JA Daily Science Report for Expedition 308, 08 June 2005

LOCATION: Site U1320

SCIENCE UPDATE: The main lithology recovered at Hole U1319A between Core U1319A-5H and U1319A-18X (last cored interval for the hole, 156 mbsf) is a greenish-gray mud mixed with discreet intervals rich in organic matter. The preliminary interpretation for this interval (35-156 mbsf) is an intercalation of very fine-grained distal turbidites and hemipelagic deposits (Td and Te in Bouma terminology). Micropaleontology indicates that sediments above 30 mbsf in this hole were deposited in a time-window between Isotopic Stage 1 and Isotopic Stage 5 (MIS 1 to MIS 5). Below the 30 mbsf depth marker and staring in Core U1319A-4H, the preliminary interpretation is that sediments are at least as old as MIS 6, but could be older. As of 2400, no core from Hole U1320A were analyzed. Based on drilling operation is appears that the top-cored interval of Hole U1320A was predominantly sandy, but a 3rd T2P probe deployment was attempted as soon as a suitable, clay-rich interval was identified (126.3 mbsf, top of Core U1320-16X). The thickest available needle was used at the tip of the probe, but formation stiffness again forced the probe to slightly bend. Temperature and pressure were successfully recorded and these data are currently being analyzed.