Fall 1999 Joint Meeting Scientific Steering and Evaluation Panels for

the Dynamics of Earth's Interior and Earth's Environment

Nov. 1-3, 1999, Udine, Italy


Nov. 1, CISM (International Center for Mechanical Sciences), Piazza
Garibaldi 18, Udine, Italy

8:30 ISSEP Chair John Tarduno and ESSEP Chair Neil Lundberg opened the
sixth Joint Meeting of the Scientific Steering and Evaluation
Panel for the dynamics of Earth's Interior and Earth's Environment. After
introduction of panel members the meeting host, Michele Rebesco, offered
some information on local logistics of the meeting. The panel thanked
Michele for organizing the pre-excursion field trip to Venice, and for
his overall help in organizing the meeting.

JOIDES Office Report

Next the panel heard from Jeff Schuffert, who gave the JOIDES office
report. Jeff reported on the two new Program Planning Groups
(Hydrogeology and Arctic). The Hydrogeology group is well on its way to
be established (offers have been made). The
chair for the Arctic PPG has yet to be identified (offers have been
turned down because of perceived conflict of interest).

Jeff next reviewed some proposal statistics. Thirty seven new or revised
proposals were received; with one exception they were received by the
deadline. The average proposal length is close to the published guidelines.

Craig Manning noted the panel's appreciation of the efforts by the JOIDES
office to enforce the proposal deadlines and guidelines.

Warner Brueckmann noted that 6 proposals were submitted electronically.
This may increase in the future; the SSEPs may consider receiving these
as electronic (pdf) files in the future.
 

SCICOM Report

Alastair Robertson reviewed actions taken at the last (August) SCICOM
meeting. He mentioned that the Woodlark proposal (560) was discussed.
SCICOM decided not to consider it in the ranking. 19 of 25 proposals
considered for ranking (6 were excluded because they were out of the area
of expected operation). Alastair next reviewed the results of the SCICOM
ranking (reproduced below):

523 Hotspot
465 SE Pac
486 Eocene
525 Peridotite
500 H2O
499 ION Eq. Pac.
546 Hydrate Ridge
505 MCM
534 Shatsky Rise
510 Marion Plateau
----------------------------------
489 Ross
553 Cascadia
451 Tonga
535 Slow spreading
477 Okhotsk
549 OMZ
478A E. Nankai A
478B E. Nankai B
355 Peru
 

After the ranking OPCOM proposed several scheduling options (for
proposals above the line in the list above). These include scheduling
into FY02. SCICOM voiced its desire to complete ION;  also, they are
committed for development/implementation of ACORK. The final schedule has
yet to be decided.

In other news, Alastair mentioned that SCICOM would be willing to
consider setting up a new biosphere PPG with a different membership and
focus.

NSF Report: Jamie Allan

Jamie briefly reviewed the funding structure for the new panel members.
He noted that Margaret Leinen has joined NSF (she is a prior EXCOM
member). He gave a summary of the
CDC (conceptual design committee), which will provide input for the
design of a new non-riser ship; the US has agreed to capitalize this ship.

JOI Report:  Kate Moran

Kate Moran provided a broad review of the current ODP structure and of
planning for post 2003. She also discussed ongoing technology development
include HYACE,
and laboratory updates of the ship for deep biosphere and gas hydrates
work. Kate also discussed recent meetings with industry; ideas for
cooperation were well received. Craig Manning asked if this was mainly
seen as a means to generate
more capital for ocean drilling. Kate replied that industry had
scientific objectives that could contribute to the overall effort.

She described the relationship of IPSC to other parts of the JOIDES
advisory structure. IPSC has established several working groups including
one to write a science plan for
a new program, taking input from the COMPLEX and CONCORD meetings.
Working groups for technology and industrial liaisons have also been
established.

The Japanese DIET has approved over $500M for design and construction of
a new riser vessel. H. Tokuyama noted that he had some updated diagrams
of the new ship (these were reproduced and distributed later in a joint
session).

Kate continued by explaining US activities for post 2003 drilling. She
discussed the formation of the conceptual design committee by USSAC. It
is hoped that the new ship will have capabilities that extend into
shallow water. The work of the committee
will be used as input for an RFP. The ultimate decision on the new
non-riser ship will decide whether a "hiatus" in drilling occurs.

Kate discussed several outreach efforts by JOI including the ocean
drilling seminar series on Capital Hill.
 

10:15-17:00 Separate ISSEP and ESSEP Meetings to Review Proposals

The SSEP chairs reviewed the conflict of interest rules prior to the
start of proposal reviews. Proponents are excluded, as are those having
active projects closely related to the projects
proposed. SSEP members at the same institutions as a proponent must
identify themselves to the SSEP chairs prior to review discussions.

