Press Releases
January 17, 2014
JAMSTEC
IODP
Plan changes by Deep Sea Scientific Drilling Vessel Chikyu for International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 348: NanTroSEIZE Stage 3
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC; Asahiko Taira, President) scientific drilling vessel Chikyu is now engaged in her current mission, Expedition 348: The Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) Stage 3, scheduled to take place from 13 September 2013 to 20 January 2014 as the first Chikyu drilling expedition under the new International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) (see JAMSTEC press release dated 2 September 2013).
During this drilling project, D/V Chikyu has been engaged in research while overcoming disruptions to its drilling operations caused by poor weather and unstable borehole conditions, and in the course of LWD (logging while drilling) (*1) has been obtaining data on the physical properties of the accretionary prism in addition to collecting rock core samples from deep geological formations.
However, operational delays have occurred on account of a longer than expected period of work suspension caused by bad weather in the form of a succession of large typhoons in September and October and the passage of low pressure weather systems in November and December, in addition to instabilities in the geological condition of the borehole.
Accordingly, to provide for a successful conclusion to the operation, etc., it has been decided that the completion of the current drilling expedition will be postponed until the end of January. We will issue a further announcement once this expedition has been completed.
*1: Logging While Drilling (LWD)
LWD is an analytical technique used to clarify geological formation properties and structures present within a borehole. A wide range of sensors can be attached above the drill bit to the drill string to take various measurements within the borehole. In the course of conducting LWD, Chikyu achieved a new record: the deepest drilling depth in the world reached in scientific drilling (Hole depth: 3058.5 meters below seafloor, Water depth: 1939.0 mbsl).
Contacts:
- (For this study)
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Shin’ichi Kuramoto, Deputy Director
Planning and Coordination Department
Center for Deep Earth Exploration (CDEX) - (For press release)
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Kazushige Kikuchi, Manager
Press Division, Public Relations Department