherine Mevel (ECORD) and Ulrich Harms (ICDP)