IODP Expedition 382
Iceberg Alley and Subantarctic Ice and Ocean Dynamics
Daily Science Report for 31 March 2019
Location: Hole U1534A (53°11.3777′S, 58°45.6479′W, water depth 605.1 mbsl; proposed Site SFSD-03A)
Science Update: Cores 21F to 47X penetrated from 141.9 to 266.3 m and recovered 85.1 m (99%). We encountered a hard layer at 255.5 m, and switched to XCB coring to pass below the layer and take Cores 46X and 47X, which completed coring in this hole. The bit cleared the sea floor at 2255 h, ending Hole U1534A.
Cores 8H to 30F were split and described. They consist of biosiliceous microfossil-bearing greenish-gray silty clay. Preliminary biostratigraphic dates show that the Hole U1534A stratigraphy is Pleistocene to Pliocene in age. The stratigraphy contains two time discontinuities, which are also observed in the seismic profile.
Daily Science Report for 30 March 2019
Location: Hole U1534A (53°11.3777′S, 58°45.6479′W, water depth 605.1 mbsl; proposed Site SFSD-03A)
Science Update: Cores 2H to 20F penetrated from 3.5 to 141.9 m and recovered 143.3 m (104%). All full-length cores (Cores 2H to 14H) were oriented, and formation temperature measurements were made while taking Cores 4H, 7H, 10H, and 13H. The coring line parted while pulling on Core 10H, and the piston corer was recovered at the first attempt with the fishing assembly. While taking Core 14H, the cutting shoe struck a rock clast or a hard layer. We washed down with the center bit for 1 m to pass below it, and then switched to half-length piston coring for Core 16F.
Cores 1H to 7H were split and described. They consist of greenish-gray silty clay containing calcareous and siliceous microfossils. A few dropstones and calcareous macrofossils were found in these cores.
Daily Science Report for 29 March 2019
Location:
• In transit to Site U1534 (proposed Site SFSD-03A)
• Hole U1534A (53°11.381′S, 58°45.693′W; water depth 605.1 mbsl)
Science Update: At 1130 h, we held a short science meeting to preview the first day of coring and laboratory activities. At 1330 h, after a total transit of 461 nmi over 1.6 d, we arrived at Site U1534 (proposed Site SFSD-03A). We lowered the thrusters and then switched to dynamic positioning mode. Drill floor operations began at 1345 h. The APC/XCB bottom-hole assembly was made up and the drill string was lowered to 599.1 m below sea level. Coring Hole 1534A started at 2255 h. Core U1534A-1H recovered 3.53 m, resulting in a seafloor depth of 605.1 m below sea level.
Daily Science Report for 28 March 2019
Location: In transit to Site U1534 (proposed Site SFSD-03A)
Science Update: The scientists met for a presentation about grain-size-specific sediment properties and ways to identify iceberg-rafted, windblown, and current-deposited fractions of the sediment. Laboratory groups continued their preparations for the first cores. The Co-Chief Scientists, Operations Superintendent, Ice Observer, and Staff Scientist met to review the plan for the first sites and today’s report from the National Ice Center on the sea ice conditions as they relate to the southerly sites of the expedition. Conditions are normal for this time of year. Our average speed for the day was 12.3 kt, and we have 152 nmi remaining to our first site. The estimated time of arrival at proposed Site SFSD-03A is 1400 h on 29 March.
Daily Science Report for 27 March 2019
Location:
• Cabo Negro Oil Terminal
• In transit to Site U1534
Science Update: The lead proponent of the first two sites of the expedition presented the science background and motivation for drilling them to the science party and technical staff. The laboratory groups submitted their Methods sections today. Wind speed remained high until the evening, when it dropped enough to permit departure. The pilot boarded at 2145 h, the last line was away at 2230 h, and we began the transit east through the Magellan Strait.
Daily Science Report for 26 March 2019
Location: Cabo Negro Oil Terminal
Science Update: At 0930 h we held a pre-spud meeting with Siem Offshore staff to discuss operations for the first two drill sites. The scientists attended a presentation about coring operations, downhole logging, and iceberg monitoring and evasion procedures. Planning for sampling the whole-round cores continued, and the laboratory groups continued to prepare for their laboratory procedures. Fueling was completed at 0535 h, and the air freight shipment of lifeboat parts arrived. Wind conditions remained too high (gusting above 20 kt) for the vessel to be permitted to untie from the pier at Cabo Negro Oil Terminal today.
