Background and objectives 2 Operations 5 Lithostratigraphy 13 Biostratigraphy 19 Geochemistry 22 Paleomagnetism 29 Physical properties 33 Downhole logging 38 Stratigraphic correlation 39 References Hole U1445A Hole U1445A was spudded at 1900 h on 1 January. The seafloor was estimated at 2502 mbsl. Cores 353-U1445A-1H through 24H (0-225.1 m DSF) were retrieved using the APC system. Temperature measurements were taken on Cores 4H, 7H, 10H, and 13H. Core orientation data were obtained from Cores 3H through 24H using the Icefield MI-5 tool. The XCB system was deployed for Cores 25X through 77X (225.1-672.6 m DSF). Coring advances of 8 m were utilized for Cores 33X, 34X, and 38X through 66X to allow for core expansion within the core liner. After completion of coring operations in Hole U1445A, the hole was swept with 50 bbl of high-viscosity mud and then displaced with heavy weight (10.6 lb/gal) mud in preparation for downhole logging operations. The hole was then logged using the triple combo tool string, including the magnetic susceptibility sonde (MSS), and the Formation MicroScanner (FMS)-sonic tool string. Each tool string was run twice from 85 to 444 m DSF. Neither tool string was able to pass below a bridge at 444 m DSF. Downhole logging operations were completed at 0630 h on 7 January. The drill string was pulled from the hole with the bit clearing the seafloor at 0711 h, ending Hole U1445A. A total of 24 APC cores were taken over a 225.1 m interval with a total core recovery of 234.31 m (104% core recovery). The XCB system was used for 53 cores over a cored interval of 447.5 m with 432.09 m recovered (97%). Total core recovery for Hole U1445A was 99%. Hole U1445B The vessel was offset 20 m south, and Hole U1445B was spudded at 1010 h on 7 January. Hole U1445B was dedicated for highresolution pore water sampling. Cores 353-U1445B-1H through 4H were retrieved with 101% recovery. The bit cleared the seafloor at 1320 h, ending Hole U1445B. Four APC cores were taken over a 33.0 m interval with a total core recovery of 33.36 m (101% core recovery). Hole U1445C The vessel was offset 20 m west, and Hole U1445C was spudded at 1415 h on 7 January. Cores 353-U1445C-1H through 24H were retrieved using the APC system. Temperature measurements were taken with the advanced piston corer temperature tool (APCT-3) on Cores 20H and 22H. Cores 3H through 24H were oriented using the Icefield MI-5 tool. The XCB system was deployed for Cores 25X through 36X (218.2-305.2 m DSF). Cores 26X through 36X used 8 m advances to allow for core expansion within the core liner. A total of 24 APC cores were taken over a 218.2 m interval with a total core recovery of 219.67 m (101% core recovery). The XCB system was used for 12 cores over a cored interval of 87.0 m with 85.93 m recovered (99%). Total core recovery for Hole U1445C was 100%.