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IODP Expedition 379

Amundsen Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet History


Daily Science Report for 31 January 2019

Location: Hole U1532A (68°36.6833′S, 107°31.5003′W, water depth 3961.5 mbsl; proposed Site ASRE-08A)

Science Update: We finished assembling the remaining drill collars and spent the first half of the day lowering the drill string to the seafloor (including verifying the internal diameter clearance and length of each piece of the drill string). At 1200 h, we installed the top drive and pumped two pigs down through the drill string to clean the inside of the drill pipe before coring. After adjusting the bit to 3268.6 m below the rig floor, we installed the advanced piston corer (APC) core orientation tool, lowered the APC core barrel, and started coring in Hole U1532A at 1650 h. Core U1532A-1H recovered 5.63 m resulting in a seafloor depth of 3961.5 m below sea level. Cores 1H to 6H penetrated from 0 to 53.1 m and recovered 55.1 m (104%). All APC cores were oriented and a formation temperature measurement was made while taking Core 4H. We slowly ramped up core processing through the laboratory throughout the evening. The core flow started with the first use of the newly installed X-ray core section imaging system followed by the other whole-round core section measurements. Core 1H was split and described. These uppermost 5.6 m of Hole U1532A consist of brown and greenish gray mud with minor biosiliceous ooze and foraminifer-bearing mud.


Daily Science Report for 30 January 2019

Location: In transit to Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

Science Update: The Co-Chief Scientists, Operations Superintendent, Ice Observers, Schlumberger Logging Engineer, and Expedition Project Manager (EPM) met with the ship crew for final confirmation of planned operations at our first site. The Curator held two training sessions on core curation and sample data entry. The Co-Chief Scientists and EPM reviewed the methods documents submitted yesterday by the laboratory teams. After a total transit of 1770 nmi over 7.3 d, we arrived at Site U1532 (proposed Site ASRE-08A) at 2100 h. We lowered the thrusters, switched to dynamic positioning mode at 2145 h, and began drill floor operations. After assembling the outer core barrel and spacing out of the inner core barrel, we started assembling and lowering the bottom-hole assembly to the seafloor.


Daily Science Report for 29 January 2019

Location: In transit to Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

Science Update: The Co-Chief Scientists, Operations Superintendent, Ice Observers, and Expedition Project Manager (EPM) met to review the ice and weather information and forecasts in the vicinity of our first site. We decided to go to proposed Site ASRE-08A first. Upon arrival, we plan to monitor the ice movement prior to starting operations. The Co-Chief Scientists, Curator, and EPM met to approve the sampling plans for catwalk and split-core sampling. Today’s presentations covered pore-water geochemistry and application of biomarkers to understanding the deep biosphere. Our average speed today increased to 11.5 kt and we only have 154 nmi remaining to proposed Site ASRE-08A. Our estimated time of arrival is now 2100 h on 30 January.


Daily Science Report for 28 January 2019

Location: In transit to Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

Science Update: Today’s activities included (1) another Core Tech demonstration of coring hardware for the second half of the science party, (2) a presentation about Neogene–Quaternary Antarctic Peninsula and Amundsen Sea sediment drifts, (3) a Co-Chief presentation about expedition science for the IODP JRSO staff and ship’s crew, (4) laboratory teams continuing to prepare their laboratories and methods, and (5) the Co-Chief Scientists, Operations Superintendent, and Expedition Project Manager meeting to discuss coring and logging operations to prepare for meeting with the ship’s crew. Our average speed for the day was 11 kt. We have 540 nmi remaining to our first site. Our estimated time of arrival at proposed Site ASRE-09A is 0500 h on 31 January.


Daily Science Report for 27 January 2019

Location: In transit to Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

Science Update: Today’s activities included (1) a Core Tech demonstration of coring hardware, (2) a presentation about the onset of Antarctic glaciation, and (3) a fire and abandon ship drill. Our average speed for the day increased to 10.9 kt. So far, we’ve completed 997 nmi of the 1802 nmi transit to our first site. We currently estimate arriving at proposed Site ASRE-09A on 31 January.


Daily Science Report for 26 January 2019

Location: In transit to Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

Science Update: Today’s science activities included (1) an introduction to ice imaging, (2) the laboratory teams continuing to prepare their laboratories and methods, (3) the sedimentology and geochemistry teams meeting with the Co-Chief Scientists, Curator, and Expedition Project Manager, and (4) a presentation about the onshore geology of the Amundsen Sea region. The seas/winds improved today and as a result our average speed was 9.4 kt. So far, we’ve completed 736 nmi of the 1802 nmi transit to our first site. We currently estimate arriving at proposed Site ASRE-09A on 31 January.


Daily Science Report for 25 January 2019

Location: In transit to Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

Science Update: Today’s science activities included (1) an introduction to downhole measurements, (2) the laboratory teams continuing to meet with their technical staff team members, and (3) the petrophysics and geochemistry teams meeting with the Co-Chief Scientists, Curator, and Expedition Project Manager. Today’s average speed was only 6.8 kt as a result of waves up to nearly 5 m and winds up to 30 kt. So far, we’ve completed 510 nmi of the 1802 nmi transit to our first site.


