Exploration of Hydrothermal Vents on the Gakkel Ridge, Arctic Ocean, using AUVs

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Exploration of Hydrothermal Vents on the
Gakkel Ridge, Arctic Ocean, using AUVs

• Susan E. Humphris,
• Rob Reves-Sohn, Hanu Singh, Tim Shank
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Hedy Edmonds
• U. Texas, Port Aransas

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The Gakkel Ridgethe slowest-spreading mid-ocean
ridge on Earth(3-7 mm/yr)
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Biogeographic Provinces on the Mid-Ocean Ridge
System
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Biogeographic Provinces on the Mid-Ocean Ridge
System
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Biogeographic Provinces on the Mid-Ocean Ridge
System
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Biogeographic Provinces on the Mid-Ocean Ridge
System
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Science Goals(Funded by NASA Astrobiology and
NSF Office of Polar Programs)

• Biological and geological characterization of
  hydrothermal processes on the ultra-slow
  spreading and hydrographically isolated Gakkel
  Ridge.
• Technology development for polar oceanography and
  future astrobiology missions to Europa.

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Project Status

• Designed and fabricated
• 2 new AUVs for Arctic applications
• wireline camera and sampling system
• Under-ice engineering trials aboard Swedish ice-
• breaker Oden in May 2007.
• Major expedition to Gakkel Ridge in 2007.

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Vehicle Specifications for Jaguar and Puma
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Vehicle Specifications for Jaguar and Puma
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CAMPER -- Camera - Sampling System
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July - August 2007
A Dive and Discover cruise http/www/divediscover
.whoi.edu
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The Slowest Spreading Ridge on Earth
Gakkel Ridge