The R/V Thompson at Apia Harbor (center), Samoa
A beautiful beach on southern Upolu Island, Samoa.
Sam making coconut cream.

2008 Expedition to Lau Basin

November 14, 2008

After testing the CTD/rosette system, we completed a single vertical water-column cast at about 15.0ºS, 173.1ºW en route to our study area.  The location of this cast is a site where we have previously seen evidence of a regional helium plume, and therefore we wanted to sample it again.  We are now in the process of generating a more detailed bathymetric map of the Mangatolo Triple Junction (MTJ) spreading center with the ship’s EM300 multibeam system.  Next on the agenda is to tow-yo the CTD/rosette package back up the MTJ from south to north looking for evidence of hydrothermal plumes along the spreading axis.

On Tuesday previous to our departure, we benefited from the presence of a huge cruise ship that docked in Apia, Samoa.  In order to make room for the cruise ship, the R/V Thompson was forced to leave the harbor for the day.  This forced us scientists to take the day off and tour part of the island of Upolu.  A group of about a dozen of us rented two vehicles and also paid for the services of an extremely entertaining Samoan tour guide named Sam.  He drove one of the vehicles and gave us a non-stop commentary on local culture, sites of interest, etc.  We had two opportunities to go swimming.  The first was in a fresh water pool in a lava tube right by the ocean, the second was snorkeling over coral heads and colorful reef fish at a beach on Upolu’s south shore.  But for many of us the highlight of the tour was Sam’s demonstration of how to open a coconut and make coconut cream.  On Wednesday we were all back to work setting up our science equipment on the Thompson.

John Lupton, Chief Scientist

updated 10/9/2008