This cruise was to our RIDGE observatory site on the Endeavour segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge on the RV Atlantis with the research submarine ALVIN. This was part of a long term study, funded by the National Science Foundation, to study temporal change in geology and biology of hydrothermal vent systems. Six scientists from PSU were joined by collaborators from UC Davis, San Francisco State Univ., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Univ. of Southampton, UK, the Univ. of Vienna, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratories, and the Univ. of Washington. We monitored our established growth stations, downloaded data from the thermistor arrays we had in place and redeployed them, establishing several new growth stations. We also collected samples for studies of molecular ecology and nutritional interactions. Additionally, this cruise once again hosted the REVEL program, a very exciting new outreach program for secondary school science teachers. This year 3 secondary school science teachers from Pennsylvania were included in this cruise and program. The REVEL program presented a live website during the cruise, so folks at home could follow the adventure while it happened!
Alvin dives 3255-3264