New ways for research and development using a deep-sea hydrothermal vent system in the Okinawa Trough

摘要

JAMSTEC has an international patent for the environmentally-friendly cultivation system of offshore hydrothermal chimneys as the accessory product of scientific drilling program in the Okinawa Trough at deep water of 1,100 mbsl. This cultivation system was inspired by rapid growth of precipitated minerals (sulfide chimney) on the drilled hole. We introduce in this paper, the achievement from the riserlesss drilling campaign in Iheya North field in 2010 as IODP Exp. 331 and in 2014 as SIP Okinawa.