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IODP Expedition 353

Indian Monsoon Rainfall

Daily Science Report for 31 December 2014

Location: Site U1445 (17°44.72′N, 84°47.25′E, proposed site BB-5)

Science Update: The vessel began the 87 nmi transit from Visakhapatnam, India, to Site U1445 at 0306 h. The vessel averaged 5.4 kt during the transit due to 30 kt winds and 3 m waves. The ship arrived on site at 1942 h. The day ended with the vessel waiting on weather to begin operations.


Daily Science Report for 30 December 2014

Location: In transit to Site U1445 (proposed site BB-5)

Science Update: The vessel completed an inspection by the Indian Navy at the port in Visakhapatnam, India, on the afternoon of 30 December. Three scientists from Indian institutions boarded the ship at 2130 h. The final diplomatic note from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was issued at 2145 h, issuing clearance permission for the remaining primary sites. The vessel ended the day preparing for the transit to proposed site BB-5.

The science laboratory groups submitted their Site U1444 reports.


Daily Science Report for 29 December 2014

Location: Port Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: The vessel arrived at the dock in Visakhapatnam at 0720 h. Customs and immigration cleared the ship. The vessel is awaiting an inspection by the Indian Navy and the arrival of three Indian scientists.

The Indian Monsoon scientists discussed the Site U1444 science results and are working on site reports.


Daily Science Report for 28 December 2014

Location: Port Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: The vessel began the 235 nmi transit from Site U1444 to Visakhapatnam, India at 0645 h on 28 December 2014. The vessel arrived at port early on 29 December. The pilot boarded the ship at 0549 h and the first line ashore was at 0720 h. The vessel is awaiting an inspection by the Indian Navy and the arrival of three Indian scientists.

The science laboratory groups are presently working on the Site U1444 reports and finishing analyses.


Daily Science Report for 27 December 2014

Location: Hole U1444B (13°59.9940′N, 84°49.7412′E, 3131.8 m water depth, alternate site BoB-11A)

Science Update: Hole U1444B was spudded at 0815 h on 27 December. Five APC cores (U1444B-1H to 5H; 0–47.5 mbsf) were retrieved with 91% core recovery. A center bit was lowered through the pipe and the hole was drilled from 47.5–95.0 mbsf. Coring resumed with the XCB system from 95.0–128.6 mbsf (Cores U1444B-7X to 10X) with 92% core recovery. Following Core U1444B-10X, the pipe was pulled from the hole and cleared the seafloor at 2200 h.

Cores U1444B-1H to 5H contain dark gray silty clay and silty sand with turbidites. Dark gray silty clay and clay with nannofossils are in Cores U1444B-7X to 10X. The science laboratory teams are finishing analyses on Site U1444 samples and have begun working on the site report.


Daily Science Report for 26 December 2014

Location: Hole U1444A (14°00.0057′N, 84°49.7405′E, 3132.7 m water depth, alternate site BoB-11A)

Science Update: Cores U1444A-27X to 37X (224.7–330.6 mbsf) were retrieved; however, some of the cores had very little to no core recovery. For this 105.9 m cored interval, 46.99 m of core was recovered (44%). While drilling Core U1444A-37X, the XCB cutting shoe broke, resulting in the termination of the hole.

Cores U1444A-19X to 37X contain gray clay with nannofossils, nannofossil-rich clay, turbidites composed of silt and/or sand, and a layer of nannofossil ooze. The turbidite layers are centimeters to tens of centimeters in thickness. Smear slides show the presence of plant debris, iron sulfides, iron oxides, and glauconite. Initial nannofossil biostratigraphy indicates that the base of Hole U1444A is 5.59–7.79 Ma in age; this age will be further refined.


