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IODP Expedition 396

Mid-Norwegian Continental Margin Magmatism

Daily Science Report for 31 August 2021

Location: Hole U1570A (65°49.8901′N, 1°59.6225′E; water depth 2196.1 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-56A)

Science Update: We started the day while lowering the drill pipe to begin rotary coring in Hole U1570A. At 0515 h, we picked up the top drive and adjusted the drill string length to position the bit for taking the first core. We started the hole at 0620 h and continued coring, deepening the hole to 142 mbsf by midnight (Cores U1570A-1R to 24R). Cores 1R to 6R (0–54.5 mbsf) were cut using full-length advances and retrieved only 19.29 m (35%). To improve core recovery, we switched to cutting half-length RCB cores from Core 7R on. The total material recovered between 54.5 and 142 mbsf was 44.6 m (51%).

Today we measured and described Cores U1570A-1R to 11R. Cores 1R to 6R consist of brown to olive gray clay with silt, with sand-rich and foraminifera-rich intervals. Cores 7R to 11R-CC consist of alternating layers of laminated black siltstone and ash. Core 11R is estimated to be of early Eocene age.

The scientists continued to collect and analyze data from Sites U1568 to U1570 and prepare site reports.

Daily Science Report for 30 August 2021

Location:

  • Hole U1569A (65°49.8775′N, 2°1.6081′E; water depth 2171.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-55B)
  • Hole U1570A (65°49.8901′N, 1°59.6225′E; water depth 2196.1 mbsl; proposed ribbon Site VMVM-56A)

Science Update: Today we completed rotary coring operations in Hole U1569A after reaching our scientific target and penetrating 50 m into the late Paleocene with Core U1569A-44R at 404.6 mbsf. The total amount of core recovered at Hole U1569A is 144.9 m (36%). Following the retrieval of the last core at 0320 h, we secured the coring tools and began preparations for wireline logging. We conducted a 50-barrel high viscosity mud sweep to clean the hole and then lowered the RST and released the bit at the bottom of the hole. We then displaced the hole with 125 barrels of 10.5 ppg mud, raised the drill string, and set the end of the pipe at 84 mbsf. The triple combo tool string was rigged up and lowered through the pipe, but we were unable to pass beyond 127.6 mbsf with the bottom of the tool. After trying repeatedly to clear and pass the obstruction, we ended logging operations and pulled the tool string back to the rig floor at 1400 h. We rigged down the logging tools, cleared the rig floor, and pulled back the end of the pipe out of the seafloor at 1554 h. We conducted required routine rig servicing (drill line slip and cut) and continued to raise the drill pipe back on board. At 1805 h, with the end of the pipe at 172 mbrf, we started a transit in DP mode to our next site, U1570 (proposed site VMVM-56A). We covered the 1514 m distance in 2.5 h and arrived over the site coordinates at 2038 h. We finished retrieving the remainder of the drill pipe at 2220 h, ending Hole U1569A. We spent the rest of the day making up a new BHA with a mechanical bit release and deployed it to 172.1 mbrf by midnight.

Cores U1569A-36R to 44R consists of very dark gray claystone with silt, with occasional ash beds and early diagenetic pyrite. Laminations and small-scale fault structures are also present.

The scientists continued to collect and analyze data from Sites U1568 and U1569, and prepare site reports.

Daily Science Report for 29 August 2021

Location: Hole U1569A (65°49.8775′N, 2°1.6081′E; water depth 2171.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-55B)

Science Update: We continued RCB coring in Hole U1569A through Core U1569A-43R to 400.9 mbsf. Total core recovered so far for Hole U1569A is 139.3 m (35.6%).

Cores U1569A-15R to 19R mainly consist of grayish-brown to very dark gray clay with silt and sand. Glendonite is present in Core 19R. Cores 20R to 36R mainly consist of very dark gray claystone, sometimes with parallel laminations that alternate with gray to black thin ash beds, which sometimes have a fining upward structure. Slight to moderate bioturbation is present in parts of the interval. Cores 20R to 22R, 26R to 28R, and 34R to 35R are marked by dewatering structures. The base of Core 38R is estimated to be of late Paleocene age.

The scientists are collecting and measuring data from Sites U1568 and U1569 and preparing site reports.

