9.19.2024
Day: 14
Location: At C0019
Weather: Fine but cloudy
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
Weather: Cloudy
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
Weather: Cloudy
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
Weather: Overcast
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
Weather: Rain
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
Weather: Cloudy
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
Weather: Cloudy
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
Weather: Cloudy
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
Weather: Fine but cloudy
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
Weather: Fine but cloudy
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
Weather: Cloudy
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
Weather: Fine but cloudy
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
Weather: Fine but cloudy
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
Weather: Fine
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!
