Agreement Relating to the Conduct of a Joint Programme of Marine Geoscientific Research and Mineral Resource Studies of the South Pacific Region, Washington, 1984

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The Governments of the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) in cooperation with the Committee for the Coordination of Joint Prospecting for Mineral Resources in South Pacific Offshore Areas (CCOP/SOPAC):

Recalling that interested Pacific Island countries, namely the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Western Samoa have requested CCOP/SOPAC to initiate a second phase of programmes of geoscientific investigations with respect to the hydrocarbon and mineral potential of the ocean floor in the South Pacific Ocean (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Second Phase of the Joint Programme’);

Recognizing that CCOP/SOPAC has sought the assistance of the Governments of the United States, Australia and New Zealand in funding and implementing the Second Phase of the Joint Programme;

Noting that the member Governments of CCOP/SOPAC at their eleventh meeting at Wellington in November 1982 identified in Annex VI of the proceedings of the meeting certain basic guidelines and priorities for the Second Phase of the Joint Programme;

Noting further that CCOP/SOPAC has indicated its willingness to contribute to and cooperate in the Second Phase of the Joint Programme and that details of its participation are contained in Annex A to this Agreement; and

Convinced that the Second Phase of the Joint Programme represents a significant expansion of hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities being conducted for the benefit of Pacific Island countries;

Have agreed as follows:

The Parties shall establish and maintain the Second Phase of the Joint Programme in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the scientific and technical programmes set out in Annex B to this Agreement.

The objectives of the Second Phase of the Joint Programme shall be consistent with those identified in the First Phase, and shall be specifically:

(a) To assist interested Pacific Island countries to investigate the mineral potential, including hydrocarbons, of the shelves, platforms, and ocean floor in the South Pacific Ocean;

(b) To take account of survey work, data reassessment and CCOP/SOPAC programmes to design ocean and related land research programmes in the South Pacific region focusing on:

(i) Search for hydrocarbons;

(ii) Analysis of regional tectonics;

(iii) Search for metalliferous resources;

(c) To provide advanced ocean research vessels and teams of skilled scientific manpower and technicians, drawing upon combined resources available to the Signatories with highest available and suitable level of technological inputs, advanced scientific equipment, data processing facilities, laboratory and office work, data interpretation and reporting of final analyses;

(d) To provide opportunities to scientists and trainees from interested Pacific Island countries in whose areas research is conducted for involvement in data collection, processing, and analysis;

(e) To arrange a continuing framework of consultations among the Parties enabling adequate monitoring, evaluation, and review of the Second Phase of the Joint Programme to provide for consideration of the need for further investigations, modifications and extensions in specified areas;

(f) To provide end-data in readily usable form under distribution and copyright arrangements agreed between the Parties and acceptable to the interested Pacific Island countries.

The Second Phase of the Joint Programme shall commence in 1984 and include three advanced marine geoscientific research cruises and related land work as follows:

(a) The programme of R/V S.P. Lee shall consist of a 90-day marine geophysical and geological cruise to investigate the hydrocarbon potential of selected areas offshore of Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Offshore investigations shall include collection of geophysical data with multi-channel and single channel, deep penetration and high resolution, continuous seismic-reflection, magnetic and gravimetric profiling systems. Where desirable, selected seabed rock and sediment samples, underwater photographs and side-scan profiles shall be collected. Requisite navigation control shall be maintained throughout the survey. All data shall be copied and supplied to appropriate programme participants. The United States Geological Service (USGS) shall send one copy each of microfilm and reproducible copies of all data collected to CCOP/SOPAC and the national coordinators of Australia and New Zealand for copying and distribution of data sets to their participants. All data shall be processed and analyzed and results shall be printed in reports within two years after the completion of the last leg of the ship's cruise, subject to any extension of the above period of time to be agreed upon by the Parties by an exchange of letters. Appropriate maps, cross-sections, tables, and text shall be used to explain the hydrocarbon potential and geological hazards in the investigation areas.