Daily Science Report for 28 August 2021

Location: Hole U1569A (65°49.8775′N, 2°1.6081′E; water depth 2171.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-55B)

Science Update: The day started while lowering the pipe to start rotary coring in Hole U1569A. At 0130 h we picked up the top drive, adjusted the drill string length to position the bit for taking the first core, and started the hole at 0245 h. We continued RCB coring all day, deepening the hole to 234.3 mbsf by midnight. A total of 24 cores were cut (Cores U1569A-1R to 24R), recovering 98.4 m or 42%.

The cores described today (U1569A-1R to 14R) consist of brown to grayish brown, gray to very dark gray, and greenish gray clay with silt. The base of the described interval appears to be Miocene/Oligocene in age.

The Co-Chief Scientists presented the scientific objectives and operations plan for Site U1569. The scientists are collecting data, measuring samples from Sites U1568 and U1569, and preparing site reports.

Daily Science Report for 27 August 2021

Location:

  • Hole U1567C (65°21.7848′N, 3°3.2193′E; water depth 1706.1 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-31A)
  • Hole U1569A (65°49.8774′N, 2°1.6081′E; water depth 2171.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-55B)

Science Update: Today we completed APC/XCB coring in Hole U1567C at 0845 h. Cores U1567C-4X to 14X extended the hole from 18.81 to 106.0 mbsf, recovering 48.66 m of core (83.6%). We retrieved the drill string, disassembled it, laid out all the components, and cleaned and secured the rig floor for transit. After raising the thrusters, we got underway to Site U1569 (proposed Site VMVM-55B) at 1345 h. We completed the short 38 nmi transit in 4.25 h, and positioned the ship over the site coordinates by 1800 h. We made up the BHA and began to deploy the drill string, reaching 2049 mbrf by midnight.

In Hole U1568B, Cores 11X to 14X-3 mainly consist of very dark greenish gray clay-rich siltstone with parallel laminations. Cores 14X-3 to 17X mainly consist of very dark to dark greenish gray siltstone with clay, with moderate to high bioturbation.

In Hole U1567C, Cores 2H to 4X-1 mainly consist of gray to yellow to greenish gray clay with varying amounts of sand and silt. Cores 4X-1 to 7X-1 mainly consists of gray to very dark gray siltstone with varying amounts of clay and sand. Cores 7X-2 to 11X mainly consist of very dark gray laminated claystone and occasional black sand beds. Cores 12X–14X consist of dark greenish gray claystone with silt and with moderate bioturbation. Two stratigraphic levels in Cores 10X and 11X potentially contain glendonite.

The scientists met to present and discuss the results from Sites U1565 and U1566, and continue to describe the core lithologies, measure core and interstitial water samples, and work on site reports.

Daily Science Report for 26 August 2021

Location:

  • Hole U1568B (65°21.6630′N, 3°3.1540′E; water depth 1706.1 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-40B)
  • Hole U1567C (65°21.7848′N, 3°3.2193′E; water depth 1706.1 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-31A)

Science Update: We started the day drilling Hole U1568A to 30 mbsf without recovery. At 0115 h, we retrieved the wash barrel and then ran into the hole with an APC core barrel and piston cored to 49 mbsf, where we reached APC refusal on Core U1568B-3H. Once the core was retrieved, we found that the liner had imploded inside the barrel, and we had to pump it out. Then we switched to the XCB coring system and cored from 49.0 mbsf to a final depth of 124.6 mbsf (Cores 4X to 17X). We then raised the drill string out of the hole, clearing the seafloor at 1900 h, and ending Hole U1568B. Total core recovery for the hole was 63.95 m (84.6%).

After completing coring operations at Site U1568, we set the end of the pipe at 1677 mbrf and returned to Site U1567 in DP mode to core an additional hole between the positions of Holes U1567A and U1567B with the objective to improve the sampling and core recovered across the Paleocene/Eocene boundary.

Once over the new hole coordinates, we spudded Hole U1567C at 2040 h. The PDR seafloor depth was 1706.1 mbsl. We drilled down to 30 mbsf without recovery and then APC cored to 47.8 mbsf with Core U1567C-3H (18.81 m recovered:, 99%).

