What Will I be Doing?, Brief Project Summary and Internet Links Options

[Steve_Marshall]

So, what exactly will I be doing? The main data obtained will be from sonar and core samples. The sonar will provide bathymetric data to map the part of the continental slope we will be crossing over. It will also provide a picture of the seafloor to determine the best place for taking the core samples. Cores of the seafloor will be looked at for sedimentation rate, mineral composition and characteristics, and other features that will hopefully provide clues about past and potential future climate changes.

How will I be helping with this? I’ll probably be getting really dirty! Working with the coring equipment isn’t the cleanest job in the world, but it should be lots of fun! I’ll also be recording what’s going on and hopefully taking lots of pictures. There will be work going on 24 hours a day, so it will be nice that the sun’s up for all that time. We also might be taking helicopter rides out to sample “dirty ice”—ice that contains large amounts of sediment. These samples might give clues about ocean currents and the original source of the sediment.

Even life on the ship will be an experience in itself.


USCG Icebreaker Healy

Here are some links that may be of interest about the project and life on the Healy:

Project Overview

Information on the Healy (click on the links on the left-side menu to get even more details—I’ve found the “ship information” to be the most interesting. The “Science Support” is interesting too, but it’s a little technical)

Check out where we are (1 day delay) here

Only three more days before I leave! It’s getting hectic trying to take care of things at school, home, arrange a live event for Tuesday, pack, etc., but I’m going to soon be at the point where all I can say is, “I’ve done all I can do (hopefully haven’t forgotten anything), now it’s time to enjoy the ride.” I hope you enjoy it with me!