During a scientific expedition, a Japanese drilling vessel, Chikyu, has set a new world record by drilling over 2,111 meters beneath the seafloor.
According to FoxNews, the drilling work was executed off Shimokita Peninsula of Japan in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
The goal of the Deep Coalbed Biosphere expedition is to drill down to 7,220 feet (2,220 m) beneath the ocean floor and collect samples from the Earth’s mantle, to learn more about the planet’s ancient geologic history and the microbes that live at these depths.
Fumio Inagaki, co-chief scientist for the expedition said: “We have just opened a window to the new era of scientific ocean drilling. The extended record is just a beginning for the Chikyu”.
As the Tgdaily reports, in the next three weeks the researchers will continue to explore the deeply buried coal formation.
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Subsea World News Staff , September 12, 2012