In Hole U1568A, Cores U1568A-21X to 28X mainly consist of dark greenish gray claystone with silt, with clasts occasionally present.

In Hole U1568B, Cores U1568B-2H to 5X consist of gray, dark gray to yellowish brown clay with silt before transitioning to a layer of very dark greenish gray siltstone with various amounts of sand downhole. Section 5X-2 to Core 6X consists of alternations of black sand to very dark greenish gray siltstone with sand. Cores 7X to 10X consist of very dark greenish gray siltstone with sand, occasional organic matter-rich and limestone intervals.

The scientists continue to describe the core lithologies, measure core and interstitial water samples, and work on site reports.

Daily Science Report for 25 August 2021

Location:

  • Hole U1568A (65°21.5942′N, 3°3.1091′E; water depth 1704.4 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-40B)
  • Hole U1568B (65°21.6630′N, 3°3.1540′E; water depth 1706.1 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-40B)

Science Update: After coring was completed at 0030 h, we conditioned the hole for downhole logging by conducting a 50-barrel high viscosity mud sweep through the hole to clear the cuttings and then displaced the hole with 84 barrels of 10.5 ppg mud. We raised the end of the pipe to a logging depth of 82 mbsf, rigged up the triple combo tool string, and lowered it through the pipe, but it was unable to pass through the outer core barrel after several attempts. The tool string was brought back to the surface at 0830 h, rigged down and inspected, and all its components verified to be in good condition. We then picked up the top drive, dropped an XCB core barrel, and circulated to verify that the barrel was landed. As everything seemed to be in good order, we retrieved the core barrel by wireline, rigged up the triple combo once again, and lowered it into the hole at 1200 h. This time, the tool string passed into the open hole without issue, reaching 188.7 mbsf on the first pass and 187.8 mbsf on the second pass. We conducted two successful passes upwards, collecting magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, density (with caliper), neutron porosity, temperature, and natural gamma radiation data. The triple combo was retrieved at 1505 h and we rigged it down. Then we rigged up the FMS-sonic tool string and lowered it through the open hole. We successfully conducted two upward passes from 185.7 mbsf. The FMS-sonic tool was retrieved at 1945 h and the rig floor was cleared of all the logging equipment. We pulled up the pipe, clearing the seafloor at 2200 h, and ending Hole U1568A. After raising the pipe and setting the bit at 1677 mbrf, we moved 160 m to the north in DP mode to start Hole U1568B. We dropped an XCB wash barrel and dressed out the APC barrels in preparation for piston coring. Hole U1568B was spudded at midnight at a PDR depth of 1706.1 mbsl.

Cores U1568A-6H to 14X mainly consist of brownish yellow to brown clay with silt and gray to dark gray and black siltstone with various amounts of sand. Occasionally, organic matter, clasts, and nodules are present. Cores 15X to 17X are mostly very dark gray to very dark greenish gray sandstone with various amounts of clay and frequent occurrences of gravels and organic rich intervals. Ash layers and lignite are also present. Cores 18X to 21X consist of very dark gray claystone with silt, sand, and gravels. Palynological analysis suggests an age of early Paleocene for the bottom of Hole U1568A.

The scientists continue to describe the core lithologies, measure core and interstitial water samples, and work on site reports.

Following 14 days of COVID-19 safety protocols at sea, measures were lifted at 1326 h.

Daily Science Report for 24 August 2021

Location: Hole U1568A (65°21.5942′N, 3°3.1091′E; water depth 1704.4 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-40B)

Science Update: Today we completed APC/XCB coring of Hole U1568A to 200 mbsf. Piston cores U1568A-4H to 7H were taken from 22.9 to 51.7 mbsf with partial strokes recorded on Cores 6H and 7H. Core recovery was 29.73 m (102.5%) for this interval. In anticipation of a hard layer expected at ~60 mbsf and with the objective of improving core recovery through the interval, we deployed the XCB coring system with half-length advances for Cores 8X to 12X from 51.7 to 77.4 mbsf, collecting 25.05 m of core (97.5%). Then we switched to full XCB coring for Cores 13X to 21X from 77.4 to 165.3 mbsf. As core recovery dropped to ~40% in the last three cores, we switched back to half XCB advances to reach the total approved depth for the site (200 m) with Core 22X at midnight. In total, we obtained 53.22 m of core (102.9%) with the APC system and 102.1 m (71.6%) with the XCB system.