(b) The programme of R/V Moana Wave shall consist of a 90-day marine geological and geophysical cruise to investigate regional tectonics, sedimentation, metallogenesis and mineralization in the Line Islands, Phoenix Islands, Manihiki Plateau, the Fiji Plateau and the Manus Basin area. The ship shall collect geophysical data with single channel continuous seismic reflection, gravity, magnetics and bathymetric systems. Extensive sampling using corers and dredges shall be carried out in all areas, with bottom photography when appropriate. Sea Marc II swath mapping shall be used as appropriate to determine distribution of rock types, sediment reflectivity, tectonic grain and for bathymetric studies. Requisite navigation control shall be maintained throughout the survey. All data shall be copied and supplied to appropriate programme participants. The Hawaii Institute of Geophysics will send one copy each of microfilm and reproducible copies of all data collected to CCOP/SOPAC and the national coordinators of Australia and New Zealand for copying and distribution of data sets to their participants. All data shall be processed and analyzed and results shall be printed in reports within two years after the completion of the last leg of the ship's cruise, subject to any extension of the above period of time to be agreed upon by the Parties, by an exchange of letters.

(c) The cruise programme of HMNZS Tui shall consist of a 30 day marine geological and geophysical investigation of the regional tectonics, sedimentation, metallogenesis and mineralization in the Cook Islands and Tonga. The ship shall collect geophysical data including single channel seismic reflection, gravity, magnetics and bathymetry. Extensive sampling using dredges, corers and underwater photography shall be carried out where appropriate. Satellite navigation shall be used throughout the survey. All data shall be copied and supplied to appropriate programme participants. The New Zealand Geological Survey shall send one copy each of microfilm and reproducible copies of all data collected to CCOP/SOPAC and the national coordinators of the United States and Australia for copying and distribution of data sets to their participants. All data shall be processed and analysed and the results shall be printed in reports within two years, after the completion of the last leg of the ship's cruise, subject to any extension of the above period of time to be agreed upon by the Parties by an exchange of letters.

(a) Upon completion of data collection, the data processing, analysis and reproduction work shall be expeditiously carried to completion and the results disseminated as provided in Article II(f).

(b) As far as possible, all work shall be completed by 31 December 1986. Consultations among the Parties to consider the possibility of subsequent phases of the Joint Programme shall be consistent with Article II(e) and take place before expiration of the Agreement.

(a)

The Parties shall work closely with the CCOP/SOPAC Technical Secretariat in accordance with Annex A. In particular, they shall use the CCOP/SOPAC Secretariat as a channel for securing from interested Pacific Island countries:

(i) Logistic assistance and other related cooperation;

(ii) Data and other scientific material that would assist research teams and planners in their investigations; and

(iii) Other general cooperation and liaison.

(b) The Parties shall not be responsible for the costs of travel and per diem expenses for travel within the region of Pacific Island representatives and CCOP/SOPAC personnel participating in the Second Phase of the Joint Programme. No charges shall be made, however, for accommodation and food supplied to such personnel on board R/V S.P. Lee, R/V Moana Wave, and HMNZS Tui.

The Government of Australia agrees to provide funds, goods and services up to a value of US$1,850,000 for the purposes of:

(a) Securing appropriately qualified scientists including, marine geophysicists, marine and land geologists, petroleum geologists, geochemists, petrologists, sedimentologists, and micropalaeontologists, to participate in the planning, data collection, and data processing and analysis phases of this programme;

(b) Funding travel, accommodation and per diem allowances for the scientists referred to in the previous subparagraph;

(c) Meeting the costs of data processing, analysis and reproduction within Australia related to the specialist areas for which the Government of Australia provides scientists;

(d) Making the following contributions toward cruise costs for the research vessels to be employed in the Second Phase of the Joint Programme:

(i) A sum of US$455,000 to finance 35 days research time for high technology resource exploration research activity by R/V S.P. Lee;

(ii) A sum of US$185,000 to finance 17 days research time in the geological/geophysical research programme of R/V Moana Wave; and

(iii) A sum of US$65,000 to finance 10 days of research time devoted to marine minerals investigations by HMNZS Tui.

