Researchers to drill holes deep below ocean to better understand quake, Japan

Researchers aboard a Japanese science vessel are preparing to drill holes in the seabed 6,910 meters below the surface of the Pacific Ocean in an effort to better understand what happened when the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake struck.

Crew aboard the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)'s deep earth research vessel Chikyu will drill the holes in the seabed around 220 kilometers off Miyagi Prefecture's Oshika Peninsula. Researchers will attempt to drill through a fault line about 850 meters under the seabed to a final depth of 1,000 meters. Over the last few days unfavorable sea and weather conditions have delayed work, but drilling is expected to begin around April 15.

"We have a responsibility to gather earthquake, geology and ocean science experts, find out what really happened in this earthquake, and explain it to society," said head researcher and earthquake specialist James Jiro Mori.

Ship captain Yasushi Minoura, 52, said, "It will be very difficult work, challenging the limits of how far we can drill. The bad weather will continue, but we'll use caution and I hope we can make this project a success." Read More