{"id":2465,"date":"2023-11-08T12:18:56","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T18:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/?p=2465"},"modified":"2023-11-08T12:21:16","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T18:21:16","slug":"mcs-survey-of-the-blake-plateau","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/mcs-survey-of-the-blake-plateau\/","title":{"rendered":"MCS Survey of the Blake Plateau"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>Description of MCS fieldwork:\n<ul>\n<li>With the guidance of my advisors Harm Van Avendonk and Nathan Bangs, I have been analyzing marine seismic reflection data from the Blake Plateau and Carolina Trough regions, proximal to the Florida\/Georgia\/Carolinas coast. Our work draws from a combination of existing data (from International Ocean Drilling Program sites, well sites, etc), Multi-Channel Seismic (MCS) data, and Ocean-Bottom Seismometer (OBS) data.<\/li>\n<li>Our complete analysis, to be conducted back on shore, will hopefully illuminate some of the mechanisms behind Jurassic-era continental breakup (better known as the breakup of Pangaea); moreover, I and my advisors are hoping to learn more about the stratigraphy, magmatic profile, magnetism, and bathymetry of the Blake Plateau. Features such as the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) may have caused two different types of the crustal movements that make this area unique: \u201crift,\u201d where a nearby mid-ocean ridge had spread and pushed the crust away from the source of the upwelling; and \u201cdrift,\u201d which is caused by the delicate balance and movement of the crust on top of the molten mantle asthenosphere. In short, we are attempting to resolve the various conflicting interpretations of Pangaea\u2019s dissociation through comparison of our own data analysis with models derived from literature values.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>A bit about life at sea:\n<ul>\n<li>The team\u2019s time at sea collecting the MCS and OBS data has been full of both fun times and interesting science. I and colleague Ranpeng Li put together a blog to document some of the cruise\u2019s noteworthy moments, such as the successful completion of each line of collected data, some interesting points in analysis via Paradigm (such as being able to see the Moho discontinuity in the visualization of reflection data, or a really good view of the subsurface without problematic noise), and some routine (and not-so-routine) maintenance on the air gun\/streamer setup. Keep reading for snapshots of some of the more exciting moments at sea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Links:\n<ul>\n<li>Cruise blog\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blakeplateau.com\/\">https:\/\/www.blakeplateau.com\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>R\/V Marcus Langseth real-time position updates\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mlp.ldeo.columbia.edu\/MGL_tracker\/\">https:\/\/mlp.ldeo.columbia.edu\/MGL_tracker\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>AGU Abstract has been submitted, will become public domain closer to the AGU Fall 2023 meeting date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2467\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2467\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2467 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image2-450x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image2-450x600.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image2-215x286.jpg 215w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image2-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image2-1153x1536.jpg 1153w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image2-413x550.jpg 413w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image2.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2467\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This photo was taken during the hydrophone streamer deployment at the beginning of the cruise, where the necessary equipment for collecting seismic reflection data was set up to trail behind the R\/V Marcus Langseth. Each streamer consists of an air gun source (propagates the initial seismic signal that is then perceived and recorded as data), a GPS buoy (to give us precise coordinates for further calculations and data refinement), lots of sensors along the length of the streamer, and other gear such as stabilizing devices called \u201cdigi-birds.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2469\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2469\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2469 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image4-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image4-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image4-381x286.jpg 381w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image4-550x412.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image4.jpg 1431w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2469\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The streamers trail uninterrupted behind the research vessel as the team completes the first \u201cline\u201d (geospatial increment) of data acquisition. Behind the scenes, the team processes the data with Paradigm, a highly capable seismic interpretation software), in the ship\u2019s computer lab.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2468\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2468\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2468 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image3-e1699287162688-450x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image3-e1699287162688-450x600.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image3-e1699287162688-215x286.jpg 215w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image3-e1699287162688-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image3-e1699287162688-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image3-e1699287162688-413x550.jpg 413w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image3-e1699287162688.jpg 1431w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2468\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The image on this monitor is a very preliminary rendering of data from line 1002. The data collected by the air gun\/streamer complex has a lot of noise and rough edges prior to processing, so all seismic teams always complete a bit of preliminary processing for quality control of existing data and any lines that have not yet been completed (and save the majority for post-fieldwork back on land).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2471\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2471\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2471 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image6-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image6-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image6-381x286.jpg 381w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image6-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image6-550x412.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image6.jpg 1431w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2471\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nathan shares his Paradigm expertise with other students on the cruise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2470\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2470\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image5.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image5-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image5-550x367.jpg 550w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2470\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A Loggerhead Sea turtle, photographed by the ship\u2019s Protected Species Observers (PSOs).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2466\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2466\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-2466\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image1-840x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image1-840x560.jpg 840w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image1-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image1-550x367.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/files\/SR_image1.jpg 1430w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2466\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The relatively scarce observance of wildlife was a good thing when it came to data collection: if whales, dolphins, or sea turtles interfere with the ship\u2019s and equipment\u2019s trajectory, the MCS team has to shut down the air guns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Description of MCS fieldwork: With the guidance of my advisors Harm Van Avendonk and Nathan Bangs, I have been analyzing marine seismic reflection data from the Blake Plateau and Carolina Trough regions, proximal to the Florida\/Georgia\/Carolinas coast. Our work draws from a combination of existing data (from International Ocean Drilling&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":339,"featured_media":2477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[163,18,162],"class_list":["post-2465","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-field","tag-continental-margins","tag-field-work","tag-marine-tectonophysics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/339"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2465"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2482,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2465\/revisions\/2482"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2465"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2465"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsg.utexas.edu\/science-yall\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2465"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}