Daily Science Report for 25 December 2014

Location: Hole U1444A (14°00.0057′N, 84°49.7405′E, 3132.7 m water depth, alternate site BoB-11A)

Science Update: Cores U1444A-12H to 27X (95.0–234.4 mbsf) were recovered. After the core liner for Core U1444A-13H had to be pumped out of the barrel, the XCB system was deployed. Cores U1444A-12H to 19X (95.0–166.4 mbsf) have high core recovery (102%). Recovery decreased drastically for Cores U1444A-20X to 27X (166.4–224.7 mbsf; 15%), because the sediments appear to be unconsolidated sands. This was confirmed when the HLAPC was deployed for Core U1444A-24F and it contained watery sand.

Cores U1444A-6H to 18X contain gray nannofossil-rich clay, thin (~10 cm) turbidite layers, and silty sand. There is a hiatus between Samples U1444A-14H-CC and 15H-CC, where ages based on nannofossil biostratigraphy jump from ~0.44 to 1.6–1.93 Ma. Sample U1444A-20X-CC is greater than 3.54 Ma. Foraminifera abundance varies down core and diatoms are barren.

The Expedition 353 scientists, staff, and crew celebrated the Christmas holiday with a concert that featured singing, music, and skits.


Daily Science Report for 24 December 2014

Location: Hole U1444A (14°00.0′N, 84°49.8′E, 3132.7 m water depth, alternate site BoB-11A)

Science Update: The vessel arrived at Site U1444 (alternate site BoB-11A) at 0715 h on 24 December. At 1745 h the first core barrel was shot, but was retrieved bent and broken. The vessel was offset 10 m to the north and Hole U1444A was spudded at 2035 h. Cores U1444A-1H to 11H (0–95 mbsf) have been recovered with 101% core recovery.

Cores U1444A-1H to 5H (0–45.10 m) contain gray silty clay and silty clay with sand. There are intervals of high organic matter and plant fragments as well as intervals of abundant foraminifera. Diatoms are present in Section U1444A-1H-1W and nannofossil biostratigraphy indicates the cores are Holocene–Late Pleistocene in age.


Daily Science Report for 23 December 2014

Location: Site U1444 (alternative site BoB-11A); 15°09.5′N, 84°15.6′E

Science Update: After waiting outside of port for five days, it was decided to begin coring operations on alternative sites in the Bay of Bengal while waiting on clearance from India. The ship began the transit to alternative site BoB-11A (Site U1444) at 1400 h on 23 December and arrived on site at 0715 h on 24 December. Site U1444 is located on the Bengal Fan.


Daily Science Report for 22 December 2014

Location: ~36 nmi outside Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: The vessel remains on standby awaiting clearance and exemptions from the Indian Government. Science presentations were held during the noon and midnight crossover meetings.


Daily Science Report for 21 December 2014

Location: ~36 nmi outside Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: The vessel remains on standby awaiting clearance and exemptions from the Indian Government. The scientists participated in a scavenger hunt and science talks were held at the noon and midnight crossovers.


Daily Science Report for 20 December 2014

Location: ~36 nmi outside Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: The vessel is remains on standby awaiting clearance and exemptions from the Indian Government. IODP staff are working with the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the port agent to obtain the necessary documentation to go into port.


Daily Science Report for 19 December 2014

Location: ~36 nmi outside Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: The vessel is currently on standby awaiting clearance and exemptions from the Indian Government. IODP staff are working with the Embassy in New Delhi and the port agent to obtain the necessary documentation to go into port.


Daily Science Report for 18 December 2014

Location: ~36 nmi outside Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: At 1048 h, the ship arrived ~24 nmi from the Indian coast. After confirming that the vessel would not be entering the port, the ship was moved to ~36 nmi off of the Indian coast. The vessel is currently on standby awaiting clearance and exemptions from the Indian Government.


Daily Science Report for 17 December 2014

Location: In transit to Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: At 0700 h the ship paused its transit to test the vibration-isolated television (VIT) camera tensiometer. The ship resumed the transit to India at 1530 h. The Indian Monsoon scientists finalized and submitted their Site U1443 reports. A site results meeting was held and each laboratory group presented their findings to the entire science team. The Operations Superintendent led a group of scientists on a detailed tour of the vessel. The ship is presently underway to Visakhapatnam to complete a naval inspection.