(e) The Government of Australia further agrees to consider meeting appropriate travel and related expenses associated with the participation of Tripartite co-chief scientists at Australian geological and geophysical laboratories where work relating to the Second Phase of the Joint Programme is in progress and for other persons with special interest in the Second Phase of the Joint Programme including trainees who are nominated by interested Pacific Island countries.

The Government of New Zealand shall provide funds, goods and services up to a value of US$549,000 for the purposes of:

(a) Making available the services of the research vessel HMNZS Tui suitably equipped for geological and geophysical ocean research for use in the Second Phase of the Joint Programme;

(b) Arranging all fitment, provisioning and logistics for the planned initial cruises and providing suitably skilled technicians to operate and maintain the basic and high technology equipment on board;

(c) Making available appropriately qualified scientists, including marine geophysicists, marine and land geologists, petroleum geologists, petrologists, sedimentologists and micropalaeontologists, to participate in the planning, data collection and data processing and analysis phases of the Second Phase of the Joint Programme;

(d) Funding travel, accommodation and per diem allowances for the scientists referred to in the previous subparagraph;

(e) Meeting the costs of data processing, analysis and reproduction related to the specialist areas for which the Government of New Zealand agrees to provide experts;

(f) Assisting as appropriate with travel and related expenses of participants from Pacific Island countries in the Second Phase of the Joint Programme, who are nominated by interested Pacific Island countries. In particular, the Government of New Zealand shall assist with these expenses where associated with work in New Zealand and elsewhere, at geological and geophysical laboratories and institutions, in areas of interest to the countries concerned;

(g) Making the following contributions towards the operations of the research vessel HMNZS Tui:

(i) Vessel transit costs to and from mutually acceptable start and finish ports;

(ii) a sum of approximately US$65,000 to finance ten days of research time devoted to marine minerals investigations.

The United States Government agrees to provide funds, goods and services under this Agreement up to a value of US$5,400,000 for the purposes of:

(a) Securing the services of two research vessels suitably equipped for geological and geophysical ocean research, R/V Moana Wave and R/V S.P. Lee, for use in the Second Phase of the Joint Programme;

(b) Arranging all fitment, provisioning and logistics for the planned cruises and providing suitably skilled technicians to operate and maintain the basic and high technology equipment on board;

(c) Securing appropriately qualified scientists and technicians, including marine geophysicists, land and marine geologists, sedimentologists, geochemists, petrologists, electronic and marine technicians, computer operators, precision location navigators, and laboratory technicians to participate in the planning, data collection, data processing and analysis stages of the Second Phase of the Joint Programme;

(d) Funding travel, accommodation and per diem allowances for the scientists and technicians referred to in the previous paragraph. All costs of data processing, analysis and reproduction related to the specialist areas for which the United States agrees to provide scientists shall also be borne by the United States Government;

(e) Making the following contributions for the operation of the research vessels:

(i) Vessel transit costs to and from mutually acceptable start and finish ports;

(ii) Cruise costs other than those to which the Government of Australia shall contribute for R/V S.P. Lee while engaged in ocean research and while travelling and while in port between legs of the cruise; and

(iii) Cruise costs other than those to which the Government of Australia shall contribute for R/V Moana Wave while engaged in the geological/geophysical research programme; and

(iv) A sum of US$65,000 to finance 10 days of research time devoted to marine minerals investigation by HMNZS Tui.

(f) Meeting appropriate travel and living expenses of two CCOP/SOPAC Co-Chief Scientists to, in and from the United States for the purpose of attendance at geological/geophysical laboratories and institutes. Persons nominated by interested Pacific Island governments and scientists of countries party to this Agreement, with special interest in the Second Phase of the Joint Programme shall be afforded opportunities to participate in data analysis being undertaken in the United States.

