OPERATIONS

Drilling at Ocean View, New Jersey (39°10´43.826''N, 74°43´31.643''W; elevation = 9.4 ft [2.87 m]; USGS, Sea Isle City, 7.5-min quadrangle, Dennis Township, Cape May County) began in early September 1999. Drilling operations were superintended by Gene Cobbs, USGS Eastern Earth Surface Processes Team (EESPT; Don Queen, Head Driller); Gene Cobbs III was the driller. The New Jersey Highway Authority provided space, water, and electricity at the Ocean View Service Area (Bharat Patel, Engineer). On 7 September, the USGS team arrived onsite and began rigging up, testing the water well onsite, and connecting electrical hookups. On 8 September, a Hecht field trailer was set up as a portable lab and S. Pekar (staff scientist) and B. Cramer moved equipment onsite. A Kodak DC260 digital zoom camera (38.4- to 115.2-mm lens; 1536 × 1024 megapixel resolution), Power Macintosh 7200, and photography stand were set up to photograph 2-ft (0.61 m) core segments; after testing, the camera's default settings (including flash) with wide-angle (38.4 mm) lens were used, yielding the truest colors and ensuring uniformity among photographs. Tests with the NIH Imaging 1.61 software program show a slight difference in lighting, with the greatest lighting in the center. Photographic analysis should be able to account for this effect.

All cores were measured in feet (all depths are given in feet below land surface with metric conversions provided). We continued to adopt the ODP convention of top-justifying depths for intervals with incomplete recovery for all field notes and photos. The first core was obtained on 9 September 1999 using a Christensen 94-mm (HQ) system, 4.5-in Long-year Amoeva/5 bit, and 2.5-in core diameter. For unconsolidated sands, an extended shoe was used to contact the sample 0.25-0.5 in ahead of the bit. Approximately 2 ft (0.61 m) of surface casing was set and coring began at 5 ft (1.52 m) below land's surface. Recovery was moderate in surface gravels. Run 3 (15-20 ft; 4.57-6.10 m) recovered only 0.3 ft (0.09 m) of caved gravels. Fine sands were encountered on the next run; we extended the shoe further and had good recovery on run 5 (25-30 ft; 7.62-9.14 m). Caving gravels inhibited recovery on the next run; we washed the hole and recovery improved. Core recovery from 25 to 60 ft (7.62 to 78.29 m) was good (recovery = 65%); actual recovery for this interval is higher due to squashing of sands. The day ended at 60 ft (18.29 m) with 28.0 ft (8.53 m) recovered (recovery = 50.1%). On 10 September, we shortened the runs to 3-4 ft (0.91-1.22 m) in aquifer sands and gravels; recovery was good (recovery = nearly 70% between 60 and 80 ft [18.29 and 24.38 m], not accounting for squashing of sands). Heavy rains, gravels, and caving sands slowed coring; at noon we shortened the shoe to 1.25 in and flushed the hole with mud. Sands flowed into the bottom of the rods and we pulled the rods to clear them. Rods were set and the water swivel blew. Coring did not resume for the rest of the day.

On 11 September, we lengthened the runs to 5 ft (1.52 m) because of the absence of gravels. Drilling runs were extended to 10 ft (3.05 m) as clayey sands were penetrated. Run 25 (120-130 ft; 38.10-39.62 m) was lost downhole and was flushed away by the drilling muds. On run 26, a sharp lithologic contact separating hard clays above from very coarse pebbly quartz sand below (141.9 ft; 43.25 m) resulted in ending the run at 144.5 ft (44.04 m). A strong water-pressure head was encountered at this level that pushed sand 6 ft (1.83 m) up the hole. The sands were flushed and the day ended with 42.9 ft (13.08 m) of recovery between 80 and 144.5 ft (24.38 and 44.04 m; recovery = 66.5%).

On 12 September, the hole was flushed until 0900. Because of abrupt changes in lithology, the first three runs were shortened once again to 5-ft (1.52 m) intervals. Run 31 was extended to 7.5 ft (2.29 m) (160-167.5 ft; 48.77-51.05 m), with run 32 completing the 10-ft (30.5 m) rod (167.5-170 ft; 51.05-51.82 m), both with 100% recovery. We tried to core 10 ft (3.05 m) on run 33 (170-180 ft; 51.82-54.86 m), but most of the core was lost. The hole was flushed, terminating drilling for the day with 20.3 ft (6.19 m) of recovery between 144.5 and 180 ft (44.04 and 54.86 m; recovery = 57.2%).

