As further bathymetry data is collected, it becomes more and more clear that we are collecting a unique and exciting data set that reveals a plate tectonic wonderland. Important and fundamental questions abound: How do oblique spreading plate boundaries work? How do we explain the interplay of oblique massifs, core complexes, peridotite domes and volcanic ridges? Why is so much mantle exposed on the seafloor? How does one draw a cross section through an oblique spreading centre?
One of the scientists commented “being a geologist on this cruise is like being a detective” … hence “who dunit(e)?”
Some of the scientists at the nightly science meeting pondering life, the universe & plate tectonics.
Today, those of us who were n’t on over night watch awoke to find dredge 23, a large haul of quite amazing, varied, and mostly fresh peridotite mylonites with, of course, some “dunites” (very top left in the picture below).
Dredge 23- more and more and more peridotite mylonites
After dredge 23, the plan was to carry out another dredge, but as we were lowering the dredge, we had problems with the dredging cable which meant aborting the dredge and carrying out cable repairs. So since then we’ve been multi beam surveying and plan to launch (and “free”?) Sentry tomorrow- with Justin’s latest artwork on show.
During the downtime, scientists and crew took advantage of conditions in the “roaring 40’s” to relax a little.
Relaxing on the bow
With less than 6 days on site to go… the pressure to get as much done as possible is building.
