12.20.2024
Day: 106

Location: At C0019

Chikyu docked at the Port of Shimizu at around 9:30 in the morning, marking the successful end of the 106-day JTRACK expedition. With the cooperation of every team on board, we achieved almost 100% of our goals, so now it's time to hand over the baton to the analysis and research work on land. We were warmly welcomed by many people on the quay, and bouquets were presented to the co-Chief scientists, making this expedition end all the more joyous. 

12.19.2024
Day: 105

Location: At C0019

In the afternoon, Chikyu arrived in Suruga Bay, just off the Port of Shimizu. While the researchers were excited to get mobile phone signals, on board the ship, preparations were underway for the ship's arrival the next morning. The final of the table tennis tournament was held, and the winner was given a huge round of applause! 

12.18.2024
Day: 104

Location: At C0019

Chikyu continues to sail towards the Port of Shimizu, and land is now in sight for the first time in a long while. Researchers are expressing their excitement, saying, "It's land!!! We can see people living their lives!!!" However, the co-chiefs are still holed up in the office, working on checking their reports. The table tennis tournament, where the preliminary rounds were quietly taking place, has decided that the finals will be held tomorrow!  

12.17.2024
Day: 103

Location: At C0019

The Chikyu has finished recovering the acoustic transponders installed on the seabed. These help Chikyu maintain a fixed position on the sea surface relative to the seafloor. Now the vessel is sailing to the Port of Shimizu. The weekday morning ship-to-shore meeting ended today, as all JTRACK work has now been completed. Usually only the co-Chiefs attend, but today as a surprise, all the scientists on board attended and many expressions of gratitude were shared with everyone on board and on shore who worked hard to support this expedition. The countdown to the end of the voyage has finally begun, with the scientists hugging each other, reluctant to say goodbye. 

12.16.2024
Day: 102

Location: At C0019

On board, the final report writing sessions have begun. Scientists who have yet to write their assigned reports are holed up in the labs, but those who have finished writing are walking around the ship with cheerful expressions on their faces. Meanwhile, the co-Chiefs who are reviewing the reports are seeing their jobs pile up as the number of reports submitted increases. Everyone is drinking coffee and working hard! 

12.15.2024
Day: 101

Location: At C0019

On Day 101, Chikyu successfully installed the sensors! The photo shows the same crew that installed the sensors at JFAST & shaking hands after 12 years!（Left photo: JFAST, Right photo: JTRACK）

In the sky, there was a rainbow over the derrick, as if to congratulate us. After this, once the pipes and other equipment are recovered on board, the entire phase is complete. 

12.14.2024
Day: 100

Location: At C0019

Installation of sensors is going well. Scientists held a workshop to wrap up JTRACK. They were busy with core processing & report writing, but now finally have time to discuss the data cross-disciplinary. Lively discussions took place in a very good atmosphere. 

12.13.2024
Day: 99

Location: At C0019

The sensors and tubing were recovered on board #Chikyu and we all checked the situation together & found the cause of the problem, took countermeasures, and were able to check that the sensors were not affected, so we started the installation process again. 

12.12.2024
Day: 98

Location: At C0019

Finally the last big task of JTRACK, the temperature sensors are ready to be installed. While we were carefully lowering them, they suddenly stopped going down. This is very strange because everything went smoothly during the pre-length adjustments. To check the cause, the whole thing will be recovered on board; this is not an easy job! 

12.11.2024
Day: 97

Location: At C0019

Chikyu lowered the assembled tubing & re-entered the wellhead of the borehole where the thermometers are to be installed. Scientists also watched the images from the underwater camera. The mess room is decorated for Christmas. Many thanks to stewards for decorating. 

12.10.2024
Day: 96

Location: At C0019

Chikyu continues to assemble the tubing to be installed in the borehole and is adjusting the length of the rope with thermometers. In the lab, scientists are having lively discussions about the contents of the report. 

12.09.2024
Day: 95

Location: At C0019

The Chikyu has completed recovering the pipes & is now assembling the tubing to be installed in the drilled borehole. The thermometers will be installed in this tubing. Lab work has almost been completed, but the scientists are struggling with deadlines for their reports. Following the hail from yesterday, several tornadoes occured at sea. As if they are also drilling the ocean.  

12.08.2024
Day: 94

Location: At C0019

Chikyu completed drilling to the target depth (925m below seafloor) & started preparations to install thermometers. We all gathered to celebrate the birthday of a scientist, "Happy birthday!"
It was blazing hot when we all departed Shimizu in Sept, but today, snowy hail started to fall on board! 

12.07.2024
Day: 93

Location: At C0019

Chikyu is drilling smoothly!
The final live broadcast from D/V Chikyu was held on board. Public viewings were also held at science museums around the country, allowing many people to see the action aboard. Thanks to everyone who watched & supported us at each venue. 

12.06.2024
Day: 92

Location: At C0019

Chikyu started drilling to install the thermometer observatory. The last JTRACK sampling party was held in the lab. 