Caving sands continued to slow drilling operations on 13 September, requiring extensive washing between runs. Recovery was excellent with 10-ft (3.05 m) runs. Run 36 (200-208 ft; 60.96-63.40 m) was stopped at 8 ft (2.44 m), when the drill would not easily advance. Run 37 (208-210 ft; 63.40-64.01 m) recovered 2.97 ft (0.91 m) from 3 ft (0.91 m) drilled; the top 1.55 ft (0.47 m) is probably caved, as indicated by a coarse pebbly sand at this level. The next run (210-220 ft; 64.01-67.06 m) became blocked by pebbly sand at 213.5 ft (65.07 m). Silty clay immediately below the contact (213.5-213.6 ft; 65.07-65.11 m) was recovered, but the clays would not push the sands into the inner core barrel and the rest of the clays were lost (chewed up). The next run was stopped at 226.5 ft (69.04 m) with nearly full recovery; drilling marks on the upper clays (220-220.55 ft; 67.06-67.22 m) indicate that it is possible that they were sticking out of the bottom of the hole (BOH) and recored. Smooth coring began as we penetrated uniform sands of the Kirkwood Formation; virtually full recovery on the last two runs (226.5-240 ft; 69.04-73.15 m) resulted in 51.97 ft (15.84 m) of recovery between 180 and 240 ft (54.86 and 73.15 m; recovery = 86.6%).

On 14 September, silty clays of the Kirkwood Formation were penetrated at the base of the first 10-ft (3.05 m) run; we ran one more 10-ft (3.05 m) run into silty clay and decided to set casing. Recovery between 240 and 260 ft (73.15 and 79.25 m) was 20.05 ft (6.11 m; recovery = 100%). We pulled rods and began to ream the hole with a 7.875-in drag bit. On 15 September, we continued to ream the hole; we dropped the derrick in anticipation of Hurricane Floyd and suspended operations on 16 September. Wind and water damage were minimal from the hurricane (despite the eye passing over the site), and reaming operations were resumed and completed on 17 September. On 18 September, 365 ft (111.25 m) of 5-in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing was set without grout to be removed on completion; coring resumed at 1400 hr. Smooth coring occurred between 260 and 290 ft (79.25 and 88.39 m), with 21.40 ft (6.52 m) recovered (recovery = 71.3%).

On 19 September, we drilled 80 ft (24.38 m; 290-370 ft; 88.39-112.78 m), recovering 69.75 ft (21.26 m; recovery = 87.2%). Coring was generally smooth and recovery excellent despite large lithologic changes. The only exception was run 53 (340-350 ft) (103.63-106.68 m), where 9 ft (2.74 m) slipped out of the core catcher and was lost. On run 51 (326.5-330 ft; 99.52-100.58 m), we recovered 7.6 ft (2.32 m) from a 6.5-ft (1.98 m) run; we believe that the extra foot (0.30 m) is from run 49 that was left sticking out of the BOH. Smooth coring continued on 20 September with excellent recovery (77.15 ft [23.52 m] from 90 ft [27.43 m] drilled; recovery = 85.7%). Rose Eppers of the USGS Water Resource Division (WRD) began sampling for pore-water studies, obtaining ~0.75-ft (0.23 m) whole-round core sections from silty clays at 387.45-388.0 ft (118.09-118.256 m), 393.1-393.95 ft (119.82-120.08 m), 403.25-404.0 ft (122.91-123.14 m), and 437.25-438.0 ft (133.27-133.50 m). Run 70 (410-420 ft; 124.97-128.02 m) had 2 ft (0.61 m) of slop at the top, probably due to caved material at the BOH. The drillers reported that pressure was high (200 lbs; 90 kg) for 6.5 ft (1.98 m) on this run then dropped off; we probably blew off sands below 6.5-7 ft (1.98-2.13 m) on the run. Sands from 410 to 423.5 ft (124.97 to 129.08 m) had a very heavy rind of mud; heavy washing revealed medium-coarse sands with gravel that is probably in situ. Recovery was very good-excellent in shelly, clayey fine sands (410-433.25 ft; 124.97-132.05 m) and tight silty clays (433.25-440 ft; 132.05-134.11 m). Run 64 (440-450 ft; 134.11-137.16 m) only recovered 1.5 ft (0.46 m) of shelly sand; the rest of the core slipped out of the core catcher back into the hole. The drillers were unable to recapture this core. The last coring run recovered 9.2 ft (2.80 m) of sand, ending the day at 460 ft (140.21 m) with 90 ft (27.43 m) drilled.

