IODP Expedition 401
Mediterranean–Atlantic Gateway Exchange
Daily science report for 8 February 2024
Location: In transit to Napoli, Italy
Science Update: Today the ship traveled 203 nmi of the 948 nmi transit to Napoli, Italy, at an average speed of 8.8 kt, with 56 nmi remaining. The ship’s master clock was set forward 1 h (to UTC + 1 h) at 0100 h.
The scientists finalized their reports and met for a final wrap-up and planning meeting.
The last 56 nmi of the transit was completed on 9 February. The ship arrived at the pilot station at 0700 h, with the first line ashore at 0818 h, bringing IODP Expedition 401 to a close.
Daily science report for 7 February 2024
Location: In transit to Napoli, Italy
Science Update: Today the ship traveled 248 nmi of the 948 nmi transit to Napoli, Italy, at an average speed of 10.3 kt, with 259 nmi remaining. The ship is due to arrive at the pilot station at 0700 h on 9 February.
The scientists continued to work on final reports and to plan postexpedition research.
Daily science report for 6 February 2024
Location: In transit to Napoli, Italy
Science Update: Today the ship traveled 275 nmi of the 948 nmi transit to Napoli, Italy, at an average speed of 11.5 kt. The ship is estimated to arrive at 0700 h on 9 February.
The scientists met to present and discuss the initial results from Site U1611, and met in groups to plan postexpedition research.
Daily science report for 5 February 2024
Location:
- Hole U1611B (36°19.3779′N, 4°34.7520′W; water depth 784.0 mbsl)
- In transit to Napoli, Italy
Science Update: The bit was raised up to the ship, clearing the seafloor at 0400 h and the rig floor at 0751 h. The bottom-hole assembly (BHA) was stowed and the rig floor was secured for transit. The thrusters were raised and secured, and the ship switched to cruise mode at 0936 h, ending operations at Site U1611. We then started the transit to Napoli, Italy, traveling 166 nmi of the 948 nmi transit at an average speed of 11.5 kt.
Cores U1611B-56R to 66R were split and described. They are mostly dark greenish gray Messinian silty muds, with cm to dm scale beds of sand, dolomitic silty mud, and cemented carbonate. There is a 10 m thick conglomerate layer in Cores 58R to 60R.
The scientists met in groups to discuss postexpedition research.
Daily science report for 4 February 2024
Location: Hole U1611B (36°19.3779′N, 4°34.7520′W; water depth 784.0 mbsl)
Science Update: Cores U1611B-51R to 66R penetrated from 992.3 to 1069.9 mbsf and recovered 64.3 m (83%). All cores were half-core RCB advances. Core 66R arrived on the catwalk at 2330 h and was the last core of the site and the expedition.
Cores U1611B-44R to 55R were split and described. They are mostly dark greenish gray and very dark gray Messinian silty muds, with cm to dm scale beds of conglomerate, sands, dolomitic silty mud, and cemented carbonate.
Daily science report for 3 February 2024
Location: Hole U1611B (36°19.3779′N, 4°34.7520′W; water depth 784.0 mbsl)
Science Update: Cores U1611B-33R to 50R penetrated from 905.0 to 992.3 mbsf and recovered 77.3 m (89%). All cores were half-core RCB advances.
Cores U1611B-28R to 43R were split and described. They are mostly very dark gray Messinian silty muds, with Cores 32R to 34R being relatively more calcareous. There are cm to dm scale beds of conglomerate, sands, and cemented carbonate.
Daily science report for 2 February 2024
Location: Hole U1611B (36°19.3779′N, 4°34.7520′W; water depth 784.0 mbsl)
Science Update: Cores U1611B-18R to 32R penetrated from 832.2 to 905.0 mbsf and recovered 64.8 m (89%). All cores were half-core RCB advances. Four 30 bbl sepiolite mud sweeps were run during the day.
Cores U1611B-15R to 27R were split and described. Cores U1611B-15R to 21R are dark greenish gray Messinian calcareous muds and calcareous silty muds. Cores U1611B-22R to 27R are very dark gray Messinian calcareous silty muds with cm to dm scale beds of silty sand and conglomerate.
Daily science report for 1 February 2024
Location: Hole U1611B (36°19.3779′N, 4°34.7520′W; water depth 784.0 mbsl)
Science Update: Cores U1611B-5R to 17R penetrated from 764.3 to 832.2 mbsf and recovered 29.3 m (43%). After Cores 5R and 6R returned nearly empty, we ran the bit deplugger and then switched to half-core rotary core barrel (RCB) advances.
Cores U1611B-3R to 14R were split and described. They are greenish gray and dark greenish gray Early Pliocene calcareous muds and calcareous silty muds. The base of Core U1611B-14R contains 60 cm of conglomerate.