Priority: 2 (alternate to APSHE-13A)
Position: 64°56.68'S, 64°18.92'W
Water Depth: 1445 m
Sediment Thickness: ~200 m
Approved Maximum Penetration: 250 mbsf
Seismic Coverage: On Site: Lines AI97-H219G SP 1962 and AI97-H221 SP 800 (G.I. Gun
source). Intersection on site: Line AI97-H228 SP 698 (water gun source). PD92-2 Huntec D-TB
540J survey.
Objectives: The objectives of Site APSHE-15A are to:
1. Obtain a Holocene ultra-high-resolution record of paleoproductivity in an inner shelf basin.
2. Examine decadal-millennial variability to compare with low-latitude and ice-core records.
3. Test the hypothesis that Palmer Deep was a subglacial lake during the latest episodes of ice
grounding on the Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf.
Drilling Program: Quadruple APC coring to base of transparent unit. XCB coring into
the lower unit.
Logging and Downhole Operations: None
Nature of Rock Anticipated: Pelagic/hemipelagic siliceous ooze and mud, with <1% ice-rafted
component (??diamicton at base).
