Scientific Drilling
The IMMAGE drilling proposal is designed to recover a complete record of Atlantic-Mediterranean exchange from its Late Miocene inception to its current configuration. This will be achieved by coring Miocene offshore sediments and borehole logging at three sites on either side of the Gibraltar Strait during IODP Expedition 401 (10th Dec 2023 - 9th Feb 2024) and from the two precursor connections exposed on land in southern Spain and northern Morocco with ICDP (both with dates TBC).
Offshore Drilling Mediterranean Sea Dec 2023 - Feb 2024
IODP Expedition 401 sampled Miocene offshore sediments at three sites on either side of the Gibraltar Strait: (WAB-03A, 1.7km), Gulf of Cadiz (GUB-02A, 0.92km) and Portuguese margin (ALM-03B, 0.93km).
Spanish Onshore Drilling Dates TBC
During Phase 2, drilling will be carried out onshore in Spain. Funding has been awarded, sites are currently being assessed and drilling is yet to be scheduled.
Morocco Onshore Drilling Dates TBC
A single borehole will be drilled onshore in Morocco (RIF-01A, 2.2km). Funding is still required for this phase and drilling is yet to be scheduled.
Sites of Coring and Borehole Logging
IMMAGE will recover a complete record of Atlantic-Mediterranean exchange from its Late Miocene inception to its current configuration through coring and borehole logging at three sites on either side of the Gibraltar Strait during IODP Expedition 401 and from tin southern Spain and northern Morocco with ICDP.
Site Name | Location | ICDP/IODP | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
U1385 | Offshore Portugal | IODP | 37.566832 | -10.127283 |
U1609 | Offshore Portugal | IODP | 37.37711 | -9.59853 |
U1610 | Gulf of Cadiz | IODP | 36.69968 | -7.43142 |
U1611 | Alboran Sea (Spanish waters) | IODP | 36.31254 | -4.57121 |
BET-01A | Southern Spain | ICDP | 37.29123 | -6.18034 |
RIF-01A | Northern Morocco | ICDP | 35.31169 | -5.68612 |
