Marine Ecosystems Research Department - jamstec japan agency ...

JAMSTEC 2002 Annual Report
OD21 Program Department
Fig. 7 Image of the Marine Core Research Center at Kochi
University
tion, such as weather, metocean, sea-floor topography,
and underground structure. In particular, the survey
determines underground geo-hazards which could
become a major obstacle to drilling, and using such
information to plan a detailed drilling program ensures
the program is implemented safely and efficiently.
In fiscal , JAMSTEC/CDEX processed and interpreted
the seismic data collected in the previous fiscal
year, and a further study was conducted to select riser
drilling sites during the training cruise of the "CHIKYU".
As a result, JAMSTEC/CDEX selected two sites
offshore Shimokita Peninsula as the riser drilling sites,
and, as a series of site surveys, shallow high resolution
seismic surveys were carried out to detect shallow
sub-surface hazards up to ,m below the seafloor.
The data were then processed.
(3) Construction of the "Management System for
the Deep Earth Exploration Vessel Operation"
"CHIKYU" must operate under severe conditions,
such as deep-sea ultra deep drilling, and remote locations
for long durations. Even under those operating
conditions, JAMSTEC has to perform the efficient
drilling and science services with operational safety,
pollution prevention and asset preservation. To achieve
the mission, it is necessary to construct a "Management
System" based on the functions and specifications of
"CHIKYU", and that can adapt to on/offshore organizations
and structures, including contractors.
In fiscal , JAMSTEC, as the IODP riser
drilling operator, started developing the "CHIKYU"
Operation Management System, and started formulating
a basic safety, health and environment policy
appropriate to the basis of the system, including the
CDEX HSE-MS (HSE-Management System) Manual,
and a draft manual for riser drilling procedure.
(4) Preparation of the Science Services System
In all the science data obtained by the "CHIKYU"
onboard is safely, efficiently and effectively analyzed
and stored in proper manner. The science services system
achieves the above tasks and manages the implementing
organizations.
"CHIKYU" is under construction, and was fitted
with an X-ray CT scanner, a fluorescence X-ray core
logger system, etc. as large onboard analysis instruments
during fiscal . The prototype of the database
software for managing the data produced by
research activities onboard was created, and external
evaluation was performed.
A brand new facility is under construction in Kochi
University. This facility includes large core repository
space (up to , cores at . m length), and many
core analysis facilities that correspond to the on-board
laboratory of "CHIKYU". The construction of the
building was completed at the end of March, .
This center will be operated under the cooperation
between JAMSTEC and Kochi University.
3. Activities of the Ocean Drilling in the 21st
Century (OD21) for the Integrated Ocean
Drilling Program (IODP)
(1) OD21 International Activities for the IODP
The Ocean Drilling in the st Century (OD),
advocated by JAMSTEC, will advance to the
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) under
international cooperation and funding. Scheduled to
start from October , the IODP is an international
scientific program which mainly utilizes two drilling
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