accuracy. Thus we can obtain a better 

 idea of the actual temperature nearer 

 the core. So far, all deep earth temper- 

 atures are guesses based on values ob- 

 tained on the continents. 



Magnetic, electrical, and radioactive 

 properties at the bottom of the hole can 

 be accurately measured to provide data 

 in the study of the earth's magnetic field, 

 and of the weak electrical currents that 

 are known to move through the earth. 



Furthermore, we will be able to judge 

 accurately the meaning of meteorites. 

 We have assumed that they represent a 

 shattered planet's interior. They may not. 



Several other highly technical aims 

 could also be listed. Clearly, the data 

 obtained from the Mohole project will 

 provide earth scientists with fuel for 

 larger, more meaningful, research proj- 

 ects for years to come. 



In March of this year the preliminary 

 test runs off the coast of southern 

 California were successfully completed. 

 Anchored in water three miles deep, the 

 Cuss I drilled three test holes, one to 

 1,043 feet below bottom, the second to 

 601 feet, and the third to 460 feet. Al- 

 though the results are not yet completely 

 evaluated, we may list their highlights. 

 The sediments just below the bottom are 

 fossil rich and from them the sedimenta- 



tion rate of 8/10 inches per thousand 

 years was determined. Heat flow is much 

 higher than anticipated. Magnetic and 

 seismic data were obtained. And finally, 

 on April 1st the drill cut the last of the 

 sediments and pierced for a distance of 

 sixty feet into actual, lower crustal rock, 

 which is basalt — just as predicted. 



Another year of preparation must pass 

 before the attack on the mantle can take 

 place. 



The objectives of the Mohole project 

 are aimed largely at the acquisition of 

 scientific information. In reality, this is 

 also the major driving force behind our 

 present rocket and space program. As 

 that program yields by-products of mili- 

 tary value, so the Mohole project has a 

 major economic significance. Deep sea 

 drilling for petroleum and minerals has 

 never been attempted by individual com- 

 panies because of the technical difficul- 

 ties involved. But as a result of the 

 engineering solutions derived from the 

 Mohole project, which will be available 

 to anyone interested, the next ten years 

 may bring the first really deep off-shore 

 oil operations. In terms of expense, it 

 might be added, the entire Mohole oper- 

 ation will cost about the same as five 

 rocket firings. 



In closing, we might list one final 

 objective of the project. It is the 



same purpose which led men to climb 

 Mount Everest, to cross an ocean in 

 1492, and which today urges them on 

 to the moon — plain curiosity! 



Sdogite i 



MUSEUM NEWS 



{Continued from page 2) 



the Bernice P. Bishop Museum (Hono- 

 lulu, Hawaii), with the cooperation of 

 the University of Hawaii. 



While in Hawaii, Dr. Force will en- 

 gage in research at the Bishop Museum 

 in connection with a Grant-in-Aid of 

 Research awarded him by the Social 

 Science Research Council. The grant, 

 extending from January 1961 to Decem- 

 ber 1961, was provided for Dr. Force's 

 study of kinship and social organization 

 in the Palau Islands. Chicago Natural 

 History Museum is also contributing 

 funds for the research. 



An article entitled "The Arts of Oce- 

 ania" by Curator Force appeared in the 

 spring issue of The Delphian Quarterly. 



Fig. 2 



Illustrations by Maidi Wiebe, Geology Artist 



Mr. William D. Turnbull, Assistant 

 Curator of Fossil Mammals, and Mr. 

 Orville L. Gilpin, Chief Preparator of 

 Fossils, attended the Ninth Field Con- 

 ference of the Society of Vertebrate Pale- 

 ontology held in Nebraska. The Con- 

 ference meetings were held at a number 

 of localities throughout the state where 

 important Cenozoic fossil deposits have 

 been found. 



New Fall Hours 



Beginning September 5 the Museum 

 will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven 

 days a week. These hours will prevail 

 through October. Museum hours Sep- 

 tember 1-3 will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., 

 and on Labor Day (September 4) the 

 doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 



In Memoriam 



The Museum notes with regret the 

 death on July 19, 1961, of Peter Letang, 

 a cabinetmaker, who had been in the 

 service of the Museum since July of 1 930. 

 Mr. Letang, a Hungarian by birth, pos- 

 sessed unusual skill in his chosen trade, 

 and many of the display cases now in use 

 at the Museum are examples of his crafts- 

 manship. He will be greatly missed by 

 his co-workers and friends. 



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