12.05.2024
Day: 91

Location: At C0019

Chikyu begins the final JTRACK mission.
This operation will involve placing 128 thermometers with a precision of 1/1000th of a degree in a newly drilled borehole to monitor the movement of fluids in the formation over the long term. 

12.04.2024
Day: 90

Location: At C0019

We completed preparations to lower the wellhead. This is a device installed at the top of the borehole on the seafloor to secure and hold the long-term borehole temperature measurement system. This system will be installed later. The messages written on the JTRACK wellhead are: "Connecting to the future" and a message of gratitude to the late Dr. Casey Moore for his significant contributions 12 years ago to JFAST, and also to subduction research. 

12.03.2024
Day: 89

Location: At C0019

The recovery of the coring bottom hole assembly (BHA) is completed. The cutters of the recovered coring bit showed considerable damage, scars of the fierce battle with the hard rock layer deep below the seafloor.
Thank you for your hard work, Core Bit...!
With the work now at a pause, the scientists are enjoying the sunset on the helideck. 

12.02.2024
Day: 88

Location: At C0019

We completed the last coring of IODP, & we took a commemorative photo. All cores collected from the current hole are high quality. However, the ship seems a bit lonely as some of our friendly outreach officers have disembarked. 

12.01.2024
Day: 87

Location: At C0019

Coring begins! Scientists are excited to see high quality core samples, incl. chert & basalt layers, the 1st time to be recovered! This is the last coring for the 11-yr IODP! Operation geologist is also excited to see these beautiful cores! 

11.30.2024
Day: 86

Location: At C0019

We have recovered the drill pipe and are now preparing for coring. The photo (L) shows the core bits to be used this time. The (R) photo shows the drill pipe connections where fatigue accumulates to check for cracks, etc.  

11.29.2024
Day: 85

Location: At C0019

There's a mysterious room between the residential and lab areas of Chikyu. This is actually a way to prevent the air in the lab from flowing into the living quarters, and not only in the small room, but the air pressure in the lab is lower than in the living quarters. 

11.28.2024
Day: 84

Location: At C0019

We've had bad weather recently, so for safety, the elevators have been stopped. If you look closely, you can see lightning in the sky! Weather & ocean conditions have improved, so once pipe prep is done, we'll lower the coring BHA. 

11.27.2024
Day: 83

Location: At C0019

Operations have been suspended due to the passage of a low pressure system. Today we will introduce you to the 'Phantom Room', which only appears once a week for half an hour. On Sundays, around midday, the doors of the warehouse, which are normally locked, are opened. As soon as the price list is stuck on the door, the warehouse is transformed into a shop and the people on board gather to buy daily necessities and snacks. One OSI, by the way, is said to buy cartons of coke here. 

11.26.2024
Day: 82

Location: At C0019

We have finally drilled to the target depth for our coring operations at this hole, and now we are beginning to recover the BHA in preparation for coring at the next hole. We have new photos from the scientists, which you can see here: Catwalk to Drillfloor, the large Moonpool, and So. Many. Stairs!!! 

11.25.2024
Day: 81

Location: At C0019

The accommodation stack, where all of the passenger cabins are located, is like a maze, with every floor and corridor looking the same! It's easy to get lost, so it's a nightmare for people with a poor sense of direction. Since many people get lost on the ship, especially immediately after boarding, we installed guides in the corridors just before JTRACK. The system works so that even first-time passengers can feel at ease: "Follow the blue signs to get to the labs; Follow the green signs to get to the Galley". 

11.24.2024
Day: 80

Location: At C0019

Today marks the 80th day since the start of JTRACK. We are trying again to collect core samples from the bottom of the chert layer and the basalt layer below that! This time, we will switch to a another drilling bit, so we can try again to drill to the planned coring depth. We immediately lowered the drilling formation to the seafloor and began drilling the new hole. 

11.23.2024
Day: 79

Location: At C0019

The chert layer was a tough opponent. Coring boreholes are drilled with a special coring bit, that has a hole in the center where the cylindrical core sample is drilled out by the bit, and then collected in the inner core barrel, inside a protective pleastic core liner. The inner coring barrel is pulled back on deck using the coring winch, and then the core liner and recovered core are removed and brought to the core cutting area for registration, initial scientific sampling, and cutting into 1.5 m sections. When the core bit was pulled up onto deck, it had been worn so smooth, that it was unrecognizable! 

11.22.2024
Day: 78

Location: At C0019

Since things weren't going as expected, we decided to pull up the drilling bottom hole assembly (BHA) from the hole and check the condition of the bit on board. Coring below the chert layer seems to be quite difficult. The lab's busiest period for the Window 2 researchers was right after they came on board, so after core analyses were on hold while waiting for more core, we decided to take a tour of the bridge and other parts of the ship. 

Photo: The scientist enjoying the bridge tour.

