While my search for hydrothermal plumes was more or less not a success, the main goals of the experienced research crew and organizers were to:
1) Map Endeavor Deep in high detail (side-scan sonar survey)
2) Sample and photo rocks using JASON II to examine the marine crustal sequence (e.g. basalt – gabbro – liquid hot magma)
3) Boldy go where no bot has gone before?

And these missions were all successful. While I took much time away from academia following my undergraduate work, I have since searched for published findings from this cruise… I have not found much beyond a few conference abstracts, but I will update if I succeed. Anyway, here’s JASON II and his rock trays.

Part of being an undergraduate (or grad student) on a cruise means menial tasks, such as changing data DVDs on oddly timed shifts. However, we did get to hang out in the control room for JASON II. Some of these guys worked with the guys that found the Titanic.

I did not sleep on the job (much) because they were often finding very cool rocks:

And later, they cut them open 🙂

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Also, weird sea creatures:

But this “Dumbo Octopus” probably stole the show:

I will close out this “Retro Blog” from my undergraduate cruise with the same sea picture as part II… because hey, it’s nice. #filmcamera #2004 #byenow