What's Happening Today - Dec. 1

We're done! ABE is safe and sound on board after a terrific final dive of the cruise. During Dive#62 it filled in gaps in some of the coverage in our 9° 28'N survey area - the preliminary map of this area is stunning. The data from ABE and the DSL-120A sonar show dramatic differences in topography, and volcanic and tectonic features in the 9° 50'N and 9° 28'N survey areas. Just the stuff we were looking for when we first proposed this work three years ago. Now the fun starts at trying to puzzle together all of this detailed information into a new model for how the ocean crust is built at a fast-spreading mid-ocean ridge crest.

After two final camera tows and several more rock cores (we've done 43 rock core stations and 14 camera tows with the THING), we picked up the remaining four transponders, made a final pass at the East Pacific Rise axis using the multibeam sonar system, and then R/V Atlantis turned her bow north, towards Manzanillo this evening.

Time to get some sleep and then think about sorting through all the data and packing up before we arrive in port on Monday afternoon.

Best Regards,

Dan Fornari

It's true, the skills we learn in Kindergarden are the most valuable..., cut and paste! Margo Edwards and Akel Sterling are finalizing the navigation of our DSL-120A sonar data by carefully matching seafloor features in the sonar data imaged by each survey line and then adjusting the navigation position of the sonar fish on each line so features match-up well. They do this by cutting out each line of sonar data and then pasting onto a navigation grid.

Uriel Carpenter, an Ordinary Seaman, works on maintenance of Atlantis's deck gear.

Steve Eykelhoff taking care of SSSG chores in the Computer Lab.

Jenni Morgan (left) and Michelle Cooper pose with Mighty Mo the rock corer.

Dana Yoerger watches as ABE is recovered from Dive#62 today.

ABE being lifted out of the water by the ship's crane after Andy Billings attached the recovery line. The ship's officers and crew have done a superb job on this cruise in the many launches and recoveries of ABE and the DSL-120A sonar. We can't thank them enough for all their help and dedication in helping us get our work done.

Andy Billings getting ready to disassemble the THING.

The towed Camera THING being hoisted on board after its last tow - #14. It's done an amazing job of giving us photographic clues about the seafloor features we have mapped with ABE and the DSL-120A sonar.

The ABE support team -Al Duester (left photo), and Andy Billings (left) and Rod Catanach. Way to go guys!

Al Bradley (right) waxing poetically about ABE's performance on Dive#62 to Hans Schouten (left) and Maurice Tivey.

Pete Collins sends his best Happy Birthday wishes to his wife Kristan.