11.21.2024
Day: 77

Location: At C0019

Challenges are always difficult. Core drilling the chert layer is not easy, so the drilling team is making use of their collective wisdom and experience to deal with it. When the drilling team went to the break area on deck, they found an unusual visitor. It had a leg band, so it looked like a racing pigeon. It flew all the way from land to Chikyu, which takes 70 minutes by helicopter, so we hope the pigeon will be able to have an enjoyable and relaxing visit. 

11.20.2024
Day: 76

Location: At C0019

Chikyu continues drilling through the chert layer to the depth where coring begins. The drilling speed is slowing down as we entered a very solid lower part of the chert layer. We collected coresamples from the upper part of the chert layer before, but this is the very first attempt to core from the lower part of the chert layer & even deeper basalt layer. 

Photo: Left > Derrick at night.
Photo: Right > Driller's house.

11.19.2024
Day: 75

Location: At C0019

Chikyu is drilling smoothly and is just about to reach the coring depth (about 900m below the seafloor). Scientists are processing core samples and preparing reports. 

Photo: Left > Deep-sea fish captured by the underwater camera🐟⁉️.
Photo: Right > Wind gate being closed to protect the drilling team on the drill floor from strong winds.

11.18.2024
Day: 74

Location: At C0019

Chikyu started drilling for the next round of coring. This time we'll try to reach the basalt layer (oceanic plate) deeper below the chert layer‼️ After a brief rest on the ship, scientists returned to the lab. 

Photo: Left > Scientists making human characters during a break.
Photo: Right > Co-Chiefs confirming the position of the drilling site on the bridge.

11.17.2024
Day: 73

Location: At C0019

The SD-RCB bottom-hole assembly (BHA) is approaching the seafloor for deep core samples; now on standby while a cold front passes. After a 24h break, scientists resumed processing the core samples.  

11.16.2024
Day: 72

Location: At C0019

Equipment maintenance is complete! Chikyu is lowering the SD-RCB (Small Diameter-Rotary Coring Barrel). Scientists are taking a well-deserved 24h break after completing core processing. The Lab is quiet for a while. 

11.15.2024
Day: 71

Location: At C0019

Shallow coring reached the target depth. Next, we will try to get some core samples from bottom of Chert layer to the basalt below the plate boundary fault zone. 

Photo: Cutting the core line after lifting the drill pipe.

11.14.2024
Day: 70

Location: At C0019

Coring continues as Chikyu cores in shallow sediments at Site C0019. Shallow & surface core samples are used for studies such as: when did earthquakes (in past & deep history) occur, & how the global climate has changed over the past tens of thousands of years. 

11.13.2024
Day: 69

Location: At C0019

Coring is continuing at the JTCT-01A sight. The photo on the left shows the inner barrel temporarily placed in the mouth hole after retrieving the inner barrel. After this, the upper part is detached and the inner barrel is rolled over to release the core liner inside, but since the core liner could not be detached due to deformation, it is rolled over together and the core is retrieved as shown in the photo on the right. This is an unusual operation. We are almost to the target depth. 

11.12.2024
Day: 68

Location: At C0019

A photo from Chikyu of scientists enjoying a brief break over a beautiful sunset. Window2 scientists have had poor weather since boarding so they finally got to see one! Next we have photo from the helideck, where a scientist has taken a photo of another scientist taking a photo of another scientist taking a photo of a scientis! 

11.11.2024
Day: 67

Location: At C0019

Chikyu moved to Site C0019 for more coring. After inspecting the recovered coring tools and replacing the bit, the coring assembly is being lowered to the seafloor again. In the photo on the left, the crew is checking the condition of the bit . In the photo on the right, the crew are preparing the diverter guide roller (DGR), which supports and guides the drill pipe as it passes through the drill floor. 

11.10.2024
Day: 66

Location: At C0026

Chikyu continues coring near the seafloor. The photo on the left shows the inner barrel (the tube in which the core is placed) being recovered. The photo on the right shows a core section being placed in an insulated box to measure its thermal conductivity. The lab is very busy! 

11.09.2024
Day: 65

Location: At C0026

A few days ago, when we reached the chert layer and finished pumping, we saw a beautiful rainbow from the core cutting area of the Chikyu (where core samples are cut and processed)! If you look closely, you can even see a faint secondary rainbow. It was as if we were celebrating the completion of our work. 

11.08.2024
Day: 64

Location: At C0026

Coring has begun at the current site, and the first core sample has been collected from a shallow sediment layer near the seafloor. The photo on the left shows the drill floor during work, and the photo on the right shows the equipment used to recover the inner barrel, which holds the newly drilled core. Coring will continue here until the science targets are reached. 

11.07.2024
Day: 63

Location: At C0026

Chikyu finished coring at C0026B. Some of the teeth on the drill bits were broken, showing that the chert layer was very hard. Next, Chikyu will shift just a bit closer to shore & collect core samples from closer to the seafloor. 