Daily Science Report for 16 December 2014

Location: In transit to Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: The Indian Monsoon scientists are working on the Site U1443 reports and preparing for the Site U1443 results meeting. The ship is underway to Visakhapatnam to complete a naval inspection.


Daily Science Report for 15 December 2014

Location: In transit to Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: The Indian Monsoon scientists are working on the Site U1443 site reports and preparing for the Site U1443 results meeting. The ship is underway to Visakhapatnam to complete a naval inspection.


Daily Science Report for 14 December 2014

Location: In transit to Visakhapatnam, India

Science Update: Cores U1443C-28F to 30F (197.0–209.4 mbsf) were recovered. The pipe was pulled out of the hole and cleared the seafloor at 1325 h, ending Hole U1443C. The ship was offset 20 m to the south of Hole U1443C. Hole U1443D was spudded at 1455 h and Cores U1443D-1F and 2F (0–8.2 mbsf) were taken to recover the mudline sediments. The drill pipe was tripped and the drill bit cleared the rig floor at 0030 h on 15 December. The ship began the transit to Visakhapatnam, India, in order to complete a naval inspection of the ship, which is mandatory for gaining permission to operate within the Indian Exclusive Economic zone (EEZ).

Cores U1443C-19H to 30F and U1443D-1F to 2F were split and described. Cores U1443C-19H to 30F contain brown to white nannofossil ooze with clay. Cores U1443D-1F to 2F are composed of clayey nannofossil ooze and volcanic ash layers. Stratigraphic correlation of Holes U1443A, U1443B, U1443C, and U1443D indicate that a complete stratigraphic section was recovered from 0–160 m CSF-A. The magnetic stratigraphy of Holes U1443A and U1443B compares favorably to the biostratigraphic age from 0–70 m CSF-A and 130–200 m CSF-A. The biostratigraphers are producing an age/depth plot that includes all of the biostratigraphic and paleomagnetic datums identified at Site U1443. The physical properties laboratory is running moisture and density (MAD) samples from Hole U1443C. The geochemistry laboratory has completed all of their analyses for Site U1443.


Daily Science Report for 13 December 2014

Location: Hole U1443C (5°23.0078′N, 90°21.6984′E, 2924.7 m water depth; proposed site N90E-2C)

Science Update: Hole U1443C was spudded at 1040 h after three failed attempts that resulted in three broken APC core barrels. The half-length APC (HLAPC) was deployed for Cores U1443C-1F and 2F (0–6.2 mbsf) to establish the hole. The full-length APC core barrels were used to recover Cores U1443C-3H to 24H (6.2–182.6 mbsf). The HLAPC was redeployed for Cores U1443C-25F to 27F (182.6–197.0 mbsf).

Cores U1443C-1H to 18H contain clayey nannofossil ooze, foraminifer-rich nannofossil ooze, and nannofossil ooze with clay. The color of the cores varies between gray, brown, and yellow. Intervals of sediment “fall-in” have been observed. The stratigraphic correlators are comparing the physical properties data from Hole U1443C to those of Holes U1443A and U1443B to determine if a complete stratigraphic section has been recovered. The micropaleontologists and paleomagnetists continue to refine the Site U1443 stratigraphy.


Daily Science Report for 12 December 2014

Location: Hole U1443B (5°23.019033′N, 90°21.709148′E, 2924.7 m water depth; proposed site N90E-2C)

Science Update: Cores U1443B-25F through 28F were recovered using the half-length APC (HLAPC) system (190.8–210.0 mbsf). The XCB system was deployed for Cores U1443B-29X to 40X (210.0–326.4 mbsf). The hole was terminated and the pipe cleared the seafloor at 2310 h. Total core recovery for Hole U1443B is 308.51 m (95% recovery).