(a) The Parties agree that pre- and post-cruise technical meetings for each cruise leg of the Second Phase of the Joint Programme shall take place to facilitate cruise planning, analysis and interpretation of data, synthesis of results, and publications.

(b) Two pre-cruise planning sessions shall be held. The first meeting shall be held as far in advance of each leg as possible (at least two months) to facilitate planning and shall include the Co-Chief Scientists and as many of the other principal members of the scientific party as possible. The second meeting shall be held one or two days before the start of each cruise leg at the port of embarkation with the objective of briefing the scientific party and making minor adjustments to the cruise plans based on recently acquired information. It shall be attended by all participating scientists and pertinent support staff.

(c) A post-cruise debriefing shall be held upon arrival at the port of disembarkation, prior to dispersal, with the purpose of determining responsibility for the analysis and interpretation of the various data sets acquired during the leg, and for planning the timing of subsequent post cruise meetings. After sufficient time has elapsed to enable reduction and analysis of data, as determined at the post-cruise debriefing, at least one other post-cruise synthesis meeting shall be held involving all principal scientific participants of the cruise. These meetings shall have access, as far as possible, to cruise data to facilitate synthesis of results and preparation of reports and could involve non-shipboard scientific investigators who are also engaged in the data analysis. Ad hoc meetings of those involved in specific aspects shall also take place if required to complete the synthesis and preparation of these reports.

(a) A Joint Programme Coordinator designated by CCOP/SOPAC shall ensure appropriate administrative support and facilitate execution of the Second Phase of the Joint Programme.

(b) The Government of Australia shall appoint a national coordinating committee whose chairman shall serve as a point of contact to facilitate communication and Australian participation.

(c) The Government of New Zealand shall designate a person as a national coordinator to serve as a point of contact to facilitate communications and New Zealand participation.

(d) The Government of the United States shall appoint a national coordination committee whose chairman shall serve as a point of contact to facilitate communication and United States participation. In addition, the United States Geological Survey and the University of Hawaii shall each designate a cruise coordinator who shall serve as respective points of contact for coordination of particular research vessel operations and participation of their respective agencies in specific cruises.

(e) Ad hoc meetings of the Parties and/or of the national or cruise coordinators shall be held as necessary to review and evaluate progress and to discuss modifications or extensions to the Second Phase of the Joint Programme. The results of these meetings shall be communicated to all Parties.

(a) The United States and New Zealand institutions providing the research vessels to the Second Phase of the Joint Programme may nominate from their institutions one of the two Co-Chief Scientists for each cruise leg or for the entire cruise.

(b) The Parties understand that CCOP/SOPAC will nominate in consultation with and mutual agreement of the Parties the other Co-Chief Scientist for each leg from available qualified scientific manpower resources within CCOP/SOPAC, the interested Pacific Island countries and the countries party to this Agreement.

(a) If the funds made available under this agreement are exhausted prior to the completion of the Second Phase of the Joint Programme, the Parties shall consider providing any additional funds required for the purpose in a manner to be mutually agreed by them.

(b) To the extent that the carrying out of any activity or implementation of any part of this Agreement by the United States Government depends on availability of funds for fiscal year 1984 and beyond, such activity or implementation shall be subject to the availability of such funds.

(c) In the event that any Party is unable to carry out its obligations under this Agreement due to the circumstances stated in sub-paragraph (b) above, or to similar circumstances, such Party may avail itself of its rights under the provisions of Article XIV (a) (iii).

(a) The responsibility for assigning original data and samples at the conclusion of each leg of each cruise rests with the Co-Chief Scientists who shall also ensure that copies of underway data and representative splits of samples as appropriate (where this is possible without detriment to their scientific value) are supplied to the Parties.

