Log Post: Ocean Hues

My name is Kelly Luis and I am a PhD student at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. I study ocean color from remote sensing platforms and on this cruise, I am ground-truthing ocean color measurements from UAVs and satellites. Hawaiian Blue Water Growing up in Hawai’i, the ocean’s blue hues were the backdrop to my childhood. … Continued

Log Post: An Ocean of Opportunity: Appreciation and Reflection

As my time on board the R/V Falkor has drawn to a close, I look back and reflect on how truly amazing and wonderful this experience was. When I first stepped on board, I was not sure what to expect. Having never been on a research vessel before, this was a completely new experience for … Continued

Cruise: Australian Mesophotic Coral Examination

Ashmore Reef Marine Park is home to unique coral ecosystems: Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs). While the waters of Australia are famous for shallower coral systems such as the Great Barrier Reef, MCEs there (and around the globe) remain largely unknown and undocumented.

Person: Cédric Boulart

Cédric Boulart is a marine geochemist based at IFREMER in Brest, France. He received his Ph.D. in Ocean and Earth Sciences from the University of Southampton (UK) in 2008, as part of a European Project focusing on the processes at mid-ocean ridges. He specializes in the development of methods and sensors for the detection, mapping … Continued

Log Post: ARTIST AT SEA: REBECCA RUTSTEIN SETTING SAIL FROM VIETNAM TO GUAM

After my first science expedition last summer, it was clear I would pursue more opportunities to return to the open ocean. The adventure of exploring uncharted territory, the collaborative spirit of working side-by-side with scientists, the sense of community where every member has purpose and value in daily operations, the challenge of creating art on … Continued

Log Post: A Slick Operation

World firsts, trichodesmium slicks, exciting deployments, skillful recoveries and a few sharks to boot; the past week or so has flown by (quite literally). With so much action packed into such a short period of time, we have to remind ourselves that there are still a few weeks to go! As we begin week two, … Continued

Log Post: Rocking Around

The swell seems invisible, but is clearly revealed by Falkor’s rocking and rolling. It represents no challenge for the experienced crew and by the end of the day, ROV SuBastian is safely back on the aft deck after twelve hours of exploring the sea bottom. While the cloudscape glows a beautiful purple and orange tint, … Continued

Person: Paolo Montagna

Paolo Montagna is a researcher at the Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR-CNR) in Bologna with interests in the geochemistry of biogenic carbonates for palaeoclimate reconstructions and biomineralization studies. He obtained his PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Padova (Italy) in collaboration with the Australian National University. He was awarded a three year post-doctoral … Continued