Cores U1443B-21F to 38X contain nannofossil ooze with clay, clayey nannofossil chalk, and nannofossil chalk with foraminifers. Cores U1443B-39X to 40X are composed of green bioclastic silty clay with foraminifers and glauconite. The stratigraphic correlators are using physical properties data to determine if there are coring gaps in Holes U1443A and U1443B. The micropaleontologists and paleomagnetists continue to refine the Site U1443 stratigraphy.


Daily Science Report for 11 December 2014

Location: Hole U1443B (5°23.019033′N, 90°21.709148′E, 2924.7 m water depth; proposed site N90E-2C)

Science Update: Cores U1443B-1H through 18H (0–162.0 mbsf) were recovered before switching to the half-length APC (HAPC) for Cores U1443B-19F to 24F (162.0–190.8 mbsf). The total core recovery for Hole U1443B is 99%.

Cores U1443B-1H to 20F contain gray to pale orange yellow nannofossil ooze with clay and volcanic ash layers. The stratigraphic correlators are working in real time to correlate cores from Holes U1443A, U1443B, and 758A. The micropalentologists and paleomagnetists are refining the age models for Hole U1443A. All of the moisture and density (MAD) and XRD samples from Hole U1443A have been processed.


Daily Science Report for 10 December 2014

Location: Hole U1443B (5°23.019033′N, 90°21.709148′E, 2924.7 m water depth; proposed site N90E-2C)

Science Update: Cores U1443A-35X to 48X (244.9–344.0 mbsf) were drilled and had a core recovery of 80%. The drill string cleared the seafloor at 0225 h on 11 December. After offsetting the ship 20 m to the north, Hole U1443B was spudded at 0530 h.

Cores U1443A-31X to 42X (211.7–312.3 mbsf) contain nannofossil-rich calcareous chalk. Cores U1443A-43X to 48X (312.3–344.0 mbsf) are composed of green bioclastic silt with authigenic carbonate, glauconite, and shell fragments. The Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary is located in Core U1443A-39X. Nannofossil biostratigraphy indicates the base of Hole U1443A is late Campanian in age.


Daily Science Report for 9 December 2014

Location: Hole U1443A (5°23.0098′N, 90°21.7100′E, 2929 m water depth; proposed site N90E-2C)

Science Update: Piston coring continued from Cores U1443A-13H to 15H (106.3–134.8 mbsf). Due to high overpull while retrieving Core 15H, the half-length APC (HAPC) was deployed for Cores 16F through 29F (134.8–202.0 mbsf). We then switched to XCB coring and and Cores 30X to 34X have been recovered from 202.0 to 244.9 mbsf. The core recovery for Cores U1443A-13H to 29F is 103% and the recovery for Cores U1143A-30X to 34X is 93%.

Cores U1443A-6H to 29F contain brown to white nannofossil ooze and Core U1443A-24F contains a carbonate cemented volcanic ash layer. Core U1443A-30X is composed of nannofossil chalk. Nannofossil biostratigraphy indicates that Core U1443A-33X is Oligocene in age.


Daily Science Report for 8 December 2014

Location: Hole U1443A (5°23.0098′N, 90°21.7100′E, 2929.3 m water depth)

Science Update: The first core at Site U1443 was shot from 2919 m water depth. However, upon retrieval it was found that the bottom portion of the core barrel had sheared off and the core liner was empty. The ship was offset 10 m to the north to avoid core barrel debris. Hole U1443A was officially spudded at 1735 h.

Cores U1443A-1H through 12H were retrieved from 0–106.3 mbsf with 102% recovery. Nannofossil biostratigraphy indicates that the age of the recovered cores is recent–late Miocene (ca. 9 Ma). A total of 24 whole rounds for pore water analysis were taken and squeezed in an inert atmosphere. The dominant lithology of Cores U1443A-1H to 5H is a gray nannofossil ooze with clay and volcanic ash layers. Diatoms are present in the Pleistocene and planktonic foraminifer preservation is moderate with fragmentation.


