JOIDES was formed by four of the major oceanographic institutions to foster deep-sea drilling projects. The Blake Plateau Project was successfully completed in 1965, with Lamont Geological Observatory conducting operations under a grant from the National Science Foundation. A preliminary format was established for including the scientific community in the study of the resulting cores.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography has now been awarded a contract by the National Science Foundation for more extensive drilling operations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; sea operations may be expected to commence in late 1968.

Two advisory panels, one for the Atlantic and one for the Pacific, have been formed on the recommendation of JOIDES. The panel members were drawn from the scientific community on the basis of their knowledge and experience in these oceanic areas. Preliminary drilling sites have been recommended by each panel which are considered to provide the greatest promise of scientific returns within the limits of the available funds. It is anticipated that these plans will be under continual revision until actual drilling commences as additional data become available. Advisory panels on (1) Paleontology and Biostratigraphy, (2) Sedimentary Petrology and Geochemistry, (3) Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, and (4) Well Logging have been formed to provide advice on procedures for sampling and data reduction.

The present status of the Atlantic and Pacific Panel recommendations are summarized with their reasons for the choices made. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the JOIDES advisory panels welcome suggestions for improvements and additions to the program.