JOIDES stands for the Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Sea Sampling. This project began in the 1970’s as a collaboration between many prominent universities and oceanographic institutes (including Woods Hole and Scripps) to take core samples and study the bottom of the ocean. The vessel used for the project was known as the Glomar Challenge. Since the initial project a JOIDES resolution unfolded in 1985 maintaining the mission of the project. Currently, Mission 330 is underway where they are studying the Louisville Seamount Trail. Learn more here. To date the deepest hole drilled into the earth has been approximately 1.3 miles deep.