TRANSA concluded on the 21st of May with the Celtic Explorer arriving in Galway.
#Galway #Pilot #boat escorting #RVCelticExplorer in to port after a successful transatlantic #science cruise #TRASNA pic.twitter.com/4YwyEJ5FKR
— Maria Judge (@Maria_MarineGeo) May 21, 2021
Some highlights TRASNA include:
• Survey has mapped, in adverse weather conditions, 14,000 square km (similar to Connacht) of unchartered ocean seafloor crossing the Atlantic with a passage length of 2400 km
• Detailed mapping was performed in the Mid Atlantic Ridge, half-way along the journey, uncovering new features on the seafloor. A large transect was mapped showing greater detail in a potential spreading centre for the Atlantic Ocean separating two large mound provinces
• Seafloor samples were recovered in several remote locations near the Mid Atlantic Ridge returning mafic intrusive igneous rocks (e.g. gabbros) biogenic hardgrounds, bivalves and sponges
#TRASNA We are the green dot on the screen & we have #rock #samples from the #deep pic.twitter.com/DqBnzvisjR
— Maria Judge (@Maria_MarineGeo) May 16, 2021
• Under water video footage was taken over a mound at 1100m. Images revealed similar type of rocks than the ones previously recovered and a variety of deep-water benthic fauna
• Training through research on-board the R.V Celtic Explorer was a key element during the expedition. Specific training in the use of the different mapping and sampling capabilities of the ship (multibeam, sub-bottom Chirp, Single Beam echosounder, XBT, CTD, UWV, Dredge sample recording) was provided to students and early career scientists.
• A number of evening scientific lectures in the different aspects of seabed mapping were delivered on-board for the benefit of all the participants covering a variety of ocean sciences disciplines
#TRASNA chief #scientist Xavi presents #seabed #mapping onboard #RVCelticExplorer pic.twitter.com/1rzOGFJtec
— Maria Judge (@Maria_MarineGeo) May 17, 2021
• A prototype of a remote assistance toolset developed by Greenlight survey was trialled during the expedition to provide multimedia on-line technical support in real time.
• High species diversity was recorded during the transect. 24 species of seabirds, including large numbers of great shearwater and long –tailed skua, plus a rare north-atlantic sighting of a south polar skua were recorded
Species list from Newfoundland to Galway #transatlantic research cruise #RVCelticExplorer #TRASNA #seabirdersaturday pic.twitter.com/JVgYSjFhL1
— Niall Keogh (@nialltkeogh) May 21, 2021
• A number of species of whales and dolphins were identified, including Humpback whales and sperm whales
Fantastic sighting of offshore-ecotype bottlenose dolphins over Porcupine Bank #RVCelticExplorer #TRASNA #cetaceans pic.twitter.com/U9FTxcwmaC
— Niall Keogh (@nialltkeogh) May 20, 2021
The experience and importance of the voyage was well summed up by Rachel Wireman, Geologist and participant in TRASNA:
"As the final hours on board the R/V Celtic Explorer approach – and land finally comes into sight – it’s easy to reflect upon what a uniquely awesome experience this TRASNA leg has been. Between multibeam mapping, seismic surveying, rock dredging, and buoy servicing, a marine scientist can really experience a little bit of everything upon the Celtic Explorer."
Three students aboard on scholarship stand in front of the R/V Celtic Explorer holding their certificates of completion immediately after docking in Galway.