Drilling on Midway Atoll, Hawaii

Abstract

Two holes drilled through reef sediments into basalt have established a geologic section through the Miocene. Midway was built above the sea by flows that were weathered and partially truncated in pre-Miocene time. After submergence, volcanic clays were reworked and covered by limestones. Overall ubmergence was interrupted at least twice by emergence. The limestones have been leached, recrystallized, and partially dolomitized.