IODP Expedition 317
Canterbury Basin Sea Level
Daily Science Report for 30 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1352 (proposed site CB-04B), 44.94°S, 172.02°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: The vessel moved to the second Site U1252 of
Expedition 317 (proposed site CB-04B) in the early morning hours and the
first core of Hole U1352A was recovered at noon. Five cores dedicated to
whole-round sampling for microbiology, geochemistry, and geotechnical
studies were recovered in Hole U1352A (0-42.2 m CSF). Olive green,
calcareous mud in the first core overlies couplets of light-gray mud and
darker gray sand layers that are bioturbated to various degrees.
Soft-sediment deformation occurs in some intervals. In Hole U1352B,
Cores 1H-11H were recovered to a depth of 103.2 m. The age of Core
U1352B-11H is close to 0.29 Ma based on nannofossil biostratigraphy.
Daily Science Report for 29 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: Most of the day was spent lowering the drill string over the coring line suspending the Triple-Combo logging string stuck at ~920 m WRF. Thanks to a tremendous and diligent 36-h effort by the rig crew, and a bit of luck, the tool was eventually freed and recovered to the rig floor. The hole was cemented and the ship prepared for departure to proposed site CB-04B. Scientists continued to work on their first site reports.
Daily Science Report for 28 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: The Triple-Combo logging string was lowered into the hole but unfortunately became stuck at ~920 m WRF, just 50 m before reaching TD. The tool could not be pulled free. The rest of the day was spent lowering the drill pipe over the coring line in an attempt to recover the tool. Scientists continued to work on their first site reports.
Daily Science Report for 27 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: Finished drilling the dedicated logging Hole U1351C to 967 m DSF in the evening. Dropped the bit, displaced the hole with logging mud, and started pulling pipe in preparation for logging. Scientists worked on their first site reports.
Daily Science Report for 26 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: Drilling in the dedicated logging Hole U1351C progressed to ~600 m DSF towards a target depth of 1000 m DSF. Scientists worked on their first site reports.
Daily Science Report for 25 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: The Triple-Combo logging tool string was run from the bottom of Hole U1351B at 1163 m WRF to ~250 m WRF, or ~80 m below seafloor. The FMS-Sonic tool string was deployed next and was not able to descend into the lower part of the hole due to hole collapse and the logs were collected from 619 to 250 m WRF. The caliper log indicated a hole diameter of 15-19.5 in in the lower part of the hole and >19.5 in (the caliper's maximum extension) above 750 m WRF. Hole U1351B was cemented with a 30-m plug and drilling of a dedicated logging Hole U1351C began.
Daily Science Report for 24 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: Coring operations in Hole U1351B were completed at 1024 m depth when the XCB drill bit finally yielded to the increasingly hard formation. Cores U1351B-109X through 116X (948-1024 m DSF) yielded an average recovery rate of 22%. The last cores contained grayish green mud with an estimated age of 6.7-11 Ma based on planktonic foraminifers. This hole established an IODP record in terms of deep penetration into the shallow-water continental shelf without any drilling problems. Preparations for wireline logging began.
Daily Science Report for 23 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: Cores U1351B-91X through 108X (784-948 m DSF) recovered mud, sandy mud, and silt with an average recovery rate of 29%. A significant planktonic faunal change was noted at ~870 m, possibly including a major hiatus. The age at the bottom of the hole is 6.7-11 Ma based on planktonic foraminifer indicators.
Daily Science Report for 22 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: Cores U1351B-70X through 90X (602-784 m DSF) recovered mud, sandy mud, and sand with a nominal recovery rate of 14%. The Miocene-Pliocene boundary is near 750 m based on planktic foraminifers. Nannofossils lack definitive markers. Benthic foraminifers indicate a deepening paleoenvironment from outer shelf to upper slope.
Daily Science Report for 21 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: Cores U1351B-46X through 69X (400-592 m DSF) had a nominal recovery rate of 7%. The poorly recovered sediments consist of mud and sand. Based on limited constraints from biostratigraphic observations, the section drilled is of Pliocene to late Miocene age. Sediments described today from intervals above 200 m include multiple sequence boundaries characterized by greenish muddy sand with disseminated shell debris overlaying gray mud.