At Hole U1567B, Cores 5X to 11X contain greenish gray clay to dark gray claystone to very dark gray sand and siltstone. Some intervals show finely laminated black claystone with frequent occurrence of thin ash beds.

At Hole U1568A, Cores 1H to 5H contain greenish gray to grayish brown to very dark gray clay with varying amounts of silt and sand and occasional occurrence of pebbles. Palynological analysis suggests that Core U1568A-17X is of late Paleocene age.

The scientists continue to describe the core lithologies, measure core and interstitial water samples, and work on site reports.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 23 August 2021

Location:

  • Hole U1567A (65°21.8514′N, 3°3.2562′E; water depth 1703.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-31A)
  • Hole U1567B (65°21.7683′N, 3°3.2083′E; water depth 1704.3 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-31A)
  • Hole U1568A (65°21.5942′N, 3°3.1091′E; water depth 1704.4 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-40B)

Science Update: We started the day recovering the triple combo logging tool back to the surface, rigging up the FMS-sonic tool, and lowering it into the hole, where it reached 196.5 mbsf at 0130 h. We conducted two successful passes of the open hole before retrieving the tool back to the surface at 0500 h. After rigging down all logging equipment, we raised the drill pipe out of the hole at 0640 h and placed the bit at 1667 mbrf, ending Hole U1567A. Under DP mode, we moved the ship 165 m to the south along the seismic line between Site U1567 and the next site, U1568 (proposed site VMVM-40B), to start Hole U1567B. The objective of coring a second hole at this site was to attempt to sample an interval between 50–70 mbsf, that was not recovered in Hole U1567A.

We picked up the top drive, made up and dropped an XCB wash barrel, and rotary drilled without recovery to 25 mbsf in Hole U1567B. At 0820 h, we retrieved the wash barrel and then ran into the hole with an APC core barrel. APC coring (Cores U1567B-2H to 4H) deepened the hole to 49.3 mbsf with a recovery of 102.2%. At that point we switched to the XCB coring system and began to cut half cores to improve the chances of fully recovering the missing interval. We cored with the XCB system from 49.3 to 83.0 mbsf (Cores U1567B-5X to 11X) and recovered 30.45 m (90.4%). We pulled the drill string out of the hole, ending Hole U1567B at 1900 h, and set the bit at 1686.7 mbrf for DP transit to the next site.

The vessel was positioned over the Site U1568 coordinates, and the rig floor was cleared for operations at 1936 h. We spaced out the bit, dropped an APC core barrel, and attempted to start Hole U1568A at 1705 mbrf, based on a depth estimate from the PDR, but the first attempt at the mudline core did not recover any sediment. We lowered the bit to 1710 mbrf and started Hole U1568A at 2132 h. The mudline core recovered 3.89 m of sediment, making the calculated water depth 1704.4 mbsl. We continued APC coring through Core U1568A-3H to a depth of 22.9 mbsf before midnight.

In the laboratories, Cores U1567A-13X to 23X contain moderate to highly bioturbated dark greenish gray claystone with varying amounts of silt and sand, and occasional nodules or clasts. Palynological analysis estimates the age of the base of Core U1567A-20X in the early Paleocene.

The scientists continued to describe the core lithologies, measure core and interstitial water samples, and work on the Site U1565 and U1566 reports.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 22 August 2021

Location: Hole U1567A (65°21.8514′N, 3°3.2562′E; water depth 1703.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-31A)

Science Update: Coring continued throughout the day. Cores U1567A-5H to 23X were taken from 33.9 mbsf to a final depth of 195.9 mbsf. Full piston coring stopped after a partial stroke on Core U1567A-6H and we switched to the half-length advanced piston corer (HLAPC). Core U1567A-7F advanced only 1.2 m when it hit a hard layer at 54.1 mbsf (1.14 m recovery). We then deployed the XCB coring system with half-length advances for Cores 8X–10X to try to improve recovery. As recovery improved, we switched to XCB coring with full advances for Cores 11X (64.5 mbsf) to 23X (195.9 mbsf). In total, 181.58 m of core (92.7%) were recovered from Hole U1567A.