11.06.2024
Day: 62

Location: At C0026

Following last month's drilling in the North American plate, we have now reached the chert layer in the Pacific plate, where coring is currently being conducted! When the long-awaited core samples containing chert were brought to the core cutting area, some of the researchers cheered out loud in excitement! 

11.05.2024
Day: 61

Location: At C0026

The coring in the current borehole is nearing its end, with the target layer fast approaching. The scientists are excited and delighted to have obtained core sections showing very visible changes in the rock layers! Meanwhile, on the drill floor of the Chikyu, in parallel with the ongoing coring, assembly work has begun to get the coring tools ready for the next borehole. 

11.04.2024
Day: 60

Location: At C0026

Today marks the 60th day since the start of the JTRACK expedition. The coring work is ongoing, and we have now reached half of the planned drilling depth for this hole. Chikyu operates 24 hours a day, and scientists in the lab are also conducting various analyses in 12-hour shifts. In the lab, scientists take great care examining the core sections from all sides! Don't drop it! 

11.03.2024
Day: 59

Location: At C0026

Core drilling continues, with core samples being brought up one after another. The core samples are coming up every 3.5 hours, and the scientists in the lab are working at full capacity to keep up with them. At this rate, we may reach half the planned drilling depth in no time.  

11.02.2024
Day: 58

Location: At C0026

Late at night, a little after midnight, the first core sample from the current borehole arrived aboard Chikyu. The Driller's House, also known as "The Dog House", is the main control room for all the drilling operations and drilling equipment used for LWD and coring. This small space is the heart of drilling operations aboard Chikyu. Thanks to the careful and efficient operation of the experienced professionals in this room, core samples have been coming aboard one after another, and the scientists are off to a good start working on cores from this drill site.  

11.01.2024
Day: 57

Location: At C0026

Today, we arrived at the next drilling site, where we will continue coring, and started lowering the drill pipe to the sea floor. There was a lot of drill pipe stored in the derrick yesterday, but since we started lowering drill pipe today, the drill pipes have quickly disappeared downhole.
For this expedition, 8,200 m of drill pipe is ready-to-use in the derrick, with about 2,000 m of unassembled drill pipe is on board as spares and back-ups. 

10.31.2024
Day: 56

Location: At C0026

After about a month of coring, the drill pipes have been recovered onboard Chikyu, and racked back in ready storage in the derrick. The sight of over 8,000 m of drill pipe stored in the pipe rack is impressive. The drill bits that reached the chert layer showed definite signs of struggle. Today is Halloween, and handmade Halloween decorations have appeared all over the lab. 

10.30.2024
Day: 55

Location: At C0019

Chikyu has reached the chert layer. Coring at this site is complete, and we will next move further offshore to attempt collecting core samples from the Pacific plate just before it subducts below the North American plate. With all the Window 2 scientists aboard now, JTRACK has reached the halfway point.

What is chert?
Chert is a rock that has been formed by the slow deposition and hardening of the remains of organisms with shells made of silicon dioxide (SiO2), such as radiolarians (photo right), on the deep sea floor far from land at a rate of several mm per thousand years. This material is very hard and historically was used by people as flint in the past. The chert layer is located right on top of the oceanic crust (basaltic lava) of the Pacific plate. 

10.29.2024
Day: 54

Location: At C0019

IODP Exp 405 continuies to core down to the chert layer so that the entire plate boundary fault zone can be captured. The fault zone is thicker than expected, and the scientists are surprised by the many discoveries that can only be understood by actually drilling and collecting cores from deep under the ocean floor. By now, all the scientists for Window 2, the second half of the expedition, have boarded the ship and immediately joined the sampling party. 

Photo: Left > The co-chiefs & a fresh coresample
Photo: Right > 12 years ago on JFAST

10.28.2024
Day: 53

Location: At C0019

After a lengthy effort, the #IODP Exp #405 team have finally collected the long-awaited plate boundary fault core. The crew was smiling, and all the scientists and staff involved in #JTRACK, including the co-chiefs, were filled with joy and excitement. We would like to give a big round of applause to the drilling team and everyone on board #Chikyu for their hard work. Coring continues, as the next target is to recover the upper part of the chert layer. 

10.27.2024
Day: 52

Location: At C0019

Cores continue arriving on Chikyu. The scientists are working hard to keep up with the analyses of the cores, while keeping a close eye on the core recovery rates.
Bonus: When we checked on the Galley, we could witness the amazing skill of the chef, expertly demonstrating cooking goya chanpuru stir-fry in large frying pan. 

10.26.2024
Day: 51

Location: At C0019

Chikyu continues collecting additional cores. The scientists who had just boarded the ship the day before joined the sampling party in the lab right away, and seemed surprised by the vigorous discussions over the beautiful and extremely precious cores. We also celebrated the birthday of the OSI (Operation Super Intendent, the Chief of Operations and Drilling) . Happy birthday!!! 

