Management and Operation of a Continental Scientific Drilling Coordination Office

University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

This award will permit the principle investigators to establish, manage and operate a new Continental Scientific Drilling Coordination Office (CSDCO). Drilling and coring are essential for directly accessing the Earth?s subsurface. Drilling generates samples where lack of exposure or alteration by weathering limit scientific inquiry and understanding of the Earth system. It further allows assessment of materials at depth through in-situ measurements and long-term observation and monitoring of deep earth processes, providing a means for validating observations made from the surface. Core samples drilled from sedimentary archives generate a four-dimensional perspective on the earth-life system. Current and future drilling targets enable research on an enormous variety of topics, including paleoenvironment, biological evolution (including hominid evolution and dispersal), deep-earth biosphere, fault mechanics and seismicity, magmatism, meteor impacts, and groundwater contamination. The CSDCO will perform the following critical functions for the scientific community: 1) engage with interested researchers to develop projects, engineer optimal drilling solutions, solicit bids and secure contracts for efficient drilling operations that meet project goals; 2) support complex project-specific domestic and international logistical requirements; 3) provide an experienced drilling-science interface and sample and data management during drilling operations; 4) provide an open and well-equipped laboratory with all appropriate infrastructure for rapid and thorough initial processing of all types of core samples and management of derivative data; 5) curate all types of cores and data/metadata in physical and virtual repositories; 6) foster the development of an engaged, active, and technologically advanced drilling community; and 7) broaden participation of underrepresented groups.