Resources

MV Whitethorn CSU II 72/W4

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)MV Whitethorn (74WT)
Cruise identifierCSU II 72/W4
Cruise period1972-06-23 — 1972-07-25
StatusCompleted
Port of departureAberdeen, United Kingdom
Port of returnLiverpool, United Kingdom
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesThe principal objective of the cruise was to prove age of a number of apparently linked sedimentary rock basins in the area west of Orkney and the north end of the Minch. A secondary objective was to establish the nature of the unconsolidated sediments resting on rockhead and to compare these to known deposits on land. In the event of bad weather it was planned to investigate the surficial sediments to the west and north of N Rona and the extent of the sand wave fields at the western end of the Pentland Firth. In practice, however, drilling operations were carried out throughout the cruise and little time was available for other work.
Chief scientistNigel G T Fannin (Institute of Geological Sciences, Edinburgh)
Cruise reportMV Whitethorn CSU II 72/W4 cruise report whitethorn_w4_72.pdf (4.23 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralIrish Sea and St. George's Channel
Measurements 
Geology and geophysics 
DredgeQuantity: number of deployments = 21
Description: shipek grab samples taken at 17 sites with addit.4
Core - soft bottomQuantity: number of cores = 18
Description: vibrocores at 17 sites(addit.1 vibrocore);physical/chemical analysis of sediments
In-situ seafloor measurement/samplingQuantity: 17
Description: drilling at 17 sites by wire line;3 abandonned
Single-beam echosoundingQuantity: track kilometres = 151
Single channel seismic reflectionQuantity: track kilometres = 124
Description: ore pinger seismic profiles were also made