On 21 September, the first run was stopped at 465 ft (141.73 m) by a hard layer; we shortened the shoe from 1.5 to 1.25 in. Hard and dry sands slowed drilling, although recovery remained very good through run 68 (470-480 ft; 143.26-146.30 m). Run 69 (480-490 ft; 146.30-149.35 m) recovered only 2.3 ft (0.70 m) of silt that drilled like clay with moderate mud pressure; apparently, a hard layer blocked off the run. The next run (run 70) (490-500 ft; 149.35-152.40 m) had an increase in mud pressure as we passed from uniform silts into chocolate silty clays with 104% recovery. Shelly sands stopped the next run at 507.5 ft (154.69 m); the rod was finished to 510 ft (155.45 m) with total recovery. The last run of the day (510-520 ft; 155.45-158.50 m) recovered 7.55 ft (2.30 m), resulting in 45.90 ft (13.99 m) recovered from 60 ft (18.29 m) drilled (recovery = 76.5%).

On 22 September, 8.6 ft (2.62 m) was recovered from run 74 (520-530 ft; 158.50-161.54 m). A change from clayey silt to fine sands shortened the next run to 4 ft (1.22 m) (3.1 ft [0.94 m] recovered). The remaining 6 ft (1.83 m) was then cored, with 5.1 ft (1.55 m) recovered. Dominantly clay silts made coring easier, and 10.2 ft (3.11 m) was recovered from run 77 (540-550 ft; 164.59-167.64 m). On run 78 (550-560 ft; 167.64-170.69 m), only 4.9 ft (1.49 m) was recovered, as clays clogged the core barrel. On run 79 (560-570 ft; 170.69-173.74 m), 9.4 ft (2.87 m) of clay-silt was recovered, but the core was chattered. To try and remediate this, a longer shoe was used in the next run. This approach improved the recovery of silts and clays on the next two runs (570-590 ft; 173.74-179.83 m) (recovery = ~90% in this interval). The day ended with 59.9 ft (18.26 m) recovered from 70 ft (21.34 m) drilled (recovery = 85.6%).

Smooth coring with excellent recovery through silty clays continued on 23 September until indurated zones slowed progress. Run 84 (610-619 ft; 185.93-188.67 m) was blocked by hard clays at 618.1 ft (188.40 m) and the bottom 0.9 ft (0.27 m) was lost. Run 85 (619-627 ft; 188.67-191.11 m) was blocked at 627 ft (191.11 m) at an indurated chalky ?porcellanitic claystone; we ran the next 3 ft (0.91 m) with the rock shoe, recovering 0.5 ft (0.15 m) of claystone, 2.4 ft (0.73 m) of clay, and 0.1 ft (0.03 m) of sand (recovery = 100%). Run 86 (630-636 ft; 192.02-193.85 m) was stopped short at 6 ft (1.83 m) into a 10-ft (3.05 m) run by an indurated zone; the rod was completed on the next run (636-640 ft; 193.85-195.07 m). Run 88 (640-650 ft; 195.07-198.12 m) culminated the day with only 2 ft (0.61 m) of recovery, as we penetrated loose sands. The day ended with 51.7 ft (15.76 m) recovered from 60 ft (18.29 m) drilled (recovery = 86.1%).

Very shelly sands and sandy shell beds proved difficult to recover on 24 September, with 7 ft (2.13 m) and 1.5 ft (0.46 m) recovered between 650 and 660 ft and 660 and 670 ft (198.12 and 201.17 m and 201.17 and 204.22 m), respectively. We shortened the runs to 5 ft (1.52 m) and enjoyed excellent recovery. We ended the day with 32.15 ft (9.80 m) recovered between 650 and 695 ft (198.12 and 211.84 m; recovery = 71.4%). Smooth coring with good recovery through silty clays and fine-medium quartz sand continued during the morning of 25 September. We limited coring to 5 ft (1.52 m) on runs 97 and 98 because of highly variable lithologies. Run 99 was shortened to 3 ft (0.91 m) after encountering a harder lithology. During this run, we recovered 3.9 ft (1.19 m) from a 3-ft (0.91 m) run; we believe that the extra foot (0.30 m) is from run 98. Run 100 was a 7-ft (2.13 m) run that recovered a spectacular shell bed near the base. However, run 101 (720-730 ft; 219.46-222.50 m), recovered only 2.3 ft (0.70 m) because of a malfunction of the automatic chuck jaw. The drillers decided to replace the jaw and returned to Reston, Virginia, suspending drilling operations until the morning of 27 September.

