Sea Trials Transit

Daily Science Report for 22 February 2009

LOCATION: In transit to Honolulu, Hawaii (approaching the Marshall Islands)

SCIENCE UPDATE: Cores 320T-U1330B-6H to 8H (44.7-73.2 mbsf) were processed using the full spectrum of analytical and descriptive applications available. The lithological character of the sediment did not differ from earlier described Cores 1H-5H from this hole (nannofossil ooze with foraminifers, locally grading to foraminifer nannofossil ooze). Members of the Readiness Assessment Team started writing their assessment reports and their contributions to the cruise report. Acceptance testing for the few not yet accepted systems and applications continued as well.

See detailed transit map

Ship highlight of the day: Microscopy Lab

The Microscopy lab is used by shipboard paleontologists to identify microfossils for dating the sediments.
Paleontology Prep Lab panorama (Quicktime VR). Click and drag to pan around. Use the Shift and Control keys to zoom in and out.

See iodp.tamu.edu/labs/ship.html for more details on the ship's new laboratories.