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  • BACKGROUND:
    Mission
    Project Description
    Cruise Plans:

  • Wecoma Cruise
  • Thompson/ROPOS Cruise
  • Thompson/Jason Cruise
    Participants
    Technology (ROV, ships, etc.)
    Future Plans

    Results:
    1998 NeMO Cruise
    Axial 1998 "Eruption"

    MULTIMEDIA:

    RELATED LINKS

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    RESOURCES

    The WWW connects you to many sources of information related to hydrothermal vents, oceanography, expeditions and accompanying educational material. Searching the WWW for all these resources can be a complex voyage in itself. Provided here are links to some highly informative sites which in turn will link you to other avenues of exploration. Enjoy your journey!


    NeMO Project Partners

    NOAA Vents Program:
    http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/
    Part of NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), dedicated to researching and understanding hydrothermal venting processes. Since 1991, Vents Acoustics/Geophysics Program has been using undersea hydrophones (in partnership with the U.S. Navy) to detect undersea eruptions on the section of the mid-ocean ridge off the northwest coast of North America in real time. The Vents Program collects, analyzes, and archives historical and time-series data of the NeMO site since 1984.

    National Undersea Research Program (NURP):
    http://www.westnurc.uaf.edu/
    The West Coast center of NURP funds research expeditions (such as NeMO) using submersibles such as the ROPOS ROV used in this project.

    National Sea Grant Office:
    http://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/
    Sea Grant is a partnership between universities and NOAA focused on making the United States the world leader in marine research and the sustainable development of marine resources.

    National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada:
    http://www.nserc.ca
    Canada's NSERC supports science and technology through university research grants as well as partnerships between industry and universities. Much of the ROV ROPOS technology has been sponsored by NSERC.

    Hatfield Marine Science Center:
    http://www.hmsc.orst.edu
    Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) provides many facilities including the the Oregon branch of the NOAA EOI Program, a public aquarium and outreach center, docking pier for major research vessels and educational programs dedicated to furthering K-12 science teaching.


    Research Groups

    RIDGE Program
    http://www.ridge2000.org/
    The scientists working with the Ridge program at the University of New Hampshire seek to understand the geophysical, geochemical, and geobiological causes and consequences of the energy transfer within the global rift system through time. Their site includes a bibliography and descriptions of their research projects. RIDGE coordinates the Seafloor Observatory on the Juan de Fuca mid-ocean ridge where NeMO is located.

    Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    http://www.whoi.edu/
    This site features information on the scientific research and educational projects being conducted at Woods Hole. Check out the animation and video gallery to see the submersible Alvin in motion.

    Scripps Institution of Oceanography
    http://sio.ucsd.edu/
    Part of the University of California at San Diego, Scripps offers a graduate program leading to doctorates in oceanography. Some of their research focuses on global warming and long-term climate change. The site includes information about careers in oceanography as well as access to the photo archives and the SIO library.

    Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
    http://www.mbari.org
    MBARI is a private oceanographic center developing state-of-the-art equipment, instrumentation, systems and methods of scientific research in the deep waters of the world. MBARI uses ROV's and research vessels almost daily in the Monterey Canyon as well as oceans around the world.

    University of Washington College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences
    http://fish.washington.edu/
    UW offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in oceanography. Faculty and students participate in hydrothermal venting research around the world's oceans. UW operates the research vessel Thomas Thompson which has participated in many deep-sea vent research expeditions including the recent capture of intact hydrothermal vents for display and study at the American Museum of Natural History.

    University of Hawaii School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology
    http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/ SOEST is a multidisciplinary school conducting research and teaching in the oceanographic sciences. SOEST maintains realtime observatory of an active seamount, Loihi, under the Hawaii Undersea Geo-Overvatory project (HUGO).

    Western Washington University:
    http://www.wwu.edu/
    Scientists Craig Moyer and Karen Pelletreau are aboard Ron Brown participating in studies of microbiology.

    IFREMER
    http://www.ifremer.fr/anglais/
    Web site of IFREMER, the French oceanographic institution. The organization focuses on all aspects of oceanography, from geology to biology, as well as maintenance and design of research vessels like the submersible Nautile. The introductory page offers links to other oceanographic servers.

    Shirshov Institute
    http://www.ocean.ru/eng/
    The Shirshov Institute of Oceanology's mission is to investigate the theoretical problems of oceanology. The site contains an extensive image database, including photographs of hydrothermal fields, as well as detailed information on the submersibles MIR-1 and MIR-2 (featured in the recent movie Titanic).

    Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
    http://www.fau.edu/hboi/
    Harbor Branch is a marine research laboratory in Florida focusing on the oceans, local coastlines, and estuaries. Check out the search tool to find information on sea life as well as research vessels like the Johnson Sea-Link.


    Hydrothermal Vents

    The Oceans Chimneys -- Hydrothermal Vents
    http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects1997/AlexandraG/Welcome.htm
    This informative site describes hydrothermal vents, where they are located, and why they are important. It features great images of the vents and links to other vent sites.

    The Hot Water Vent
    http://www.microsoft.com/education/msbocean.mspx
    A teacher's guide to activities that teach children the scientific concepts behind hydrothermal vents.

    Fisher Deep Sea Laboratory
    http://bio.psu.edu/directory/crf2
    Homepage of Professor Chuck Fisher, a scientist at Penn State University who is studying the biology and ecology of hydrothermal vents. Follow the web tour of ongoing research at the cold seeps in the Gulf of Mexico.


    Research Cruises in the News

    Hess Deep Expedition
    www.nicholas.duke.edu/hessdeep/hessoverview.html
    Exploration of a Grand Canyon-sized chasm, the Hess Deep, aboard the R/V Atlantis using the submersible Alvin. Sponsored by NSF and led by scientists from Duke University, March 1999.

    Voyage to Puna Ridge
    http://www.punaridge.org/
    An international team of scientists on a 36-day ocean voyage to Hawaii's most spectacular volcano, September-October 1998. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Hawaii Department of Education.

    NOVA: Into the Abyss
    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/abyss /
    PBS NOVA special, "Into the Abyss" site chronicalling the capture of black smokers on a July 1998 research expedition aboard the Thomas Thompson. Collaborators with the American Museum of Natural History and the REVEL project.

    American Museum of Natural History Expedition Online
    http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/david-s.-and-ruth-l.-gottesman-hall-of-planet-earth/why-is-the-earth-habitable/life-that-lives-off-the-earth-s-energy/life-at-the-hydrothermal-vents/ancient-black-smokers/black-smoker
    The American Museum has a beautifully illustrated, highly interactive Web site that puts the mission to capture hydrothermal vents into context for the general reader. Collaborators with NOVA's "Into the Abyss" and the REVEL project.


    Technology/Tools

    Vents Geology Program Instrumentation Page
    http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/geology/methods.html
    Description of instrumentation and methods used to conduct deepsea geologic research. Includes information on submersibles, camera systems, sidescan sonars and mapping.

    Vents Chemistry Program Instrumentation
    http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/PlumeStudies/Methods/CTD/Methods3.html
    CTD instrument description used to study water column plumes.
    http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/eoi/chemocean.html
    Description of the SUAVE system used to measure hydrothermal vent chemistry as well as hydrothermal plumes.

    Research Vessels

    NOAA Fleet
    http://www.nc.noaa.gov/fleet.html

    UNOLS Fleet - University-National Oceanographic Laboratory Systems
    http://www.gso.uri.edu/unols/unols.html
    Includes WHOI, SIO, UW and other university operated research vessels.

    Deepsea Research Submersibles

    ALVIN Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

    Nautile IFREMER, French oceanographic institution

    MIR Russia's Shirshov Institute of Oceanography

    Shinkai Japan's JAMSTEC oceanographic center

    Remotely Operated Vehicles

    ROPOS The Canadian Scientific Submersible Facility

    Jason/Medea Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

    Ventana/Tiburon Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute


    Education

    Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME)
    http://www.pacname.org/
    NAME is a chapter of the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) which provides information to educators on marine issues, opportunities and professional development. Great web site listing for the Pacific coast.

    Voyage to Puna Ridge
    http://www.punaridge.org/
    An international team of scientists on a 36-day ocean voyage to Hawaii's most spectacular volcano, September-October 1998. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Hawaii Department of Education. Includes learning activities directed by the Hawaii E-School teacher-on-board.

    University of Washington "REVEL Project"
    http://www.ocean.washington.edu/outreach/revel
    University of Washington's REVEL Web site focuses on the at-sea experiences during the 1997 and 1998 research cruises by the science teachers REVEL sponsored aboard the research expeditions. 1998's trip recovered hydrothermal vents for display at the American Museum of Natural History. REVEL provides teachers (primarily from the Northwest) the opportunity to participate at sea on a research cruise.