On 27 September, we ran 5 ft (1.52 m) (730-735 ft; 222.50-224.03 m) and recovered 1 ft (0.30 m) of caved material, resulting from the hole sitting for 2 days, and 4 ft (1.22 m) of solid medium-fine sand. Full recovery of interbedded sand and silty clay was obtained on run 103 (735-740 ft; 224.03-225.55 m). Run 104 (740-750 ft; 225.55-228.60 m) became blocked by pebbly sands 1.6 ft (0.49 m) into the run, and the bottom 8.4 ft (2.56 m) was blown away. Run 105 (750-760 ft; 228.60-231.64 m) had nearly full recovery; run 106 was stopped short at 765 ft (233.17 m) with 4.6 ft (1.40 m) recovered. Run 107 (765-775 ft; 233.17-236.22 m) recovered 10.05 ft (3.06 m). Total recovery for the day was 34.05 ft (10.38 m) from 45 ft (13.72 m) drilled (recovery = 75.7%). On 28 September, poorly consolidated sands hindered recovery on runs 108 and 109 (775-780 and 780-785 ft; 236.22-237.74 and 237.74-239.67 m). We shortened the shoe and had very good recovery of sands on runs 110 (785-790 ft; 239.27-240.79 m), 111 (790-800 ft; 240.79-243.84 m), and 112 (800-810 ft; 243.84-246.89 m) and excellent recovery of sandy silty clays on runs 113-115 (810-840 ft; 246.89-256.03 m). The day ended at 840 ft (256.03 m) with 54 ft (16.46 m) recovered (recovery = 83%).

On 29 September, drilling began with two 10-ft (3.05 m) runs, each with excellent recovery (10.65 and 9.65 ft; 3.25 and 2.94 m), as silty clays and silty fine sands were easily cored. The run from 860 to 870 ft (262.13 to 265.18 m) recovered only 3.55 ft (1.08 m), as the shoe became clogged with silty clay. The next run (870-880 ft; 165.17-268.22 m) recovered 9.1 ft (2.77 m) of clayey silt-silty clay that was removed from the barrel using high pressure from the mud pump, fracturing parts of the core. The next run, 880-890 ft (268.22-271.27 m), was a silty clay and again recovery was excellent (9.6 ft; 2.93 m). The run from 890 to 900 ft (271.27 to 274.32 m) had excellent recovery (9.95 ft; 3.03 m) despite the fact that the shoe was ruined on a gravel bed. Coring ended with a 6-ft (1.83 m) run between 900 and 906 ft, (274.32 and 276.15 m) with 66.90 ft (20.39 m) recovered between 830 and 906 ft (252.98 and 276.15 m; recovery = 88.0%).

Heavy rain delayed the start of coring on 30 September and drilling was slow through gummy glauconitic sands. Run 123 (906-910 ft; 276.15-277.37 m) recovered 5.05 ft (1.54 m); part of this was probably from the previous runs, yielding 107.5% recovery for both runs. Recovery of run 124 (910-920 ft; 277.37-280.42 m) was excellent. On run 125 (920-930 ft; 280.42-283.46 m), mud pressures alternated between 200 and 600 lbs (90 and 270 kg), and only 7.65 ft (2.33 m) was drilled. Run 126 drilled 8 ft (2.44 m) and recovered 10 ft (3.05 m), including 2 ft (0.61 m) from the previous run. We decided to label figures and cores as 920-928 (280.42-282.85 m) and 928-938 ft (282.85-285.90 m) for runs 125 and 126, respectively. We finished the rod on run 127, ending at 940 ft (286.51 m), with 34.25 ft (10.44 m) recovered for the day (recovery = 95.1%).

Coring on 1 October began with excellent recovery on runs 128 and 129 (9.9 and 9.2 out of 10 ft [3.02 and 2.80 out of 3.05 m], respectively) in glauconitic medium-coarse quartz sand. The bottom 1.1 ft (0.34 m) of run 129 became softer and siltier, allowing for easier drilling. For the softer and siltier sediment, we switched to a longer shoe with a plastic core catcher on run 130 (960-970 ft; 292.61-295.66 m). Run 131 (970-975 ft; 295.66-297.18 m) (4.25 ft [1.30 m] recovered) was stopped at 5 ft (1.52 m) because of slow drilling in glauconite sands. The wider shoe was used on run 132 (975-980 ft; 297.18-298.70 m) (4.5 ft [1.37 m] recovered), but drilling remained extremely slow. We pulled two rods to wash and reream the hole on 2 October. The day ended at 980 ft (298.70 m) with 36.5 ft (11.13 m) recovered (recovery = 91.25%).

Coring on 2 October was faster after washing and rereaming the bottom 30 ft (9.14 m) of the hole. Run 133 continued the good recovery (9.4 ft [2.87 m] out of 10 ft [3.05 m]). Drilling became even quicker on run 134 due to increasing clay. The lower 6 ft (1.83 m) of run 134 (990-1000 ft; 301.75-304.80 m) was lost but was recovered on run 135. We switched to the longer narrow shoe for run 135. On run 135 (1000-1005 ft; 304.80-306.32 m), the drill bit stopped advancing after drilling 5 ft (1.52 m) and we retrieved 10.65 ft (3.25 m), including 5.65 ft (1.72 m) from the previous run. We decided to top justify to 994 ft (302.97 m), labeling cores from run 135 as 994-1004.65 ft (302.97-306.22 m). Run 136 (1005-1007.5 ft; 306.32-307.9 m) (2.0 ft [0.61 m] recovered) was stopped at 2.5 ft (0.76 m) because the drill bit would not advance. This core was undercut by the drilling mud pressure and was only ~1.5 in (3.8 cm) in diameter with a 1-in (2.5 cm) rind. We switched back to the rock shoe for run 137. Run 137 (1007.5-1011.5 ft; 307.09-308.31 m) (3.55 ft [1.08 m] recovered) was stopped at 4 ft (1.22 m) due to extremely slow drilling. The day ended at 1011.5 ft (308.31 m) with 29.55 ft (9.01 m) recovered (recovery = 93.8%).