During the meetings (Nov 1-3),  the SSEPs considered the following
proposals:

Proposal      Title Code               Proposal contact

477-Add3      Okhotsk paleoc.          Takahashi
482-Add4      Wilkes Land Margin       Escutia
489-Full3     Ross Sea                 Barrett
512-Full2     Core Complex             Blackman
521-Full5     Indus Fan                Clift
522-Full2     Fast Deep Crust          Wilson
533-Full2     Arctic Ocean             Blackman
535-Add       735 Deep                 Dick
537-Full3     Proto. Seis. Zone        Von Huene
539-Full2     Blake Ridge              Holbrook
544-Full2     Subduction Zone          Silver
545-Full2     Juan de Fuca             Fisher
547-Full      Ocean Deep Biosphere     Fisk
549-Full2     N. Arabian Sea           Von Rad
550-Full      Australia NW Shelf       Bradshaw
551-Full      Hess Deep                Gillis
553-Add       Cascadia Margin          Hyndman
554-Full2     Mexico Gas Hydrates      Kennicutt
555-Full2     Cretan Margin            Kopf
558-Pre2      Iberian Margin           Zitellini
561-Full2     Caribbean LIP            Duncan
562-Full2     N. Atl. Paleocean.       Norris
563-Pre2      Eur.American Gateway     Smolka
564-Full      New Jersey Shelf         Miller
566-Full2     Nanaki Hydrate           Matsumoto
567-Pre       S. Pacific Transect      Lyle
568-Pre       Caribbean Gateway        Droxler
569-Full      Juan de Fuca CO2         Goldberg
570-Full      Axis East Pac. Rise      Batiza
571-Full      Peru Deep Biosphere      D'Hondt
572-Pre       N. Atlantic Climate      Channell
573-Pre       Carbonate Mounds         Dullo
574-Pre       Rainbow Hydrothermal     Fouquet
575-Full      Gulf of Aden             deMenocal
576-Pre       S. Barbados Accret.      Deville
577-Full      Demerara Rise            Wilson
514-Full3     Maldives Sea Level       Droxler

In addition, External Reviews and Proponent Response Letters were
considered for proposals 520, 560, 559, 519. Final decisions on these
proposals are summarized in Attachment A.
 

19:30 Meetings of Review Working Group on Seismogenic Zone and related
proposals (Sala Colombe, Astoria Hotel)

Attending:
Keith Louden*
Don Fisher
Craig Manning
Jamie Austin
Barbara Bekins
*Working Group leader

A Joint ISSEP/ESSEP Working group was established by the SSEP chairs to
coordinate review of proposals in the broad area of the seismogenic
zone/convergent margins. Proposals considered by the Working Group
included: 537-Full3, 544-Full3, 555-Full3, 576-Pre

20:15 Meetings of Review Working Group on Deep Biosphere Zone (Sala
Colombe, Astoria Hotel)

Attending:
Debbie Kelley*
Craig Manning
Paul Baker
Barbara Bekins
*Working Group Leader

A Joint ISSEP/ESSEP Working group was established by the SSEP chairs to
coordinate review of proposals addressing the sub-seafloor biosphere.
Proposals considered by the Working Group included: 547-Full, 571-Full,
573-Pre, 574-Pre
 

19:30  SSEP Chairs, JOIDES office and ODP Managers Meeting, Sala Rosone,
Astoria Hotel

Attending:
John Tarduno (ISSEP chair)
Neil Lundberg (ESSEP chair)
Julie Morris (incoming ISSEP chair)
Kate Moran (JOI)
John Farrell (JOI)
Warner Brueckmann (JOIDES office)
Jeff Schuffert (JOIDES office)
Alastair Robertson (SCICOM liaison to ISSEP)

The group met to discuss several issues including reporting by the
current and future PPGs. John Tarduno stressed that suggested revisions
to the original SCICOM motions concerning PPG-chair attendance at the
SSEP meetings were intended to apply to the new PPGs rather than all the
current PPG (because most of the current groups have completed, or soon will
complete their work).  The SSEP chairs asked Warner Brueckmann and Jeff
Schuffert to communicate this to Bill Hay. Julie Morris agreed to draft
suggested revisions to the SCICOM motion discussing PPG meetings and
reporting that are consistent with the JOIDES organization structure
(i.e. PPG report to the SSEPs).
 

20:15 Special Meeting to Discuss Marion Plateau-Shatsky Rise Scientific
Issues, Sala Rosone, Astoria Hotel

Attending:
John Tarduno (ISSEP chair)
Neil Lundberg (ESSEP chair)
Julie Morris (incoming ISSEP chair)
Jamie Austin (ESSEP)
Ellen Thomas (ESSEP)
Steve Clemens (ESSEP
Ulrich Bleil (ISSEP)
Randy Forsythe (ISSEP)
Kate Moran (JOI)
John Farrell (JOI)
Warner Brueckmann (JOIDES office)
Jeff Schuffert (JOIDES office)

On 29 Oct. the SCICOM chair Bill Hay requested that the SSEPs evaluate a
drilling plan involving Proposals 510 (Marion Plateau) and 534 (Shatsky
Rise) proposed by the ODP managers. Specifically, SCICOM sought the
SSEP's opinion as to whether the highest priority scientific objectives
could be met by the plan. Bill Hay requested that the SSEP comments be
sent by 4 Nov to the JOIDES office.

