New Chikyu Shallow Core Program (SCORE): exploring mass transport deposits and the subseafloor biosphere off Cape Erimo, northern Japan

Abstract. The Chikyu Shallow Core Program (SCORE) has been started to provide more opportunities for the scientific ocean drilling of shallow boreholes (up to 100 m) during a short-term expedition. The proposal flow is a simplified version of that of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). Although there are several limitations for a SCORE project, the opportunity to retrieve 100 m of continuous core samples will be of great interest for the scientific ocean drilling community in multiple disciplines. The first expedition of the SCORE program was implemented off Cape Erimo, Hokkaido, northern Japan. The target of the drilling was to investigate the impact of submarine mass transport on the subseafloor sedimentary biosphere. In the preliminary observation of the core samples, including X-ray computed tomography (CT) scan image analysis, chaotic and inclined beds were found and interpreted as mass transport deposit (MTD) units.