"Core on Deck!"

Drilling begins, with this picture taken from the helideck of the drill rig in full swing. You can just see the big yellow motor that turns the drill string mounted inside the derrick.

Co-chief Henry Dick awaits the first samples, with Horst Worm, Jeff Alt, and Jay Miller.

And here is the first core. First it has to be rescued from the innards of the core barrel by the tech crew (here, Melissa McEwen and Gus Gustavson) and the roughnecks.

The co-chiefs get the first look at samples that have never been seen before;
here Jim Natland with his new baseball bat. Gerry Iturrino is in the background.

Then the marine techs finish the work of making sure no bits get lost. (Chieh Peng, Dennis Graham and Melissa McEwen)

Then the scientists get their turn and have exciting discussions as they check out the new samples (from the left, Greg Hirth, Jay Miller, Debbie Kelley, Lorraine Southey, Dick Naslund, Daniel Bideau and Paul Holm's eyebrow).

More exciting discussions. (Wolfgang Bach, Paul Robinson and Daniel Bideau)

While the staff enjoy a well-earned meal. (From the left, Tim Fulton, Lorraine Southey, Chieh Peng and Melissa McEwen)

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JES 6.11.97