In response to this request, the SSEP chairs asked several members to
meet with representatives from the JOIDES office, JOI and SCICOM to
discuss the plan.

Kate Moran presented the plan and its intent to maximize the overall
science achieved. If both programs could be shortened, both might be
incorporated into the FY01 drilling schedule.

The SSEP chairs asked Jamie Austin to provide his opinion on the impact
on the science presented in the Marion Plateau proposal.

The SSEP chairs asked Ellen Thomas to provide her opinion on the impact
of the plan on the science presented in the Shatsky Rise proposal.

Both reviews were followed by considerable discussion, which included
other SSEP members asked to attend the meeting. After this discussion, a
consensus was reached. The chairs asked Steven Clemens to draft a
consensus statement for consideration during the joint ISSEP-ESSEP
meeting. Furthermore, the SSEP chairs asked Jamie Austin
and Ellen Thomas to prepare statements reflecting their opinions on the
science that could be obtained in the plan with respect to Marion Plateau
(Jamie Austin) and Shatsky Rise (Ellen Thomas). The SSEP chairs thanked
everyone for their patience, with the meeting concluding at approximately
23:00.
 

Nov 2. 8:30-18:00 Separate meetings of ISSEP and ESSEP to continue
reviewing  proposals.

In addition to separate meetings for proposal review, two additional Review
Working Groups met to coordinate ISSEP/ESSEP comments:

Gas Hydrates Working Group

Attending
Jon Martin*
Paul Baker
Gerard Blanc
Julie Morris
Nathan Bangs
*Working Group leader

This  group was established by the SSEP chairs to coordinate review of
proposals addressing gas hydrates.  Proposals considered by the Working
Group included:: 539-Full, 553-add, 554-Full, 566-Full2

Climate-Tectonic Links Working Group

Attending:
Steve Clemens*
R. Tada
Ulrich Bleil
Randy Forsythe
*Working Group leader

A Joint ISSEP/ESSEP Working group was established by the SSEP chairs to
coordinate review of proposals addressing climate and tectonics.
Proposals considered by the Working Group included: 521-Full5, 533-Full2,
563-Pre2, 568-Pre
 

18:30 Reception, University of Udine, Palazzo Florio, Via Palladio 8 Udine

20:00 Panel Meeting Dinner, Hotel Astoria, Piazza XX Settembre 24 Udine
 

Nov. 3.

8:30 Separate Panel Meetings
 

ESSEP Meeting
 

ESSEP required the balance of this session to complete discussions on
the remaining proposals.  In addition, there was discussion on SCICOM
rankings of proposals at the August 1999 SCICOM meeting. In particular,
discussion was sparked by questions that arose during review of
proposals 477 (Okhotsk and Bering Seas) and 549 (Arabian Sea OMZ and
Monsoons). A number of ESSEP members considered these to be
high-priority proposals, and watchdogs felt they had insufficient
information about why these were ranked low by SCICOM to be able
to convey useful suggestions to proponents.
 

ISSEP Meeting

John Tarduno reviewed the status of priorities discussed previously by
the panel, in light of recently scheduled programs. The following is a
brief summary of this review.

Mantle Dynamics: The recent selection of ION and LIP proposals, together
with previously scheduled legs addressing mantle flow (i.e. AAD) forms a
coherent effort to address
geodynamics, ranging from the present day to the Cretaceous. LIP legs
have been exploratory. The next phase of drilling should build on these
efforts, and be geared toward specific hypothesis testing.

Oceanic Lithosphere: The AOL PPG, and reports from prior planning
meetings, have outlined several areas of progress desired in the general
area of oceanic lithosphere.
These include plutonic foundations, complete penetration of insitu crust,
hydrothermal systems and core complexes. ISSEP has seen proposals in all
of these areas and legs
will address specific items (e.g. Manus Basin hydrothermal systems).
However, a plan to link specific proposals has not been produced by prior
planning groups and ISSEP
might consider attempting to draft such a plan (or plans). Also, the
panel should be aware that it's desire to see an Oceanic  Core Complex
drilled prior to the end of the present
program is a priority that did not appear in SCICOM's subsequent
discussion of program priorities (that was communicated to EXCOM.)

Mass Balances and Temporal variations at subduction zones: The panel had
previously expressed the desire to see an effort drilled before the end
of the present program to complement previously scheduled legs (i.e. Leg
185) ; there appears to be sufficient proposal pressure in this area.

Convergent Boundaries: There has been considerable advance in this area
with 2 scheduled legs at  Nankai. The original intent of these proposals
was to study processes of deformation and fluid flow in the accretionary
wedge. The panel will need to consider  how this relates to the
seismogenic zone drilling given priority at CONCORD (use of the new riser
drill ship).

Extensional Boundaries: The chair noted that the lack of proposals in
this area is not surprising; the panel previously requested that a
program planning group be established to represent this area because of a
perceived lack of proposals.

