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Researching the effects of underwater hydrothermal venting systems |
2008 Oregon Offshore Earthquakes: | ||||
Media Links: National Public Radio (4/16/08): Earthquake Swarm Worries Oregon National Geographic (4/16/08): Mysterious "Swarm" of Quakes Strikes Oregon Waters Science Daily (4/14/08) : Unusual Earthquake Swarm Off Oregon Coast Puzzles Scientists MSNBC (4/13/08): Undersea quake swarm puzzles the experts Seattle Times (4/13/08): Scientists investigate rash of earthquakes off Oregon's coast Oregonian (4/12/08): Quakes off Oregon coast shake up a mystery |
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Bill
Hanshumaker's After leaving port on Sunday, we steamed towards the swarm of undersea tremors recently detected on the Juan de Fuca plate. Since these weren't located where scientist normally expect earthquakes, a three-day "Swarm Event Response Cruise" was organized by PMEL (NOAA). The R/V Wecoma steamed at 12 knots and deployed a hydrophone about 90 miles east of the swarm center. We then continued westward and have been conducting CTD casts to analyze the water chemistry at different depths at numerous locations (see map right, red stars indicate proposed CTD sample sites). This CTD array consists of twelve bottles that can capture seawater at specific depths. "CTD" stands for Conductivity (measuring salinity), Temperature, and Density, which refers to the types real-time data that is electronically sent back up to the ship. Once back on board, samples from the 10 liter bottles are analyzed and preserved for future laboratory studies. Carbon dioxide, methane, trace metals and helium isotopes are some of the types of measurements scientists use to detect hydrothermal activity. When these samples are processed, the NOAA scientists hope to map the underwater plume that would be produced IF there has been an eruptive event. If you are interested in learning more about this cruise, visit the HMSC auditorium in Newport, Oregon. A map of the response cruise and other information is available. I will be back at HMSC at the end of the cruise and available for additional questions at the HMSC Visitor's Center. --Bill Address
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