FeMO4 Dive Cruise 2009
Report Day 04 -- Sunday 04 October 2009 -- Jason is Hard at Work
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FeMO4 Dive Cruise 2009 |
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8:00 am bright and early, the sun is shining and the ocean is calmer. Jason is launched first and then Medea follows. A half hour is spent watching Jason descend from the surface of the ocean to the top of Lo’ihi where the crater is located. Jason spends the day traversing the crater of the young volcano. As Jason descends into Pele’s Pit, the scientists focus on locating markers that had been placed near Lo’ihi’s vents years ago. Scientists place bacteria traps near the volcano’s vents and return hours, days, and years later to collect the traps and hopefully, the bacteria inside.
Scientists also collect bacterial samples using suction devices and scoops. The Jason ROV has two arms that can turn in every direction. The arms are controlled and manipulated by a Jason pilot on the ship. The Jason pilot watches Jason’s arms on the monitors and makes them move to pick up and release objects, scoop, suction, and take temperature readings. Jason also has three cameras attached to his body. Scientists can snap a picture any time they see something of interest.
Jason and the scientists work throughout Sunday night and all day Monday.
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