Daily Science Report for 20 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: The sediments recovered in Cores U1351B-18X through 45X (132-400 m DSF) consist of greenish gray and gray mud and sandy mud with sand layers, mostly rich in shell hash, with bivalves and gastropods, thin clay layers, and occasional clean fine-grained sand. The cores range from 0.3 to 9.0 m in length with an average recovery of 40%. The lowermost cores have a tentative Pliocene age.
Daily Science Report for 19 November 2009
LOCATION: Site U1351 (proposed site CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: Cores U1351B-1H through 13H (0-95 m DSF) and 14X-17X (95-132 m DSF) yield greenish gray and gray mud with discrete sand layers rich in shell debris and frequent well-preserved bivalves and gastropods. These inner to outer shelf paleoenvironments present the expected challenge of recovering thick layers of loose sand with the current technology. APC cores ranged in length from 1.3 to 9.0 m (average ~7.4 m). XCB cores yielded 0%-78% recovery (average ~27%). The age at 103 m DSF is 0.5-0.8 Ma based on biostratigraphic datums.
Daily Science Report for 18 November 2009
LOCATION: Underway to Site U1351, and Site U1351 (CB-03B), 44.88°S, 171.84°E
SCIENCE UPDATE: The JR arrived at Site U1351, the first site of Expedition 317, at ~0900 h. This is an outer shelf site at 116 m water depth. By midnight, Cores U1351A-1H though 6H were recovered. This concluded coring at this hole, which was dedicated to whole-round sampling for several projects and investigators. Total penetration was 28 m (DSF). Recovered core lengths decreased from 8.8 m in Core U1351A-2H, were silty and sandy mud was recovered, to <0.5 m in Core U1351A-6H due to shelly, sandy layers. Coring was therefore terminated before reaching the target depth of 50 m. The age of the bottom of the hole is late Pleistocene (~0.3 Ma).
Daily Science Report for 17 November 2009
LOCATION: In Wellington, New Zealand, and underway to Site U1351
SCIENCE UPDATE: Refueling operations in Wellington ended in the morning
and the vessel was underway to Site U1351, the first site of Expedition
317. The science party held a pre-site meeting and finalized the
sampling plan for the site. Scientists and technical staff continued to
prepare and practice with instruments and workflows in preparation for the
arrival of core.
Daily Science Report for 16 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to, and arriving in Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists continued their laboratory
training and preparations, which included an introduction to the
downhole temperature measurement tools by the tools engineer. The
sampling plan was further refined in preparation for the first core. At
noon the ship arrived in Wellington to take on fuel.
Daily Science Report for 15 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists continued their laboratory training and preparations. The Sample Allocation Committee continued to resolve remaining sample request issues. The science party concluded the transit seminar series with presentations on the New Zealand Neogene biostratigraphy by Martin Crundwell, the geochemistry of fuel spills in Antarctica by Simon George, and hydrocarbon monitoring on ODP Legs 150, 174A, and 181 by George Claypool. All scientists have assumed their assigned working shifts.
Daily Science Report for 14 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists continued their laboratory training and preparations. A core section was split to provide scientists with the opportunity to sample actual sediments. A meeting was held to discuss research projects that will be using downhole logging data. The science party continued the transit seminar series with presentations on the Bounty fan sand provenance by Kathleen Marsaglia and on the Alpine Fault by Greg Browne.
Daily Science Report for 13 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists continued their laboratory training and preparations. Expedition management personnel from IODP and the vessel operator met to discuss operations during Expedition 317 in general and the first site in particular (pre-spud meeting). A short (50-m) hole was added to the operations plan for each site to provide sufficient material for whole-round sampling without compromising other objectives. Shallow water drilling guidelines, re-entry installation contingencies, wireline logging, and marine mammal observation issues were reviewed as well. The Sample Allocation Committee (SAC) continued to resolve sampling issues. The science party continued the transit seminar series with presentations on the Tengawai-1 onshore well in the Canterbury Basin by Kristy Tinto and the onshore expressions of the Marshall paraconformity, which Expedition 317 will attempt to penetrate, by Helen Lever and Bob Carter.