Daily Science Report for 25 March 2019
Location:
• Anchorage, Punta Arenas
• Cabo Negro Oil Terminal
Science Update: Today, Co-Chief Scientist Mo Raymo gave two talks for the IODP JRSO technical staff and ship’s crew about Antarctica, CO2, and sea level. Scientists held group meetings to continue to make plans for the research areas of Southern Ocean current and wind systems and foraminifer-based work. The scientists continued to familiarize themselves with the laboratories. Co-Chief Scientist Mike Weber presented a talk to the science party on ice-rafted debris and the dynamics of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. The pilot boarded at 1615 h and the vessel transited to the Cabo Negro Oil Terminal, arriving at 2015 h. Fueling started at 2245 h.
Daily Science Report for 24 March 2019
Location: Anchorage, Punta Arenas
Science Update: In the morning, the scientists each introduced their scientific research plans for the expedition, and the two Outreach Officers presented their plans for communicating the work of the expedition to the public, including ways for the science party to become involved. In the afternoon, the Ship’s Doctor conducted training sessions on survival in cold weather and cold water. We held three group meetings to make plans for the research areas of chronostratigraphy, biomarker temperature proxies, and ice-rafted detritus. Training in hydrogen fluoride (HF) safety was given to those working in, or close to, the Geochemistry Laboratory. Today the vessel had been scheduled to take on fuel at the Cabo Negro Oil Terminal, about 20 mi from our current location, but the terminal postponed the refueling and we remained at anchorage close to Punta Arenas. The vessel was resupplied with fresh water, because we do not make fresh water while anchored close to the town and coast.
Daily Science Report for 23 March 2019
Location: Anchorage, Punta Arenas.
Science Update: Today the scientists received introductions to ship and laboratory systems: the Operations Superintendent gave three guided tours of the vessel to the science party and the new technicians; the Curator trained the science party in sampling procedures and the data entry software; sedimentologists and micropaleontologists received training in the core description software; and the scientists who will be operating the X-radiograph instrument and using the images were trained on the unit by the offgoing Laboratory Officer from Expedition 379, Amundsen Sea West Antarctic Ice Sheet History. A lifeboat drill was held at 1300 h.
Daily Science Report for 22 March 2019
Location: Anchorage, Punta Arenas.
Science Update: In the morning, the Iceberg Alley scientists met with the IODP JRSO technical staff and were introduced to laboratory safety, followed by a guided walkthrough of the laboratories in four groups. Then the scientists received an introduction to the shipboard IT systems, and the Marine Computer Specialists helped to set up the scientists’ computers to access the ship’s network. In the afternoon, the Captain, Ship’s Doctor, and Offshore Installation Manager introduced themselves and gave a presentation about the vessel and safety. This was followed by an introduction to the science objectives of the expedition and how we will achieve them, given by the Co-Chief Scientists and the Staff Scientist. Finally, the scientists met in their laboratory groups and the technicians introduced them to the laboratory instruments, procedures, and software. Throughout the day, personnel from JRSO, visiting the vessel during port call, checked standards and calibrations on several laboratory instruments, including natural gamma radiation and sonic velocity.
Daily Science Report for 21 March 2019
Location:
• Mardones Pier, Punta Arenas
• Anchorage, Punta Arenas
Science Update: The full Expedition 382 science party boarded the vessel at 1030 h and the scientists were shown to their berths. We held a short introductory orientation meeting and the scientists had their photographs taken. A ship tour was held for 10 people from the local university. At 1300 h, the science party convened for presentations about life aboard the vessel and general safety. Scientists were free to leave the ship in the afternoon, with everyone back aboard by 1900 h. We offloaded the Expedition 379 cores and the remaining IODP outgoing freight, and loaded the last air freight. The vessel left the pier at 2135 h to make way for a commercial vessel and moved to anchorage close to Punta Arenas.
Daily Science Report for 20 March 2019
Location: Mardones Pier, Punta Arenas
Science Update: The Expedition 382 Co-Chief Scientists and Staff Scientist boarded the vessel at 0930 h, met with the offgoing science party, and familiarized themselves with some of the laboratories. The Marine Computer Specialists set up the Co-Chief Scientists’ computers to access the ship’s network. Oncoming freight continued to be loaded, including two core liner boxes, tubulars, and refrigerated food. The Siem Offshore and IODP air freight arrived today.