10.25.2024
Day: 50

Location: At C0019

Chikyu has shifted position slightly and started drilling for additional coring. The Window 1 and Window 2 scientists of JTRACK are gradually being rotating onto and off the ship, and some had tears in their eyes as they saw off their colleagues who had been working with them for last two months leave by helicopter. Meanwhile, the newly arrived scientists are bringing new energy and enthusiasm onto the ship. 

10.24.2024
Day: 49

Location: At C0019

Drilling finally reached the target depth at Hole C0019J. Scientists are currently analyzing the core samples in the lab, but we will conduct additional coring to ensure that the science targets are being achieved. Scientists will start rotating out tomorrow, so today will be the Window 1 scientists's last sampling party aboard. 

10.23.2024
Day: 48

Location: At C0019

Coring in borehole C0019J is now reaching its final target. We can sense the tension in the backs of the chief scientists as they await the arrival of the core samples on deck. 

10.22.2024
Day: 47

Location: At C0019

Photo of the LWD (logging while drilling) tools that successfully drilled the very hard chert layer (9/23). The drill pipes get scratched while drilling. The rusted middle pipe is the motor & rotates the bit downhole. The other tools are stainless steel. 

10.21.2024
Day: 46

Location: At C0019

Chikyu resumed coring. From the condition of the core samples, it looks like we might be approaching the plate boundary fault, our main target! Scientists & lab techs onboard are excitedly checking the core as they come aboard. 

10.20.2024
Day: 45

Location: At C0019

Chikyu coring is on a short break, because of bad sea conditions caused by a passing cold front. In the meantime, scientists are hard at work, trying to catch up on the work piling up in the lab; processing core samples, checking and entering data, & writing reports.

The last photo gives you an idea of sea conditions last Saturday, with wave heights of 7 m & wind speeds of 20 m/s. The elevators on board were stopped due to the shaking, but as the waves & winds gradually calmed down, now everything is back to operating as usual. 

10.19.2024
Day: 44

Location: At C0019

After core samples are collected on board, they are split in half lengthwise, to separate them into "working halves" for sampling and then "archive halves" for analysis and long-term preservation and storage. The photo on the left shows a core sample after being split in half. The white material on the surface of the core section is core liner chips made by the saw while cutting through the plastic core liner during the cutting process. These white chips are carefully and quickly removed by lab technicians as shown in the photo on the right. Core splitting is a steady and important job in support of scientific research. 

10.18.2024
Day: 43

Location: At C0019

Chikyu is a huge ship, over 200 meters long and 30 meters wide, with the most eye-catching feature being the derrick in the center of the ship's hull. Normally, even anyone is not allowed to enter the derrick so often, but we had a special opportunity to visit the top of the derrick. The Chikyu's hull looks very attractive against the open sea in front of us. The view from nearly 100 meters above the sea level is breathtaking. 

10.17.2024
Day: 42

Location: At C0019

Drilling operations and core sample analysis are continuing today, and the first photo shows the final adjustment of the core liner on the rig floor,namely, preparation before core collection. The core samples are coming in it. Fortunately, we were able to see the super moon from the ship (2nd and 3rd photos)! 

10.16.2024
Day: 41

Location: At C0019

For both paleomagnetic analysis and physical properties (P-wave velocity) analysis, cube-shaped samples must be taken from the core samples that have been split in half. When the sediments solidify, they may need to be cut out with a rock cutter, which is a surprisingly difficult preparation. If a sample with cracks is chosen, it may crumble when cut. This beautiful cube (approximately 2 cm on each side) in the image are true works of art! 

10.15.2024
Day: 40

Location: At C0019

Today, as a break in between work, the scientists held a birthday party to celebrate the birthdays of science party members born in October. The birthdays were celebrated with cookies and other sweets prepared by the galley and a platter of fruit. When the party emcee asked one of the guests, "What would you like for your birthday?", he answered, "A core sample from the fault zone!" 

10.14.2024
Day: 39

Location: At C0019

Drilling is progressing smoothly, and Chikyu has now reached about half the planned drilling depth of the current hole. Core cutting work continues, to cut the 9.5m long cores into 1.4m core sections that can be more easily transported and worked on in the labs. Work on conducting the standard shipboard measurements is also proceeding without a hitch! 

Photo: Left > The physical property team measured the volume of the dried sample using a pycnometer. The density of the sample was derived from the volume and weight.

Photo: Right > The structural geology team devised a simple way to identify structures in the cores sections by laying down toothpicks to mark them on the surface of the core section.

10.13.2024
Day: 38

Location: At C0019

Early-career & student scientists often learn directly from established senior scientists onboard. This is one of the strengths of the IODP program, where this lets the students gain valuable knowledge and experience, which helps them grow rapidly. The young researchers on board JFAST have grown and become co-chief scientist leaders aboard JTRACK! 

