Expedition 328: Cascadia ACORK

Dates: 5 September 2010 - 19 September 2010

Co-Chief Scientist: Earl Davis

Staff Scientist: Mitch Malone

Staff Educator: Jennifer Collins (School of Rock principal)

The scientific purpose of Expedition 328 is to install a new subseafloor observatory (ACORK) at Site 889 that will mon­itor pressure at different depths in the ocean floor over time.  The information recorded will be used to study a broad range of objectives and help us better understand gas hydrate formation in a region where sediments are being deposited at a convergent plate boundary.

At a later date, submersibles will be used to deploy additional instruments such as sensors that record sea­floor and formation pressure and downhole instruments that measure temperature, tilt, and seismic ground mo­tion.  These will be connected to a fiber-optic cable for power and real-time communications from land.

Expedition 328 is also host to the School of Rock 2010, Deep Earth Academy's signature professional development program for educators. During School of Rock, participants will spend 12-hour days working along-side a dynamite team of instructors and crew who will guide them in their own exploration of cores, CORKS, and logging data from the Cascadia region and beyond. Using the high-tech laboratories on board, and their own observational and problem-solving skills, they will be challenged to integrate diverse sets of data from deep in the ocean floor to recreate the geology and history of the Earth.  Much of their experience will also involve developing programs and products that focus on their experience, the JOIDES Resolution, and scientific ocean drilling.

Click to learn more about the School of Rock 2010 participants.