FeMO4 Dive Cruise 2009
Report Day 02 -- Friday 02 October 2009 -- The Science Begins
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FeMO4 Dive Cruise 2009 |
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Friday morning, bright and early we arrive at Kealakekua Bay on the southeast side of Hawaii. A CTD – Niskin bottle rosette is launched into the water. The CTD continually measures the conductivity, temperature, depth, and oxygen concentration of the water as it descends towards the sea floor. Scientists monitor these parameters as it descends and use the Niskin bottles to take water samples in interesting areas of the water column. After the CTD Rosette returns to the surface, the scientists process the water samples.
Next, the Jason crew prepare for the first Jason launch of the expedition.
The dive plan is ready. The goal of the first launch is to observe volcanic pillows (hardened lava that seeped out of an underwater volcano) and locate Marker 1. Marker 1 had been placed underwater five years ago. First, Jason is lifted by a crane and placed into the water. He is tethered to another vehicle called Medea that hold lights and helps Jason stay buoyant. Medea is launched and off they go to the bottom of the ocean.
The entire expedition of Jason and Medea is watched on monitors from the control room. There are 41 monitors, big and small, in the control room.
Jason passes by many pillow fields of hardened lava.
After a 5-hour search, Marker 1 is finally located and retrieved. Jason returns to the surface at 8:00 am Saturday morning.
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