Electromagnetic Geophysics Lab
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University
We began assembling and deploying the ocean-bottom EM receivers late last night, with 26 deployments over the last 18 hours.
Given that ship time is a prized resource, we work around the clock. We have split up into two teams of five. Each shift lasts 12 hours, from midnight to noon and noon to midnight.
The weather has been treating us well thus far. On track to commence transmitter operations in 12 hours time.
Everything is on deck, strapped and ready to go! All in all, there are 42 ocean-bottom electromagnetic (OBEM) receivers, one towed receiver, 170 anchors, two winches, two transmitter systems, and a long-baseline navigation system. Future posts will describe theses systems in more detail.
Our science schedule will get hectic fairly quickly! ETA to first site is just six hours after leaving port. Then we get right to work deploying all 42 OBEM receivers over the the next 1.5 days!
The science party and gear have all safely arrived on time at Wellington port. Currently loading onto R/V Roger Revelle. So far so good!
Our hard working technicians have stuffed a whopping 101,000+ pounds (!!) worth of gear into two 40 foot and two 20 foot containers, which are en route to Wellington, New Zealand. The list of goods includes 42 ocean-bottom EM receivers (see photo), two electric dipole transmitter systems, two spooling winches, and 170 concrete anchors. ETA Dec 13!