After coring was completed, we conditioned the hole for downhole logging. We conducted a 50-barrel high viscosity mud sweep, then displaced the hole with 85 barrels of 10.5 ppg mud, and raised the end of the pipe to a logging depth of 82.8 mbsf. After a safety logging meeting with the Schlumberger engineer, we rigged up the triple combo tool string and tested it. We lowered it downhole to 196.5 mbsf at 2105 h and collected data over two successful passes through the open hole by midnight.

Cores U1567A-1H to 6H contain yellowish-brown to olive green clay with varying amounts of silt and sand. Cores U1567A-7F to 9X contain very dark gray sand, sandstone, and gravel. Cores 10X to 12X contain dark greenish gray siltstone and claystone. The base of Core U1567A-9X is estimated to be 55 My old based on dinocyst biomarkers. No calcareous microfossils have been found below Core 2H (14.9 mbsf).

The scientists continue to describe the core lithologies, measure core and discrete samples for geochemical, petrophysical and magnetic properties, and work on the Site U1565 and U1566 reports.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 21 August 2021

Location:

  • Hole U1566A (64°57.8869′N, 2°43.7533′E; water depth 2099.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-23A)
  • Hole U1567A (65°21.8514′N, 3°3.2562′E; water depth 1703.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-31A)

Science Update: We started the day conducting the second pass with the (UBI) tool. Measurements were collected successfully from 145 mbsf to the base of the pipe (50 mbsf), and the UBI was brought back to the surface at 0200 h. After rigging down all logging equipment, we raised the drill pipe, clearing the seafloor at 0335 h and the drill floor at 0630 h. The BHA drill collar stands were set back, and all core barrel components were broken down, inspected, and laid out. The rig floor was secured for transit, the thrusters raised, and we started the short sea passage to Site U1567 (proposed Site VMVM-31A) at 0800 h. We arrived over the site coordinates at 1148 h, lowered the thrusters, and switched to DP mode. At 1208 h, the drill floor was cleared for operations. A reading with the PDR estimated the water depth at 1699.1 mbsl. By 1800 h, we had made up the advanced piston corer/extended core barrel (APC/XCB) outer core barrel (OCB) and BHA and lowered the end of the drill pipe to 1655.7 mbsl. We picked up the top drive, spaced out the bit, and attempted to spud Hole U1567A from 1694.1 mbsl, but the APC core came up empty with only traces of mud in the cutting shoe. We lowered the bit 5 m and shot from 1699.1 mbsl. This time, Core U1567A-1H returned 5.41 m of mud, providing an APC calculated water depth of 1703.2 mbsl. We continued APC coring through Core U1567A-4H to a depth of 33.9 mbsf by midnight.

Cores U1566A-28R to 33R (142.8–181.7 mbsf) contain aphyric basalt with vesicular variations and highly altered granite with biotite, locally decomposed to sandstone. The scientists continue to measure core and discrete samples for petrophysical and magnetic properties, and to work on the Site U1565 and U1566 reports.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 20 August 2021

Location: Hole U1566A (64°57.8869′N, 2°43.7533′E; water depth 2099.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-23A)

Science Update: After releasing the drill bit at the bottom of the hole, we set back the top drive and raised the end of the pipe to 50 mbsf at 0330 h in preparation for logging. The triple combo tool string was rigged up and lowered into the hole to 145 mbsf, where it encountered a borehole obstruction and could not pass after several attempts. We conducted two successful passes upwards from 145 mbsf, collecting magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, density (with caliper), neutron porosity, temperature, and natural gamma radiation data. The triple combo was brought back to the surface by 0900 h. We rigged up the Versatile Seismic Imager (VSI) and lowered it to 145 mbsf for a vertical seismic profile experiment. We recorded a series of stations at 10 m intervals over 10–15 minutes per interval. After retrieving the VSI tool back to the surface, we rigged up the Formation MicroScanner (FMS)-sonic tool and conducted two successful passes from 145 mbsf upwards to 50 mbsf. After retrieving and rigging down the FMS-sonic tool at 2100 h, we prepared the Ultrasonic Borehole Imager (UBI) tool and ran it to 145 mbsf. We conducted the first pass successfully, and the day ended while conducting a second pass.

