Journals 2004/2005

Leesa Wingo
South Anchorage High School, Anchorage Alaska

"Physical-biological coupling at frontal zones in Glacier Bay National Park" Vessel Sigma T July 12-30, 2004

Journal Index: July 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18       19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24/25       26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30

July 23, 2004
East Arm Oceanography

Today we are back to CTD casts at 8 stations up the East arm of Glacier Bay. It is a rainy day with patchy fog and wispy clouds. True Southeast Alaskan weather. We motor up to the top, then work our way back down.

Icebergs clog the inlet, which entertain the sailboats that moor there for the evening.

At the top of the Arm is Muir glacier, named for John Muir, the Naturalist who studied this area. The glaciers in this arm are documents to be the fastest melting in the world.

The casts today are shallow, all less than 100 meters. Compared to the 300 meters of the first few days, these seem lazy. This arm is shallow due to the slow single advance and retreat of the glacier that covered the bottom of this arm.

It is a relaxing but damp day.