This index covers the Initial Reports portions of Volumes 190 and 196 of the Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program (published as separate leg-specific books) and the Scientific Results portion of those Proceedings (published as Volume 190/196). References to page numbers in either Initial Reports volume are preceded by the specific leg number and "A" followed by the chapter number with a colon (190A1: or 196A1:) and to those in the Scientific Results (this volume) by the combined leg number and "B" followed by the chapter number with a colon (190/196B1:).
The index was prepared by Earth Systems, under subcontract to the Ocean Drilling Program. The index contains two hierarchies of entries: (1) a main entry, defined as a keyword or concept followed by a reference to the page on which that word or concept appears, and (2) a subentry, defined as an elaboration on the main entry followed by a page reference.
The index covers volume text, figures, and tables but not core-description forms ("barrel sheets"), core photographs, smear slide data, or thin section descriptions. Also excluded from the index are bibliographic references, names of individuals, and routine front matter.
The Subject Index follows a standard format. Geographical, geologic, and other terms are referenced only if they are subjects of discussion. A site chapter in the Initial Reports is considered the principal reference for that site and is indicated on the first line of the site's listing in the index. Such a reference to Site 1173, for example, is given as "Site 1173, 190A4:1–147; 196A3:4–5."
The Taxonomic Index is an index relating to significant findings and/or substantive discussions, not of species names per se. This index covers three varieties of information: (1) individual genera and species that have been erected or emended formally, (2) biostratigraphic zones, and (3) fossils depicted in illustrations. A taxonomic entry consisting of both genus and species is listed alphabetically by genus and also by species. Biostratigraphic zones are listed alphabetically by genus; zones with letter prefixes are listed under "zones."