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You experienced the first expedition with Jill and Diana, now join us on a journey back to the world of giant, 6-foot long tubeworms, eel-like, seemingly translucent fish, and 30-foot tall "black smokers" on board the R/V Atlantis with the Alvin submersible.
(Check out the current location of the R/V Atlantis by clicking here).
 For 2-1/2 weeks in April, marine science and technology instructor Kelly Kiefer and MATE Center technical intern Gavin Eppard are sailing with Dr. Rich Lutz of Rutgers University and a team of scientists aboard Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's (WHOI) research vessel (R/V) Atlantis to hydrothermal vents sites located at 9° North, 104° West along the East Pacific Rise in the Pacific Ocean. Kelly, Gavin, and the team will use the Deep Submergence Vehicle (DSV) Alvin and other high-tech equipment to explore these deep-sea oases 2,500 meters - 8,250 feet! - below the surface and discover how the biology, geology, and chemistry of the vent sites have changed over time. Scientists representing Rutgers University, the University of New Hampshire, WHOI, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, and the University of Washington are participating.
Kelly will be sending daily reports and images and challenging you to solve problems and participate in activities based on the research - and the technologies used to support it - of this expedition. She will also post answers to questions that you send LIVE to the scientists and crew via MATEatsea@marinetech.org under Ask Us!
 Gavin is an intern in the MATE Center/University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System's (UNOLS) program designed to place students on board UNOLS vessels like WHOI's Atlantis. Under the direction of Expedition Leader and Alvin Pilot Pat Hickey, he will work with the Alvin Group and shipboard operations, preparing and maintaining Alvin and its equipment and camera systems, to ensure a safe and successful expedition.
 This journey is a continuation of the partnership the MATE Center has developed with Dr. Lutz, a deep-sea ecologist who recognizes the value in bringing the science and technology of his research into the classroom. Coupling science with education, this partnership is providing "real-research" problems and exercises, hands-on activities, and other curriculum materials designed to make diving to the bottom of the ocean in Alvin an experience to be shared by all.
So join Kelly and Gavin daily for the reports, images, challenges, and solutions of this journey back to 9° North. You can also learn more about the scientists, technicians, and Atlantis and Alvin crew in Who's Involved.
Image of Atlantis courtesy of WHOI,
"Black Smokers" courtesy of Chuck Fisher, "Tubeworms" courtesy of Rich Lutz .
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