Earthquake Info

On November 16th, 2000 we received a message from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory about a significant earthquake in the vicinity of the area where we will be drilling. The calculated position of the epicenter fit a slip on the Weitin Fault, a major structure which is the present boundary between the Pacific and Indo-Australian plates, and on which 13 cm per year of movement occurs.

The Geophysical Observatory in PoM put the location at 3.7 S 152.1 E, about 40km north of Rabaul, offshore western/central New Ireland. Shallow at 20-50km, magnitude 7.1 (Richter). The scientists working at the Rabaul Volcano Observatory have located the epicenter a bit further east perhaps off eastern/central New Ireland. It's intensity at Rabaul was 7-8 (the toilet bowls lost all their water from sloshing).

A small tsunami was generated, about 1m above normal high tide at Rabaul (containers were carried from the shore 30-40 m inland), and about 1.5 - 2.0 m above high tide level at Kokopo (Tropicana was flooded). Water reached the bar door at Kulau Lodge. No casualties were reported. Small landslides and fallen trees blocked several roads.

The after shocks were felt all day at Rabaul, especially a big intensity 7.0 at 17:55 local time (located in S. New Ireland) which seemed to have marked the start of a decline. They are now weaker and further apart. This was a significant tectonic event however, some scientists believe and hope that this will have little to no impact on the volcano that is presently active in the Rabaul area. Needless to say, we are all keeping our eye out for any turn of events that can worsen the situation.

Besides monitoring earthquakes and volcanoes we are currently working on calibrating all our tools because we should be reaching our site by mid day Saturday. We are concerned about the high temperatures that we may encounter while drilling which may be ranging between 200^o and 300^o C. To monitor the temperatures we will deploy a memory temperature tool on top of the core barrel. The core barrel is 9.5 m long and it is the place at the end of the drill string where the core is being stored while we drill ahead. Therefore, our temperature tool will be located approximately 10 m above the drill bit. We will attempt to monitor temperatures while cold fluids being pumped from the rig floor are mixing with the hot hydrothermal fluids emanating from the borehole. Hopefully, this will give us an indication if it is safe to deploy tools that have a maximum temperature rating ranging from 150^o to 175^o C.

I will keep in contact and provide more information once we get on site and begin drilling operations. I will also get some of the pictures ready for satellite transmission.