Week 3 on the JOIDES Resolution. Are you ready to be impressed? (Credit: Peter Betlem & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_091]

Jessica Riekenberg (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) prepares samples in the XRD laboratory. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_092]

We followed a strict COVID protocol since getting on the ship, including wearing masks. From left top: Henk Brinkhuis (Micropaleontologist, NIOZ, Netherlands), Natalia Varela (Paleomagnetist, Virginia Tech, USA), Reed Scherer (Micropaleontologist, Northern Illinois University, USA), Carlos Alvarez Zarikian (Expedition Project Manager/Staff Scientist, IODP JRSO), Beth Novak (Assistant Laboratory Officer, IODP JRSO), Steve Midgley (Operations Superintendent, IODP JRSO), Christian Berndt (Co-Chief Scientists, GEOMAR, Germany), Sandra Herrmann (Imaging Specialist, IODP JRSO), and Natalia Varela (Paleomagnetist, Virginia Tech, USA). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann & Sarah Lambart & Stacy Yaeger, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_093]

Happy birthday Jack! Jack Longman (Inorganic Geochemist, Carl von Ossietzky University, Germany) receives his birthday cake in the conference room. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_094]

Another day is over and rewards hard work with amazing views. (Credit: Geoffroy Mohn & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_095]

And then, we passed the 14-day mask protocol and are declared COVID free – a reason to smile. From left: Chieh Peng (Laboratory Officer, IODP JRSO), Mark Higley (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO), Randy Gjesvold (Marine Electronics Technician, IODP JRSO), Alyssa Stephens (Publications Specialist, IODP JRSO), Brittaney Martinez (Curatorial Specialist, IODP JRSO), Daniel Marone (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO), Beth Novak (Assistant Laboratory Officer, IODP JRSO), Kara Vadman (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO), and Sandra Herrmann (Imaging Specialist, IODP JRSO). (Credit: Alyssa Stephens, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_096]

Happiness without masks also on the rig floor, where Siem personnel separate the core catcher from the core barrel. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_097]

More smiles! Morgan Jones (Organic Geochemist, University of Oslo, Norway) takes a peek at the core catcher as Mark Higley (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) assembles the pieces in a core liner. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_098]

Even more cheer on the catwalk. Sandra Herrmann (Imaging Specialist, IODP JRSO), Beth Novak (Assistant Laboratory Officer, IODP JRSO), and Jessica Riekenberg, Aaron Mechler, and Rose Jones (Marine Laboratory Specialists, IODP JRSO) carry the core on the catwalk. (Credit: Sayantani Chatterjee & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_099]

Susan Boehm and Kara Vadman (Marine Laboratory Specialists, IODP JRSO) prepare to use the core cutters to slice the core into sections. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_100]

In the laboratory, a core section on the description table ready to reveal its secrets. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_101]

Physical Properties Specialist Irina Filina (University of Nebraska, USA) happily works at the moisture and density (MAD) station. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_102]

At the same time, Henk Brinkhuis (Micropaleontologist, NIOZ, Netherlands) proudly presents a dinoflagellate to Weimu Xu (Sedimentologist, University College Dublin, Ireland). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_103]

After learning about dinoflagellates in the microscope laboratory, sedimentologist Weimu Xu (University College Dublin, Ireland) describes core with Dustin Harper (Sedimentologist, University of Kansas, USA). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_104]

Marialena Christopoulou (Sedimentologist, Northern Illinois University, USA) studies sedimentological features of a section. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_105]

During “core on deck” Co-Chief Scientist Christian Berndt (GEOMAR, Germany) and Operations Superintendent Steve Midgley (IODP JRSO) discuss drilling process. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_106]

During every expedition, the JR pet wall hosts pictures of the furry, scaly, quilly friends everybody left behind while at sea. (Credit: Reed Scherer & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_107]

Rose Jones (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) is becoming an expert in core catcher disassembly. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_108]

The chemistry laboratory is busy, too. Inorganic Geochemist Sayantani Chatterjee (Niigata University, Japan) pipettes interstitial pore water split samples. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_109]

Outside, fishing ships are not a rare sight. (Credit: Sarah Lambart & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_110]

Alyssa Stephens (Publications Specialist, IODP JRSO) prepares to pull a core section from the core rack. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_111]

Siem crew install the C-plate while they lower the core barrel into the drill pipe. The C-plate holds the core barrel in place until the core barrel is dropped. The barrel is lowered into its deployment position using a air winch. The clamp holding the barrel will be removed once the core barrel is resting securely on the C-plate. After the clamp is removed, the C-plate is pulled and the barrel free falls inside the drill pipe. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_112]

Sea birds are our loyal companions in the North Atlantic. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_113]

On the rig floor the next core is laid down; the dance of catch-cut-and-measure begins again. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_114]

Kara Vadman (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) works on the Whole-Round MultiSensor Logger. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_115]

Physical Properties Scientist Peter Betlem (University Centre in Svalbard, Norway) asks Daniel Marone (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) about track measurements, while Kara Vadman (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO) listens. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_116]

The derrick towers into the blue North Atlantic sky. (Credit: Sarah Lambart & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_117]

Time for more “Core on Deck” with (from left) Holly Pettus (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO), Alyssa Stephens (Publications Specialist, IODP JRSO), and Mark Higley (Marine Laboratory Specialist, IODP JRSO). (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_118]

Petrologist Sarah Lambart (University of Utah, USA) sorts through samples at the handheld XRF station. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_119]

Happy scientists – from left: Irina Filina (Physical Properties Specialist, University of Nebraska, USA), Dustin Harper (Sedimentologist, University of Kansas, USA), and Weimu Xu (Sedimentologist, University College Dublin, Ireland) observe ash layers in the cores in front of them. (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_120]

Whales! We have had a few sightings, and here is proof. (Credit: Reed Scherer & IODP) [Photo ID: exp396_121]

Gannets are one of the largest seabirds and can be as old as 35 years. (Credit: Carlos Alvarez Zarikian, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_122]

Week 3 culminated in the most amazing Indian Food Night. Thank you Entier crew! (Credit: Sandra Herrmann, IODP JRSO) [Photo ID: exp396_123]