NP-1: Our first priority is to drill the NW edge of North Pond (near Hole 1074A). This Site is in vicinity of hydrological discharge, and high local heat flow. Piston-core (PC) drilling of sediment will be followed by 500 m basement drilling (rotory core). Major objectives at NP-1 are paired microbiological/chemical studies of recovered sediment and basement and the installation of packers and basement microbiology "observatories" for long-term studies. Hole will be CORKed.
NP-3: Our second priority is to drill sediment (only; PC) at the SE edge of NP (near Hole 395A). This Site is in vicinity of hydrological recharge and low local heat flow. Major objectives at NP-3 are paired microbiological/chemical studies of recovered sediment, and returning to Hole 395A for installation of basement microbiology "observatories" with packers and re-CORKing.
NP-2/NP-4: Our third priority is to drill sediment (only; PC) at 1-2 deeper locale(s) at midpoint along the flow path between the two Sites we propose to drill above. Two Sites are selected, a primary (NP-2) and alternate (NP-4). NP-2 is directly in line with above drilling Sites; alternate is 2100 m SE of NP-2. Major objectives are paired microbiological/chemical studies on recovered sediment.