Figure 5a. Composite ("spliced") section construction at multiple offset holes seeks to provide a complete, continuous, and undisturbed stratigraphic record, utilizing overlapping intervals of cores from the different holes. In this example, Site 974 high-resolution (2 cm) color reflectance data (550 nm) for four offset holes (Holes 974A, 974B, 974C, and 974D) is plotted against meters composite depth (mcd), with tie lines used to a construct composite depth section. Distinctive features were correlated between cores from each hole and depth-shifted to mcd to produce the single composite section. Shifts in core depths from mbsf to mcd were accomplished using color as well as magnetic susceptibility and GRAPE data.