Cores U1566A-20R to 27R (103.9–142.8 mbsf) contain alternating aphyric basalt with vesicular variations interbedded with sandstone, some of which contain granitic clasts. The scientists continue to describe the core lithologies, measure core and discrete samples for petrophysical and magnetic properties, and to work on the Site U1565 and U1566 reports.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 19 August 2021

Location: Hole U1566A (64°57.8869′N, 2°43.7533′E; water depth 2099.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-23A)

Science Update: Cores U1566A-24R to 33R extended the hole from 123.6 mbsf to the final depth of 181.7 mbsf by 2230 h, recovering 28.4 m of core (49%). The total amount of core recovered at Hole U1566A was 100.5 m (55.2%). Following the retrieval of the last core, we began preparations for wireline logging. A 50-barrel high viscosity mud sweep was conducted to clean the hole and then the hole was circulated with salt water. The day ended with lowering the rotary shifting tool (RST) to release the bit at the bottom of the hole.

Cores U1566A-15R to 19R (79.6–103.9 mbsf) yielded a succession of mostly aphyric basalt with variations in vesicularity. The scientists are working on the Site U1565 and U1566 reports.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 18 August 2021

Location: Hole U1566A (64°57.8869′N, 2°43.7533′E; water depth 2099.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-23A)

Science Update: Coring continued throughout the day. Cores U1566A-14R to 22R were taken from 74.7 to 118.6 mbsf with good recovery (30.5 m, 69.5%). The bit encountered a tight spot at 118.5 mbsf and the bit was moved up and down to clear the hole. We then cut and retrieved Core U1566A-23R from 123.6 mbsf (recovery 0.7 m, 14%) and continued coring.

Cores U1566A-10R to 14R (55.0–79.6 mbsf) yielded alternating lava flows consisting of aphyric basalt with variations in vesicularity. Some lava flows are separated by sandstones, some of which contain granitic clasts. An organic rich layer with continental wood fragments was found interbedded between lava flows in Core U1566A-11R. The pollen assemblage extracted from this layer indicates a late Paleocene–early Eocene age. The scientists are working on the Site U1565 reports.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 17 August 2021

Location: Hole U1566A (64°57.8869′N, 2°43.7533′E; water depth 2099.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-23A)

Science Update: Coring continued throughout the day. Cores U1566A-8R to 13R were taken from 44.6 to 74.7 mbsf with good recovery (21.62 m, 71.8%).

Cores U1566A-5R to 9R (31.3–55.0 mbsf) yielded alternating lava flows consisting of aphyric and sparsely plagioclase phyric basalt with varying vesicularity. Sporadic volcanoclastic layers are interbedded between lava flows. Measurements of discrete core and pore water samples from Site U1565 were completed and the scientists are working on the Site U1565 reports.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 16 August 2021

Location:

  • Hole U1565B (64°57.8044′N, 2°44.8454′E; water depth 2070.4 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-20A)
  • Hole U1566A (64°57.8869′N, 2°43.7533′E; water depth 2099.2 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-23A)

Science Update: We completed rotary coring of Hole U1565B after cutting Core U1565B-5R from 30.7 to 31.7 meters below sea floor (mbsf), recovering 17 cm (17%) of granite confirming the lateral extent of the granite bed sampled in Hole U1565A. The drill bit was pulled up, clearing the seafloor at 0215 h, and ending Hole U1565B and the site. We raised the end of the pipe to 2020 m below the rig floor (mbrf) and transited to the next site, U1566 (proposed site VMVM-23A), under dynamic positioning (DP) navigation mode. After positioning the ship over the site’s coordinates, we spaced out the bit above the seafloor, lowered an RCB core barrel, and started Hole U1566A at 0525 h. The seafloor was tagged at 2099.2 meters below sea level (mbsl) and rotary coring began. Cores U1566A-1R to 7R advanced the hole from the seafloor to 44.6 mbsf, recovering 19.29 m (43.3%).

