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December 9, 2003

Four buckets weren’t enough for my initiation. My rite of passage wasn’t complete until I was doused by a fifth bucket of ice water from Dr. Tim Shank, “The Deep Sea Explorer” himself. Brrrrr, that’s cold!

 

 

 

 

Check out these photos, which have been transmitted to the University of Delaware from the R/V Atlantis.

 

A tab of Alka Seltzer taped to the biobox. The reaction of the tablet under high pressure was tested for Extreme Experiment 1 to see if there was a “fizz fizz” after the “plop plop.” Find out results soon.

The deep-sea veterans surround me before embarking on my journey “to the depths of discovery” (from left to right: Don Nuzzio, George Luther, Craig Cary, and Pat Hickey).

Ok, here I go…. I’ll come back a “Deep-Sea Explorer!”

A view of the various control panels inside Alvin.


The image of the seafloor coming into view as the sub approaches the bottom.



A closer look at the intricacies of the rocks.

Anthony (Alvin pilot) patches the questions down to Alvin during today’s Phone Call to the Deep. (Photo courtesy of Kristy Henscheid)

Brian assists with the phone call questions.

We approach the Riftia mounds to take worm samples and temperature readings. We also needed to retrieve the AIS “historical deployable” that has been recording data inside the worms’ tubes for the past five days.


We sent the AIS device up on the elevator. It reaches the surface and crew work on deck to pull it safely aboard. (Photo courtesy of Kristy Henscheid)


One of the hydrothermal vents that we encountered during today’s dive.



Thick black smoke billows out from the chimneys.


The sunset was so calming to watch after a long day in the deep sea... calming enough to rock me to sleep as I sat watching it near the ship’s bow. I definitely needed the nap before starting my work for the night. (Photo courtesy of Kristy Henscheid)

Kristy helps with tonight’s CTD retrieval.

 

Copyright University of Delaware, November 2003