ICDPInternational Continental Scientific Drilling Program

Here we go again: After the longer than expected break for the installation of an additional...

Here we go again: After the longer than expected break for the installation of an additional casing, the DOVE drilling in Basadingen-Schlattingen is now at 142 m. We are currently coring through a challenging alternation of diamicts, gravels and sands.

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Once more we had to be well equipped because of long enduring rainfall. We measured a walkaway...

Once more we had to be well equipped because of long enduring rainfall. We measured a walkaway vertical seismic profile, which only had to be interrupted because of a helicopter flying by.

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Since last week the drilling depth is at 126m due to challenges while forcing down the casing to...

Since last week the drilling depth is at 126m due to challenges while forcing down the casing to 126 m in sediments partly consisting of thick gravel layers

Image: The drill rig is now used to expand the existing hole to make space for the casing.

Vertical seismic profile measuring is currently taking place. The measurement comprises several...

Vertical seismic profile measuring is currently taking place. The measurement comprises several settings around the two existing boreholes.

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Roadwork at the Tannwald after very heavy rainfall that made it impossible to move equipment to and...

Roadwork at the Tannwald after very heavy rainfall that made it impossible to move equipment to and from the site

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The science teams at the two drill sites keep in close touch and share their know-how. This week...

The science teams at the two drill sites keep in close touch and share their know-how. This week PhD student Bennet Schuster is helping out PhD student Sebastian Schaller at the Basadingen drill site. With borders reopening, this is all so much easier again. Current depth at Basadingen is 125 m.

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Ice and fire: This is the wonderful view from the Hochwacht Tower. The area contains an...

Ice and fire: This is the wonderful view from the Hochwacht Tower. The area contains an exceptionally rich archive of Quaternary sediments and landforms including the buried Basadingen Overdeepening that we explore within the DOVE project (drill site hidden in the forest in the middleground on the right). On the left (north) you can see the remains of the majestic Hegau volcanoes that were active during Miocene.

Image: View from the Hochwacht Tower

Tannwald: After reaching the final drilling depth on Wednesday, we are currently fitting the 80mm...

Tannwald: After reaching the final drilling depth on Wednesday, we are currently fitting the 80mm PVC pipes into the second borehole, so it can be used for seismic measurements and water sampling.

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Basadingen: We hit the 100 m mark today but coring has been very tricky in these gravelly sediments.

Basadingen: We hit the 100 m mark today but coring has been very tricky in these gravelly sediments.

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Second flush borehole reaches the Molasse at the bottom of the Quarternary basin at 153 m, about 2...

Second flush borehole reaches the Molasse at the bottom of the Quarternary basin at 153 m, about 2 m above the unconformity in the first borehole. The image shows cuttings of the Molasse on the driller's sieve. We had some help from nature - this sample was washed by 45 mm of heavy rain last night.

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Finished drilling second borehole

Finished drilling second borehole

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Basadingen: It's not concrete! This picture shows the core-end of skillfully cored diamicts from...

Basadingen: It's not concrete! This picture shows the core-end of skillfully cored diamicts from around 95 m depth.

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The second borehole in Tannwald is going very well and the drilling team is flooding us with...

The second borehole in Tannwald is going very well and the drilling team is flooding us with samples. Meanwhile the hot weather is challanging us even more. Still, we like to think that the second flush drilling will be finished next week.

Image: Tannwald: Flooded with samples

Basadingen: Today’s final depth is at 90 m. We make excellent progress and enjoy busy days at the...

Basadingen: Today’s final depth is at 90 m. We make excellent progress and enjoy busy days at the drill site.

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The second flush drilling of the Tannwald basin started on 31st of May and we now reached > 40 m...

The second flush drilling of the Tannwald basin started on 31st of May and we now reached > 40 m depth. Interestingly, the borehole reveals a rather different geology than what we have seen just 30 m apart in the first borehole. Despite these differences, thunderstorms and torrential rainfall, which have been rather constant companions during this last week, drilling is progressing well.

Image: Dave Tanner (LIAG) and Bennet Schuster (Univ. of Freiburg) inspecting mudsamples at the Tannwald drill site

Basadingen: After drilling and on-site MSCL measurements, the cores of DOVE Site 2 (BASA1) are...

Basadingen: After drilling and on-site MSCL measurements, the cores of DOVE Site 2 (BASA1) are brought to the cool storage room at the University of Bern. The cores will then be opened in the core lab in Bern starting in late summer.

Image: Drilled cores in Basadingen

Torrential rain over the last few weeks have caused a lot of mud to form, but it hasn’t dampened...

Torrential rain over the last few weeks have caused a lot of mud to form, but it hasn’t dampened spirits of the drilling team. We now reached 38 m.

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Progress on the Basadingen borehole has slowed down a bit as we have reached sands at the base of...

Progress on the Basadingen borehole has slowed down a bit as we have reached sands at the base of the upper gravel section. These are difficult to drill. Nevertheless, we now reached 57 m.

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Drilling commences on the second Tannwald borehole. The weather is hot, but we have to cope with...

Drilling commences on the second Tannwald borehole. The weather is hot, but we have to cope with thunderstorms and the drilling rig has to be abandoned during the storms. Nevertheless drilling continues at a fast pace.

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Basadingen: The upper gravel section is cored with a ramming drill hammer and sturdy drill bits....

Basadingen: The upper gravel section is cored with a ramming drill hammer and sturdy drill bits. Bits with metal pins are ideal for shattering gravel clasts but wear out rapidly (note the missing pins). This one is now replaced.

Image: Job done.