Daily Science Report for 24 January 2019

Location: In transit to Amundsen Sea, Antarctica

Science Update: Today’s science activities included (1) an introduction to drilling and coring systems by the IODP JRSO Operations Superintendent, (2) the laboratory teams continuing to meet with their technical staff team members, (3) the paleomagnetics and micropaleontology teams meeting with the Co-Chief Scientists, Curator, and Expedition Project Manager, (4) the petrophysics, geochemistry, and micropaleontology teams receiving an introductory tour of core recovery and processing through the laboratories, and (5) the second half of the science party presenting their backgrounds and proposed research plans/capabilities. Late in the day, we departed the South Atlantic Ocean via the passage between Patagonia and Isla de los Estados, entered the Southern Ocean, and started heading southwest toward the Amundsen Sea.


Daily Science Report for 23 January 2019

Location: Prat Terminal 2, Punta Arenas

Science Update: Today’s science activities included (1) the sedimentology and paleomagnetism teams receiving an introductory tour of core recovery and processing through the laboratories, (2) the two outreach specialists introducing the science party to the range of activities being implemented, how scientists can get involved, and how they will adapt their original plans due to not being able to conduct ship-to-shore videoconferences, (3) the laboratory teams continuing to meet with their technical staff team members, and (4) half of the science party presenting their backgrounds and proposed research plans/capabilities. At 0730 h, the JOIDES Resolution departed the dock and moved offshore to anchorage to make way for the RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer (which will also be going to the Amundsen Sea). While at anchorage, we received the last remaining supplies necessary to sail, were cleared by immigration, and departed for Amundsen Sea at 1418 h. Due to significant weather and seas to the west, we are taking the eastern route through the Strait of Magellan.


Daily Science Report for 22 January 2019

Location: Prat Terminal 2, Punta Arenas

Science Update: Today’s activities included (1) kickoff meetings for all laboratory teams to meet with their IODP JRSO staff members, (2) an orientation of the descriptive information system for the sedimentologists and micropaleontologists, (3) an orientation to microscope capabilities and digital imaging for the micropaleontologists, and (4) an introduction to IODP core curation for the entire science party. We received the backup wireline logging tool (VSI) as well as essential backup satellite communications systems, which were installed. The heaters for the life raft release system, which we must have before we sail, are expected tomorrow. Since it appears that we will depart tomorrow, we did not have any meetings in the late afternoon.


Daily Science Report for 21 January 2019

Location: Prat Terminal 2, Punta Arenas

Science Update: Today’s activities included (1) the science party and all new IODP JRSO staff taking required cold water safety training, (2) a special science seminar on Amundsen Sea Oceanography by Anna Wåhlin who is in Punta Arenas preparing an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for upcoming deployment from the U.S. ice breaker Research Vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer in the Amundsen Sea, (3) an orientation to overall expedition science activities and how we plan to accomplish them, and (4) an initial introduction to the new core X-ray imaging system and processing software. Other than securing equipment for departure, we are waiting for a few critical items, one of which we must have before we depart. Our exact departure is not yet set and the weather systems are being monitored to determine optimum timing and route.


Daily Science Report for 20 January 2019

Location: Prat Terminal 2, Punta Arenas

Science Update: The science party met to discuss the primary science objectives of the Amundsen Sea Expedition and participated in the Captain’s introduction and safety meeting. The Co-Chief Scientists, Operations Superintendent, Ice Observers, IODP JRSO Assistant Director, IODP JRSO Manager of Information Technology, and Expedition Project Manager met to converge on shipboard procedures for ice and weather data to be used for science operational planning. We also loaded fresh and frozen food as well as secured equipment for departure. The IODP JRSO technical staff continued with final installation and testing of the new X-ray system for acquiring images of whole-round and split core sections.


Daily Science Report for 19 January 2019

Location: Prat Terminal 2, Punta Arenas

Science Update: The Amundsen Sea Expedition scientists boarded the ship in the morning and got settled in their rooms. After lunch, they were introduced to life on board the JOIDES Resolution (including our JRSO Code of Conduct), general laboratory safety, and available information technology resources/services. Other port call activities included loading the final drilling hardware, securing all items for departure, and continued assembly and testing of an alternate satellite communication system since our normal system likely will not work in our area of operations.


Daily Science Report for 18 January 2019

Location: Prat Terminal 2, Punta Arenas

Science Update: The Amundsen Sea Expedition was planned to start on 18 January. However, the ship arrived a few days early (15 January) after the long transit from Hong Kong. This time was used to load the special Antarctic fuel we required on 15–16 January at the Cabo Negro Oil Terminal. The ship departed Cabo Negro at 1206 h on 16 January and was at anchorage off Punta Arenas at 1438 h on 16 January. The ship left anchorage at 0548 h on 17 January and after a very short transit arrived at the Prat Terminal 2, Punta Arenas at 0730 h. The rest of the day was spent loading and installing a critical piece of drilling hardware (repaired j-connector) and several other supplies that were available. The Amundsen Sea Expedition (379) officially started at 0930 h on 18 January with the Co-Chief Scientists and IODP JRSO staff boarding the ship. The JRSO staff conducted their crossover with the departing staff who left later in the afternoon. Other port call activities today included a Port State Inspection as well as loading of 60 tons of drilling mud, a flat of drilling equipment, food and other catering supplies, as well as various IODP JRSO and ship stores.