Scientists to probe March 11 quake mechanism
An international group of researchers is set to start deep-sea drilling in waters off northeast Japan to find the mechanism of the earthquake and tsunami on March 11th last year.
The drilling vessel Chikyu, or Earth, carrying the researchers has reached the seismic center near the Japan Trench, about 220 kilometers east of Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture. Preparatory work was revealed to the media earlier this week.
The scientists from 10 countries, including Japan, the United States, and those in Europe, will start drilling on Sunday to analyze movements of faults in the seabed.
Steel pipes will be lowered from the ship's platform to 7,000 meters below the surface of the Pacific. The pipes will be used to dig a hole about 10 centimeters in diameter to a depth of around 1,000 meters below the seabed.
Scientists will collect rock samples near faults and set thermometers to gauge temperatures.
On the ship, 200 sections of pipe for the drilling were being put together as scientists discussed procedures.
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, the ship's owner, says the drilling will proceed for about one month.
Saturday, April 14, 2012 11:20 +0900 (JST)
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http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120414_11.html
KawamotoDragon.com
Friday, April 13, 2012
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