High velocity friction experiments. In this study, new samples recovered by IODP (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program) Exp. 362 from incoming Indian plate sediments will be used to investigate the frictional behavior of these sediments en-route to the plate boundary interface. The UK IODP Moratorium award will be used to achieve 5 Strategic Objectives: SO 1 - identify the characteristics of the sedimentary sections to optimize the sampling strategy for friction experiments based upon onboard sedimentology, petrology, geochemistry and in-situ logging profiles. This objective will benefit from the Exp. 362 Science Party work carried out during the cruise. SO 2 - acquire a quantitative data set of the mineral assemblages, fluid permeability, and porosity for each sample. SO 3 - measure their frictional dependence on slip, slip rate, slip velocity, and normal stress by performing experiments on the collected samples under deformation conditions typical of earthquakes using the high velocity rock friction apparatus SHIVA. SO 4 - monitor gas emission, humidity, and temperature variations during friction experiments using mass spectrometry, temperature and humidity measurements with the sensors installed on the rotary shear apparatus. SO 5 - analyse the experimental fault rock material using a multidisciplinary approach that involves microstructural analysis, mineralogy, and petrology so that proxy records may be reconstructed for plate interface seismic slip. Validate these against the seismological record. The ultimate goal is to incorporate the actual physical properties of the Sumatra-Andaman incoming sedimentary section within an improved theoretical earthquake rupture propagation model. This research will develop a new approach to the assessment of extreme near-trench tsunamogenic slip based on the analysis of incoming plate sediments. This approach is also applicable to other plate-boundary megathrusts (e.g. Japan Trench, Barbados). Future studies can also consider possible lateral variations in the lithological composition of the incoming plate/subduction plate boundary material.

To obtain a global view of climate change, the climatic and evolutionary history of the Southern Hemisphere needs to be integrated into the picture, and an integration of high-latitude change is particularly important. To assist this integration, we applied the methods of palynology and Sr isotope stratigraphy to confirm and refine the numerical ages of the sedimentary succession within the Antarctic Peninsula. We were able to establish a precise chronology using strontium isotope stratigraphy. Various calcitic and aragonitic fossil shells collected from these strata proved to be exceptionally well preserved and strontium isotope ratios obtained from them have provided some of the most accurate ages yet obtained for Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in the Southern Hemisphere. Revision of the age of the succession dramatically changed the accepted ages, by half a Stage, from Barremian-to-Santonian to Aptian-to-Coniacian.

To provide further stratigraphic resolution through the Gustav Group a key section through the Kotick Point, Whisky Bay and Hidden Lake formations, adjacent to Brandy Bay on northern James Ross Island was re-measured and sampled for both Sr isotope stratigraphy and palynostratigraphy. In total, a sedimentary succession about 1600m thick, that encompasses the initial three stages of the Upper Cretaceous period, was measured and a suite of invertebrate macrofossils, palynology samples, palaeobotanical and general lithological samples were collected along the lines of measured samples.

This dataset comprises botanical composition and earthworm species and abundance data, sampled from a mesocosm experiment (named Sweethope) in October 2001. The mesocosm site replicated the layout of the main experimental plots at the NERC Soil Biodiversity site at Sourhope, Scotland and was established to avoid contaminating the main Sourhope plots. The NERC Soil Biodiversity Thematic Programme was established in 1999 and was centred upon the intensive study of a large field experiment located at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (now the James Hutton Institute) farm at Sourhope in the Scottish Borders (Grid reference: NT 8545 1963). During the experiment, the site was monitored to assess changes in above-ground biomass production (productivity), species composition and relative abundance (diversity). Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/ca8f85c5-0595-4fda-80e5-4f41839effed

The dataset includes abundances of phosphorus redox species (phosphate, phosphite, pyrophosphate) and metal abundances for a collection of mafic and ultramafic rocks. These include peridotites, komatiites and basalts from a variety of locations and ages. The results show that reduced and polymerized phosphorus is present in unaltered mafic and ultramafic rocks, in addition to phosphate. Therefore, oceanic crust can serve as a source of reactive phosphorus species.

This data set includes records of soil fauna sampled from the Sourhope experimental site in July and October 2002, and April, June and October 2003. These include collembola, spiders, slugs and beetles and a range of invertebrates captured by a variety of methods. Data were collected during a project funded under the NERC Soil Biodiversity Programme. The NERC Soil Biodiversity Thematic Programme was established in 1999 and was centred upon the intensive study of a large field experiment located at the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (now the James Hutton Institute) farm at Sourhope in the Scottish Borders (Grid reference: NT8545019630). During the experiment, the site was monitored to assess changes in above-ground biomass production (productivity), species composition and relative abundance (diversity). Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/787b4473-d40c-474f-be45-21c3a838fe6f