No gas hydrate was directly observed, but chloride profiles freshen slightly with depth indicating that gas hydrate may underlie Site 1060. At this site, the interval from 0 to 183 mbsf was cored several times and appears to provided a complete composite sequence down to the latest early Pleistocene. XCB coring at Hole 1061A from 152 to 350 mbsf recovered a sedimentary interval that spans 0.8 to 3.2 Ma. Although we XCB cored through the interval, sediment biscuiting, incomplete core recovery, and low sedimentation rates in the Pliocene lowered the value of Site 1061 as a middle Pliocene reference section. A few thin laminations were noted, presumably deposited by currents.
Colors range from dark greenish gray to shades of orange and reddish brown.
Three sedimentary units were distinguished on the basis of the bed thicknesses, carbonate content, and color. Additional information that helped to distinguish sedimentary units came from downhole logs. Sediments in carbonate-rich intervals range from nannofossil ooze to nanofossil clay. In carbonate-poor intervals, sediments are clay, clay with silt, or clay with nannofossils. Colors range from light greenish gray to dark greenish gray alternating with reddish brown and reddish green intervals.