Daily Science Report for 12 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists continued their laboratory training and preparations. The second half of the science party got to participate in two extended ship tours led by the Operations Superintendent. Two meetings were held to discuss shipboard sampling for chemical analysis and progress with lithologic classification and description work flow development. The science party continued the transit seminar series with presentations on Quaternary sequence stratigraphy of the Canterbury shelf by Greg Browne, on modern sediments on the shelf by Bob Carter, and on the relationship between sea-level change and organic matter sedimentation in shelf and slope environments by Koichi Hoyanagi.
Daily Science Report for 11 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists continued their laboratory training and preparations. Half of the science party got to participate in two extended ship tours led by the Operations Superintendent. A meeting was held to discuss the microbiology contamination testing plan. The Sample Allocation Committee (SAC) met with the micropaleontology group to discuss and coordinate their individual research proposals and sample requests. The SAC subsequently met to review all sample requests, including shorebased, and make decisions or take necessary action. The education and outreach representative, Julie Pollard, presented her objectives and encouraged all scientists to participate. The science party continued the transit seminar series with a presentation on lessons from Leg 181, Site 1119, by Bob Carter.
Daily Science Report for 10 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists continued their laboratory training and preparations. They received a presentation on drilling and coring operations by the USIO Operations Superintendent and one on wireline logging tools by the Logging Staff Scientist. Co-Chief Scientists and EPM met with the physical properties, paleomagnetics, and core description specialists to discuss their shipboard sampling and measurements as well as individual research proposals and sample requests. The science party continued the transit seminar series with two presentations on Canterbury rivers by Greg Browne, and on the Canterbury Basin geology by Martin Crundwell.
Daily Science Report for 9 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists continued their laboratory training and preparations. They received a presentation, demonstration and hands-on training in the use of the sampling software application. Co-Chief Scientists and EPM met with the microbiologists and chemists to discuss their shipboard sampling and measurements, status of lab preparations, and individual research proposals and sample requests. The science party began a transit seminar series with two presentations on estimating sea level using 2-dimensional backstripping by Michelle Kominz, and on the New Zealand geology by Martin Crundwell.
Daily Science Report for 8 November 2009
LOCATION: In transit to Wellington, New Zealand
SCIENCE UPDATE: The JR left from Townsville in the morning for the voyage to Wellington. Expedition 317 scientists received a presentation on science objectives from the Co-Chief scientists, laboratory safety training from the ALO, and two presentations on expedition reports and publications and on sampling procedures and policies from the EPM. In addition, scientists continued with preparations in their laboratories.
Daily Science Report for 7 November 2009
LOCATION: Berth 4, Townsville Harbor, Townsville, Australia
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists received a science workflow overview presentation and subsequently began preparations in their laboratories. Special emphasis was given to training and practice sessions with DESClogik while one support team member was still in port.
Daily Science Report for 6 November 2009
LOCATION: Berth 4, Townsville Harbor, Townsville, Australia
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists and technical staff were introduced to each other. Scientists received several introductory presentations and ship tours by the EPM and laboratory support staff. The captain and ship's doctor provided HSE training. Immigration procedures for scientists were completed. The descriptive data capture support team continued preparations for scientist training, completing a full set of templates and example data for descriptive data capture and presentation.
Daily Science Report for 5 November 2009
LOCATION: Berth 4, Townsville Harbor, Townsville, Australia
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 scientists arrived and
started to explore the ship. EPM and Co-Chief Scientists continued to
prepare for the orientation activities in the coming days. The
descriptive data capture support team continued preparations for
scientist training. Conducted tours of the laboratories for local
university and other organizations.
Daily Science Report for 4 November 2009
LOCATION: Berth 4, Townsville Harbor, Townsville, Australia
SCIENCE UPDATE: Expedition 317 USIO staff and Co-Chief Scientists
transferred from the hotel to the ship. Expedition 317 Expedition
Project Manager and Co-Chief Scientists met with their counterparts from
Expedition 324 to discuss science and procedural issues. In addition to
general crossover activities by support staff, special preparations for
training scientists in the descriptive data capture workflow began.