Geophysical (bathymetry, gravimetry, magnetism, seismics and multichannel reflection) and geological (dredging) studies of the northern part of the Kerguelen plateau (Indian Ocean). Survey of ODP drilling sites (leg 183). The Kerguelen underwater plateau is still puzzling today, when trying to understand its origin and explain the way it was formed. To try to answer these questions, new deep ocean drilling was to be done on the Kerguelen shelf in late 1998 and early 1999.