171B Scientific Prospectus

Site: BN-2Alt

Position: 30°5.436'N, 76°14.412'W

Water depth: 2257 m

Sediment thickness: >3000 m

Seismic coverage: Glomar Challenger, Gloria Farnella 1987 SCS Line 18, Gilliss Line 26, Eastward 80-8; located at shotpoint 2071 on MCS Line TD-5UW (see seismic profile).

Objectives: Determine history of Paleogene and Cretaceous water chemistry, carbonate productivity, and deep-water and surface temperature as well as evolutionary history of pelagic microfossils. Core Paleocene-Eocene and Cretaceous-Paleogene boundaries for paleoceanographic, evolutionary, and stratigraphic studies. Intermediate-deep point of depth transect.

Drilling program: 1. APC coring to 160 mbsf or refusal (oriented): Hole A.
2. Holes B and C cored to 160 mbsf or refusal by unoriented APC.
3. Hole A deepened by XCB to 600 mbsf.

Logging and downhole operations: Standard strings (triple-combo geophysical and FMS) and GHMT (magnetic susceptibility). Adara and WSTP temperature measurements may be run if time permits. Core orientation on at least the A hole.

Nature of rock anticipated: Nannofossil-foraminifer ooze, chalk, cherty limestone, calcareous clay.

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