    The Bridge - Ocean Sciences Education Teacher Resource Center
    http://www.vims.edu/bridge/
    Virginia Institute of Marine Science's collection of educational resources online. Sponsored by the National Marine Educators Association and Sea Grant.

    SeaWiFS Project
    http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEAWIFS/LIVING_OCEAN/LIVING_OCEAN.html
    NASA's Living Ocean SeaWiFS Project studying the ocean color from space. Includes teacher's guide with activities primarily for grades 9-10.

    Earth and Sea Investigators Network
    http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/subjects/science/
    curriculum/edresources/historical/

    Oregon Department of Education's program providing science material for the K-12 classroom. Includes the Landscape Undersea material and piloting an undersea submersible online.

    Virtual Earthquake
    http://gcmd.nasa.gov/records/Virtual_Earthquake-00.html
    Virtual Earthquake is an interactive computer program designed to introduce you to the concepts of how an earhtquake epicenter is located and how the Richter magnitude of an earthquake is determined.

    Learning Web
    http://www.usgs.gov/education/index.html
    The Learning Webfrom the USGS Educational Outreach dedicated to K-12 education, exploration and life-long learning. Sections on biology, geology, hydrology and geography.

    Plate Motion Calculator
    http://sps.unavco.org/crustal_motion/dxdt/model/
    Determines the velocity and motion direction between a pair of plates.

    Washington, Oregon & California EEZ sonar imagery
    http://coastalmap.marine.usgs.gov/gloria/
    From the USGS, side-scan images of the offshore regions.

    Plate Tectonics, the cause of earthquakes
    http://www.seismo.unr.edu/ftp/pub/louie/class/100/plate-tectonics.html
    Site from University of Nevada's Professor John Louie. Also some more in depth courses on line at http://www.seismo.unr.edu/ftp/pub/louie/.

    Juan de Fuca Ridge and Black Smokers
    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/abyss/ PBS NOVA special, "into the Abyss" site chronicalling the capture of black smokers on a July 1998 research expedition aboard the Thomas Thompson.

    NOAA Teacher at Sea Program
    http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/
    NOAA sponsored program to give teachers (K-16) the opportunity to participate in scientific research aboard NOAA ships.

    WHOI's K-12 Resources
    http://www.whoi.edu/main/k-12
    Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's compilation of K-12 WWW resources about oceanography.

    University of Alaska Sea Grant's Virtual Alvin Tour
    http://www.uaf.edu/seagrant/alvin/specialed.html
    A special edition from Sea Grant's graphic artist, Dave Brenner, documenting his experience on an Alvin dive through virutal image gallery.


    Oceanographic Careers

    Careers in Oceanography, Marine Science and Marine Biology
    http://libraries.ucsd.edu/locations/sio/guide/career.html
    Scripps Institution of Oceanography Libary's compilation on resources for marine-related careers.


    Books

    Deep Atlantic: Life, Death, and Exploration in the Abyss
    by Richard Ellis
    Alfred A. Knopf, 1996

    Striking, "I-can't-believe-it's-real" drawings of deep-sea creatures illustrate this thoroughly researched look at life in the Atlantic abyss.

    The Universe Below
    by William J. Broad
    Simon & Schuster, 1997

    A highly readable narrative of the latest in deep-sea research, including a chapter on John Delaney, by the award-winning New York Times reporter.

    Deep Sea Biology: A Natural History of Organisms at the Deep Sea Floor
    by John D. Gage and Paul A. Tyler
    Cambridge University Press, 1991

    The final scientific word on tubeworms and other vent fauna.

    The Octopus's Garden: Hydrothermal Vents and Other Mysteries of the Deep Sea
    by Cindy Lee Van Dover
    Addison-Wesley, 1996

    A lyrical and deeply personal account by an associate professor of oceanography at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks who was the first woman to pilot the submersible Alvin.

    Creeps from the Deep: Life in the Deep Sea
    Norbert Wu (Photographer), Leighton R. Taylor
    Chronicle Books, 1997

    Stunning photographs by one of the world's premiere marine photographers.

    Exploring the Deep Frontier: The Adventure of Man in the Sea
    by Sylvia A. Earle and Al Giddings
    National Geographic Society, 1980

    A somewhat dated but lavishly illustrated coffee-table book by the doyenne of oceanographic research.

    The Mid-Oceanic Ridges: Mountains Below Sea Level
    by Adolphe Nicolas
    Springer-Verlag, 1995

    A well-illustrated, textbook-style examination of the mid-ocean ridges, designed for students, scientists, and interested laypeople.


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