Minutes:
1. Otago Scientific Drilling Blog.
People need to look at it otherwise they will miss opportunities for workshops, expeditions, etc etc. This is the only place Virginia posts them to – otherwise the email storm would drown you all!. Please try to log on and look at it episodically. We will ask Dee Roben and Helen Dunn to check it weekly and post important opportunities in the Geology newsletter and Marine Sci email blast.
Note that you can add or remove yourself from this mailing list via instructions here: https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/drill-otago/mailing-list-instructions-for-joining-or-leaving/
Note that the Sci Drilling ‘Group’ seems to be difficult to find via the latest Outlook Web App. Francesco Cappuccio has asked the ITS helpdesk for advice. If you also have trouble, please email either ITS or Francesco (you can find him on the Otago Geology Postgrads page).
2. Otago Analytical Core Repository (OAR) Update.
Appointment of admin support position falls under the shared services review and is stalled until May.
We are expecting a test version of our database to be delivered at the end of March. Bob will be responsible for initial installation of this database onto one of the ex DFDP computers. We hope that our Admin support person will then be able to take responsibility for progressive upload of our existing data and samples into the database. In future it should be able to be used on projects as data and samples are acquired.
In approx. 6 weeks’ time (ie mid May) we expect to need to do some substantial moving of core and gear into and out of containers in our new space in the Wickliffe building. We will need a workforce – something to bear in mind. Some of what is moved will be your stuff!!!
We will also need to take a tally of existing facilities and resources.
3. Report on visit to Timaru to see the JR Resolution (by Sebastian Clar and Andrew Gorman)
30 people went up in 3 vans. Mostly students from Geology, interested in offshore basins. The ships were rather busy but there were a couple of staff who spent substantial time showing people around, including core prep area and drill rig from a distance. They saw phys props lab, archive, living quarters aboard, but missed the downhole logging equipment.
NOTE there is another vessel called the Marcus G Langseth in Dunedin to visit TOMORROW = 20 Mar.
This vessel does seismic site surveys for IODP America.
If you want to tour the ship tomorrow tours start @ 1.15pm.
Best idea is to email andrew.gorman@otago.ac.nz if you would like to attend.
4. Christina Riesselman organised an IODP ship-to-shore videoconf for EAOS111. Students were really engaged and asked lots of questions – will support an IODP-based seafloor sediments lab later in the term. This is a great opportunity to introduce students to cutting-edge research, inspire them to think about future opportunities, and link lectures to labs. We should really think about doing this every year.
5. Chris Moy is working w/ the procurement team to support a single vendor purchase through ITRAX for the XRF core scanner. ITRAX has unique capabilities that other instruments cannot match. Procurement is currently negotiating w/ ITRAX to complete the acquisition.
6. ICDP workshop proposal – Chris Moy is planning a Fiordland one to be submitted in Jan 2019. If you are interested in this please contact him. These workshops are fabulous opportunities to develop scientific plans / cases / arguments for full proposals. The DFDP one in 2009 was attended by >60 top notch international scientitsts who helped us to develop scientific focii that still underpin our project.
7. Southern Ocean Marine Institute.
Gary is planning this for Otago (now that Keith Hunter has retired). Initially they anticipated making a CoRE proposal but now…? At this stage Gary is working toward some top level Science Drivers. Please keep your eyes peeled for workshops etc. that Gary will call for your input into in coming months.
8. We are thinking of replacing Polaris.
We think it might serve us for another year then we will transition to another vessel.
9. Gary’s team are close to commencing a ‘South Georgia’ project. They have bought a boat for it, and the focus at present is trying to set up an observing point in the Southern Oceans for changing environments.
10. Next meeting = 14 May. Gary Wilson will advise people about the venue and send minutes in advance.