(b) Subject to the laws, regulations or guidelines in force in any of the countries party to this Agreement and to the laws, regulations and guidelines in force in the country from whose waters any samples are collected, at the date of entry into force of this Agreement, all data and samples collected are proprietary to programme participants for the first two and a half years following completion of the cruise and permission for use by other than programme participants is required from CCOP/SOPAC. After 2-1/2 years, permission is not required to use the data or samples but, subject to the laws, regulations or guidelines in force as stated above, CCOP/SOPAC shall be informed of the purpose of the use at the time the data or samples are provided and shall be acknowledged in and receive copies of any publications resulting from or including the data or samples.

(c) At least one publication describing each cruise leg and its results shall be the responsibility of, and be co-authored by, the Co-Chief Scientists. This may include joint authorship by other programme participants and contributors.

(d) Following the above publications, and subject to the laws, regulations and guidelines in force in any of the countries party to this Agreement, other publications authored or co-authored by programme participants using programme data should appear as a joint contribution from the author's institution and CCOP/ SOPAC, acknowledging the cruise sponsorship.

(e) Copies of all manuscripts shall be provided at the prepublication stage through the national coordinators to all agencies and organisations participating in the cruises.

(f) For the purposes of this article, programme participants are defined as individuals on the cruises and their sponsoring agencies or organisations.

(g) With the consent of Co-Chief Scientists, other scientists not participating on the cruises may be invited to assist in data reduction, processing, interpretation, and report writing as long as paragraph (b) of this article is adhered to and the contribution does not adversely impact the overall programme.

(a) The cruises and related responsibilities under this Agreement may be suspended or terminated in the event of:

(i) The mechanical or electrical failure or loss of scientific equipment essential to the cruise;

(ii) Acts of God, acts of public enemy, war, strikes, civil disturbances and other similar events;

(iii) Non-availability of funds; or

(iv) Mutual consent of the Parties.

(b) In the event of termination or suspension of the Second Phase of the Joint Programme or part therof in accordance with the above provisions, the Parties and CCOP/SOPAC shall consult and endeavour jointly to resolve any attendant difficulties.

(a) This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature and shall remain in force for three years. A Party may terminate this Agreement earlier with regard to itself by giving six months' written notice to the other Parties.

(b) The Parties, by an exchange of letters, may amend this Agreement at any time.

(c) Amendments to Annex B to this Agreement may be made at any time by mutual agreement between the Joint Programme Coordinator and the national coordinators.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

7 August, 1984

The Ambassador of Australia to the United States of America,

The Ambassador of New Zealand to the United States of America,

The Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the United States of America.

Dear Sirs:

Acting at the request of the Governments of the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, The Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Western Samoa, I have the honour to refer to discussions with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America concerning the implementation of the second phase of the joint programme of marine geoscientific research and mineral resources studies endorsed by the member governments of CCOP/SOPAC at the eleventh meeting at Wellington in November, 1982. In accordance with those discussions, CCOP/SOPAC is prepared to participate in the second phase of the joint programme as follows:

1.

The CCOP/SOPAC Technical Secretariat will cooperate closely with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America (the contributing governments) with respect to the provision by CCOP/SOPAC of administrative support and coordination for Phase II of the joint programme. In particular, CCOP/SOPAC will act as a channel for the contributing governments to secure from interested Pacific Island countries.

(A) Logistic assistance and other related cooperation.

(B) Data and other scientific material that would assist research teams and planners in their investigations and

(C) Other general cooperation and liaison.

2. CCOP/SOPAC will be responsible for the costs of travel and per diem expenses for travel within the region of Pacific Island representatives and CCOP/SOPAC personnel participating in the second phase of the joint programme.

3. In order to promote maximum realization of the agreed objectives to the second phase of the joint programme, CCOP/SOPAC from reserves available to it will contribute $40,000 (U.S.) towards the total costs of the second phase of the joint programme.

4. CCOP/SOPAC will designate a joint programme coordinator who will ensure appropriate administrative support and facilitate the execution of the second phase of the joint programme.

5. CCOP/SOPAC shall nominate in consultation with the contributing governments the other co-chief scientist for each cruise leg from available qualified scientific manpower resources within CCOP/SOPAC, the interested Pacific Island countries and the countries party to this agreement.

