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Of the two specialized instruments aboard Falkor, the Vertical Microstructure Profiler (VMP) is the interesting looking one. Torpedo-shaped with probes jutting out of the tip, it’s almost as intriguing to learn about the internal-workings, as it is to gaze upon its glory. The VMP is rated to 500 meters (1650 ft), meaning that it can take … Continued
I have been onboard R/V Falkor for a week now, and have had the opportunity to intermingle with each of the departments, learning every possible aspect of the ship.Falkor’s crew is divided into four major departments: deck, engineering, interior, and science. Each group plays a very important role in the daily life of a research vessel. However, … Continued
Two focal pieces of equipment are being deployed from Falkor during the Mixing Up the Tropical Pacific cruise. One is the Vertical Microstructure Profiler (VMP), which measures microconductivity (tells you how salty the water is), temperature, and shear. The other is the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), which also generates data pertaining to shear. Shear … Continued
What does Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting, the whirlpool galaxy, and billowy cloud traces all have in common? The answer is visual representations of fluid motion, something which is very difficult to see in water. However, over the next few weeks the scientists on board Falkor will try to do this exact thing, understand small … Continued
Julianna and I have been sailing on Falkor for a few days now. The science team is all settled in as we make our way towards the first sampling location. The transit from Majuro will be approximately three days. As the scientist’s calibrate their instruments and prepare for arrival, the ship’s crew is all action … Continued
This year, Schmidt Ocean Institute started a student opportunities program, and the Mixing Up the Tropical Pacific cruise is the inaugural expedition to host the first two participants. The goal of this program is to offer students an opportunity to take part in meaningful oceanographic research and science communications. The first two candidates selected for … Continued
2015 has been a record breaker. Global average land and ocean surface temperatures for June were the highest in the 136-year instrumental record (NOAA National Center for Data Info). At 0.88°C (1.58°F) above the 20th century average, the Earth is surpassing previous records set just one year ago (NOAA National Center for Data Info). A … Continued
Even in this modern age, the world below the waves remains mostly unexplored. We routinely hear about scientists discovering new species in all depths of the oceans, yet it can easily be overlooked that many of these study locations have names more precise than the broad title of Ocean. Thousands of geographic features under the … Continued
As the MEGATERA expedition comes to a close, explore behind-the-scenes footage, watching the scientists and crew in action, and sharing their excitement in new discoveries.
