Ali Mohamed, our Egyptian graduate research assistant had this to say about his experience so far:
Being under attack by experts and big tools, (for 10 days till now and for 20 more coming) the United States Atlantic margin (USAM) is still hiding a lot of its buried geological secrets. However, looking at primary sample versions of our cruise’s data provides promising insights about revealing some historical events that impacted the USAM through the past geological ages. Our multi-national scientific team is now collecting various datasets (seismic, sonar, seafloor bathymetry, gravity, and magnetic) which are to be accompanied by core CT images and a plethora of other measurements so we can read the signatures of historical events which were buried in and engraved on the USAM sedimentary rocks. Our Journey doesn’t stop at collecting data only. Our team have 2 scientific group discussions every week , lead by our PIs, to discuss previous research projects and formulating ideas for future ones. Do you think we only deal with rocks?!! Ooh man, it was not hard to shutdown our system, specifically the seismic source (air gun), for 50 minutes while a peacefully swimming turtle passed through our survey area. It would have hurt our hearts to bother this slowly moving turtle with our tough seismic system.