Mission Plan
Mission Plan

Education
Education

Mid-Ocean Ridge
Mid-Ocean Ridge

hotspots
Hotspots

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Explorers

Information

Photo & Video Log

This page contains photos and videos taken during the GalAPAGoS: Where Ridge Meets Hotspot expedition that took place December 3 - January 10 2006. Click on any image to view a larger version and for additional information. If a movie camera icon camera icon is present, a QuickTime video can be viewed by clicking on the image. Other video formats are available on the linked pages.

If a slideshow icon slideshow icon is present, a visual log of exploration images can be viewed. You can scroll through them one by one, or select the play button for an automatic slideshow.

(HR) = "High Resolution" images available.

 

camera icon Video & Slideshows

Chimney morphology varies widely and evolves as chimneys grow and become more complex over time.

camera icon January 3
Chimney morphology varies widely and evolves as chimneys grow and become more complex over time.

Dense communities of giant tubeworms thriving in a chemosynthetic environment fueled by billowing black smokers.

camera icon December 29
Dense communities of giant tubeworms thriving in a chemosynthetic environment fueled by billowing black smokers.

The first black smoker ever to be found on the Galapagos Spreading Center.

camera icon December 14
The first black smoker ever to be found on the Galapagos Spreading Center.

 

 

 

Images

Team members of the GalAPAGoS expedition pose for a group shot on the RV Thompson's 03 deck.

January 10
Team members of the GalAPAGoS expedition pose for a group shot on the RV Thompson's 03 deck. (HR)

Science and crew members depart the research vessel.

January 10
Science and crew members depart the research vessel. (HR)

 

 

 

 

Sharon Walker with an MPR.

January 7
Sharon Walker with an MAPR. (HR)

MAPRs carry the basic sensors necessary for identifying hydrothermal plumes.

January 7
MAPRs carry the basic sensors necessary for identifying hydrothermal plumes.

MAPR data acquired during the DSL tows compares to CTD tows at the twin caldera location.

January 7
MAPR data acquired during the DSL tows compares to CTD tows at the twin caldera location.

 

 

Sonar Data Systems Specialist, Akel Stirling, edits processed phase bathymetry data collected by the DSL120.

January 5
Sonar Data Systems Specialist, Akel Stirling, edits processed phase bathymetry data collected by the DSL120. (HR)

Chemical Oceanographer Joe Resing, compiles data collected by this in situ chemical analyzer.

January 5
Chemical Oceanographer Joe Resing, compiles data collected by this in situ chemical analyzer. (HR)

Co-PI, Scott White, and Chief Scientist, Rachel Haymon, look at one of the higher resolution bathymetric maps.

January 5
Co-PI, Scott White, and Chief Scientist, Rachel Haymon, look at one of the higher resolution bathymetric maps.

 

 

Hydrothermal vents begin to form beneath the seafloor where superheated water flows through cracks in the earth's crust.

January 3
Hydrothermal vents begin to form beneath the seafloor where superheated water flows through cracks in the earth's crust. (HR)

Over time, the height, width and thickness of a chimney structure builds around the vent flow.

January 3
Over time, the height, width and thickness of a chimney structure builds around the vent flow. (HR)

 

 

 

 

Ken Macdonald in the JASON control van aboard R/V Thompson, Dec 2005.

January 1
Ken Macdonald in the JASON control van aboard R/V Thompson, Dec 2005.

Photograph of hydrothermal animals; tube worms, clams, and crabs.

January 1
Photograph of hydrothermal animals; tube worms, clams, and crabs. (HR)

The first photograph of a black smoker vent published on the cover of Science magazine.

January 1
The first photograph of a black smoker vent published on the cover of Science magazine. (HR)

 

 

Densities of galatheid crabs and serpulid worms begin to increase as we cross through terrain filled with lava pillows.

December 29
Densities of galatheid crabs and serpulid worms begin to increase as we cross through terrain filled with lava pillows. (HR)

Dense communities of giant tubeworms thriving in a chemosynthetic environment fueled by billowing black smokers.

December 29
Dense communities of giant tubeworms thriving in a chemosynthetic environment fueled by billowing black smokers. (HR)

 

 

 

 

Sheet, lobate, and pillow lava morphology, the three main morphological flows that are produced by submarine eruptions.

