JA Daily Science Report for Expedition 312, 01 December 2005

LOCATION: Site 1256

SCIENCE UPDATE: At 0300 hr Core 196R recovered 46 cm of moderately altered basalt from 1363.7 to 1367.5 mbsf representing an average recovery of 12.1%. By this time the bit had accumulated 40.2 hr of rotation and the pipe was tripped for a bit change. The used C-9 bit was laid down and a new C-7 bit, which has a more aggressive cutting structure was made up. We hope the switch to a slightly different bit will improve both penetration rate and recovery. Some might say that our limited recovery so far is like a glass that is almost empty. An optimist would say our glass is partly filled. The Expedition 312 science party has adopted the view that the few rocks recovered are analogous to a small amount of fine 25 year old single malt scotch in the bottom of a crystal glass waiting to be savored (postcruise). Hole 1256D was reentered for the sixth time at 1938 hr.