Daily News
Project Acronym: BASE | State: Completed | Expedition ID: 5069
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BASE: 2022_05_13 ˇ
Borehole 5A drilled through the 400 m mark in thick fine-grained sandstones.
Borehole 5A drilled through the 400 m mark in thick fine-grained sandstones.
BASE: 2022_05_12 ˇ
Spectacular fine lamination in the prodelta facies was encoutnered around 200 m.
Spectacular fine lamination in the prodelta facies was encoutnered around 200 m.
BASE: 2022_05_11 ˇ
The new rig scheduled to drill Site 1 arrived today from Rustenburg.
The new rig scheduled to drill Site 1 arrived today from Rustenburg.
BASE: 2022_05_10 ˇ
We encountered argillaceous-ferruginous sediments in ca. 50 m thickness.
We encountered argillaceous-ferruginous sediments in ca. 50 m thickness.
BASE: 2022_05_09 ˇ
MdI1 consists of laminated shaly and ferruginous strata of unknown complexity.
MdI1 consists of laminated shaly and ferruginous strata of unknown complexity.
BASE: 2022_05_08 ˇ
It's Sunday.
It's Sunday. The hall is closed, drillers are resting, and therefore time for some scenery.
BASE: 2022_05_07 ˇ
Some beautiful sections show sub-mm-scale lamination.
Some beautiful sections show sub-mm-scale lamination.
BASE: 2022_05_06 ˇ
Borehole 5A has entered the jaspilite MdI1.
Borehole 5A has entered the jaspilite MdI1.
BASE: 2022_05_05 ˇ
We are gradually becoming more popular with Barberton area schools.
We are gradually becoming more popular with Barberton area schools.
BASE: 2022_05_04 ˇ
Bedding gradually becomes more again as we leave the zone of slumping.
Bedding gradually becomes more again as we leave the zone of slumping.
BASE: 2022_05_03 ˇ
We are ready to move rig MDX315 onto Fairview to drill borehole 1.
We are ready to move rig MDX315 onto Fairview to drill borehole 1.
BASE: 2022_05_02 ˇ
Reconstructing orientation of slumped strata in core frustrates Chris occasionally.
Reconstructing orientation of slumped strata in core frustrates Chris occasionally.
BASE: 2022_05_01 ˇ
In April, Easter weekend is followed by the pay weekend.
In April, Easter weekend is followed by the pay weekend.
BASE: 2022_04_29 ˇ
After having drilled through thick slumps, 5A reached MdI1.
After having drilled through thick slumps, 5A reached MdI1.
BASE: 2022_04_28 ˇ
Nikki Wagner, head of CIMERA, visited us for two days.
Nikki Wagner, head of CIMERA, visited us for two days.
BASE: 2022_04_27 ˇ
Thikho, Victor and Phumi visited a local High School to talk about the Barberton Greenstone Belt,...
Thikho, Victor and Phumi visited a local High School to talk about the Barberton Greenstone Belt, the World Heritage Site, and BASE.
BASE: 2022_04_26 ˇ
Nikki Wagner and visitors were interested in our rock processing procedure.
Nikki Wagner and visitors were interested in our rock processing procedure.
BASE: 2022_04_25 ˇ
The rig at Site 5 still drills through nearly vertical very-fine-grained sandstones interbedded...
The rig at Site 5 still drills through nearly vertical very-fine-grained sandstones interbedded with some shales.
BASE: 2022_04_24 ˇ
By chance, we were contacted by a SCIENCE journalist.
By chance, we were contacted by a SCIENCE journalist.
BASE: 2022_04_23 ˇ
Phumi is active in various EOP activities.
Phumi is active in various EOP activities.
BASE: 2022_04_22 ˇ
The strata do not conform to regional strike and dip and show abundant soft-sedimentary structures.
The strata do not conform to regional strike and dip and show abundant soft-sedimentary structures.
BASE: 2022_04_21 ˇ
We are drilling through slumped sandstones and shales at site 5; ideal for paleomag measurements.
We are drilling through slumped sandstones and shales at site 5; ideal for paleomag measurements.
BASE: 2022_04_13 ˇ
There have been catastrophic rains in South Africa, and they are predicted to run through Easter,...
There have been catastrophic rains in South Africa, and they are predicted to run through Easter, soaking the drill site and making travel difficult and dangerous.
BASE: 2022_04_12 ˇ
The onsite team hosted the Mpumalanga Heritage Society this past Saturday.
The onsite team hosted the Mpumalanga Heritage Society this past Saturday.
BASE: 2022_04_11 ˇ
The rig at Site 5 is drilling through a large slump or rotated slide block with bedding about 90°...
The rig at Site 5 is drilling through a large slump or rotated slide block with bedding about 90° to what was expected.
BASE: 2022_04_10 ˇ
4B had terminated at 355.4 m. within the last m, we fortuitously intersected a cross-cutting...
4B had terminated at 355.4 m. within the last m, we fortuitously intersected a cross-cutting intermediate dike about 50 cm across.