December 28
Sheet, lobate, and pillow lava morphology, the three main morphological flows that are produced by submarine eruptions.

The chart above displays a section of sidescan sonar data with ground reference lava morphology classifications.

December 28
The chart above displays a section of sidescan sonar data with ground reference lava morphology classifications.

The same sidescan image that has been converted from processed sidescan data to be classified by lava morphology type.

December 28
The same sidescan image that has been converted from processed sidescan data to be classified by lava morphology type.

 

 

The common way to supply electricity to the armature (the part that rotates) of the motor is through a series of carbon brushes.

December 26
The common way to supply electricity to the armature (the part that rotates) of the motor is through a series of carbon brushes.

RV Thompson has two 3000 horse power, DC electric motors, each run by 750 volts or 3150 amps of electricity.

December 26
RV Thompson has two 3000 horse power, DC electric motors, each run by 750 volts or 3150 amps of electricity. (HR)

The WHOI Dynacon winch is fitted for DSL operations and has a hydraulic level wind.

December 26
The WHOI Dynacon winch is fitted for DSL operations and has a hydraulic level wind. (HR)

 

 

Co-Principal Investigator Edward Baker poses in front the ship's fireplace and Christmas tree.

December 25
Co-Principal Investigator Edward Baker poses in front the ship's fireplace and Christmas tree. (HR)

A game show set up to promote good morale during the holidays on board.

December 25
A game show set up to promote good morale during the holidays on board. (HR)

Acoustic technicians, Jamie Smith and Jennie Morgan, bake sugar and gingerbread cookies for the holidays.

December 25
Acoustic technicians, Jamie Smith and Jennie Morgan, bake sugar and gingerbread cookies for the holidays. (HR)

Students Sarah White and Justine Kimball turn regular old socks into Christmas stockings.

December 25
Students Sarah White and Justine Kimball turn regular old socks into Christmas stockings. (HR)

Able-bodied seaman Brian Clampitt has been working at sea for 25 years, spending many holidays away from home.

December 24
Able-bodied seaman Brian Clampitt has been working at sea for 25 years, spending many holidays away from home. (HR)

During major holidays, crews at sea will typically celebrate with a special meal, a day of light duty, or a BBQ on deck.

December 24
During major holidays, crews at sea will typically celebrate with a special meal, a day of light duty, or a BBQ on deck. (HR)

 

 

 

 

Very sensitive magnetometers mounted on the DSL120 sonar sled.

December 22
Very sensitive magnetometers mounted on the DSL120 sonar sled. (HR)

The steel frame of the DSL120 can create changes in the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer.

December 22
The steel frame of the DSL120 can create changes in the magnetic field measured by the magnetometer. (HR)

 

 

Processing DSL120 sonar data in the shipboard computer lab.

December 20
Processing DSL120 sonar data in the shipboard computer lab. (HR)

The screen grab above displays the first step in the sidescan sonar editing process.

December 20
The screen grab above displays the first step in the sidescan sonar editing process. (HR)

Once all variables are merged with the processed sound data, the complete dataset is georeferenced.

December 20
Once all variables are merged with the processed sound data, the complete dataset is georeferenced. (HR)

 

 

Undergraduate student Sarah White helps collect data during a CTD cast.

December 18
Undergraduate student Sarah White helps collect data during a CTD cast.

Monica Heintz and Christine Desautels work with research technician Nathan Buck to extract water samples.

December 18
Monica Heintz and Christine Desautels work with research technician Nathan Buck to extract water samples.

Geology major Keith Tsudama marks the current location of the DSL120 tow-sled.

December 18
Geology major Keith Tsudama marks the current location of the DSL120 tow-sled. (HR)

Kayla Petitt works on her storyboard for an educational video she is helping to create.

December 18
Kayla Petitt works on her storyboard for an educational video she is helping to create. (HR)

Head Cook, Ray Gideons, washes lettuce for the full salad bar that accompanies lunch and dinner on board.

December 16
Head Cook, Ray Gideons, washes lettuce for the full salad bar that accompanies lunch and dinner on board.

The RV Thompson's small boat approaches the vessel loaded with fresh fruits from port.

December 16
The RV Thompson's small boat approaches the vessel loaded with fresh fruits from port. (HR)

 

 

 

 

The sensors passed through the plume of a black smoker.

