One of 100 openings · Explore · Earth science · checked Aug 2026

First to drill through ocean crust and recover an in-place mantle core

The finish line

A borehole crosses the seismic Moho and retrieves a documented core of undisturbed upper mantle formed in place.

Why it is still open

JAMSTEC says direct mantle drilling remains beyond scientific reach.

JAMSTEC · Mantle drilling