The JOIDES Resolution at the start of Expedition 396 in Reykjavik, Iceland. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_001]

A few puffy clouds move above the ship as the flags get blown by the wind. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_002]

The JRSO technical crew wait to welcome the boarding scientists and show them to their quarters. From left: Daniel Marone (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO), Alyssa Stephens (Publications Specialist, IODP JRSO), Susan Boehm and Mark Higley (Marine Laboratory Specialists, IODP JRSO), and Chieh Peng (Laboratory Officer, IODP JRSO). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_003]

Here they come! The scientists make their way up the gangway. From left: Stacy Yaeger (Micropaleontology, Ball State University, USA), Peter Betlem (Physical Properties, University Centre in Svalbard, Norway), and Morgan Jones (Organic Geochemistry, University of Oslo, Norway). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_004]

Port views in Reykjavik, Iceland. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_005]

Geochemists Morgan Jones (University of Oslo, Norway) and Jack Longman (Carl von Ossietzky University, Germany), busy writing the methods chapter. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_006]

Siem personnel on the ship’s bridge. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_007]

Lunch break at the picnic tables: Sayantani Chatterjee (Inorganic Geochemistry, Niigata University, Japan), Sarah Lambart (Petrology, University of Utah, USA), Natalia Varela (Paleomagnetism, Virginia Tech, USA), and Weimu Xu (Sedimentology, University College Dublin, Ireland) enjoy their food in the sunshine. (Credit: Reed Scherrer & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_008]

The JOIDES Resolution takes on fuel for the journey. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_009]

The last sunset for the JOIDES Resolution in port in Reykjavik, Iceland. (Credit: Geoffroy Mohn & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_010]

A gorgeous night sky. (Credit: Henk Brinkhuis & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_011]

The JOIDES Resolution leaving port – it’s time to watch. Sedimentologists Weimu Xu (University College Dublin, Ireland) and Dustin Harper (University of Kansas, USA) make their way to the roof-top crowd. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_012]

A strong Icelandic female line handler impresses everybody as she loosens the last ties to land. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_013]

As the crew pulls in the lines (top left), the JRSO technicians and scientists take pictures, send their last texts, and chat about the days to come. Pictured from left, top: Daniel Marone and Susan Boehm (Marine Laboratory Specialists, IODP JRSO), Brittany Martinez (Curational Specialist, IODP JRSO), Alyssa Stephens (Publications Specialist, IODP JRSO), Natalia Varela (Paleomagnetism, Virginia Tech, USA), Stacy Yaeger (Micropaleontology, Ball State University, USA), Peter Betlem (Physical Properties, University Centre in Svalbard, Norway), Geoffroy Mohn (Petrology, University de Cergy Pontoise, France), Jack Longman (Inorganic Geochemistry, Carl von Ossietzky University, Germany), and Peter Betlem (Physical Properties, University Centre in Svalbard, Norway). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_014]

Happy eyes gaze at the camera. From left: Jack Longman (Inorganic Geochemistry, Carl von Ossietzky University, Germany), Morgan Jones (Organic Geochemistry, University of Oslo, Norway), Marialena Christopoulou (Sedimentology, Northern Illinois University, USA), Sayantani Chatterjee (Inorganic Geochemistry, Niigata University, Japan), and Stacy Yaeger (Micropaleontology, Ball State University, USA). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_015]

The line thrown off the tug boat – their job is done. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_016]

How many departures have these eyes seen? Definitely a lot. The JRSO technicians relax on the picnic tables as the JOIDES Resolution leaves port. From left: Daniel Marone (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO), Chieh Peng (Laboratory Officer, IODP JRSO), Beth Novak (Assistant Laboratory Officer, IODP JRSO), Susan Boehm (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO), and Aaron Machler (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_017]

Greetings from Sandra Herrmann (Imaging Specialist, IODP JRSO) as she lowers the camera. (Credit: Henk Brinkhuis & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_018]

The Dutch micropaleontology gang – Henk Brinkhuis and Joost Frieling (NIOZ, Netherlands). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_019]

Weimu Xu (Sedimentology, University College Dublin, Ireland) and Sayantani Chatterjee (Inorganic Geochemistry, Niigata University, Japan) observe the Reykjavik skyline. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_020]

Calm seas during transit. (Credit: Sayantani Chatterjee & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_021]

Time to get to know the laboratory. Here, Kara Vadman (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) explains to Marialena Christopoulou (Sedimentology, Northern Illinois University, USA) the Section-Half MultiSensor Logger (SHMSL). Holly Pettus (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) joins the training session as well. (Credit: Stacy Yaeger & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_022]

Susan Boehm and Jessica Riekenberg (Marine Laboratory Specialists, IODP JRSO) check headspace supplies. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_023]

What will we find at Kolga High? (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_024]

Dustin Harper (Sedimentology, University of Kansas, USA), Sarah Lambart (Petrology, University of Utah, USA), John Millet (Physical Properties, Volcanic Basin Petroleum Research AS, UK), and Weimu Xu (Sedimentology, University College Dublin, Ireland) discuss the capabilities of the onboard XRD laboratory equipment with Jessica Riekenberg (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_025]

Geoffroy Mohn (Petrology, University de Cergy Pontoise, France) shows Sarah Lambart (Petrology, University of Utah, USA) and Weimu Xu (Sedimentology, University College Dublin, Ireland) how to take structural measurements on core material. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_026]

Sverre Planke (Co-Chief Scientist, University of Oslo, Norway) during the pre-site meeting. In the background: Henk Brinkhuis (Micropaleontology, NIOZ, Netherlands). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_027]

Sayantani Chatterjee (Inorganic Geochemistry, Niigata University, Japan) takes notes during the pre-site meeting. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_028]

Low clouds move in as we transit toward sunset. (Credit: Stacy Yaeger & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_029]

Nick Logan (Marine Computer Specialist, IODP JRSO) sets up a computer in the microscope laboratory. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_030]

Peter Betlem (Physical Properties, University Centre in Svalbard, Norway) deep in thought in the core description area. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_031]

Salty mist rising from the waves as the JOIDES Resolution holds course toward the first site. (Credit: Geoffroy Mohn & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_032]

Sunset concludes another day on the JOIDES Resolution. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_033]

Kara Vadman (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) and Marialena Christopoulou (Sedimentology, Northern Illinois University, USA) learn about the Whole-Round MultiSensor Logger (WRMSL). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_034]

In the chemistry laboratory, Aaron Mechler (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) gives an introduction to (from left) Joost Frieling (Micropalentology, NIOZ, Netherlands), Jack Longman (Inorganic Geochemistry, Carl von Ossietzky University, Germany), Morgan Jones (Organic Geochemistry, University of Oslo, Norway), and Sayantani Chatterjee (Inorganic Geochemistry, Niigata University, Japan). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_035]

A seabird flies close to the vessel. (Credit: Sarah Lambart & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_036]

Sunset as far as the eye can see. (Credit: Henk Brinkhuis & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_037]

We leave you with another beautiful evening mood shot – until next week. (Credit: Sarah Lambart & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_038]