Introduction 4 Background 7 Site summaries 40 Preliminary scientific assessment 45 References

The best precaution is to ensure that the operating temperature is constant during measurements, and preferably cool, and that sensor and samples have time to reach an equilibrium temperature. This may be more difficult when operating in the field. Wet ConditionsCaution: These instruments are protected against the ingress of moisture but operation in very wet conditions should be avoided.Note: Some sensors can be operated while submerged in water: see product brochure for further information. Noise and Interference CheckCaution: These instruments should not be operated close to high power radio transmitters, heavy electrical machinery, computers, or other electrical or magnetic equipment. Note:The unit is unlikely to be affected by interference from other equipment in the normal operating environment. However, by their nature the sensors are susceptible to electromagnetic interference and operation close to a radio frequency source with a frequency close to the operating frequency of the sensor should be avoided. It is important to position the sensor to minimise interference and obtain the best performance.Select the normal sensitivity, x1.0 range. With no sample present, first press the 'Z' button and then select continuous measurements on the 'M' toggle switch. If fluctuations of greater than ±1 least significant digit per reading appear on the display then external electrical noise should be suspected. In this case the only solution is to re-site the equipment.Before using the laboratory sensors, first check the selected area for freedom from large ferrous objects by moving the sensor and watching for any changes on the display.

A fourth of the global seabed sediment volume is buried at depths where temperatures exceed 80 °C, a previously proposed thermal barrier for life in the subsurface. Here, we demonstrate, utilizing an extensive suite of radiotracer experiments, the prevalence of active methanogenic and sulfate-reducing populations in deeply buried marine sediment from the Nankai Trough subduction zone, heated to extreme temperature (up to ~120 °C). The small microbial community subsisted with high potential cell-specific rates of energy metabolism, which approach the rates of active surface sediments and laboratory cultures. Our discovery is in stark contrast to the extremely low metabolic rates otherwise observed in the deep subseafloor. As cells appear to invest most of their energy to repair thermal cell damage in the hot sediment, they are forced to balance delicately between subsistence near the upper temperature limit for life and a rich supply of substrates and energy from thermally driven reactions of the sedimentary organic matter.

Background and objectives 8 Operations 14 Lithostratigraphy 26 Igneous petrology and alteration 37 Structural geology 39 Biostratigraphy 42 Paleomagnetism 50 Inorganic geochemistry 54 Organic geochemistry 62 Microbiology 65 Petrophysics 77 References

strategies (for example, the advanced piston corer [APC] and halflength APC systems) and numerous analytical innovations have greatly improved sample recovery and scientific yield, particularly in the areas of organic geochemistry and microbiology. For example, microbial genomics did not exist 40 y ago. However, these technical refinements do not change the fact that Expedition 385 will in many respects build on the foundations laid by Leg 64 for understanding Guaymas Basin, regardless of whether adjustments are required in the near future.