The authors would like to thank the officers and crew of the JOIDES Resolution, particularly Captain Anthony Ribbens, who made all possible efforts to effect the at-sea transfer of hammer drilling equipment in high seas, quickly adapted to the Hole 1105A contingency drilling plan during Leg 179, and successfully completed leg objectives at the Atlantis Bank and NERO sites. The authors also thank the ODP shipboard staff for their assistance during the cruise. We appreciate the reviewers who provided valuable and challenging input into this paper. In particular, one of the reviewers put considerable effort into detailed suggestions for improving the text of the manuscript. Special thanks to Jay Miller, the ODP shipboard staff scientist, who ably managed the details of Leg 179 and helped devise the plan for contingency drilling of Hole 1105A. The authors also appreciate stimulating discussions on the origins of cumulate rocks and oceanic gabbroic massifs and magma chamber processes over the years with Bill Bryan, John Dewey, Henry Dick, Jeff Karson, Bill Kidd, Peter Meyer, and Leg 179 shipboard scientists Jay Miller, Tsugio Shibata, and Peter Thy.