Sebastian Hammerschmidt

Onboard Scientist University of Bremen (Germany)

One of my main tasks was the accurate evaluation of LWD/MWD (Logging While Drilling and Measurements While Drilling) parameters for the installation of the Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System. This not only helped the engineers in their demanding task to deploy such a highly sophisticated borehole observatory, but also allowed me to broaden my technical and geological horizons. IODP Expedition 332 with CHIKYU was one fantastic experience; I hope that other students will also have the opportunity to participate in the future.

Sean Toczko

JAMSTEC/CDEX Expedition Project Manager

"We really had some ground-breaking advances for IODP and CHIKYU during this expedition. We installed the first permanent observatory in the history of the NanTroSEIZE project, and we also recovered the first long-term pressure and temperature data from the temporary observatory deployed last year. Both observatory platforms have performed well so far, and we are excited about the linkup of the permanent observatory to the DONET network next year, and the geochemical/biological data we expect to recover from the upgraded temporary observatory deployed this expedition. These are exciting times!"

Yasuhiro Namba

JAMSTEC/CDEX Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System Engineer

"In this Expedition, we installed the long-term observatory to help elucidate the mechanisms of mega-thrust earthquake occurrence and collect observations via realtime data when earthquakes occur. We lowered the almost 950 m long observatory assembly down below the sea floor, itself almost 2000 meters deep, while working in difficult and strong sea currents. The work was very difficult, but during that time, we kept up-to-date notifications of our work progress through the internet and people tracking our postings gave us a lot of support. We were so glad and encouraged."