R/V Melville
Today was
our third full day of transit. By evening we had passed through
latitude 19 degrees N and longitude 110 degrees W. The science
crew received its individual assignments and necessary training
for when we arrive at the study area. We also learned about the
geochemistry of the area from Heather Hanna, and about modeling
mantle circulation around a ridge axis from Wenlu Zhu. Our course
brought us past the volcanic Isla Benedicto, with its barren slopes
and picturesque volcanic cone (see photo). This was also Betsy
Williams’ 30th birthday, which she celebrated with cake and by
sending off the much-feared XPT (see photo). Fortunately she survived
this boat-initiation ritual with flying colors. Later this evening,
the science party held an information meeting for the crew and
explained the tectonic and geochemical questions we hope to answer
(see photo). By Jenny McGuire and Carrie Donnelly
