CHIKYU -- drilling info
How long do you suppose it takes to drill from the seabed to a depth of 5,000 meters? Weeks? No, several months to half a year. And during all that time, D/V CHIKYU must stay in the same spot relative to the position of the drill hole regardless of wind, wave or current at the ocean surface. In order to drill deep into the earth beneath the sea, a 50cm diameter pipe must stretch from the ship 2,000m down to the seabed. The pipe walls are about 3cm thick;