On 3 October, run 138 (1011.5-1020 ft; 308.31-310.90 m) (5.8 ft [1.77 m] recovered) drilled easily in the middle though the top and bottom drilled slowly. From 1013.2 to 1015.5 ft (308.82 to 309.52 m), the mud pressure undercut the core; 1014.7-1015.4 ft (309.28-309.49 m) may be a mixture of drilling mud and core. Run 139 (1020-1030 ft; 310.90-313.94 m) drilled easily, but the core barrel became stuck. When the barrel was finally retrieved, only 0.85 ft (0.26 m) of "core" (likely mostly drilling mud) was in the barrel. Run 140 (1030-1033 ft; 313.94-314.86 m) (1.7 ft [0.52 m] recovered) was stopped at 3 ft (0.91 m) when the drill string quit advancing. Recovery improved on the final run (run 141) (1033-1040 ft; 314.86-316.99 m) with 5.6 ft (1.17 m) recovered out of 7 ft (2.13 m) drilled. The day ended at 1040 ft (316.99 m) with 48.3% recovery.

On 4 October, no water was available onsite. Problems in the service area required the shutting down of all water supplies until midafternoon. In the interim, we pulled rods, checked the bit, which was only slightly worn, cleaned all equipment, and reran the rods. The rods easily reentered the hole, encountering no bridges, boding well for logging. We finished lowering the rods on 5 October. The inner core barrel would not latch in because of sands in the outer core barrel; therefore, we washed the hole and cleared the barrel. We switched from a rock shoe to one extending slightly ahead of the bit. Run 142 (1040-1045 ft; 316.99-318.52 m) ran with high mud pressure for the first 3 ft (0.91 m); pressures dropped in the next 2 ft (0.61 m) in clayier sediments that were undercut. These sandy clays were protruding from the end of the core barrel on recovery, though nearly full recovery was obtained. Run 143 (1045-1050 ft; 318.52-320.04 m) recovered 2.9 ft (0.88 m) of sandy clays. Run 144 (1050-1053 ft; 320.04-320.95 m) stopped 3 ft (0.91 m) into the run, with full recovery. Run 145 was cut short at 1056.5 ft (322.02 m), ending the day with 13.5 ft (4.11 m) of recovery (recovery = 81.8%).

Hugh Scott of MPI Drilling (Picton, Ontario, Canada) arrived on site to demonstrate the Multi-Twin G-30 drill ("Sonic Metaprobe") for shallow (<125 ft; <38.1 m) holes. He drilled a 54-ft (16.46 m) hole on 5 October adjacent to the USGS B-61 drill rig. On 6 October, the Metaprobe hole was completed to 74 ft (22.56 m). We designated the Metaprobe hole the Ocean View B hole. The cores were described onsite, labeled in "B" boxes, and moved to permanent storage at the Rutgers core repository.

On 6 October, the first 3.5 ft (1.07 m) of run 146 (1056.5-1060 ft; 322.02-323.09 m) recovered 3 ft (0.91 m) and finished the rod. A perfect 10 ft (3.05 m) was recovered on the next run (1060-1070 ft; 323.09-326.14 m). Recovery remained excellent in the interval between 1070 and 1080 ft (326.14 and 329.18 m) (8.4 ft [2.56 m] recovered), although indurated zones slowed drilling. Recovery from 1080 to 1090 ft (329.18 to 332.23 m) was only 6.4 ft (1.95 m), and the core was mangled and covered with drilling mud in places, obscuring the true lithology. Recovery of run 150 (1090-1100 ft; 332.23-335.28 m) was 10.7 ft (3.26 m). We generally interpret small amounts of recovered core in excess of the amount of core drilled (such as the "extra" 0.7 ft [0.21 m] recovered from run 150) to be the result of core expansion. A total of 38.5 ft (11.73 m) of core was recovered for the day between 1056.5 and 1100 ft (322.02 and 335.28 m; recovery = 88.5%).

