Daily News
Project Acronym: BASE | State: Moratorium | Expedition ID: 5069
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BASE: 2022_03_16 ˇ
4B has drilled through >100 m of largely oxidized tuffaceous sandstones.
4B has drilled through >100 m of largely oxidized tuffaceous sandstones.
BASE: 2022_03_15 ˇ
Thiko (left) and Victor (2nd from left; here ith Chris and Derek) have joined our team for the...
Thiko (left) and Victor (2nd from left; here ith Chris and Derek) have joined our team for the remaining drilling operations and are quick learners.
BASE: 2022_03_14 ˇ
After drilling 367 m, the rig at site 2 has folded up and moved aside to make place for the logging...
After drilling 367 m, the rig at site 2 has folded up and moved aside to make place for the logging vehicle.
BASE: 2022_03_13 ˇ
Pallets have arrived.
Pallets have arrived. In the next few days, Musa and Derek will load them with archive core trays.
BASE: 2022_03_12 ˇ
We take and edit about 120 photos a day using an i-phone and a new SLR.
We take and edit about 120 photos a day using an i-phone and a new SLR.
BASE: 2022_03_11 ˇ
MDX901 at Site 2 reached TD at 367m in unit A of a transgressive sequence at the end of shift on...
MDX901 at Site 2 reached TD at 367m in unit A of a transgressive sequence at the end of shift on March 10.
BASE: 2022_03_10 ˇ
The entire leadership team of the University of Mpumalanga visited us for the morning.
The entire leadership team of the University of Mpumalanga visited us for the morning.
BASE: 2022_03_09 ˇ
School classes keep visiting about once a week.
School classes keep visiting about once a week. They are very curious and uninhibited; it is always great fun to entertain and to teach them.
BASE: 2022_03_08 ˇ
We celebrate Ryan's 21st birthday.
We celebrate Ryan's 21st birthday.
BASE: 2022_03_07 ˇ
Borehole 4B is drilling through the "standard" striped crossbedded sandstone with commonly reworked...
Borehole 4B is drilling through the "standard" striped crossbedded sandstone with commonly reworked felsic tuffs.
BASE: 2022_03_06 ˇ
The Sunday scenery entry today shows (again?)
The Sunday scenery entry today shows (again?) Barberton at the the foot of the mountains on a late Sunday afternoon.
BASE: 2022_03_05 ˇ
Units in Borehole 2 continue to impress by their freshness and variety of rock types.
Units in Borehole 2 continue to impress by their freshness and variety of rock types.
BASE: 2022_03_04 ˇ
CH introduced the Geosite and Drilling teams to Site 5 (Farm Belvue, Site 5, Nkomazi).
CH introduced the Geosite and Drilling teams to Site 5 (Farm Belvue, Site 5, Nkomazi). Everyone now knows in which direction to drill.
BASE: 2022_03_03 ˇ
Sue Webb (Wits Geophysics) visited us for two days.
Sue Webb (Wits Geophysics) visited us for two days.
BASE: 2022_03_02 ˇ
This is how our day begins: Ryan and Derek push the trolley of new core to the registration desk.
This is how our day begins: Ryan and Derek push the trolley of new core to the registration desk.
BASE: 2022_03_01 ˇ
Borehole 2A drills actually top-down, a bit unusual for our program.
Borehole 2A drills actually top-down, a bit unusual for our program.
BASE: 2022_02_28 ˇ
Since no drilling takes place on Sunday, we have no fresh core to process on Mondays (if we...
Since no drilling takes place on Sunday, we have no fresh core to process on Mondays (if we completed the previous week's work).
BASE: 2022_02_27 ˇ
Barberton is well known in South Africa for its abundant decorative trees.
Barberton is well known in South Africa for its abundant decorative trees.
BASE: 2022_02_26 ˇ
Boreholes 4B and 4C keep drilling base-up through steeply overturned strata towards the base of the...
Boreholes 4B and 4C keep drilling base-up through steeply overturned strata towards the base of the Lomati Delta Complex.
BASE: 2022_02_25 ˇ
Because the rig at Site 2 is so accessible, we continue to lead groups there about twice a week or...
Because the rig at Site 2 is so accessible, we continue to lead groups there about twice a week or so.
BASE: 2022_02_24 ˇ
The onsite geology team took a total of 66 samples from two days of field work in the Ben Lomond...
The onsite geology team took a total of 66 samples from two days of field work in the Ben Lomond and 22-level adits.
BASE: 2022_02_23 ˇ
The second day at Agnes Mine, we visited the 22-level adit.
The second day at Agnes Mine, we visited the 22-level adit.
BASE: 2022_02_22 ˇ
Nic, Berthus and Hervé came out from UJ to sample Moodies BIFs and jaspilites at Agnes Mine.
Nic, Berthus and Hervé came out from UJ to sample Moodies BIFs and jaspilites at Agnes Mine. We joined as a separate team, sampling the general stratigraphy.
BASE: 2022_02_21 ˇ
The rig at Site 4B, in the middle Lomati Delta Complex, is drilling base-to-top into the base of...
The rig at Site 4B, in the middle Lomati Delta Complex, is drilling base-to-top into the base of that unit.
BASE: 2022_02_20 ˇ
The rig at Site 2A continues to drill through
The rig at Site 2A continues to drill through high-energy immature mass flows interbedded with slumped, poorly sorted sandstones. We also encountered two thin andesitic lavas.
BASE: 2022_02_19 ˇ
It's mid-summer in Barberton, and its subtropical vegetation puts on a showing that changes every...