Cores U1565B-1R to 5R were measured for physical properties, split, and described. Cores U1565B-1R through 4R consist of greenish gray to brownish gray alternating clay, clay with silt, and sand, and dropstone-rich sand with clay. Core U1566B-5R sampled the same strongly weathered medium-grained granite found in Hole U1565A. Preliminary biostratigraphic examination reveals significant reworking in the cored sedimentary section, yielding a mix of Quaternary to Cretaceous microfossils and poor diatom and palynological preservation.

Cores U1566A-1R to 3R consist of clay and silt-rich clay with various amounts of sand and clasts. Cores U1566A-4R consists of phyric basalt.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 15 August 2021

Location:

  • Hole U1565A (64°57.7619′N, 2°44.9892′E; water depth 2072.3 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-20A)
  • Hole U1565B (64°57.8044′N, 2°44.8454′E; water depth 2070.4 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-20A)

Science Update: We continued lowering the bit to the seafloor until 0245 h. We installed the top drive, adjusted the drill string length to position the bit for taking the first core, and pumped a pig through the drill string to clean out rust and any obstructions. We dropped a rotary core barrel (RCB) and attempted to start Hole U1565A at 2056.3 m below sea level (mbsl) based on a depth estimate from the precision depth recorder (PDR), but the first attempt at the mudline core did not recover any sediment. We continued to lower the bit, tagging the seafloor at 2072.3 mbsl at 0515 h. Then we rotary cored Hole U1565A to 28 m below the seafloor (mbsf), obtaining 4.21 m of core (15% recovery). Coring was ended after Core U1565A-4R due to very slow penetration rates and confirming the lateral extent of a massive granitic unit obtained in this core. We pulled out of the hole and moved the ship 138 m WNW to start Hole U1565B. After picking up the drilling knobby and spacing out the bit above the seafloor, RCB coring of Hole U1565B was initiated and continued for the rest of the day, cutting Core U1565B-5R at a depth of 30.5 mbsf at midnight. Recovery for Cores U1565B-1R to 4R was 15.28 m (49.8%).

Cores U1565A-1R to 4R were measured for physical properties, split, and described. Cores U1565A-1R through 3R consist of greenish gray to brownish gray clay, with graded beds of silt and sand, and varying amounts of calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera. Igneous and metamorphic dropstones are common. Core U1565A-4R consists of strongly weathered coarse-grained granite. Preliminary biostratigraphic examination suggests significant reworking.

Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 14 August 2021

Location: Hole U1565A (64°57.7619′N, 2°44.9892′E; water depth 2083.4 mbsl; proposed Site VMVM-20A)

Science Update: After an 803 nmi transit, the ship arrived at Site U1565 (proposed Site VMVM-2A) at 1530 h. The thrusters were lowered, and the vessel switched to dynamic positioning (DP) mode, clearing the drill floor for operations. The crew assembled the outer core barrel with a C-4 rotary core barrel (RCB) bit and the bottom-hole assembly (BHA), and started lowering the drill pipe to the seafloor, filling the pipe with seawater every 20 stands. By the end of the day, the drill pipe had been deployed to 1327 m below the rig floor. Wind and sea conditions remained calm throughout the day.

Daily Science Report for 13 August 2021

Location: Underway to Site U1565

Science Update: The Co-Chief Scientists, Operations Superintendent, Schlumberger Logging Engineer, and Expedition Project Manager (EPM) met with the ship crew to review and confirm the planned coring and logging operations for the first five sites of the expedition. The drilling plan is to start with Sites U1565 (proposed site VMVM-20A) and U1566 (VMVM-23A) on the Kolga High. The Co-Chief Scientists presented the background and objectives for these sites to the scientists, which are to sample and characterize the age and lithology of the subbasalt sequences and initial volcanic flows on the mid-Norwegian margin. Weather and sea conditions are good. Our average speed for the day was 11.5 kt, and we have 178 nmi remaining to our first site. The estimated time of arrival at Site U1565 is ~1600 h on 14 August.

Daily Science Report for 12 August 2021

Location: Underway to Site U1565

Science Update: The Expedition 396 scientists continued training in the laboratories. The paleontology team received more detailed orientations on the core description application and microscope training. The JRSO technical staff reviewed the protected species observation protocol. The first lifeboat drill was held in the morning. Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols continue to be followed onboard. Weather and sea conditions are fair, with waves averaging 1.8 m in height and winds of 10 kt. Our average speed for the day was 9.6 kt, and we have 455 nmi remaining to our first site. The estimated time of arrival at Site U1565 (proposed site VMVM-20A) is the evening of 14 August.