On 7 October, runs 151 (1100-1106.5 ft; 335.287-337.26 m) and 152 were short (1106.5-1113 ft; 337.26-339.24 m) (4.7 ft [1.43 m] recovered). Drilling was slow from 1113 to 1120 ft (339.24 to 341.38 m) in gummy glauconite sands, with 7.95 ft (2.42 m) recovered; the extra 0.95 ft (0.29 m) may be from the previous run sticking from the BOH. The cores were labeled as 1112-1120 ft (338.94-341.38 m). Drilling rates increased on run 154 (1120-1126 ft; 341.38-343.20 m), but the run was stopped short to prepare for logging. The day ended at 1126 ft (343.20 m) with 25.05 ft (7.64 m) recovered (recovery = 96.3%). Total recovery for the HQ portion of Ocean View Hole A was 892.57 ft (272.06 m) from 1121.0 ft (341.68 m) cored (recovery = 79.6%).

We logged Ocean View Hole A on 8 October. Peter McLaughlin and Stefanie Baxter from the Delaware Geological Survey obtained a gamma log through the rods from land's surface to 1123.3 ft (342.38 m); sampling was at 0.1-ft (0.03 m) increments. Log quality was excellent as judged by the match between gamma ray-log kicks and lithologic changes (Figs. F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7). The rods were pulled, the hole stayed open, and a multitool run was obtained on formation from land's surface to 1123 ft (342.29 m); tools on the sonde include the natural gamma, 64-in (1.6 m) normal resistivity, 16-in (0.4 m) normal resistivity, fluid resistivity, lateral resistivity, spontaneous potential, single-point resistance, temperature, and delta temperature. A second run on the formation was made with the sonic tool to 1123 ft (342.29 m), and a third was made with the 3-armed caliper tool to 1123 ft (342.29 m). NQ rods were lowered to ~100 ft (30.48 m) above the BOH on 11 October in preparation for coring on 12 October. No problems were encountered while running the rods into the hole.

Coring resumed on 12 October using a Christensen CNWL (NQ) system, 3.162-in (8.03 cm) hole diameter, and 1.875-in (4.76 cm) core diameter with the rock shoe and 1.67 in (4.24 cm) with extended shoes. The first run, 155 (1126-1130 ft; 343.20-344.42 m), recovered 1.2 ft (0.37 m). A lithology change to glauconitic clay at the beginning of run 156 (1130-1135 ft; 344.42-345.95 m) clogged the barrel and prevented core from entering, limiting recovery to 0.4 ft (0.12 m). Similar results were obtained on run 157 (1135-1140 ft; 345.95-347.47 m), with 1.4 ft (0.43 m) recovered. The final run of the day recovered 4.1 ft (1.25 m) from 5 ft (1.52 m) cored (1140-1145 ft; 347.47-349.00 m). Despite the improved recovery for this run, the drillers decided to pull the rods. The drillers had varied the length of the shoe through the day in an attempt to improve recovery. Good recovery was finally achieved by running the shoe far out in front of the drill bit. This implied to the drillers that the drill bit was cracked and expanding under pressure; this created a core too large to fit inside the shoe. On 13 October, the rest of the drill string was removed from the hole. The bit had cracked in three places and was replaced with a new one. The drillers reran the NQ rods and coring resumed at 1600 hr with Run 159 (1145-1150 ft; 349.00-350.52 m) recovering 4.80 ft (1.46 m).

Drilling proceeded on 14 October using the 10-ft (3.05 m) inner core barrel. Run 160 (1150-1160 ft; 350.52-353.57 m) had good recovery (8.10 ft; 2.47 m), whereas run 161 (1160-1162.5 ft; 353.57-354.33 m) was stopped in a hard clay with 2.40 ft (0.73 m) recovered. Run 162 (1162.5-1170 ft; 354.33-356.62 m) became blocked in the rock shoe (0.5 ft [0.15 m] recovered). We switched back to the extended shoe in run 163 (1170-1180 ft; 356.62-359.66 m) and enjoyed perfect recovery across the Eocene/Oligocene boundary. Rapid, smooth drilling continued as we penetrated clays and silty clays (runs 164-165) (1180-1200 ft; 359.66-3365.76 m) with excellent recovery. The day ended at 1200 ft (365.76 m) with 45.95 ft (14.01 m) recovered between 1150 and 1200 ft (350.52 and 365.76 m; recovery = 91.9%). On 15 October, coring proceeded without incident and recovery was excellent. Recovery on several coring runs was >10 ft (3.05 m; recovery = >100%) (e.g., 1200-1210 ft [365.76-368.81 m]; 1210-1220 ft [368.81-371.86 m]) due to clay expansion. Run 170 (1240-1250 ft; 377.95-381.00 m) was blocked off 3.75 ft (1.14 m) into the run, yielding 43.75 ft (13.34 m) recovered from 50 ft (15.24 m) penetrated for the day (recovery = 87.9%).

