2008 January 31 (Day 44)
Weather: Fine but Cloudy
Site: C0008 (NT2-10) (33°12’ N, 136°43’ E)

After ESCS and HPCS coring through nearly 80 meters of nearly unrecoverable material inferred to be unconsolidated or loose sand based on minimal recovery, core catcher samples, and drilling parameters, we determined to move to C0008B. After asking for and receiving permission to relocate to Hole B, we completed Hole A, shifted the vessel, and began HPCS operations. The initial attempt to recover a mudline core was unsuccessful, requiring coring in Hole C, with a successful mudline core. Coring in slope basin sediments continues.

Several cores containing low, but measurable quantities of H2S gas will require time for processing in order to allow venting of gas. This will add time to both the core processing and the lab work. Based on the time available for lab work and the time remaining in the expedition, we have been in touch with several of the relevant Specialty Coordinators and the scientists involved and are working on solutions to allow the minimum required data to be gathered, reported, and distributed during the expedition.