Evelyn (Evy) Mervine
Volcanologist / Geochemist
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution / MIT
On this Expedition:
As a petrologist on this expedition, my responsibilities included preparation during the planning phase of the project. I helped order and ship all the materials that we would need to work out at sea for two months. I also had to plan what we would do with the rock samples that we are collecting here on the 90 East Ridge. Now that we are on the ship, I am in a lead role and help to set-up the watches and procedures for the petrology team. I also work with the teacher and some of the online students that participate with the Sea90e web site activities. This includes video-conferencing with students about careers at sea and writing background articles. We are all students, in some ways for our whole life!
About myself:
I grew up in rural New Hampshire and have long had an interest in geology and the outdoors. I've had a rock collection as long as I can remember. In June 2006 I graduated from Dartmouth College with a double major in Earth Science and Arabic Language and Literature. Currently, I am a PhD student in marine geology in the joint program between Woods Hole and MIT. For my graduate work, I study the petrology and geochemistry of volcanic rocks and gases. I analyze major elements, trace elements, and isotopes. I also use isotopic decay to determine the ages of volcanic rocks and minerals. When I'm not working on geology, I enjoy kayaking, rock climbing, writing, and traveling.
For Students:
Mainly, I enjoy being at sea because of the sense of adventure and exploration! We've been several days journey from any land for almost two months now, and we've traveled a long stretch of the Indian Ocean. For days at a time, we have not even seen any other ships. We have seen many marine animals, though: dolphins, several types of whales, flying fish, sharks, and even pink squid. We've surveyed areas of the ridge never studied before and have identified new features such as faults and seamounts. We've dredged up rock types that have never been found at the ridge previously. All of these discoveries are exciting, and I am sure that we will make many more discoveries once we have had some time to analyze the data and samples further.
I also enjoy the simplicity of life at sea. Here on the ship, my work space and my living space are the same. Everything in my day is contained within the 273 foot long ship: my bedroom, the petrology lab, the geophysics lab, the galley, the library, the gym, the laundry room, the television room, and so on. My morning commute is easy and takes twenty seconds or so: I just walk up one flight of stairs to the lab. Three times a day delicious meals appear like magic in the galley, so I don't have to spend time grocery shopping and cooking. The only domestic chore I have to do is my laundry and even then the washers and dryers are free, unlike in my apartment back in Boston where I pay $4 for every load!
I also enjoy being at sea because of all of the interesting people I have met on the ship. I have had many valuable conversations with other scientists and students about the Ninetyeast Ridge and about geology and oceanography in general. Since I spend 24 hours a day on the ship with everyone, I am getting to know many of the scientists and students very well. I also enjoy talking with the crew and hearing their stories. Many of the crew members have been going to sea for twenty to thirty years and have some fantastic stories!
Last but certainly not least, I enjoy the beautiful 360-degree views of ocean and sky. The sunsets and rainbows out here are beautiful. I am amazed every time I see the full arch of colors of a rainbow over the blue ocean.
(alphabetical order by last name)
Sarah Baumgardner - Geosciences, MIT
Darryl Churchill - Engine Room Propulsion, RV Roger Revelle
Tom Desjardins - Captain, RV Roger Revelle
Meghan Donohue - Resident Marine Technician (aka restech)
Amy Eisin - Marine Geology and Geophysics, Texas A&M
Jay Erickson - Senior Cook, RV Roger Revelle
Joseph Ferris III - Second Mate, RV Roger Revelle
Dr. Fred Frey - Geochemistry Professor, MIT
Heather Galiher - 3rd Mate, RV Roger Revelle
Jackie Gauntlett - Geology and Oceanography, UCT
Howie Goldstein - Marine Mammal Biologist, Observer
James Edward Hayden, Sr. - Second Asisstant Engineer, RV Roger Revelle
Philip Hogan - Engine Room, Propulsion, RV Roger Revelle
Shari Hilding-Kronforst - Marine Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M
Lara Kalnins - Geophysics, University of Oxford
George Kennedy - A/B Deck, RV Roger Revelle
Clemens Kessler - Seaman, RV Roger Revelle
Dr. Kolluru Sree Krishna - Marine Geophysics, Goa, India
Dr. Oleg Levchenko - Shirshov Inst. of Oceanology Professor, Moscow
Joe Martino - Seaman, RV Roger Revelle
Evelyn Mervine - Geochemistry Woods Hole / MIT
Laura Morse - Marine Biologist, Marine Mammal Observer
Brandi Murphy - Marine Geophysical Technician
Leslie Nemazi - Marine Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M
Soumen Mallick - Isotope Geochemistry, Florida State University
Matthew Peer - Third Asisstant Engineer, RV Roger Revelle
Ines G. Nobre Silva - Isotope Geochemistry, University of British Columbia, Canada
Holly Owens - Geochronology, MIT
Scott Rasmussen - Geosciences, Brown University
Christopher Paul - Marine Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M
Dr. Malcolm Pringle - Research Scientist / Geochronologist Professor, MIT
Dr. Dasari Gopala Rao - Marine Geophysics & Geology, India
Dr. Will Sager - Marine Geology & Geophysics Professor, Texas A&M
Dax Soule - Geophysicist, Geology, Texas A&M
Masako Tominaga - Marine Geophysics, Texas A&M
Richard Vullo - Chief Mate, RV Roer Revelle
Rory Wilson - Teacher at Sea, JOI Learning
James Wiltshire - Marine Geology, UCT
BACKGROUND
7/7 - Exploring the Heart of the RV Roger Revelle
6/29 - Looking into the Geophysical World (Undersea)
6/24 - Another Look at OUR WORLD
6/21 - First Look... Onboard the RV Roger Revelle