On 16 October, smooth coring on runs 171-175 (1250-1300 ft; 381.00-396.24 m) yielded good to excellent recovery (47.45 ft [14.46 m] from 50 ft [15.24 m] drilled; recovery = 94.9%). On 17 October, run 176 had good recovery (8.3 ft; 2.53 m). Run 177 was stopped by a hard layer, terminating this run after 3 ft (0.91 m) (2.95 ft [0.90 m] recovery). The top of run 178 contained 0.2 ft (0.06 m) of pyrite nodules and finished the 10-ft (3.05 m) section with 5.2 ft (1.58 m) recovery from a 7 ft (2.13 m) run. The last run of the day (run 179) contained perfect recovery (recovery = 104%), yielding 26.95 ft (8.21 m) from 30 ft (9.14 m) drilled. After a slight delay due to high winds associated with Hurricane Irene, smooth coring continued on 18 October. Run 180 (1330-1340 ft; 405.38-408.43 m) had full recovery, whereas the bottom of run 181 (1340-1350 ft; 408.43-411.48 m) would not break off, leaving 3 ft (0.91 m) in the BOH. The 3 ft (0.91 m) was not recovered and run 182 (1350-1360 ft; 411.48-414.53 m) recovered 10.5 ft (3.20 m). The day ended with run 183 (1360-1370 ft; 414.53-417.58 m), with 39.0 ft (11.89 m) recovered from 40 ft (12.19 m) drilled (recovery = 97.5%).

On 19 October, coring was slow on run 184 (1370-1390 ft; 417.58-423.67 m) as we penetrated variable clays and glauconitic clays. Coring rates improved as we penetrated the ash marls of the lower Shark River Formation below 1389.96 ft (423.66 m), with full recovery of runs 185 (1380-1390 ft; 420.62-423.67 m), 186 (1390-1400 ft; 423.67-426.72 m), and 187 (1400-1410 ft; 426.72-429.77 m). R. Eppers of the WRD sampled at 1370-1370.5 ft (417.58-417.73 m) and 1382-1382.8 ft (421.23-421.48 m); the 0.5-ft (0.15 m) sample was mandated by the large lithologic changes at 1370.5 and 1380 ft (417.73 and 420.62 m). The day ended with 40.85 ft (12.45 m) recovered between 1370 and 1410 ft (417.58 and 429.77 m; recovery = 102%). Drilling was suspended on 20 October because of heavy rains; the rods were rotated 60 ft (18.29 m) above the BOH, and the hole was reamed to 40 ft (12.19 m) above the BOH. The drillers had trouble getting to the BOH on 21 October due to expansion of the clays. Run 188 (1410-1420 ft; 429.77-432.82 m) was retrieved at 1330 hr, recovering 9.9 ft (3.02 m). Run 189 (1420-1430 ft; 432.82-435.86 m) retrieved only 3.7 ft (1.13 m) from 10 ft (3.05 m) drilled. We ran for the bottom 6.7 ft (2.04 m) on October 22 but only recovered 0.7 ft (0.21 m), 0.3 ft (0.09 m) of which was discarded as a mixture of drilling mud and chewed-up core. Run 190 (1430-1440 ft; 435.86-438.91 m) recovered 7.7 ft (2.35 m); 4 ft (1.22 m) of core was extending from the core catcher on recovery, indicating that 2.3 ft (0.70 m) had slipped out and was left in the hole. We ran 8 ft (2.44 m) on run 191 (1440-1448 ft; 438.91-441.35 m), recovering 10 ft (3.05 m), including the 2 ft (0.61 m) lost on the previous run; we top justified run 191 to 1438 ft (438.30 m). Run 192 (1448-1453 ft; 441.35-442.87 m) recovered 5.3 ft (1.62 m), ending the day with 23.0 ft (7.01 m) recovered between 1430 and 1458 ft (435.86 and 444.40 m; recovery = 100%).

Recovery was dismal on 23 October, as we attempted to drill heavily cemented clays. Run 193 (1453-1460 ft; 442.87-445.01 m) recovered 0.15 ft (0.05 m); run 194 (1460-1463 ft; 445.01-445.92 m) recovered 0.4 ft (0.12 m). We switched to the wider rock shoe for runs 195 (1463-1470 ft; 445.92-448.06 m) and 196 (1470-1480 ft; 448.06-451.10 m), recovering 2.2 and 0.4 ft (0.67 and 0.12 m), respectively. Throughout the day, mud pressures varied between high pressures typical of clays and low pressures typical of rock. Either the clays were too soft to push the indurated zones into the barrel or the clays plugged up the shoe and only the indurated zones were able to push through. The day ended with 11.7% recovery from 27 ft (8.23 m) drilled. On 24 October, run 197 (1480-1484 ft; 451.10-452.32 m) retrieved only 0.1 ft (0.03 m) of indurated sediment.