6. In the event of termination of the agreement before its expiration or in the event that a contributing government exercises its right to suspend or cancel its contribution to a cruise, CCOP/SOPAC will consult with the contributing governments and endeavour jointly to resolve any attendant difficulties.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your excellencies the assurance of my highest consideration.

PART A. Hydrocarbon Investigations

Overview:

A four-leg cruise of R/V S.P. Lee to consist of approximately 90 survey days plus 30 port and inter-area transit days has been defined for the Southwest Pacific CCOP/SOPAC region. This survey will be undertaken to assess primarily the hydrocarbon potential and geological hazards in the offshore areas of Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. Resources for this programme, including collection, processing and interpretation of data and publication of the results will be from the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and CCOP/SOPAC. It is envisaged that CCOP/SOPAC, Australian, New Zealand and United States scientists with supporting technicians will participate in the cruise programme.

Pre- and post-cruise meetings will be scheduled to carry out detailed planning, make staffing arrangements, and ensure appropriate coordination of sample and data analysis at the various laboratories.

General Problems:

The investigation to be undertaken by R/V S.P. Lee will address geoscientific problems identified in ANNEX VI to the proceedings of the Eleventh Session of CCOP/SOPAC held in Wellington, New Zealand, 9-17 November 1982. These problems are specifically related to hydrocarbon resource evaluation and are referred to in ANNEX VI as CCSP/TG 5 for Tonga, CCSP/FJ 1 for Fiji, CCSP/VA 2 for Vanuatu, CCSP/SI 2 and CCSP/SI 10 for the Solomon Islands, and CCSP/PN 7 for Papua New Guinea.

Objectives:

Determine and describe hydrocarbon potential for Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea with special attention to:

Location of structural and stratigraphic traps;

Buried reef identification;

Gas detection;

Geologic hazards assessment;

Correlation of onshore geology with seismic stratigraphy.

Investigative Techniques and Instruments:

Geophysical:

Multi-channel (24 channel) seismic profiles;

Intermediate penetration single-channel seismic reflection profiles;

High-resolution seismic reflection (Uniboom) profiles;

High-resolution 3.5 kHz bathymetric profiling system;

Proton-precession magnetometer profiles;

Stable platform gravity-meter profile;

Sidescan Sonar System.

Geological:

Dredge samples;

Core samples;

Miscellaneous seafloor samples;

Underwater photographs;

Underwater TV system;

Onboard organic geochemistry analysis.

Navigation:

Integrated satellite location system;

Sonar doppler positioning system;

RADAR;

LORAN. Model Schedule:

Pre-survey transit:

Christchurch to Suva, Fiji

5 to 7 days transit time;

3 days port time in Suva

Leg 1-Suva, Fiji to Suva, Fiji

1 day port time in Nuku'alofa

28 days survey work on Southern Tonga platform and Lau Ridge;

4 days port time in Suva

4 days transit time to Port Vila, Vanuatu, with collection of single channel seismic data.

Leg 2-Port Vila to Honiara, Solomon Islands

2 days port time in Vila;

27 days survey work in the Central Basin, the Central Banks, and Torres Islands of Vanuatu and the Santa Cruz Islands of the Eastern Solomons Province

3 days transit time with collection of some multi-channel and single-channel seismic reflection data.

Leg 3-Honiara, Solomon Islands to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

4 days port time in Honiara;

17 days survey time in the Central Solomons Trough and the Indispensable Strait of the Solomon Islands, and Buka-Nissan Island area of Papua New Guinea.

Leg 4-Rabaul, Papua New Guinea to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

2 days port time in Rabaul

18 days survey work in the New Ireland Basin of Papua New Guinea

3 days port time in Rabaul.

Post cruise transit:

5 days transit time to next survey region

Staffing:

Leg 1-USGS Co-Chief Scientist-David Scholl

CCOP/SOPAC Co-Chief-Richard Herzer (N.Z. Geological Survey)

Leg 2-USGS Co-Chief Scientist-Gary Greene

CCOP/SOPAC Co-Chief-Alexander Macfarlane (Vanuatu)

Leg 3-USGS Co-Chief Scientist-John Vedder

CCOP/SOPAC Co-Chief-James Colwell (BMR, Australia)

Leg 4-USGS Co-Chief Scientist-Michael Marlow

CCOP/SOPAC Co-Chief-Neville Exon (BMR, Australia)

Desirable scientific disciplines of cruise participants, in order of priority:

Marine sedimentologists, petrologists, and paleontologists with experience in collecting and interpreting geologic samples collected from the sea floor;

Marine geophysicists with experience in collection, processing and interpretation of multichannel seismic reflection data, and understanding of regional tectonic problems and deep structural framework;

Marine geophysicists with experience in collection, processing, and interpretation of single channel seismic reflection profiles, and assessing geological hazards;

Marine geophysicists with experience in collection, processing and interpretation of magnetic and gravity data.

Organic geochemists with experience in assessing types of hydrocarbon gases collected with seafloor corers.

PART B. Mineral Resource Investigations

Overview

A five leg programme has been defined totaling 120 days, including port inter-area transit days, of marine geoscience investigations leading towards evaluations of the occurrence, distribution, and geological setting of mineral accumulations within the region. Vessels to be used in the programme are the HMNZS Tui (one leg) and R/V Moana Wave (four legs). Resources for this programme, including subsequent analysis and publication of the data, will be from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, CCOP/SOPAC and the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics, University of Hawaii. It is envisaged that CCOP/SOPAC, Australian, New Zealand and United States scientists with supporting technicians will participate in the cruise programme.

Pre- and post-cruise meetings will be scheduled to carry out detailed planning and make staffing arrangements and ensure appropriate coordination of sample and data analysis at the various laboratories.

General Problems

The investigations to be undertaken by HMNZS Tui will address the geoscientific problems identified in Annex VI to the proceedings of the 11th Session of the CCOP/SOPAC held in Wellington, New Zealand, 9-17 November 1982. Most problems are specifically related to mineral resource evaluation and are referred to in Annex VI as CCSP/CK 1 and CCSP/CK 7 for the Cook Islands and CCSP/TG 10 for Tonga.

Objectives

1. Determine the areal distribution, abundance and metal content of co-rich manganese crusts on seamounts and margins of the Manihiki Plateau and seamounts east of Tonga, including Capricorn Seamount;

2. To complete manganese nodules sampling in the Penrhyn Basin;

3. To sample sediments in the Lau Basin near Ata Island overlying the magma chamber detected by R/V S.P. Lee during the 1982 cruises;

4. To establish the real extent of erosion on the eastern margin of the Manihiki Plateau associated with the Western Boundary Current and sample exposed areas of bedrock for mineralization known to be associated here with volcanic basement;

5. Investigative areas of interest include: geomorphology, seafloor structure, geochemistry, geochronology, sedimentology igneous petrology, physical oceanography.

Investigative Techniques and Instruments:

Geophysical:

12kHz echo sounding;

Continuous seismic reflection profiling-single channel;

Magnetic field intensity;

Gravity;

Dual channel satellite navigation.

Geological:

Dredges;

Miscellaneous seafloor samplers;

Gravity cores;

Underwater camera.

Model Schedule:

Rarotonga, Cook Islands to Nuku'alofa, Tonga during calendar year 1985; 2 port days, 28 sea days.

Staffing

B. R/V MOANA WAVE LEGS:

LEGS 1 and 2 Investigation of cobalt-rich manganese crusts, manganese nodules, and metalliferous sediment in eastern Kiribati and the northern Cook Islands (Manihiki Plateau)

General Problems:

The investigations to be undertaken by R/V Moana Wave will address geoscientific problems identified in Annex VI to the proceedings of the Eleventh Session of CCOP/SOPAC held in Wellington, New Zealand, 9-17 November 1982. These problems are specifically related to mineral resource evaluation and are referred to in Annex VI as CCSP/CK 1 for the Cook Islands, CCSP/KI 5 for Kiribati and CCSP/TG 1 for Tonga.

