Profile

Travis Hayden

I am a Ph.D candidate at Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. My main research is quantitative basin analysis using a modeling technique called backstripping. This technique allows me to better understand the interrelation between sea level and tectonics, or, if I know either of the two, then I can resolve the other. Because this technique requires core drilling and analysis be completed before I can even start, it often leaves me away from the action! I hope to change that with Expedition 318!

My current area of research is focused on the Ross Sea in Antarctica, and I am hoping to use backstripping to gain a better understanding of the complicated tectonic history of this area.

On Expedition 318, my goals are focused on better understanding the compaction properties of certain rock types that are common around Antarctica, but rare in other places around the world. Additionally, I am hoping to use the data gathered by 318 in the future to backstrip the Wilkes Land margin to better understand it's evolution as a continental margin, as well as using the data gathered on this expedition to better understand global sea level change.

Travis Hayden's blog

Icebergs, Penguins and a Glorious Sunrise!

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Tue, 02/16/2010 - 13:41

February 16th, 2010

To continue from yesterday, we were heading back in towards Antarctica to return to the shelf site. This is the site that is so important.

According to the weather forecast, we had 3 and a half to 4 days to core and log this site. Which is about what it was expected to take, so this looked to be the perfect time.

"Hurry up and wait", or "it never rains, but it pours"

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Mon, 02/15/2010 - 22:43

February 15th, 2010

Dang, I have been a terrible blogger lately. Not one blog in a week. I will have to do a blog today and tomorrow to make up for it.

Some highlights of the past week. It can be summed up as “Hurry up and Wait”.

Slow Days and Bad Weather, and The Promise of Better

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 17:51

February 8th 2010

Sometimes you get to core, sometimes you do not.

The last two days, we have not. We finished at the Adelie Drift site, and headed along the coast to get to our next drillsite. While we were doing this, we dropped below the Antarctic Circle for a bit!

Hey, look, it is Antarctica!

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Fri, 02/05/2010 - 14:29

February 5th, 2010

So yesterday we set off for a new site. The last site we were at was over 330 kilometers (over 200 miles) off shore. Now we are 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) offshore. In fact, here is Antarctica!

Done Drilling the First Site and Splitting a Core

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 17:22

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

We just finished hauling up the last core from this site. Final total is over 1000 meters of drilling (that is over 3,000 feet, or more then ½ a mile!), and 9 days in a single spot.

Iceberg ahoy, and splitting core!

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Thu, 01/28/2010 - 22:21

Friday, January 29, 2010

Sorry for the late blog, we receive our internet through satellite signals, and sometimes there is a hiccup in the signal.

Beautiful skys, and a heavy instrument

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Wed, 01/27/2010 - 11:27

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Welcome back to another update from Antarctica with Travis and Lambchop.

Core On Deck and Dropstones

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Sat, 01/23/2010 - 23:00

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

We got to our new site 2 days ago, and we are drilling! Unlike the last site which kept destroying our drilling equipment, this site is going well.

Change of Plans again, or Whoops We Broke Something!

Submitted by Travis Hayden on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 21:51

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Boy, what a difference 2 days can make. Today is the first time I have regretted updating this blog every 2 days. So this entry is a bit longer then I usually would post.

One of the Co-Chiefs, Dr. Carlota Escutia put it simply, “This is what happens when you drill where nobody has drilled before”.