Paleolandscapes and the ca. 8,000 BP Shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf

Mission Logs

Follow along as participants in the cruise provide updates and reflections on their experiences, the science, the technology, and other elements of the expedition.

  • Survey Conclusion

    By Megan Metcalfe & Amanda Evans

    The crew, from left: Kelvin, Alex, Louise, Megan, Gilbert, Darren, Scott, David, Corey, and Amanda; in front, James.

    And so here we are, back on dry land after 12 exciting days at sea. It’s been a productive couple of weeks; in total we have acquired 668 line kilometers of data, surveyed all the grids that had been planned, and even had time to conduct survey at a few extra areas. All of the collected survey data should help create an even better understanding of what the landscape in this area might have looked like many thousands of years ago.

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  • Life at Sea

    June 7, 2019  |  By Alexandra Herrera-Schneider

    Watching the parametric sonar data in real-time as the vessel crosses over a valley, which is just becoming visible at right.

    This trip has made me admire the scientists who have paved the way. Research is an art form, with a multitude of juggled levels that have to come together to perform the research. From the science side, the grant side, the business side, the always present Murphy’s Law side, and the emotional side, continuously working together until the “completed side” or the conclusion.

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  • Update – Monday, June 3rd

    June 3, 2019  |  By Amanda Evans, Alexandra Herrera-Schneider, Megan Metcalfe, & Louise Tizzard

    James completing deployment of the parametric sonar at a new survey site.

    After a flurry of activity during mobilization, and some adjustment of equipment set up and computer settings, we’ve settled into a routine.

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  • Mobilization

    June 1, 2019  |  By Amanda Evans & Louise Tizzard

    Metcalfe (front) and Tizzard (back) giving the installed parametric sonar system a final check.

    Mobilization is the act of getting a vessel and its crew ready to sail. We took a photo that can be best described as “happy scientists about to leave port” but it seems dishonest to imply that we’re doing this alone.

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