December 14
The sensors passed through the plume of a black smoker.

The calcium carbonate shells of tiny sea creatures living at the sea surface fall to the seafloor.

December 14
The calcium carbonate shells of tiny sea creatures living at the sea surface fall to the seafloor. (HR)

The lava flows in the photo above are young, because they show little accumulation of sediment.

December 14
The lava flows in the photo above are young, because they show little accumulation of sediment. (HR)

 

 

The CTD/Niskin rosette cast arrives back on deck full of water samples.

December 13
The CTD/Niskin rosette cast arrives back on deck full of water samples. (HR)

Filter samples from the CTD/Niskin showing

December 13
Filter samples from the CTD/Niskin showing "black smokers" and normal seawater. (HR)

After an initial deployment to the seafloor, the Medea is brought back on deck to replace a malfunctioning altimeter.

December 13
After an initial deployment to the seafloor, the Medea is brought back on deck to replace a malfunctioning altimeter. (HR)

Vent biologist, Taylor Heyl, excitedly points out biota found in images taken by the still camera on the Medea photo sled.

December 13
Vent biologist, Taylor Heyl, excitedly points out biota found in images taken by the still camera on the Medea photo sled. (HR)

Still image taken by the Medea camera sled showing vent organisms on the seafloor.

December 13
Still image taken by the Medea camera sled showing vent organisms on the seafloor. (HR)

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the hot waters rise, they pull in surrounding water, becoming diluted and expanded.

December 10
As the hot waters rise, they pull in surrounding water, becoming diluted and expanded.

his monitor displays incoming data from sensors attached to the DSL120.

December 10
his monitor displays incoming data from sensors attached to the DSL120. (HR)

Hot waters emanating from hydrothermal vents are less dense than seawater and rise up above the volcano.

December 10
Hot waters emanating from hydrothermal vents are less dense than seawater and rise up above the volcano.

 

 

The Miniature Autonomous Plume Recorder is a self-contained instrument for recording temperature, pressure and optical data.

December 8
The Miniature Autonomous Plume Recorder is a self-contained instrument for recording temperature, pressure and optical data. (HR)

Data streamed in real-time from sensors on board the DSL120 are displayed on a monitor in the control van.

December 8
Data streamed in real-time from sensors on board the DSL120 are displayed on a monitor in the control van.

 

 

 

 

A red warning appears on the DSL topside GUI monitor, alerting technicians of a

December 6
A red warning appears on the DSL topside GUI monitor, alerting technicians of a "ground" or power failure in the system.

CTD and Niskin bottles are lowered over previously identified hydrothermal plume sites to collect additional data.

December 6
CTD and Niskin bottles are lowered over previously identified hydrothermal plume sites to collect additional data. (HR)

DSL technicians and scientists monitor incoming data and information from the sonar sled in the DSL van.

December 6
DSL technicians and scientists monitor incoming data and information from the sonar sled in the DSL van. (HR)

 

 

Watchstanders monitored the incoming EM300 raw multibeam data for quality continuously in shifts of 4 hours on/8 hours off.

December 5
Watchstanders monitored the incoming EM300 raw multibeam data for quality continuously in shifts of 4 hours on/8 hours off. (HR)

The recently collected EM-300 data revealed these two back-to-back calderas.

December 5
The recently collected EM-300 data revealed these two back-to-back calderas. (HR)

This bathymetric map was created using the EM-300 multibeam sonar.

December 5
This bathymetric map was created using the EM-300 multibeam sonar. (HR)

This low-resolution bathymetric map shows us the average seafloor depth of a 200m square area.

December 5
This low-resolution bathymetric map shows us the average seafloor depth of a 200m square area. (HR)

The R/V Thomas G. Thompson, measuring 274 ft in length and operating with a crew of 22.

December 3
The R/V Thomas G. Thompson, measuring 274 ft in length and operating with a crew of 22. (HR)

Chief Scientist, Rachel Haymon, takes her first step on board the R/V Thompson.

December 3
Chief Scientist, Rachel Haymon, takes her first step on board the R/V Thompson.

Chemical Oceanographer, Joe Resing, prepares a hydrothermal plume sensor for deployment.

December 3
Chemical Oceanographer, Joe Resing, prepares a hydrothermal plume sensor for deployment. (HR)

 

 

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