10.12.2024
Day: 37

Location: At C0019

Engineers came to perform needed maintenance on the X-ray CT scanner. This is a characteristic piece of equipment in the Chikyu lab, just like ones found in hospitals! The X-ray CT (XCT) scanner is used to inspect the internal structure of core samples without having to cut them open, and this can discover cracks, gaps, and special structures that cannot be seen from the outside. The XCT is used in JTRACK, where researchers are engaged in serious discussions, while looking at the acquired image data, or XCT pictures of the interior of the core sections. 

10.11.2024
Day: 36

Location: At C0019

As the rough sea conditions began to calm down a bit, drilling work that had been suspended was resumed at dawn. The first core section after work resumed was welcomed into the lab with thunderous applause from the scientists. The photo shows a scientist squeezing a core section sample in a hydraulic press to squeeze out the water (pore water) contained in the sediments for a range of chemical analyses. 

10.10.2024
Day: 35

Location: At C0019

Due to bad weather, we decided to suspend drilling operations and wait for the weather to improve. So now we have some time to help referesh the minds & spirits of the hard-working scientists with a little friendly competition and physical exercise. The scientists have been warming up carefully in preparation for the ping-pong tournament, and with the tournament tables for each day and night shift being finally prepared, the tournament began. The winners of the day and night shifts will face off in the final match.  　　　

10.09.2024
Day: 34

Location: At C0019

Sampling has finally begun! Scientists are taking turns collecting personal samples from core samples. They are also watch-dogging the collections of samples for scientists who are still on shore. The collected samples will be used for various research at the scientists' research labs on land after the expedition is over. 

10.08.2024
Day: 33

Location: At C0019

The coring is proceeding smoothly. Co-chief Marianne Conin, Logging Staff Scientists Erwan Le Ber and Marisa Rydzy, and Lisa Smith, the outreach officer from ANZIC, exchanged places with the new incoming co-chief Christine Regalla. Here's a photo before the outgoing team boarded the helicopter. During the live broadcast with sixth graders from Kochi, many questions were asked, making it a very successful event. 

10.07.2024
Day: 32

Location: At C0019

Core sections are transported one after another to the lab on Chikyu. Despite the bad weather, work is progressing smoothly. The very bottom part of the coring barrel inner assembly, the core catcher, is removed separately, and hand-carried to the core cutting area, as seen in photo #1. This section is used by the paleontologists to look for microfossils to help determine the age of the sediments being cored. Photo #2 shows scientists deep in discussion over core #1 from #JTRACK . 

10.06.2024
Day: 31

Location: At C0019

The first cores arrived in the core cutting area, and all the scientists from the day & night shifts gathered together for a celebratory photo. Analysis in the lab has begun, and core samples are beginning to arrive one after another from the seafloor to the rig floor. The researchers are going to be extremely busy in the labs from now on.  　　　

Photo: Scentists and the first core of JTRACK

10.05.2024
Day: 30

Location: At C0019

JTRACK coring finally began last night when the first core from Site C0019 arrived onboard! Those sampling flags are standing by. Thanks again to everyone who joined the live broadcast from Chikyu.  　　　

Photo: Pull out core liner from inner barrel

10.04.2024
Day: 29

Location: At C0019

The drilling assembly has reached a depth of about 7,000m; all by connecting a series of 9.5m long drill pipes. JFAST wellhead & WASURENAI message was visually confirmed by underwater TV camera. JTRACK is now ready for first core sample return.  　　　

Photo: JFAST observatory wellhead (C0019D) by UWTV

10.03.2024
Day: 28

Location: At C0019

After completing maintenance of onboard equipment, Chikyu begins lowering the SD-RCB (Small Diameter Rotary Coring Barrel). The team will again collect geological cores from the JFAST drilling site for the first time in 12 years, but this time, the team aims to collect cores continuously from the seafloor to the target depth.  　　　

Photo: SD-RCB Corebit

10.02.2024
Day: 27

Location: At C0019

Typhoon No. 17 has passed and the Chikyu has returned to site (C0019). The drilling team is maintaining onboard equipment in preparation for coring. The image shows before and after parts replacement of a very important piece of equipment developed by JAMSTEC for the ultra-deepwater depth of 7000m. By passing the drill pipe through this equipment, stress, frictional heat, and wear on the pipe caused by the currents of the Kuroshio Current and ship motion can be reduced. Preparations for the third phase of core drilling are steadily underway.  　　　

10.01.2024
Day: 26

Location: Typhoon evacuation point

With the recovery of the drill pipes completed, it's time to move on to coring operations. However, at the moment, Chikyu is currently sheltering to avoid Typhoon JEBI.As part of the preparations for coring, researchers are making flags to mark places on the core working half sections to indicate "who will be responsible for collecting samples" as shown in the photo. 

9.30.2024
Day: 25

Location: At C0026

Chikyu kept trying to loosen the pipe, but it's stuck fast. The drilling team worked with third party engineers to cut it downhole & are pulling it out. The photo shows the pipe cutting tool being set up on the drilling floor. After this, Chikyu will evacuate the area to avoid Typhoon JEBI and scientists will prepare for coring which is the next science target of the expedition.  　　　


