MBARI Starts Pacific Northwest Expedition 2011 (USA)

MBARI’s research vessel Western Flyer and the remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts are on an eight-week expedition to the waters off the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. A multidisciplinary group of MBARI scientists and collaborators will explore and conduct research experiments on gas hydrates, the behavior of carbon dioxide in the deep sea, underwater volcanoes, and the animals that live in the deep sea.

The expedition is divided into four “legs,” each with different research objectives. In between each leg, the ship will dock in Newport, Oregon, where one group of researchers will go ashore, the next group of researchers will board the ship, and the ship’s crew will replenish fuel and supplies.

The research vessel Zephyr will also participate in this expedition, serving as a support ship for the autonomous underwater vehicle D. Allan B., which is equipped with multibeam sonar for mapping the ocean floor. The maps created by data from the D. Allen B. will help researchers aboard the Western Flyer determine the best places to explore with the ROV Doc Ricketts.

Throughout all four legs, scientists will be posting daily updates.

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Source: MBARI, July 12, 2011;