Transit Gale in the Indian Ocean
Posted by: Rory Wilson
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
9:00 PM Indian Ocean
We have had an initial exciting "ride" out to sea. When we departed the port in Thailand, the wind picked up and kept increasing into the night. By late evening, it was blowing a gale (more than 30 knots of wind) and eventually reached 45 knots, with gusts higher than that. It was difficult to see whether it was raining extremely hard, or whether the salt spray from the sea was flying thru the air. It was actually both. I do not have good pictures of this, mostly because it was dark, wet, and difficult to move around on the ship!
I did get some good pictures the next day, and as it continued even today, now even have some good video clips that I will get posted on YouTube as soon as I can.
Aahhhh, but why are we out here? It is not only to enjoy the pleasures of monsoon season rain and wind!! We are here to do science.
And the science that we have in mind is to look at the ocean floor that is 1500 meters below our keel. (as some of you certainly know, 1706 meters is one mile) We are studying a mile below the surface of the sea to find out more about how the earth formed and how it continues to change today.
Instead of writing more here today... Go to the about section and look at some of the changes there. Dr. Will Sager, the head of our research team wrote an article for you to understand the main purpose of our exploration here in teh Indian Ocean.
Take a look at this, especially because it will help you on your next challenge problem.
This weekend, will add some more to the questions and answers section. We have had some great questions so far, and we do have some really cool people to introduce on our science team and the crew aboard the RV Roger Revelle.
(By the way, the RV means Research Vessel.) no, not Recreational Vehicle
JULY
7/30 - Final day at sea: on the way into Singapore
7/26 - A Day in the Life of a Teacher at Sea
7/18 - Checking our Position (Latitude) with a Sextant
7/16 - Monsoon Blues in the Indian Ocean
7/15 - WAVES, Rough Weather, but an exciting day... WHALES
7/11 - Not the Best Day for Science at Sea
7/9 - Discoveries on the 90 East Ridge
7/5 - Closer to Home, Life Here Onboard
7/2 - Ocean Careers: Texas to Russia
JUNE
6/30 - Easy Cruising Day: Now in the Southeast Trade Winds
6/27 - We Crossed the Equator Today, Heading South.
6/21 - Night Time Fun in the Indian Ocean
6/20 - Transit Gale in the Indian Ocean
6/17 - Arrived in Phuket, Thailand (finally)