Photo: Third-party engineer on the drillfloor, preparing the cutting tool assembly

9.29.2024
Day: 24

Location: At C0026

Chikyu continued LWD drilling at Hole C0026A through the target basalt layer but the pipe has suddenly gotten stuck, and could not proceed any further. The drilling team are working to free the pipe from the hole. Scientists are monitoring the situation, analyzing the realtime data obtained so far. Meanwhile, scientists are getting briefed on lab tools used for core analyses.  　　　

Photo: Lectures in the laboratory

9.28.2024
Day: 23

Location: At C0026

Chikyu has been very active this week at Hole C0026A with the second LWD drilling; we have seen some very exciting data! At the same time, preparations for the customary onboard ping-pong tournament have begun. This off-shift activity, like yoga, and the ship gym, provide important moments of relaxation and peace of mind for the staff who are working 24 hours a day (in 12 hour shifts!) on drilling and research.  　　　

Photo: Ready for the ping-pong tournament? (Of course！)

9.27.2024
Day: 22

Location: At C0026

Chikyu continues LWD drilling at Site C0026A since last 9/25.
The first photo shows a researcher eagerly checking data to see if the drilling hole has penetrated into the basalt layer. The coring strategy for the next holes is also continuing to be refined during discussions within the science party.
The second photo shows yellow paint being applied to make the drill string easier to see with the UWTV (a TV camera used underwater).  　　　

9.26.2024
Day: 21

Location: At C0026

Chikyu continues LWD drilling at Site C0026A. The Science Team has been working around the clock working on the Site C0019 data, and also the new realtime data coming in.. The pictures show a coring bit (notice the hole in the center for collecting core) & core inner barrels, both of which will be used for core collection at the next site. The scientists can't wait to have actual core samples!.  　　　

Photo: Priparing Coring

9.25.2024
Day: 20

Location: At C0026

Chikyu started drilling at the second LWD (logging while drilling) drillsite at Hole C0026A and reached 1/2 the planned depth. All the teams onboard are working safely despite dealing with fast currents and bad weather.  　　　

Photo: Lightning seen from Chikyu!

9.24.2024
Day: 19

Location: At C0026

To prepare for the second LWD (logging while drilling), the UWTV (underwater television camera) was lowered from Chikyu to survey the seafloor around the planned drill site, to be called Hole C0026A. The scientists printed out the logging data on A4 paper, taped them together and laid them out for discussion. While we have monitors and plotters for this, this kind of layout makes it easier to view as a whole, and engage a larger team in the interpretation of the results.  　　　

Photo: Researchers sticking printed paper together (analogue, even though this is a state-of-the-art facility!)

9.23.2024
Day: 18

Location: At C0026

Chikyu arrived at the next LWD (logging while drilling) site. Tansponders were placed on the seabed and the DPS (dynamic possioning system) was calibrated to automatically keep position above the drill site. On the drill floor, the LWD bottom hole assembly was organised, assembled, and then began to make the long descent to the seafloor below. Meanwhile, the researchers are preparing their reports, and are having many discussions on the interpretation of the first LWD data results.  　　　

Photo: Assembling at the drill floor

9.22.2024
Day: 17

Location: At C0019

After the drill pipe was recovered on deck, we checked the drill bit that was just pulled up from the seabed and saw it was quite worn down. We are grateful to the drill bit for all its hard work! Chikyu has completed drilling with LWD at the first drilling site on the landward side of the trench axis. The next part of the operational and scientific plan is to start LWD on the sea side of the trench axis, on the incoming plate; therefore, Chikyu has started moving towards the next drill site.  　　　

Photo: Drill bit after recocery

9.21.2024
Day: 16

Location: At C0019

Around midnight, the LWD data began to show results contrary to the scientists' expectations. The scientists who had been due to finish their work at midnight stayed behind and were joined by the new shift of scientists who started their work at midnight. The scientists had a very good discussion about how to interpret the results they were seeing.  　　　

Photo: The moment Chikyu reached the target depth!

9.20.2024
Day: 15

Location: At C0019

Today, four outreach specialists joined the onboard science party, and they completed their shipboard induction, including safety training, fitting personal protective equipment (PPE), lab training, and computer network settings.There were 25 researchers on board at the time of departure for this expedition, and there are not enough desks for each in the library. The shared desks were already full, so there was a lot of hectic activity on board, with conference rooms being hastily converted into workspaces. Meanwhile, the LWD had reached the fault zone, and the researchers held various discussions based on the data being received in real time.We are looking forward to the LWD proceeding smoothly from here on out.  　　　

Photo: Reserchers discussing on the real-time logging data

9.19.2024
Day: 14

Location: At C0019

Chikyu continued LWD drilling at Site C0019 since yesterday.In the Lab, researchers have been watching the real-time logging data streaming in, taking shifts so the scientists can cover the 24 hr operations. We expect to reach the fault zone before dawn on the 20th.  　　　

Photo: Watching the real-time logging data

9.18.2024
Day: 13

Location: At C0019

Today we spotted in at the target drill Site and started LWD drilling. The scientists can watch real-time data coming in smoothly, in parallel with the drilling.  　　　

Photo: LWD drilling

9.17.2024
Day: 12

Location: At C0019

Chikyu lowered the LWD (Logging While Drilling) tools to the seabed and prepared to drill. On sunny days, scientists take breaks from the lab to enjoy the sunrise/sunsets & fresh air on the helideck. Today, they also celebrated the co-chiefs birthday. Instead of a birthday cake, the kitchen staff prepared a fruit platter.  　　　

Photo: Happy birthday, Marianne!

9.16.2024
Day: 11

Location: At C0019

Chikyu lowered the LWD bottom hole assembly (BHA) while running equipment function tests.In the lab, veteran scientists mentored early-career scientists as they practice analyses. These early-career scientists will gain priceless field experience aboard.  　　　

Photo: Veteran palaeomagnetic researcher watching a early-caree scientists practising

9.15.2024
Day: 10

Location: At C0019

Chikyu started drilling & entered the logging-while-drilling (LWD) phase at Site C0019. Scientists are getting trained on paleomagnetism and reviewing methods for recording geological structures. They also conducted their weekly Safety Drill.   　　　

Photo: Co-cheifs watching the OSI giving instructions for seabed survey

9.14.2024
Day: 9

Location: At C0019

Chikyu keeps working 24 hrs, even on the weekend. Today, the LWD tool and underwater TV(UWTV) reached the seafloor, preparing to survey the site before starting LWD. Co-chiefs and the drilling team verified the drill sites for LWD & coring, and the sedimentologists discussed possible lithologies.   　　　


Photo: Team discussing possible types of lithofacies

9.13.2024
Day: 8

Location: At C0019

Chikyu recovered the observatory landing tools, completing Phase 1. Next, logging while drilling (LWD) preparation will start. In the labs, scientists separate by specialty teams to confirm sampling procedures. Engineers were swapped out by heli transfer.  　　　

Photo: Helicopter departing Chikyu, taking back members of the drilling team to main land

9.12.2024
Day: 7

Location: At C0019

Chikyu successfully installed sensors in Hole C0019D of JFAST! These sensors are going to collect data for several years. In the lab, scientists discussed distribution plans for core samples to be collected, and presented their research background & plans to the science party. Labtechs demonstrated the core splitter.  　　　


Photo: Runnging down the sensor assembly to JFAST well

9.11.2024
Day: 6

Location: At C0019

Chikyu conducted a sensor installation test today and everything proceeded smoothly! Onboard scientists were briefed on using XRay Diffraction equipment. One highlight was a live streaming to JAMSTEC2024; thanks to our viewers!  　　　

Photo: Live streaming to JAMSTEC2024

9.10.2024
Day: 5

Location: At C0019

We found the original borehole from JFAST 12 years ago. The 7km long drillpipe, even affected by the Kuroshio Current & deflected by several tens of meters, was able to find the borehole. On board, the researchers had a lively exchange of views.  　　　

Photo: Researchers watching reconnecttion going on

9.9.2024
Day: 4

Location: At C0019

JTRACK's first regular weekday online morning meeting with land kicked off today. Sharing information between land and Chikyu is very important during operations, so morning meetings are held every weekday. LWD (logging while drilling) training and the first live broadcast from Chikyu with the Geological Society was done. Preparations are underway to deploy the temperature observatory.  　　　

Photo: Daily morning meeting with land

9.8.2024
Day: 3

Location: At C0019

Maintaining position accurately is very important in drilling operations. Chikyu has a Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) to keep its position and today we calibrated it. The engineers checked the operation of the tool to reconnect to the borehole, and gave the members of the first half of the science party a tour of the ship. 


Photo: Re-engaging tool going down the Moon Pool

9.7.2024
Day: 2

Location: Arrived at C0019

At 2000 hours, Chikyu arrived safely at site C0019. The Kuroshio current pushed Chikyu along faster than expected. During the transit, the crew and researchers on board held meetings to discuss the objectives and operations for JTRACK. To prevent infection of others already on board, new passengers are required to wear a mask for the first ３ days after boarding. 


Photo: Everyone in the meeting room

9.6.2024
Day: 1

Location: Shimizu port

Chikyu departed from Shimizu Port at 10am as scheduled. There was a very lively atmosphere at the quay with flowers being presented to the Captain and OIM (Offshore Installation Manager, the person in charge of the drilling operation), real time webcast, media interviews and a farewell by many people involved with Chikyu. Normally, pilots board the bridge of the Chikyu and give instructions to the captain and crew to guide her safely out of the port. This time, surprisingly, the pilot who boarded was a former captain of Chikyu! It was a very reassuring departure for us to be led by someone who knows the Chikyu so well. 

Photo: Bon Voyage!