Crustal Research Group efforts

Abstract

At the meeting of the International Crustal Research Drilling Group (ICRDG) management panel at Orkustofnun (Icelandic National Energy Authority), Reykjavik, Iceland, on May 16, 1980, the following plans for crustal drilling investigations were formally adopted.An investigation of the Troodos ophiolite complex, Cyprus, in cooperation with the government of Cyprus, is the first target. Two drill holes, each 2 km deep, on the north flank of the complex, will give a complete section of crust of oceanic affinity from the top of the pillow basalts through the sheeted dike complex, plagiogranites, gabbros, and into cumulate gabbros. It is anticipated that nearly complete core recovery, via high‐speed diamond drilling, will allow a complete reference section, yielding lithologic composition, hydrothermal alteration, tectonic state, and physical properties of this example of oceanic crust. A third, 1‐km hole (starting from the base of the Agrokipia copper sulfide deposit) in conjunction with the 2‐km hole through the pillow basalts will allow delineation of the hydrothermal convection system responsible for that ore deposit.