Daily Science Report for 7 December 2014

Location: The ship arrived at Site U1443 at 2105 h on 7 December

Science Update: The scientists continued to prepare for arrival at the first site. All of the scientists were trained how to use the Sample Master system. The chief scientists gave an expedition science presentation for the technical staff and ship’s crew. Scientists interested in postcruise XRF core scanning met to begin coordinating research efforts. The Operations Superintendent led a ship tour to interested science party members. The ship arrived at Site U1443 at 2105 h on 7 December. The first core on deck is estimated to arrive at 0900 h on 8 December.


Daily Science Report for 6 December 2014

Location: In transit to Site U1443 (N90E-2C)

Science Update: The scientists continued to work in the laboratories and submitted drafts of the shipboard Methods sections. The stratigraphic correlators presented an overview of IODP depth terminology and stratigraphic correlation. The micropaleontologists were trained how to use the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The ship is scheduled to arrive at Site U1443 at 2130 h on 7 December.


Daily Science Report for 5 December 2014

Location: In transit to Site U1443 (N90E-2C)

Science Update: The scientists continued to work with their laboratory teams and write their shipboard Methods sections. Science meetings were held to discuss foraminifera processing on the ship, the catwalk protocol for if gas hydrates are encountered, and the downhole logging process. The ship is scheduled to arrive at Site U1443 at 2400 h on 7 December.


Daily Science Report for 4 December 2014

Location: In transit to Site U1443 (N90E-2C)

Science Update: The ship departed Singapore at 1010 h and began the transit to the first site, U1443 (N90E-2C). The scientists continued to work in the laboratories and finalize their laboratory procedures. The scientists converged on a sampling plan for shipboard analyses as well as shipboard sampling for ephemeral samples at Site U1443. The ship is scheduled to arrive on site at 0900 h on 8 December.


Daily Science Report for 3 December 2014

Location: Loyang Supply Base Jetty 2A, Singapore

Science Update: The scientists were given presentations on publications, curation and sampling, and education and outreach activities. A lifeboat and anti-piracy drill was held in the afternoon. The scientists had the rest of the day free to pick up any last-minute supplies. The ship is scheduled to depart Singapore at 0900 h on 4 December.


Daily Science Report for 2 December 2014

Location: Loyang Supply Base Jetty 2A, Singapore

Science Update: The scientists were given an overview of the drilling and coring process and downhole logging tools followed by a group discussion of postcruise research plans. The laboratory teams continued to familiarize themselves with the laboratories and learn how to use the laboratory equipment and software. The core describers and micropaleontologists were given an overview of core flow in the laboratories. The ship is scheduled to depart Singapore at 0900 h on 4 December.


Daily Science Report for 1 December 2014

Location: Loyang Supply Base Jetty 2A, Singapore

Science Update: The morning began with introductions of the scientists and technical staff. The scientists attended presentations on computing on the ship, how they will accomplish the goals of the expedition, and the Captain’s safety meeting. The core description and micropaleontology teams were given an introduction to DESClogik and the core describers had hands-on software training in the core laboratory. Half of the scientists were introduced to core flow on the ship. The ship is scheduled to leave Singapore at 0900 h on 4 December.


Daily Science Report for 30 November 2014

Location: Loyang Supply Base Jetty 2A, Singapore

Science Update: The Indian Monsoon Expedition scientific participants moved onto the vessel at 1030 h. The scientists were given presentations about life onboard, ship safety, and an overview of the scientific objectives of the expedition.


Daily Science Report for 29 November 2014

Location: Loyang Supply Base Jetty 2A, Singapore

Science Update: The IODP Indian Monsoon Expedition began at 0936 h with the first line ashore at Loyang Supply Base in Singapore. The Chief Scientists and JOIDES Resolution Science Operator (JRSO) staff boarded the vessel in the morning. Port call activities started with the JRSO staff crew change and cross-over. JRSO freight shipments, including science supplies, were loaded onto the JOIDES Resolution.