Table of Contents:
  • The main objectives of Leg 17 were to establish the regional pattern of oceanic crustal ages in the central Pacific, to obtain cores of the entire stratigraphic succession, especially from pre-Middle Eocene strata, To document the history of growth and subsidence of seamounts located along seamount chains, by drilling on the archipelagic apron of sediments near the foot of individual seamounts and to sample acoustic reflectors seen on seismic reflection profiles and to establish their physical properties and their ages.