DRILLING BENEATH THE SEA — BENSON 403 



development of equipment and techniques with the potential of open- 

 ing the oceans to commercial activity. The theoretical work on the 

 experimental drilling operation could speed the day of ocean-floor 

 mining, deep-sea oil drilling, and practical construction techniques. 

 It definitely has paved the way for more scientific exploration. 



Meanwhile, the Mohole scientists are currently pushing ahead with 

 surveys to determine the site for the eventual Mohole, seeking ways to 

 improve the speed of drilling in hard rock, and experimenting with a 

 host of new instriunents and techniques, all aimed at the next immedi- 

 ate objective — a drilling program, perhaps within a year, to sample 

 the third layer of the oceanic crust, and to prove out new methods for 

 the eventual drill to the Moho. 



Reprints of the various articles in this Report may be obtained, as long as 

 the supply lasts, on request addressed to the Editorial and Publications 

 Division, Smithsonian Institution, Washington 25, D.C. 