Earthquake processes: ODP has made considerable advances in this area
with the recent instrumentation of the Japanese trench (ODP Leg 186). The
chair noted that we hadn't been receiving many other proposals of this
type and that the panel might consider soliciting additional proposals.
Jamie Allan noted that the principal reason for the lack of proposals was
probably the lack of cables that could service new installations. Jamie
noted that new installations in the northeast Pacific might lead to new
proposals.
 

10:45 Joint ISSEP/ESSEP Meeting

ODP-TAMU Report

Paul Wallace and Mitch Malone  of ODP-TAMU provided a brief summary
(results of recent legs have been linked to the SSEP web site,
www.earth.rochester.edu). Paul reviewed developments during the recent
drydock. The ICPE (Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer) will
be installed prior to Leg 187. Debbie Kelley asked about pressurized
water samples for biosphere studies. The ODP-TAMU liaisons will provide
more information on this issue to the SSEPs.

Logging Report

Tim  Brewer briefly asked for feedback regarding the development of new
logging tools (descriptions have been posted on the SSEP web site,
www.earth.rochester.edu/issep).
The SSEP chairs agreed to provide feedback on these new tools.
 

PPG Reports:

SWS PPG Presentation by Terry Quinn

Terry Quinn, co-chair of the SWS PPG,  reviewed the progress and goals of
the PPG. Terry provided the group with a report addressing scientific
issues (white papers) which have been
posted on the SSEP web site (www.earth.rochester.edu). Terry reviewed the
challenges  that the SWS-PPG has faced. Shallow water science requires
alternate platforms or a
reconfiguration of the JOIDES Resolution. Terry reviewed the timeline of
the PPG work and a science/technology matrix. Terry's presentation was
followed by questions and comments. Jamie Austin noted that the project
planning should be incorporated into IODP. Paul Baker was surprised that
only 2 main scientific issues were identified in the report/ white
papers; he felt there were many more important issues. Peter deMenocal
felt the community was mature scientifically but was technology limited.
The SSEP chairs thanked Terry for the update and noted that the panels
were beginning to see increased proposal pressure in the area of shallow
water systems.

Gas Hydrates PPG Jon Martin

Jon Martin provided a comprehensive review of the Gas Hydrates meeting
held in September, 1999 in Berlin. The meeting addressed two major
themes: (1) technical aspects of gas hydrates (status of existing tools,
development of new tools, needs for new tools involving sampling and
geophysical tools) and (2) prioritizing the most important issues
(developing a drilling strategy and identifying type areas to target).

Jon reviewed  existing tools or those under development including HYACE ,
the Pressure Core Sampler (PCS), The Davis/Villenger Temperature Probe
(DVTP),  the Water Sampler Temperature Probe (WSTP),  and the Fissler
Water Sampler (FWS). Jon also discussed some new tools including the TCP
device under development by Charlie Paull to measure pressure and
temperature and electrical resist. on the piston head of the APC device.
This might allow measurements on every APC run. Jon also discussed a
catwalk IR temperature sensor gun.
This might develop into a routine measurement on cores.

Jon noted that the PPG was pleased with the selection of Hydrate Ridge
for scheduling.  Hydrate Ridge will address tectonic BSRs through
drilling in an active margin setting. The group discussed what might be
missing from the Hydrate Ridge effort that is still important for an
overall approach to understand hydrates. Items discussed included slope
stability, hydrate-climate links, importance of hydrates in a passive
margin setting, gas chemistry and thermogenic vs. biogenic gas,
destabilization of gas hydrate and non- BSR hydrates. For non-BSR
hydrates, the group considered several options, with input from Jon and
John Tarduno who also attended the meeting. These included APL's that
might propose specific studies that could be done on
legs addressing other topics but drilling in locations where non-BSR
hydrate might be expected. In addition, routine techniques to identify
gas hydrates were discussed (such as collection of
catwalk temperatures).

Some PPG members were reluctant to suggest specific strategies that would
follow the Hydrate Ridge Drilling but did express that the link between
slop stability/geohazards and climate was perhaps the most important
remaining issue.

The SSEPs have received a final report from the PPG which discussed this
and other issues; the report has been made available to SSEP members
through the SSEP web page (www.earth.rochester.edu/issep).
 

12:00 Lunch Break

13:00 Continuation of Joint ISSEP-ESSEP Meeting

The panels thanked Piera Spadea for her work in the planning of the
meeting.

Marion Plateau-Shatsky Rise Plan

Next the panels addressed the Marion Plateau-Shatsky Rise plan proposed
by the ODP Managers. A discussion of this plan was requested by Bill Hay.

The SSEP chairs asked Jamie Austin to start by reviewing what high
priority science would be accomplished from the original Marion Plateau
proposal in the ODP Managers plan. The SSEP
chairs asked Ellen Thomas to follow Jamie's presentation with a similar
review with respect to the Shatsky Rise proposal. Next, the SSEP chairs
asked Steve Clemens to present a draft SSEP
consensus statement on this issue. This statement represents the outcome
of a meeting held in the evening on 1 Nov (see above). The SSEP chairs
then asked the opinion of other SSEP
members who were asked to attend the 1 Nov.  meeting (Ulrich Bleil and
Randy Forsythe). After adopting some minor changes in wording the
consensus statement was adopted by the SSEPs
The SSEP chairs thanked Jamie Austin, Ellen Thomas and Steve Clemens for
their presentations.

