Research and Poetry: A scientist’s unexpected discovery at sea

In February 2022, the JOIDES Resolution (JR) set sail with 30 international scientists and a crew of around 100, heading deep into the Indian Ocean. Their destination: a site 300 nautical miles off the South African coast, above the Agulhas Plateau. For three full days, the ship rocked across endless blue waters, accompanied by a flock of hungry albatrosses. On board was Jens Herrle, professor of micropaleontology and paleoceanography at Goethe University’s Institute of Geosciences, embarking on his second expedition with the JR. The team’s mission was clear: to study how tectonics and climate evolved as Earth transitioned from the extreme warmth of the Cretaceous period to the colder conditions of more recent history. Over the course of two months, the scientists conducted four deep-sea drillings, reaching depths between 2,500 and 4,600 meters – down to the oceanic crust itself. The material they retrieved included 90-million-year-old sediments and magmatic rock, such as basalt, offering a window into Earth’s climatic past.

Microfossils as time capsules

Herrle’s expertise lies in biostratigraphy, i.e. the dating of rock layers based on microscopic fossils. His role was crucial to the project’s success. “The micropaleontology team monitors whether the scientifically critical intervals have been reached,” he explains. “Without precise age determination, the entire climate reconstruction would be meaningless.” Working in alternating 12-hour shifts, Herrle meticulously examined smear slides of marine microfossils under a microscope, dating the sediment layers. Hidden within were tiny calcareous algae (Coccolithophorids), whose fossilized remains serve as natural timestamps. Because certain species existed only during specific periods in Earth’s history, their presence in the samples helped determine the sediments’ age. In later analyses, the team studied changes in temperature and CO2 levels, revealing how climate varied over different timescales and what factors influenced it.

Life at Sea: Routine and Rough Waters

The hum of the ship’s engines and the drone of its aging air conditioning system became a familiar background noise for Herrle. The ship’s swaying, too, was just something to get used to. Although the region is notorious for severe storms, the crew was largely spared. “We were very lucky,” says Herrle. “We only had to leave the area twice when the waves reached heights of six to ten meters.” For Herrle, who typically conducts research in the frigid Canadian Arctic, the warm climate was a welcome change. During well-earned breaks, the crew watched flying fish and mahi-mahi dart through the waves. Occasionally, a shark or even a sunfish made an appearance. “Just sleeping, eating, and researching – every scientist’s dream,” he says with a laugh, adding that the laundry and kitchen teams made the journey especially enjoyable with their kindness and attentiveness.

Science Meets Art: An Unusual Experiment

Deep in his research, Herrle was caught off guard when science communicator Maryalice Yakutchik approached him with an unusual request. Her job was to translate the team’s work for a wider audience, and she had an unconventional idea – each scientist should describe the drill core in the form of haikus. A haiku, the traditional Japanese poetry form, consists of just three short lines, often inspired by nature. At first, the scientists were skeptical. But after some encouragement, they took on the challenge. Each researcher focused on a different section of the core, and together, they created a collection of 68 haikus – capturing the geological story of their samples, layer by layer. Back on land, artist Marlo Garnsworthy illustrated the haikus, transforming them into a visual timeline of the expedition’s findings and daily life aboard the ship.

Seeing the final product, Herrle was taken aback. “I was completely overwhelmed – especially since I had been so doubtful at the beginning.” Inspired by the project’s success, he is now bringing the Science meets Art concept to Frankfurt. For the 30th International Polar Conference of the German Society for Polar Research in February 2027, where Herrle serves as vice chairman, high school art students will create pieces inspired by scientific research. Their work will be displayed at Goethe University’s Faculty of Geosciences and Geography, proving that this expedition had an impact far beyond the world of marine geology.

Explore haikus from the expedition

A Legacy at Sea: The JOIDES Resolution
For nearly 40 years, the JOIDES Resolution was at the forefront of deep-sea drilling, leading scientific missions as part of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). Since 1985, it has helped researchers uncover Earth’s geological and climate history, providing key insights into oceanic crust formation and past climate cycles. With a drilling capacity of up to 8,235 meters, it played a crucial role in understanding plate tectonics and long-term climate change. Alongside its scientific missions, the ship also carried a Public Outreach Officer on each expedition, ensuring that the research reached a broad audience. But after nearly four decades of groundbreaking discoveries, the JOIDES Resolution was retired in September 2024, marking the end of an era in ocean exploration.