Ever had a question about sea-going research? During a recent expedition, students  asked real scientists and technicians out at sea! The expedition is now over, but you can still click HERE to see questions students sent in and the answers they got back! And while they are are not currently at sea, if you have a question about scientific drilling, you can still submit it and we'll try to get answer for you!

The Chikyu- Japan's scientific ocean drilling vessel - was (December 20, 2007 - February 5, 2008) out in the Pacific Ocean drilling into the Nankai Trough off the southeast coast of Japan. This is one of the most active earthquake zones on Earth. As part of Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP)'s Expedition 316, the Chikyu was looking for information about how, why and when earthquakes and tsunamis occur. The ship drilled deep into the Earth to collect cores scientists will use to learn about processes that generate earthquakes. Scientists on board collected samples to study the properties of the rocks under the seafloor in this area and install sensors beneath the seafloor to record earthquakes up close.

Click here to learn more about Expedition 316. (Note that this page is written for the scientists, so it does get complicated. If you want help, ask an adult to help you interpret it.)                    

Scientific drilling expeditions need lots of people with all kinds of different experience from all over the world! Click here to see who sailed on Expedition 316, where they were from, and what their role in the expedition was.

Do you have a question for one of these researchers? Our scientists are eager to answer your questions, and suggested that you might want to ask about:

how Earth is structured ***   how earthquakes and tsunamis work  ****   what kinds of sand/stone/rock scientists expect to find ***   living organisms under the sea floor   ***   how scientific ocean drilling works ***   what it's like to live on board a ship for weeks at a time  ***   or something else we haven't thought of!

Click HERE to submit your question. We will send it to a scientists and post your answer on this page. Check back here to see all the other questions and answers that have been posted.

Feel free to contact us here if you have questions or comments about this page!