Attachments B-E are the written reports of the SSEP deliberations on
the Marion Plateau-Shatsky Rise discussions, sent on Nov. 4, 1999 to
the JOIDES Office.
Attachment B is a cover letter from the SSEP chairs on the Marion
Plateau  Shatsky Rise deliberations; Attachment C is the Marion Plateau
Shatsky Rise Consenus Statement from the SSEPs; Attachement D is
a Marion Plateau review statement, written by ESSEP watchdog
Jamie Austin; and Attachment E is a Shatsky Rise review statement,
written by ESSEP watchdog Ellen Thomas.
 

Presentation of SSEP Motion by Julie Morris

A series of recommendations to SCICOM were presented by Julie Morris.
These recommendations were in part stimulated by  events following the
last SCICOM meeting including handling of the Marion Plateau and Shatsky
Rise proposals. After discussion
and minor revision the issue was called to a vote by Hans Brumsack;
seconded and approved unanimously. The motions are found in Attachment F.
 

Discussion of Joint  Proposals: Review Working Group Leaders

After another review of the conflict of interest rules,  the following
Review Working Groups Leaders provided a brief summary of the groups
discussion and final recommendations regarding the proposals considered:

Gas Hydrates: Jon Martin
Seismogenic Zone: Keith Louden
Climate-Tectonics: Steven Clemens
Deep Biosphere: Debbie Kelley

Acknowledgments

ISSEP and ESSEP thank Michele Rebesco, Piera Spadea and Angela Marchetto
for organization of the meeting,  Rosanna Giaquinta for leading the
pre-meeting excursion to Venice, and Marco Stefani for leading the
post-meeting excursion to the Dolomites.

The SSEPs warmly acknowledge the leadership of Ted Moore during the
establishment of the new  JOIDES review structure. Ted's keen insight
into all aspects of the past, present and future drilling programs has
been invaluable to the advisory structure, proposal proponents and the
ocean science community. Ted's leadership as IPSC chair has already
provided great encouragement to us all.

The SSEP chairs acknowledge the dedication of the following members whose
service during the establishment of a new proposal review structure
ensured the continued success of the Ocean Drilling Program:
Jon Martin, especially for stimulating interest in hydrogeology;
Jamie Austin, especially for assisting in sealevel proposals and his work
with the ANTOSTRAT group;
Peter deMenocal, especially for assisting in proposals addressing
climate-tectonic links;
Ellen Thomas, especially for assisting in issues of past warm climates;
Rainer Zahn, especially for assisting with paleoceanographic issues;
Gerald Blanc, especially for assisting with the reviews of proposals in
fluid flow and convergent margins;
Ulrich Bleil, especially for assisting with the reviews of proposals
addressing climate-tectonic links;
Georges Ceuleneer, especially for assisting with proposals addressing
oceanic lithosphere;
Randy Forsythe, especially for assisting with climate-tectonic issues;
Keith Louden, especially for his seismic expertise addressing a wide
range of SSEP topics;
Craig Manning, especially for his keen geochemical insight concerning a
wide range of SSEP issues;
Carolyn Ruppel, especially for her insight and considerable effort in
leading reviews of gas hydrate proposals for both panels;
Debbie Kelley, especially for providing key advice on fluid flow, the
deep biosphere and the construction of oceanic lithosphere;
Julie Morris, especially for her geochemical insight in the evaluation of
convergent margin proposals; special thanks also for her willingness to
continue service as the new  ISSEP chair;
Nathan Bangs, especially for his seismic expertise and advice on
convergent margin and gas hydrate proposals.
 

15:15 The meeting was called to a close by the SSEP chairs.

15:30 Several panel members completed reviews.

18:00 John Tarduno and Neil  Lundberg completed the summary of the Marion
Plateau - Shatsky Rise discussion for e-mail submission to the JOIDES
office (and subsequent
distribution to SCICOM) to meet the deadline by Bill Hay. Special thanks
to Warner Brueckmann for his assistance in completing and distributing
the SSEP consensus statement.
 

