Expedition Leader Akel Kevis-Stirling gives instructions as Fred Denton maneuvers the manipulator arm of ROV Jason while working on Axial Seamount.

Measuring the Might of Axial

July 11, 2024 in Ocean Exploration

Bright lights illuminate rain drops splattering across the back deck of R/V Atlantis. It’s just after 2:00 a.m., but the entire ROV team (and most of our science team) is awake and ready to go to work. Expedition Leader Akel Kevis-Stirling lifts a radio to his ear as the voice of Captain Derek Bergeron crackles through the speaker.

“You are clear for launch.”

“Copy that,” Akel says. “Launching Jason.”

The 11,000-pound remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Jason rises slowly into the air and glides smoothly over the starboard rail of the ship. While launching Jason is a routine activity aboard Atlantis, this particular launch brings a sense of relief for the whole team. After dealing with a mechanical setback with the ROV winch at the start of this expedition, we are thrilled to finally get Jason in the water and begin our work on the seafloor.

We are currently 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, floating above the Juan de Fuca mid-ocean ridge spreading center. A mile below us is Axial Seamount, the most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest.

The team pauses while setting up camp to watch the clouds roll in over Joinville Island.

The Pago Files | Part Five: Putting up a field camp

March 01, 2018 in Antarctica

It's a classic question: if you were stranded on a deserted island, what would you bring with you?

For five people spending 12 days on a rocky, icy strip of land at the bottom of the world, the answer is this: over 2,000 pounds of stuff — food, water, tents, clothing, scientific equipment, tools, and other supplies.

Our first view of Palmer Station from the deck of the Laurence M. Gould.

The Pago Files | Part Four: Palmer Station

February 25, 2018 in Antarctica

The freezing wind whips my face as I try to fully grasp where I am. Exactly one week ago, I was boarding a plane at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Now I’m less than five miles from Palmer Station, Antarctica. It still doesn’t feel real.

After a rainy morning, blue skies and abundant sunshine burst through the clouds during our second afternoon in Punta Arenas, Chile.

The Pago Files | Part Two: Punta Arenas

February 19, 2018 in Antarctica

Three flights, four airports, 30 hours, and 6,170 miles down. Another 637 miles (and a couple long days at sea) to go before we reach Antarctica. But first we have 48 hours in Chile's most southern city, Punta Arenas.

A wonderful Christmas present from my mom. In the past year, I've read seven books about Antarctica. — A wonderful Christmas present from my mom. In the past year, I've read seven books about Antarctica.

The Pago Files | Part One: Predictions

February 12, 2018 in Antarctica

No matter how much planning and preparation goes into it, there are no guarantees on an expedition. Despite all the reading and research I've done, the only thing that can truly prepare me for Antarctica is Antarctica.

Still, for posterity's sake, I'm going to make a few predictions about what might happen during the next six weeks. If nothing else, it will be fun to read this post at the end of the trip (or years from now.)

Okay here we go.

I, Mary Lide Parker, believe the following will occur during my first expedition to Antarctica: