Journals 2004/2005

Catherine Roberts
Western Branch Middle School, Chesapeake, VA

"Study of frontal zones in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras" R/V Cape Henelopen July 31 - August 14, 2004

Journal Index: July 28/31 August 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9           10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14

0800. In the Gulf Stream
The morning began with sun, calm seas, striped dolphins, and pilot whales. The scan fish was deployed to continuously measure temperature and salinity on the cruise grid across the Gulf Stream. The scan fish "swims" up and down (undulating) through the water taking measurements between the surface and a depth of 100 meters. The first few hours showed the cold shelf break water diving beneath the warm Gulf Stream waters. The day continues as we watch the computer screen turn the scan fish data into colored diagrams showing temperature and salinity to the 100 meter depth.

The evening brings thunderstorms and a cold front and the scan fish is returned to the deck to avoid the 10 to 12 foot seas.