Meeting Attendees

ISSEP

Nathan Bangs
Mike Bickle
Ulrich Bleil
Georges Ceuleneer
Randy Forythe
Don Fisher
Debbie Kelley
Annakaisa Korja
Keith Louden
Craig Manning
Julie Morris
Chris Small
John Tarduno (Chair)
H. Tokuyama
Z. Zhou
 

ESSEP

Jamie Austin
Paul Baker
Barbara Bekins
Svante Bjork
Gerard Blanc
Hans Brumsack
Chris Charles
Steven Clemens
Peter deMenocal
Hui-Ling Lin
Neil Lundberg  (Chair)
Jon Martin
Ryuji Tada
Ellen Thomas
Juergen Thurow
 

Liaisons and Guests

Tim Brewer ISSEP Logging Liaison
Ulysses Ninneman ESSEP Logging Liaison
Robert Whitmarsh SSEP Liaison to ISSEP
Al Hine SSP Liaison to ESSEP
Alastair Robertson SCICOM Liaison to ISSEP
John Farrell (Monday-Tuesday) JOI
Kate Moran (Monday-Tuesday) JOI
Jeff Schufert JOIDES office
Warner Bruekmann JOIDES office
Terry Quinn Shallow Water System PPG co-chair
 

Attachments:

A. SSEP Decisions on Proposals Reviewed

B. SSEP chair cover letter on Marion Plateau-Shatsky Rise Discussions

C. Marion Plateau - Shatsky Rise Consenus Statement

D. Marion Plateau review statement (Jamie Austin)

E. Shatsky Rise review statement (Ellen Thomas)

F. SSEP motion to SCICOM
 
 

Attachment A: SSEP Decisions on Proposals Reviewed, Nov. 1999
 

Joint ISSEP/ESSEP Reviews and Proposal Decision

514-Full3    Maldives             External Review
521-Full5    Indus Fan            SCICOM
533-Full2    Arctic Ocean         External Review
537-Full3    Protoseis.           External Review
539-Full2    Blake hydrates       External Review
544-Full2    Costa Rica           External Review
545-Full2    JdF Fluid Flow       External Review
547-Full     Deep Biosphere       Revise
553-Add      Cascadia hydrates    Revise
554-Full2    GofM hydrates        Revise
555-Full2    Crete                External Review (cover
                                   letter needed by Dec. 20)
558-Pre2     Iberia tsunami       Dev. Full Proposal with reservations
566-Full2    Nankai hydrates      External review (Revised
                                   proposal by Dec. 20)
568-Pre      Car. Gateway         Revised preproposal
569-Full     CO2 Seq.             Revise
571-Full     Peru biosphere       External Review
573-Pre      Carb. Mounds         Develop Full Proposal
574-Pre      Perid. Hydroth.      Develop Full Proposal
576-pre      Barbados             Revised or new preproposal

ESSEP-only Reviews and Proposal Decisions:

477-Add3     Okhotsk Paleoc            SCICOM
482-Add4     Wilkes Land Margin        SCICOM
489-Full3    Ross Sea                  SCICOM
519-Full2    Tahiti Sea Level          SCICOM
549-Full2    Arabian Sea               SSEP comments
550-Full     Australia NW shelf        Revise
559-Full     Walvis Extreme Climates   SCICOM
562-Full2    N. Atlantic Paleocean.    Revise
563-Pre2     EurAmerican Gateway       new preproposal iff
                                        add proponents
564-Full     New Jersey Shelf          External Review
567-Pre      S. Pacific Transect       Dev. full proposal
572-Pre      N. Atlantic Climate       Dev. full proposal
575-Full     Gulf of Aden              Revise
577-Ful      Demerara Rise             External Review
 

ISSEP-only Reviews and Proposal Decisions:

512-Full2    Core Complex              External Review
520-Full     Kyushu-Palau ridge        SCICOM
522-Full2    Fast Spreading            External Review
535-Add      735B Deep                 SCICOM
551-Full     Hess Deep                 External Review
560-Full     Woodlark                  SCICOM
561-Full2    Caribbean LIP             Revise
570-Full     EPR                       External Review
 

Attachment B: SSEP chair cover letter on Marion Plateau-Shatsky Rise
Discussions

Explanation for the Leg 194 Plan comments from the SSEPs

At the request of SCICOM, the SSEPs considered the Leg 194 plan. Comments were
limited to the likelihood of achieving high-priority science objectives of the
original science plans outlined in Proposals 510 and 534.  Comments regarding
the process will be forwarded to SCICOM separately as part of the SSEP minutes.

Three files have been submitted to the JOIDES office directly from our meeting
in Udine to meet the requested Nov. 4 deadline. These include:

1.  A short summary of the consensus of the two SSEPs

2.  Specific comments from Marion Plateau watchdog Jamie Austin.  These
comments were solicited by the SSEP chairs and reflect a watchdog rather than a
consensus view.

3. Specific comments from Shatsky Rise watchdog Ellen Thomas.  These comments
were solicited by the SSEP chairs and reflect a watchdog rather than a
consensus view.

Respectfully submitted,

Neil Lundberg

John Tarduno
 

Attachment C: Marion Plateau - Shatsky Rise Consenus Statement

SSEPS Consensus

Shatsky Rise

The Leg 194 drilling plan meets a significant number of the highly ranked
Paleogene objectives which are consistent with climate change components of the
ODP Long Range Plan.  Highly ranked objectives of Shatsky Rise Proposal 534
which could be addressed by the Leg 194 plan include those related to (1) the
Eocene-Oligocene green-house to ice-house transition, (2) the nature and onset
of  middle Eocene cooling, (3) ocean temperature, chemistry, and biotic
response to the early Eocene warm episode, (4) carbonate dissolution and
hydrate instability during the late Paleocene thermal maximum, (5) biotic
effects and oceanic productivity collapse at the K/T boundary, and (5) middle
Maastrichtian extinctions, circulation, and sea level change. High-priority
science objectives of Proposal 534 which are totally eliminated from the Leg
194 plan are those related to the onset of the mid-Cretaceous greenhouse
climate and Cretaceous evolution of  marine plankton and benthos.
 

