Post-cruise research & strategy were discussed in the Conference Room for almost the entire day! The final draft of the report was also prepared, & the lab was cleaned up, as preparations for disembarkation are underway.
【Part 1】
Personal sampling is complete, & lab technicians are checking everything twice. Photo shows core samples being packed (wrapped, purged with nitrogen, packed with oxygen absorbers, placed on the core stand, & stored in the core rack).
【Part 2】
Mt. Fuji seen from the helideck of Chikyu (6AM and 8AM).
【Part 1】
Thanks to thorough advance preparations & planning, we were able to sample more core sections than planned!
Researchers are working hard on writing & preparing reports!
【Part 2】
After completing drilling, Chikyu is offshore the Port of Shimizu. We saw a beautiful rainbow!
The combination of the derrick and the setting sun is a very beautiful symbol of the end of the expedition & all the hard work of the scientists' and crew.
All core description work was completed this morning! Now begins the remaining personal sampling. Co-Chief Michi gave a well-received Science Cafe on objectives & results of Exp. 503 to crew, scientists, & engineers. We also had a ship tour!
In the lab, we're focusing on core description & sampling. Powdered sample analysis has also begun. In between, we cleaned the core cutting area (where the cores are first delivered). It's sparkling clean now!
Today, the drilling team, onboard crew, & scientists gathered on the helideck for a commemorative photo! It was windy, but everyone had great smiles! The three science communicators also took a commemorative photo.
Exp. 503 research expedition is nearing the end. The final core has been brought up. We took a commemorative photo with scientists & lab techs as the core was placed inside! At the lab, discussions of time-sensitive & sample collection continue.
【Part 1】
Also standing by for severe weather today. Preparing forms used to fill the holes after sampling(photo L), setting a sample on GC-FID(center), checking core seismic integration data(photo R).
【Part 2】
This morning, hail started falling and there was lightning too! Amaizing!
The drilling team's hard work got the last Hole C core & we waited on bad weather. While rough weather rocked the ship, some lab work had to stop; we continued to do what we could. We also started personal sampling. Flags are everywhere (photo R)!
Cores are coming up 1-by-1 again, & scientists are steadily working on their analyses. Making smear slides (photo L), collecting pore water (center left), samples for measurement (center right), & chief scientist also cutting cores (photo R).
Labs continue to focus on core sample description & analysis. A sedimentologist checks the color of the split core (photo L) in the core lab. In the Sample Preparation Room, samples are pipetted for pmH/alkalinity measurements (photo R).
Weekly emergency response training is conducted every Sunday (photo L) - looks cold! In the lab, researchers measured physical properties (photo center) and described and conducted measurements on the cores (photo R).
Many cores lined up, waiting to be cut; since there are not enough staff among the researchers & lab techs, assistant EPMs also assist (photo R). Scientists also concentrate on collecting paleomagnetic samples (photo L).
The recovered cores were delivered to the lab one after another, & scientists busied themselves processing them. Co-chiefs checked core details by looking at CT images of the core before it was cut (photo L).
Coring began! As the first day, we coordinated & reconfirmed tools & sample transfers in the lab, & confirmed all changes.
An excited atmosphere as scientists first tried core processing.
Co-chiefs (center photo) happy w/the perfect core.
Offshore Superintendent (OSI) and Co-Chief (CC) check the borehole site. Scientists also review the processing flow after core sampling, confirming with each other the details of who will do what & where.
The Exp. 503 expedition begins & prep for lectures & lab training have started.
Scientists review the posted sample sampling plan (photo L) & practice putting on life jackets (photo R) .
IODP3 Exp. 502 & Exp. 503 Science Team exchanged places & Chikyu left Sendai！ The final 2025 cruise has begun!
Exp. 503 will collect sediment cores from the central JapanTrench to study paleoearthquakes.
For details:
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/press_release/20251020/