Cruise Objectives

1. Examine the latitudinal, age and depth dependency and degree of co-enrichment of manganese crusts on seamounts in the Central Pacific;

2. Determine the areal distribution, abundance, and grade of manganese nodules in the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands region; and

3. Ascertain the distribution and nature of mineralization within and above volcanic basement on the Manihiki Plateau.

Investigative areas of interest include: geomorphology, seafloor structure, sedimentology, igneous petrology, geochemistry.

Model Schedule

Honolulu, Hawaii via Christmas Island, Kinbati or Apia, Western Samoa to Suva, Fiji; Late 1984-Calendar year 1985; 4 in-port days, 41 sea days.

Staffing:

LEG 3 Metallogenesis in the North Fiji Basin

General Problems

The investigations to be undertaken by R/V Moana Wave will address geoscientific problems identified in Annex VI to the proceedings of the Eleventh Session of CCOP/SOPAC held in Wellington, New Zealand, 9-17 November 1982. These problems specifically related to mineral resource evaluation are referred to in Annex VI as CCSP/FJ 16 and FJ 17 for Fiji and CCSP/VA 1 for Vanuatu.

Cruise Objectives

1. To conduct detailed side scan and bathymetric surveys using Sea Marc II to locate possible sampling sites thought favourable for massive sulphide deposition on the active spreading centers;

2. To photograph massive sulphide accumulations to help select the most promising areas to sample;

3. To core sediments along rift valleys to determine the degree of metal enrichment;

4. To dredge rift valley floors and fault scarps in areas of possible massive sulphide accumulations; and

5. To detect active hydrothermal plumes using methane (CH4) and helium 3 (3He) contents in hydrocast water samples.

Investigative areas of interest include: geomorphology, sedimentology, igneous petrology, geochemistry, existence and distribution of hydrothermal sources.

Model Schedule

Suva, Fiji to Honiara, Solomon Islands; Calendar year 1985; 3 in-port days; 22 sea days.

Staffing:

LEG 4 Metallogenesis in the Manus Basin

General Problems:

The investigations to be undertaken by R/V Moana Wave will address geoscientific problems identified in Annex VI to the proceedings of the Eleventh Session of CCOP/SOPAC held in Wellington, New Zealand, 9-17 November 1982. These problems are specifically related to mineral resource evaluation and are referred to in Annex VI as CCSP/PN 8 for Papua New Guinea.

Cruise Objectives:

1. To conduct detailed side scan and bathymetric surveys using Sea Marc II to locate possible sampling sites thought favourable for massive sulphide deposition on the active spreading centres;

2. To photograph massive sulphide accumulations to help select the most promising areas to sample;

3. To core sediments along rift valleys to determine the degree of metal enrichment;

4. To dredge rift valley floors and fault scarps in areas of possible massive sulphide accumulations; and

5. To detect active hydrothermal plumes using methane (CH4) and helium 3 (3He) contents in hydrocast water samples.

Investigative areas of interest include: geomorphology, seafloor structure, sedimentology, igneous petrology, thermal regimes.

Model Schedule:

Honiara, Solomon Islands to Guam; Calendar Year 1985; 3 in-port days, 17 sea days.

Staffing

INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES AND INSTRUMENTS FOR ALL R/V MOANA WAVE CRUISE LEGS:

During R/V Moana Wave cruise legs, the vessel will operate normal underway geophysical systems except when on station or when conducting Sea Marc II surveys. The Sea Marc II system is a side scan acoustic imaging and bathymetric mapping system.

Geophysical systems include:

3.5 kHz echo sounding (12 kHz available);

Continuous seismic reflection profiling-single channel;

Gravity;

Magnetic field intensity;

Satellite navigation, Omega, Loran C;

Digital data logging.

Geological systems include:

Piston corers;

Rock dredges;

Bottom camera.