Newswise — Chikyu- One of the IODP research vessels is currently exploring the underwater fault zone to gather new information and obtain data about seismology and the friction that caused the Tohoku earthquake on March 11, 2011. This IODP Expedition 343, the Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project (JFAST), is taking place in Tohoku, about 250 km off the coast of Sendai City in Japan.
A recently developed CHIKYU 360 °app will take you on a complete virtual tour by clicking on the panoramic photographs to step aboard the Chikyu regardless your location on the globe.
The JAMSTEC/CDEX owned Japanese drilling vessel has cutting edge technologies and capabilities to undertake research that will include taking core samples and seismic measurements directly from the areas where massive earthquakes originate, and discovering untouched biomes deep beneath the ocean floor.
This iPad tour provides more opportunities to view Chikyu’s facilities and learn about this vessel by visiting 10 sections; Helicopter Deck, Bridge, Core laboratory, X-ray CT Scanner laboratory, Cabin, Derrick (Drill Tower), Drill Floor, Moon Pool, Riser pipe, Engine room.
You can join this virtual tour at http://www.jamstec.go.jp/chikyu/magazine/e/app/chikyu/
JOIDES Resolution- IODP’s venerable workhouse, the drilling vessel JOIDES Resolution (JR), also has a tour allowing visitors to view laboratories, accommodations and drilling capabilities at http://www.iodp.tamu.edu/labs/ship.html and http://joidesresolution.org/node/8
Currently, the USIO-operated JR is preparing for IODP Expedition 342, Paleogene Newfoundland Sediment Drifts. Drilling this transect will allow scientists to study multiple extreme climate events at unprecedented temporal resolution from a high-latitude site during an interval of time when Earth was much warmer than today, featuring a genuinely green Greenland and estimated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels similar to those projected for the end of this century.
For detailed information about the current and upcoming expeditions, visit at iodp.org
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