We are indebted to all aboard the JOIDES Resolution for making Leg 192 such a successful and enjoyable cruise. The professionalism and high degree of competence of both the ODP and the Transocean Sedco Forex staff are much appreciated. Our particular thanks go to Captain Tom Ribbens, Drilling Superintendent Scott Pederson, ODP Operations Manager Ron Grout, ODP Lab Officer Roy Davis, and Catermar’s Alex Da Silva.

ODP Leg 192 would not have been possible without the geophysical site-survey data collected during Leg 2 of the Hakuho Maru KH98-1 cruise and the strong support of Professor Asahiko Taira (Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo) and his colleagues.

We are grateful for the help and encouragement given to the proponents of Leg 192 by all the ODP panel members and reviewers who steered the drilling proposal to its successful conclusion.

Finally, we thank Brenda Bridges and the ODP Publication Services staff for their help and (nearly) infinite patience in editing this volume.