Marion Plateau

The Leg 194 drilling plan seriously jeopardizes the high-priority sea-level
timing and amplitude objectives and eliminates the rate-of-change and
facies-response objectives, all of which are consistent with the goals of the
ODP Long Range Plan.  Recovery of sufficient material from specific horizons at
multiple locations throughout the Proposal 510 transect is critical to
evaluating sea-level timing and amplitude, as well as sea-level rate of change
and facies response.  Given the difficulty anticipated in recovering
coarse-grained carbonate clastics (especially at the more proximal locations)
as well as interbedded pelagic units, there is significant concern that
elimination of one or more holes at multiple sites as well as the elimination
of sites CS-03, 08, and 09 significantly reduces the likelihood of recovering
these critical intervals.
 
 
 

Attachment D: Marion Plateau review statement (Jamie Austin)

(from Jamie Austin, ESSEP watchdog for Proposal 510, 11/3/99)

Marion Plateau

A meeting of the SSEPs chairs and Marion / Shatsky watchdogs, together with
representation from JOI and SCICOM, met on 1 November to consider proposed
changes to the two affected science programs, with a view to scheduling parts
of each as Leg 194.

Following is a site-by-site assessment of the Marion Plateau transect for
Neogene sea level history. The conclusion is that the transect as originally
proposed by the proponents cannot be cut, as proposed by ODP managers, to
accomodate its inclusion with a Shatsky Rise mini-leg as a composite Leg 194.

The scientific premise of the Marion Plateua transect is that sequential growth
of two Miocene carbonate platforms (older: MP2; younger: MP3) atop a stable and
subsiding basement substrate can be used to constrain a part of the Miocene
eustatic sea-level history.

CS-01A
Objective:
1) date the onset of growth of MP2;
2) date the drowning of MP2.
Proponents: propose multiple holes to a TD of 500 mbsf
Leg 194 plan: unchanged, except the 194 plan recommends only RCB coring and a
combined washing and sampling program below 300 mbsf. While the Leg 194 plan
recommends sampling basement, the proponents' plan targets the
basement/sediment interface, to ascertain the initiation of growth of MP2. That
goal cannot be abridged; continuous coring over the entire interval is
recommended. No reduction in proposed site time.

CS-02A
Objective:
1) sampling of proximal flank facies of the MP2 platform, to basement.
Proponents: propose multiple holes to a TD of 450mbsf to assess both the
age and
paleobathymetry of flank deposits.
Leg 194 plan: use of the MDCB or ADCB in a single hole to TD.
Recommmendation: leave the proponent plan in place; optimal recovery is
critical
for the age/paleobathymetry objectives. These objectives are critical to the
overall goal of assessing the history of the growth and presumed drowning of
MP2.

CS-03A
Objective:
1) Sample flank deposits of MP2 in a downdip position, and
2) sample basinal deposits ("Megasequence C") deposits in part derived from the
(younger) MP3. Paleobathymetry + age !
Proponents: propose multiple holes to a TD of 500mbsf to basement.
Leg 194 plan: eliminate this site.
Recommendation: leave the proponents' plan in place. Multiple penetrations +
logs are necessary to assure a complete geologic history of the growth of MP2,
and its stratigraphic relationship with (younger) MP3.

CS-04A
Objective:
1) Assess age control in the central basinal position between platforms MP2 and
MP3.
Proponents: multiple holes to a TD of 600mbsf (to and through basement).
Leg 194 plan: unchanged, except that site time is reduced from 8.6 to 7.7
days.
Recommendation: leave the existing plan in place; adjust total site time as
appropriate.

CS-05A
Objective:
1) sampling of proximal flank facies/deposits of the MP3 platform, to basement
(including a wedge-shaped basal accumulation, "C2", that may represent the
first clastic products of MP3).
Proponents: propose multiple holes to a TD of 500mbsf, to basement.
Leg 194 plan: use of the MDCB/ADCB in a single hole to TD, with only spot
sampling below 300mbsf, to basement.
Recommendation: leave the proponent plan in place; optimal recovery is critical
for age/paleobathymetry objectives. These objectives are critical to the
overall goal of assessing the growth and presumed drowning of MP3.

CS-06A
Objective:
1) date the onset of growth of MP3,
2) date the drowning of MP3.
Proponents: propose multiple holes to 550mbsf.
Leg 194 plan: recommends only RCB coring to the same TD, with a reduced site
time.
Recommendation: the interfaces at the crest and base (poorly imaged) of MP3 are
critical. Multiple holes will be necessary; this site could be shortened not to
include the basement target; if CS-05A is successful in reaching the basement
objective.