Daily Science Report for 11 August 2021

Location: Underway to Site U1565

Science Update: The final nine members of the Siem Offshore personnel boarded the vessel in the morning, and one person departed due to a medical condition. With the harbor pilot onboard at 1245 h, the ship left the dock after the last line was released at 1312 h. The pilot departed at 1326 h, and the ship was underway to Site U1565 (proposed Site VMVM-20A) in the Norwegian Margin at 1400 h. The scientists received training on IODP sampling procedures and the core description application, and they continued to set up their laboratories. Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols are being followed onboard.

Daily Science Report for 10 August 2021

Location: Berth 10 Scarfabakki, Reykjavík, Iceland

Science Update: Bunkering restarted at 0742 h and was completed at 1008 h with the loading of 1110 mt of fuel over two days. The food shipment and other catering supplies arrived and were loaded onboard and stored. Other port call activities included offloading of IODP airfreight and refrigerated shipments. Laboratory training for new JRSO staff and scientists continued. Scientists were given core flow tours and introduced to laboratory instruments. Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols are being followed and the ship is scheduled to depart Reykjavík at 1300 h on 11 August.

Daily Science Report for 9 August 2021

Location: Berth 10 Scarfabakki, Reykjavík, Iceland

Science Update: Port call activities continued for Expedition 396. The ship loaded 763.8 mt of fuel. JRSO staff and scientists continued laboratory setup and training, and received ship safety tours. Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols are being followed and the ship is tentatively scheduled to depart Reykjavík at 1300 h on 11 August.

Daily Science Report for 8 August 2021

Location: Berth 10 Scarfabakki, Reykjavík, Iceland

Science Update: The Expedition 396 scientists, JRSO staff and ship’s crew boarded the vessel in the morning and settled into their cabins. After lunch, all shipboard personnel cleared immigration formalities and the day shift scientists and new technicians received a general presentation on ship safety. Scientists started to set up their computers to access the ship’s network and to learn their laboratories. Other port call activities included distribution of oncoming freight. Shipboard COVID-19 safety protocols are being followed and the ship is scheduled to depart Reykjavík on 11 August.

Daily Science Report for 7 August 2021

Location: Berth 10 Scarfabakki, Reykjavík, Iceland

Science Update: Port call activities continued with the loading and offloading of freight. The Expedition 396 scientists, JRSO staff, and ship’s crew continued to isolate in their hotel rooms in Reykjavík, following JRSO quarantine and COVID-19 testing procedures prior to boarding on 8 August.

Virtual orientation and preparation meetings continued with the scientists receiving introductions on core curation and sampling, and drilling and coring operations. Laboratory teams continued to work on their Methods chapters and discuss their sampling and measuring plans for the expedition. The ship is scheduled to depart Reykjavík on 11 June.

Daily Science Report for 6 August 2021

Location: Berth 10 Scarfabakki, Reykjavík, Iceland

Science Update: Mid-Norwegian Continental Margin Magmatism Expedition 396 officially began in Reykjavík, Iceland, at 0842 h on 6 August 2021 upon arrival of the JOIDES Resolution at the end of Expedition 395C. The Expedition 395C offgoing personnel received a COVID test, underwent immigration procedures, and began port call activities.

All oncoming Expedition 396 personnel, including a reduced JRSO and scientific team, arrived five days earlier to Reykjavík and are following preboarding COVID-19 protocols. These included a two-week shelter-in-place period prior to travel, a pretravel COVID-19 test, and a seven-day quarantine in a hotel in Reykjavík, with two additional COVID-19 tests, prior to boarding the vessel on 8 August. Taking advantage of the quarantine in the hotel, the Expedition 396 scientists and JRSO staff began virtual expedition preparation and received orientations to life on board the JOIDES Resolution (including our JRSO Code of Conduct), and laboratory safety training, including hydrofluoric acid (HF) usage and safety, and radiation training protocols. During the week, the laboratory teams continued to draft their Methods chapters and the shipboard sampling plans for the expedition. The ship is scheduled to depart Reykjavík on 11 August.