The core had not penetrated beyond the core barrel shoe and we ended coring for the day, yielding only 3.25 ft (0.99 m) recovered from 31 ft (9.45 m) drilled on 23 and 24 October (recovery = 10.5%). The drillers had not heard the inner core barrel latch into the outer core barrel since 22 October, although it must have latched in on run 195 in order to retrieve 2.2 ft (0.67 m). We lowered and retrieved the core barrel with a brand new extended shoe to ascertain if the barrel was locking into the drill bit. There were no gouge marks on the shoe, indicating that the shoe had not come into contact with the bit. We tried to pump out any obstructions without success and began pulling the rods at 1230 hr. We brought the rods above the NQ hole and repeatedly dropped the inner core barrel until we cleared an obstruction in the outer core barrel. A piece of core from the inner barrel must have broken off and lodged in the outer barrel, preventing the inner barrel from properly latching in. We began to re-run the rods to the BOH at 1484 ft (452.32 m) at 1930 hr. The rods were run to 20 ft (6.10 m) from the BOH on 25 October, recutting much of the NQ hole. Smooth but slow coring of porcellanitic clays resumed on 26 October. Runs 198 (1484-1487 ft; 452.32-453.24 m), 199 (1487-1490 ft; 453.24-454.15 m), and 200 (1490-1500 ft; 454.15-457.20 m) recovered 2.9, 3.5, and 8.5 ft (0.88, 1.07, and 2.59 m), respectively; run 201 (1500-1509 ft; 457.02-459.94 m) stopped 9 ft (2.74 m) into the run with 10.4 ft (3.17 m) recovered, including 1.4 ft (0.43 m) from the previous run. The day ended with 25.4 ft (7.74 m) recovered from 26 ft (7.9 m) drilled (recovery = 97.7%).

On 27 October, we drilled 10.3 ft (3.14 m) on run 202 (1509-1519.3 ft; 459.94-463.08 m), trying to jam the clays in so they would break off; we recovered 8 ft (2.44 m), leaving 2 ft (0.61 m) in the hole. Run 203 (1519.3-1527.5 ft; 463.08-465.82 m) recovered 0.37 ft (0.11 m) from the last run (logged as 1517.0-1517.37 ft; 462.38-462.49 m), 0.4 ft (0.12 m) of sloughed material that was discarded, and 6.8 ft (2.07 m) from the 8.2-ft (2.50 m) drilled interval. Run 204 was an 8.5-ft (2.59 m) run (1527.5-1536 ft; 465.58-468.17 m) that recovered 10.5 ft (3.20 m), with 2 ft (0.61 m) (logged as 1525.5-1527.5 ft; 464.97-465.58 m) from the previous run. The day ended with 25.7 ft (7.83 m) recovered from 27.0 ft (8.23 m) drilled (recovery = 95.1%).

On 28 October, drilling rates improved and 4.2, 9.6, and 10.4 ft (1.28, 2.93, and 3.17 m) were recovered from runs 205 (1536-1540 ft; 468.17-469.39 m), 206 (1540-1550 ft; 469.39-472.44 m), and 207 (1550-1560 ft; 472.44-475.49 m), respectively, for a total of 24.2 ft (7.38 m) recovered from 24.0 ft (7.32 m) drilled (recovery = 100%). Stefanie Baxter and Scott Strohmeier of the DGS arrived onsite and obtained a gamma log through the rods. On 29 October, runs 208 (1560-1570 ft; 475.49-478.54 m) and 209 (1570-1575 ft; 478.54-480.06 m) recovered 8.7 and 3.5 ft (2.65 and 1.07 m), respectively (recovery = 81.3% for the day), ending the hole with a total depth of 1575 ft (480.06 m). The hole was grouted with cement, plugged, and abandoned on 29-30 October.

At Ocean View, we recovered 1271.1 ft (387.43 m) from a TD of 1575 ft (480.06 m) (mean recovery = 80.7% for the 1570 ft [478.54 m] cored; median recovery = 91%). Lithologies were described onsite and subsequently at the Rutgers core facility; these descriptions form the basis for the preliminary lithologic descriptions. Samples were obtained at ~5-ft (1.52 m) intervals for planktonic foraminiferal, calcareous nannofossil, and diatom biostratigraphy and coarse-fraction lithologic studies. Cores were cut into 2-ft (0.61 m) sections, labeled at the top and bottom of each section, placed into split PVC pipe (3-in diameter), wrapped in plastic sheeting, and stored in 2-ft (0.61 m) wax boxes. One hundred and seventy-seven core boxes were moved to permanent storage at the Rutgers University core library for further study.

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