CS-08A (CS-07A on my cross-section?)
Objective: see CS-06A
Proponents: multiple holes to a TD of 600mbsf.;
Leg 194 plan: eliminated.
Recommendation: this site might be eliminated, if the multi-hole strategies
proposed by the proponents at CS-05A and CS-06A are successful.

CS-09A (CS-08A on my cross-section?)
Objective: compare proximal flank deposits of MP-3 (thicker on this flank of
MP-3) with results at CS-05A.
Proponents: multiple holes to a TD of 570 mbsf, including basement.
Leg 194 plan: eliminated
Recommendation: flank deposits proximal to MP-3 differ seismically on its two
flanks. In order to constrain the growth history of MP-3 completely, both
CS-05A and CS-09A will be neccessary.
 
 

Attachment E: Shatsky Rise review statement (Ellen Thomas)

Summary of ODP Managers' Leg 194 Plan with respect to Proposal 534
by Ellen Thomas, ESSEP Watchdog for Proposal 534

PROPOSAL 534, SHATSKY RISE
LRP: EXTREME CLIMATES

Objectives that could be met in minileg (Leg 194 Plan).
Note: Double APC does not guarantee full recovery at composite section, but
recovery at Site 577 and Site 865 suggests that there is a good probability.

1) Eocene - Oligocene Greenhouse to icehouse transition
    -Establishment of large icesheets on Antarctica.
    -Ocean temperature, chemistry; effects on biota;
       records of late Eocene impacts.

2) Nature and onset of mid Eocene cooling.
    -Ocean temperature, chemistry, biota

3) Early Eocene warm episode:
    -Ocean temperature and chemistry stability.
    -Were there multiple hyperthermals?
    -Biota during warm period.

4) Late Paleocene thermal maximum:
    -Vertical extent of carbonate.
    -Dissolution; gas hydrate dissociation.

5) K/T Boundary
    - Effects on biota by depth.
    - Productivity collapse.

?6) Mid-Maastrichian extinction
    -Change in circulation
    -Sea-level change

Objectives dropped from leg (dropped from Proposal 534):

  -Timing and nature of onset of mid-Cretaceous greenhouse
  -Early evolution of marine plankton and benthos
  -Cretaceous Sr. isotope stratigraphy

Site-by-site strategies:

Shatsky Rise - as SCICOM received it

Primary    Water    Sediment    Leg 194     Drilling    Logging
Sites      Depth    Thickness   strategy    time(hrs)   time(hrs)

SHAT 1*    2400       250        (250)        4.3          1.2
SHAT 2     2746       375                     5.9          1.2
SHAT 3     3863       600                     4.5          1.2
SHAT 4*    3300       275        (275)        5.0          1.2
SHAT 5     3100       345                     5.4          1.2
SHAT 7*    4125       257        (200)        4.6          1.2
SHAT 8     3688       168                     3.9          1.2

* Sites retained in new minileg plan.

Proposal 534 strategy: triple APC,XCB, RCB, PDC bit

Minileg ("Leg 194 Plan") Drilling Strategy: Double APC
Recovers to Paleogene or Maastrichtian
-Latitudinal Range:          32°.65'N to 37°00'N
-Depth Range:                1400-4125 m
-Paleolatitude Paleogene:    16°-20°N
-Paleodepth Range:           (?) 1000-2700 m
 
 

Attachment F: SSEP motion to SCICOM
 

The following motion, pertaining to communication between SCICOM and the
SSEPs, was put forward by Julie Morris, duly seconded and passed
unanimously in the final joint session of ISSEP and ESSEP.

Resolution:
Timely and effective communication amongst SCICOM, the JOIDES office and
the SSEPs is essential if the SSEPs are to fulfill their mandate to
nurture proposals.  Exceptional job performance by JOIDES office
representatives, SCICOM liaisons to the SSEPs and SSEPs panelists cannot
substitute for effective procedures that facilitate communication.
Therefore, the SSEPs make the following recommendations:

1. For proposals not ranked or below the line at SCICOM's August meeting,
letters to proponents should be drafted by SCICOM watchdogs at the SCICOM
meeting, and copied to the SSEP chairs and the rest of SCICOM within one
week of the meeting.

2. Minutes from the SCICOM scheduling meeting should be made available to
the SSEPs at the earliest opportunity, and not later than the proposal
deadline following the August meeting.

3. We strongly urge that the science plan and resulting ship schedule be
finalized shortly after the August SCICOM meeting.

4. If  SCICOM requests SSEPs input in finalizing the science plan after
the August meeting, the first point of contact should be the SSEP
chairs.  The JOIDES office must respect the responsibility and
suitability of the SSEP chairs in choosing leaders for SSEP discussion.

5. Attendance by SCICOM liaisons to both panels at all meetings is
essential to the SSEPs role in nurturing proposals.  SCICOM should
establish procedures to ensure effective liaison.

6. The SSEPs greatly benefit from the presence of the SCICOM chair at
panel meetings.