Adam Klaus's blog

RCB CORING, BIT #1: Although the penetration rates are relatively slow (with some faster intervals) and recovery is about what is expected, hole conditions appear to be reasonably good. The hole conditions are absolutely critical for us to be able to penetrate deeply, continue coring, and have a good hole for logging, packer tests, and CORKing. The next decision will be to determine when to stop coring with this Bit #1. A basic guideline based on a fair amount of experience (i.e., several decades of scientific ocean drilling) is that RCB bits typically last 40-60 rotating hours in hard rock. Although it’s always possible for a bit to last longer (or shorter!), the potential exists for it to have a cone fall off after too many hours—we all know too well what that does!

What’s the story?

When we entered the Hole U1383B with the 14.75-inch bit, Charlie, the driller, found cement extending up from the casing shoe inside the 16-inch casing. This was a good sign that we likely had cement extending up on the outside of the casing as well. We need this to get a good seal for the experiment and to help support the entire seafloor structure.  We drilled through the cement, then lowered to the base of the 18.5-inch rat hole and started drilling. At that point, it was drilling slow and steady at ~2 m/hr. Our operations superintendent had about 32 hrs in the plan to drill ~69-194 mbsf—but this was calculated at 4 m/hr. We decided to drill a fair amount, but perhaps not that far. A lot would depend on penetration rate and hole conditions. Another issue was how long the bit will last. Bits typically last 40-60 rotating hours. However, in a hole like this, we will tend to not go too far past the lower limit—the last thing we want is to have a roller cone fall off!

After more than a week of preparing and coring and logging and assembling, the Hole U1382A CORK has been successfully installed! The whole ship breathed a collective sigh of relief, and we now move on to site U1383. Here’s a look back at the process: 

Who knew that there were so many animals onboard with us? Not real animals, of course, but machines and tools that help the drillers do their work. Lots of them have animals in their names…I guess drillers like animals. Listed below are just a few!

I HAD TO SHOW YOU A PICTURE THAT LISA TOOK OF ME WITH THE RED-TAILED TROPIC BIRD. AFTER COLLEGE, I WORKED WITH A BIRD BIOLOGIST ON MIDWAY ISLAND WHICH IS NORTHWEST OF HAWAII.

ALTHOUGH WE ARE FAR OUT IN THE OCEAN, WE SOMETIMES SEE BIRDS - SEA BIRDS! AT NIGHTTIME, WE HAVE LIGHTS ON THE SHIP, SO SOMETIMES THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO THE SHIP. ALSO, SINCE WE ARE THE ONLY THING THAT ISN’T WATER, SOMETIMES BIRDS LAND ON THE SHIP TO REST.

Dear Earth Scientists in Training,

AND NOW FOR SOME REALLY COOL PICTURES OF SOME OF THE ANIMALS WE’VE SEEN OUT HERE!

Dear Earth Scientists in Training,

What have we seen out here in the middle of the pacific ocean?  Being out on the ocean is really pretty. We have been out on the ocean for almost two months now.The last land we saw was only a couple of hours after leaving Honolulu.

Dear Earth Scientists in Training,

Here's a little more background information about the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program that involves every part of the globe.  Take a look and see what you think.  And for all the third graders and elementary students onshore, you can get your own JR tracking globe by writing to the folks at the Deep Earth Academy!