IODP Expedition 330 Louisville Seamount Trail

Location

Cores U1376A-2R to -4R (9.5-38.2 mbsf) were cored with 66% recovery. Layered, sandy volcanic breccia dominates Core U1376A-2R. Core U1376A-3R shows a sharp transition from brown-beige bioturbated volcanic tuff in the upper core sections to dazzling white limestone in Section U1376A-3R-4 (corresponding to 23.4 mbsf). The limestone continues downhole in Core U1376A-4R. First investigations revealed that the limestone was not formed by corals but by reef-building algae. Minor components are gastropods, bivalves and solitary corals. The rock is described as boundstone (a carbonate rock whose original components were bound together during formation and remained in the position of growth). The series of U1374 site meetings was continued today with presentations by the Geochemistry, Physical Properties and Paleomagnetics lab groups.