Site 565.

Abstract

Reflections from the ocean crust dip gently landward and can be followed about 60 km from the Middle America Trench under the landward slope of the margin to within 2 or 3 km of the shore. Above the ocean crust a wedge of seismically unstructured rock underlies a thick blanket of stratified slope deposits. Site 565 is on the lower part of the slope where the blanket is thin allowing sampling of the unstructured seismic basement to determine its age and study the gas hydrate indicated in seismic records. Site 565 was abandoned approx 500 m short of the main target because the drill string was sticking; however, the results up to 328 m are presented. -S.Bryant