Long hours in the lab staring at computers and working with data can lead to lack of exercise. For refreshment and health, there is the helideck or the gym. Scientist Peter Flemings (University of Texas, Austin) encouraged all members of the science party to join in and finally succeeded to make almost everyone have some exercise. You may go around 50 times on the helideck for 30 minutes of jogging, depending on your speed.

Shipboard scientist Kazuya Kitada (IFREE, JAMSTEC) with Co-Chief Scientisit Eiichiro Araki, preparing the upcoming experiment. Dr. Kitada is now working on the dummy run test of strainmeter and seismometer that will be installed as a part of long-term observatory into drilled hole in future stage of NanTroSEIZE. The data for evaluation of shock during installation to the deep drill hole will be collected. The procedure of installation will also be confirmed during the dummy run test.

Scientists David Buchs (Univ. Lausanne, Switzerland) and Kuniyo Kawabata (National Central Univ. of Taiwan) (right), discuss some of their results with Co-Chiefs Demian Saffer and Lisa McNeill aboard Chikyu. Drs. Kawabata and Buchs are working on describing the lithological formations that define the different rock layers below the seafloor at Site C0009. This region covers a 1600 meter section that was drilled from below the seafloor.

Marianne Conin (physical properties and logging specialist from University of Aix-Marseille III, France) taking a break from work to enjoy the snacks kindly provided by the galley.

Left to right, Lisa McNeill (Co-Chief, University of Southampton, UK), Demian Saffer (Co-Chief, Penn State University, USA) and Sean Toczko (EPM, CDEX, Japan) pose for a photo during a tour of the rig floor and VSP equipment. Today, we were surprised by the amount of wildlife around the vessel – a swarm of large dragonflies, sharks and birds.

Today, the scientists looked at the equipment that will be placed in the borehole for the VSP experiment (see 22 July entry for an explanation of what this experiment will involve). Here, Yoshinori Sanada (JAMSTEC, Japan) is explaining here how the equipment works to the onboard scientists.

Although the weather was too overcast today (22 July, 2009) to view the 80% solar eclipse, we were able to witness a different kind of eclipse as Research Vessel Kairei drove past the stern of Chikyu in preparation for our upcoming VSP experiment.

* VSP stands for Vertical Seismic Profiling, in which sound waves are used to visualize the structure and layering of geological formations under the seafloor. By using instruments in a borehole rather than at the sea surface, a clearer and more detailed image of the subsurface can be obtained.

Today, Tuesday 22 July 2009, there was a total eclipse of the sun for the first time in 46 years near Japan, and here in the Nankai Trough, about 60 km offshore, we were ready to watch the 80% eclipse from Chikyu, BUT... even though Yasu Kano (Kyoto Univ, Japan) was well-prepared with shaded goggles, could only see the lights of the drill tower in the heavily overcast sky.

David Buchs (Univ. Lausanne, Switzerland) and Kuniyo Kawabata (National Central Univ. of Taiwan) describe core from the first riser borehole ever drilled in IODP. These cores were collected from 1500 m (approximately 1 mile!) below the seabed, and provide information about the geological history of the Kumano Basin and of the Nankai subduction system.

The scientists on board the Chikyu will start posting a report about their research, daily life and “picture of a day” during their stay on the ship soon. Don't miss it!
Dear Group-A science party, thank you for your hard work through the 6 week onboard research! (Group photo with Chikyu’s crew and the 1st science party of the riser drilling operation in IODP)