BASE: 2022_04_09 ˇ
On April 8, a truck took ten pallets with approximately 240 trays of core to the National Core...
On April 8, a truck took ten pallets with approximately 240 trays of core to the National Core Library.
BASE: 2022_04_08 ˇ
At Site 5A, the rig is making rapid progress, ending the week at 100 m in an HQ hole.
At Site 5A, the rig is making rapid progress, ending the week at 100 m in an HQ hole.
BASE: 2022_04_07 ˇ
Christoph (in Germany) gave an online presentation to the GSSA Geoheritage Conference.
Christoph (in Germany) gave an online presentation to the GSSA Geoheritage Conference.
BASE: 2022_04_06 ˇ
The rig at 5A spudded today.
The rig at 5A spudded today. It will drill downsection through prodelta-facies of MdS1 in the eastern Stolzburg Syncline.
BASE: 2022_04_05 ˇ
The rig at 4C is drilling intermittently at ca. 300 m and makes slow progress only due to...
The rig at 4C is drilling intermittently at ca. 300 m and makes slow progress only due to persistent breakdowns.
BASE: 2022_04_04 ˇ
In the core shed, archive boxes are seriously impinging onto the Museum's dusty overflow items.
In the core shed, archive boxes are seriously impinging onto the Museum's dusty overflow items.
BASE: 2022_04_03 ˇ
Drillers have gone for an extra-long pay weekend and will only resume on Tuesday.
Drillers have gone for an extra-long pay weekend and will only resume on Tuesday.
BASE: 2022_04_02 ˇ
The rig at Site 4B has also moved to make place for logging.
The rig at Site 4B has also moved to make place for logging.
BASE: 2022_04_01 ˇ
Site 2, next to the road, is being rehabilitated.
Site 2, next to the road, is being rehabilitated.
BASE: 2022_03_31 ˇ
4C is currently the only operational site but the rig is plagued by frequent breakdowns and only...
4C is currently the only operational site but the rig is plagued by frequent breakdowns and only produces a few m per day.
BASE: 2022_03_30 ˇ
Brooke Johnson, new postdoc with Emmanuelle Javaux at Liege, Belgium, arrived to stay for three...
Brooke Johnson, new postdoc with Emmanuelle Javaux at Liege, Belgium, arrived to stay for three weeks.
BASE: 2022_03_29 ˇ
Site 5 on Farm Belvue is located in rolling open grasslands.
Site 5 on Farm Belvue is located in rolling open grasslands.
BASE: 2022_03_28 ˇ
A group from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein stopped by the core shed.
A group from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein stopped by the core shed.
BASE: 2022_03_27 ˇ
Christoph left the team on March 25; Brooke J will arrive on Monday.
Christoph left the team on March 25; Brooke J will arrive on Monday.
BASE: 2022_03_26 ˇ
Borehole 4B in the middle Lomati Delta terminated on Wed, March 23, at 355.4 m depth.
Borehole 4B in the middle Lomati Delta terminated on Wed, March 23, at 355.4 m depth.
BASE: 2022_03_25 ˇ
Rig NF90 moved from Site 2 to Site 5 over 40 km, mostly on forest roads.
Rig NF90 moved from Site 2 to Site 5 over 40 km, mostly on forest roads.
BASE: 2022_03_24 ˇ
In his farewell talk to the Barberton Branch of the Geol.
In his farewell talk to the Barberton Branch of the Geol. Soc. S. Africa, Christoph summarized the BASE project and presented first results.
BASE: 2022_03_23 ˇ
The engineers gave us four hours to traverse the 2780 m long Lomati water tunnel.
The engineers gave us four hours to traverse the 2780 m long Lomati water tunnel.
BASE: 2022_03_22 ˇ
In preparation of planned sampling of the Lomati water tunnel, we checked its access road...
In preparation of planned sampling of the Lomati water tunnel, we checked its access road...
BASE: 2022_03_21 ˇ
Taufeeq Dhansya from the Council for Geosciences in Pretoria visited us for two days.
Taufeeq Dhansya from the Council for Geosciences in Pretoria visited us for two days. We did some joint field work, showed Taufeeq the drill sites, and discussed our work flow.
BASE: 2022_03_20 ˇ
We have moderate to good success to be present in the news media.
We have moderate to good success to be present in the news media. The Lowvelder is a regional advertising paper with an 8-page news jacket.
BASE: 2022_03_19 ˇ
Pre-drill meeting for site 1 in the Elephant's Kloof section of Fairview Mine, Eureka Syncline.
Pre-drill meeting for site 1 in the Elephant's Kloof section of Fairview Mine, Eureka Syncline.
BASE: 2022_03_18 ˇ
Core trays move from station to station, with a waiting and a processing area for each.
Core trays move from station to station, with a waiting and a processing area for each.
BASE: 2022_03_17 ˇ
We take six photos of each tray: Whole, archive, and working; dry and wet each.
We take six photos of each tray: Whole, archive, and working; dry and wet each.