MeBo70 seabed drilling on a polar continental shelf: operational
report and lessons from drilling in the Amundsen Sea Embayment
of West Antarctica
report and lessons from drilling in the Amundsen Sea Embayment
of West Antarctica
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
A multi-barrel seabed drill rig was used for the first time to drill unconsolidated sediments and consolidated sedimentary rocks from an Antarctic shelf with core recoveries between 7 and 76%. We deployed the MARUM-MeBo70 drill device at nine drill sites in the Amundsen Sea Embayment. Three sites were located on the inner shelf of Pine Island Bay from which soft sediments, presumably deposited at high sedimentation rates in isolated small basins, were recovered from drill depths of up to 36 m below seafloor. Six sites were located on the middle shelf of the eastern and western embayment. Drilling at five of these sites recovered consolidated sediments and sedimentary rocks from dipping strata spanning ages from Late Cretaceous to Miocene. This report describes the initial coring results, the challenges posed by drifting icebergs and sea ice, and technical issues related to deployment of the MeBo70. We also present recommendations for similar future drilling campaigns on polar continental shelves.
Date Issued
2017-10-16
Date Acceptance
2017-10-01
Citation
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 2017, 18 (11), pp.4235-4250
ISSN
1525-2027
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Start Page
4235
End Page
4250
Journal / Book Title
Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Volume
18
Issue
11
Copyright Statement
© 2017. American Geophysical Union
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Geochemistry & Geophysics
MeBo70 seabed drill
Antarctic shelf
glacial-marine sediments
Amundsen Sea
PINE ISLAND BAY
GROUNDING-LINE RETREAT
LAST GLACIAL MAXIMUM
ICE-SHEET RETREAT
HISTORY
DYNAMICS
RECORD
DRIVEN
04 Earth Sciences
02 Physical Sciences
Publication Status
Published