Site: SWPAC-5B
Track line SWPAC-5B
Seismic line SWPAC-5B

Priority: 1
Position: 41°47.18'S, 171°29.95'W
Water Depth: 3308 m
Sediment Thickness: ~860 m
Target Drilling Depth: 700 m
Approved Maximum Penetration:
750 m
Seismic Coverage: SCS high-resolution seismic, NZOI CR2050, Lines C and D, NIWSAR 3034 Lines 7 and 8

Objectives: The objectives of SWPAC-5B are to:

  1. Test coherence of paleoclimatic record with Milankovitch cycles.
  2. Determine the evolution of circum-Antarctic ocean circulation, including periods when the boundary current component may have extended into shallow depths or reversed.
  3. Evaluate grain-size signals (flow speed) to determine water-mass movement to estimate the velocity behavior of the DWBC.
  4. Determine paleoproductivity and location of STC and paleohydrography of CDW (including NADW component).

Drilling Program: Triple APC, XCB

Logging and Downhole Operations: Triple combo, FMS/Sonic, GHMT

Nature of Rock Anticipated: Hemipelagites, carbonate pelagites

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