It's mid-summer in Barberton, and its subtropical vegetation puts on a showing that changes every month or so.
BASE: 2022_02_18 ˇ
The drillers set a new record of 57 m today, combined from the three rigs we currently have...
The drillers set a new record of 57 m today, combined from the three rigs we currently have operating.
BASE: 2022_02_17 ˇ
Mrs.
Mrs. Kieffer, section head of Science and Technology of the German embassy Pretoria, visited us for a full day.
BASE: 2022_02_16 ˇ
Wlady Altermann, retired from Univ.
Wlady Altermann, retired from Univ. Pretoria, visited us for eight days.
BASE: 2022_02_15 ˇ
The rig at Site 2 is eating its way through the northern limb of the Dycedale Syncline.
The rig at Site 2 is eating its way through the northern limb of the Dycedale Syncline.
BASE: 2022_02_14 ˇ
I prepare predicted cross sections for each site (from outcrop geology) and update them as drilling...
I prepare predicted cross sections for each site (from outcrop geology) and update them as drilling progresses (great fun).
BASE: 2022_02_13 ˇ
The Europeans among the geoscience onsite team (that is, Dora and me) occasionally tend to think...
The Europeans among the geoscience onsite team (that is, Dora and me) occasionally tend to think that this is better than European winter.
BASE: 2022_02_12 ˇ
A late afternoon visit to Site 4C showed us that the rig had spudded.
A late afternoon visit to Site 4C showed us that the rig had spudded. Shokohlwa (1898m) in the background.
BASE: 2022_02_11 ˇ
LF90 at Site 2 is coring (fast!)
LF90 at Site 2 is coring (fast!) wonderful cores, having crossed a fault zone on the far side of the weathered "White Outcrops" rocks.
BASE: 2022_02_10 ˇ
The traditional leaders (tribal chiefs) of the Nkomazi region visited us to learn about and discuss...
The traditional leaders (tribal chiefs) of the Nkomazi region visited us to learn about and discuss gold exploration and fundamental science.
BASE: 2022_02_09 ˇ
A film crew visited us for two days.
A film crew visited us for two days. Usually, they do elephants and rhinos in the Kruger Park; this time, it's different.
BASE: 2022_02_08 ˇ
MDX901 at Site 2 drilled yesterday 19 m non
MDX901 at Site 2 drilled yesterday 19 m non-coring through crumbly sandy oxidized strata and are now at 37m. Drillers set casing and change from PQ to HQ diameter.
BASE: 2022_02_07 ˇ
4B will drill 45° inclined through the section exposed in the cliffs in the middleground; 4C is...
4B will drill 45° inclined through the section exposed in the cliffs in the middleground; 4C is located in a similar settting ca. 1 km behind the photographer.
BASE: 2022_02_06 ˇ
With drilling completed at Sites 2 and 4A, we ordered pallets and photographed all the Archive-Half...
With drilling completed at Sites 2 and 4A, we ordered pallets and photographed all the Archive-Half core boxes of these two boreholes.
BASE: 2022_02_05 ˇ
We asked the drillers not to core at Site
We asked the drillers not to core at Site 2 until reaching fresh rocks because a thick unit of weathered tidal channel fills is beautifully exposed in the extensive but crumbly "White Outcrops" right next to the rig. We wouldn't gain anything coring it.
BASE: 2022_02_04 ˇ
As of yesertday, we are drilling at the "White Outcrops", our site 2.
As of yesertday, we are drilling at the "White Outcrops", our site 2.
BASE: 2022_02_03 ˇ
The head of the Geological Survey of South Africa (the CGS), Mr Musa Mabuza, visited us with a...
The head of the Geological Survey of South Africa (the CGS), Mr Musa Mabuza, visited us with a small delegation.
BASE: 2022_02_02 ˇ
One of the hallmarks of our project is that
One of the hallmarks of our project is that we are tightly woven into the fabric of the Barberton community. Not only do we have an "unsurpassable" downtown location with inviting signage but consult with our local friends and landowners nearly daily on matters large and small.
BASE: 2022_02_01 ˇ
After passing through the microstromatolitic-sandstone unit, borehole 3 terminated in ""crinklies"".
After passing through the microstromatolitic-sandstone unit, borehole 3 terminated in "crinklies". We drilled through several soft-sed slumps.
BASE: 2022_01_31 ˇ
We are getting pallets because we need the space for the upcoming three parallel boreholes.
We are getting pallets because we need the space for the upcoming three parallel boreholes.
BASE: 2022_01_29 ˇ
Our drilling contractor, Master Drilling, made us two sturdy metal-framed poster boards.
Our drilling contractor, Master Drilling, made us two sturdy metal-framed poster boards.
BASE: 2022_01_28 ˇ
We try hard to reach out to the public
We try hard to reach out to the public by print media, social media and radio, and Phumi excels at this. Not many people inform themselves by print media here, but we get the news into the regional newspaper anyway.
BASE: 2022_01_27 ˇ
The only logging we require are directional surveys to validate the borehole orientation.
The only logging we require are directional surveys to validate the borehole orientation.
BASE: 2022_01_26 ˇ
We kiss goodbye to Sites 3 and 4A.
We kiss goodbye to Sites 3 and 4A. Today is the last day of drilling, surveying tomorrow, and move to 4B and 4C, respectively, after the long weekend, starting Tuesday.
BASE: 2022_01_24 ˇ
We have a wonderful shed.
We have a wonderful shed. Its only drawback is the unabated reflection of noise, especially from our core saw.