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Day 24 - November 11, 2018


Reports   

Surprise! Acrux Seamount is actually Acrux Guyot. A guyot is a seamount that was subaerial (above the water) at some point in its history. They have very noticeable flat tops due to the waves eroding them away. As the Mid-Atlantic Ridge keeps making new ocean floor, the features spread away from the ridge. Older ocean floor subsides and the water column increases in depth. This is why guyots stop eroding—they are no longer at the surface. We also picked up some coquina our dredge here, which is rock made from shells cementing together. This further provides evidence for Acrux Guyot being subaerial or close to the surface at one point in time.