Watch Argo Karina's Reflections	Watch Argo Emily's Reflections	Watch Argo Maria's Reflections	Watch Argo Ben's Reflections

Thursday - February 11, 2010 - Argonaut Reflections
Student Argonaut Karina Jougla

Wrapping Up the Mission with Supercomputers
Student Argonaut Karina Jougla

I'm never sure what to expect on our missions, and today was no different. First thing in the morning, we headed back to the Oak Ridge National Lab where we spent some time yesterday with Dr. Virginia Dale. We put on our lab coats and safety goggles and began analyzing the soil sample that we had taken at the switchgrass field. Two of our guest scientists, Chuck Gartner and Deanne Bryce, helped us measure the different chemical components of our sample by combusting the soil in a carbon nitrogen analyzer.

Next, we headed over to the National Center for Computational Sciences. On our walk across the Oak Ridge facility, we noticed radioactivity warning signs and men wearing hazmat suits. It was a reminder of the other kinds of research projects that go on at the Oak Ridge National Lab. Oak Ridge is one of the top facilities for nuclear research in the United States. It's incredible to think that we were standing in a place where such cutting-edge scientific discoveries are being made.

At the National Center for Computational Sciences, we talked with Dr. Bob about the supercomputers in the Oak Ridge lab that are used to generate scientific models. Just to get an idea of how powerful a supercomputer is, imagine 8000 cargo ships each loaded with 1000 school buses and each bus filled completely with textbooks! That's the amount of information that a supercomputer can process in a single second! Of course, it takes a lot of power to run a supercomputer. This particular supercomputer system consumes as much energy as the city of Knoxville here in Tennessee.

After getting a special tour of the supercomputer lab, we got to see the Everest Display screen, twenty-seven digital monitors combined to make one giant screen! Here at Oak Ridge, the Everest Display is used to visually represent the scientific models and data sets generated by the supercomputer.

One of Virginia Dale's colleagues, a geologist named Esther, showed us colorful relief maps of Tennessee and the local area that reveal how soil eroded by weather washes into the watersheds. Another scientist, Mike, explained the mathematics and economics that are involved in deciding which plots of land are most suited for growing switchgrass. Next, Alex, one of the minds behind the Everest Display technology, presented an animated map of the continental U.S. showing how climate affects crop growth. Seeing this map helped me understand the connection between climate, bioenergy, and geology.

Crops like switchgrass are refined into ethanol, which is a promising alternative fuel source. By exploring these avenues of alternative energy, we are hoping to show the effects of greenhouse gases on climate change. However, climate change in turn affects crop growth, continuing the cycle of cause and effect.

While the relationships between different areas of science may not always be obvious, our research at Mount St. Helens and in Tennessee has helped us to make connections between weathering, erosion, agriculture, soil, biofuel, and climate change.

Wednesday - February 10, 2010 - Argonaut Reflections
Student Argonaut Ben Brannan

Back into the Field with the Geology Argos
Student Argonaut Ben Brannan

After a little break, the Argos are ready to finish off Mission 2 of Operation: Tectonic Fury.

Today was our first day of filming at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. As always, the Argos and scientists got off to an early start. After a nice breakfast we met up with Dr. Virginia Dale and hit the road en route to DDCE Genera Energy, one of the world's most advanced ethanol producing facilities in Vonore. They use the switchgrass that Virginia Dale studies to produce ethanol. We were given a tour by the plant manager himself, Keith Brazell. He told us that the main goal of the plant was to experiment with different ways of producing ethanol. The plant and laboratories are trying to find new plant sources for making ethanol that won’t take away from the world's food sources, like producing ethanol from corn does. They call it an "experimental" plant that has the potential to produce hundreds of thousands of gallons of ethanol a year. This will lead to larger scale plants that will produce millions of gallons of ethanol a year. We can use this ethanol in vehicles equipped with flex fuel machinery.

Currently the plant is using corn cobs (not the actual corn, just the waste) as a source of cellulose, but they plan to start using switchgrass as a source in the near future. Switchgrass has many benefits as a fuel. For one, it doesn't need a particularly fertile field to grow in. Farmers can grow switchgrass just as easily as hay, so they won't need to invest in new equipment while making the switch to switchgrass. Also, because switchgrass is a perennial crop, they don't need to use as much fertilizer. Switchgrass even helps store carbon in the ground, preventing some of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere.

When we went out into a local switchgrass field with Dr. Dale, Sam Jackson, and other scientists from DDCE and the University of Tennessee, we observed the effects of switchgrass on the environment and geology. The results were amazing! The top layer (or Horizon A) was slowly becoming darker and more rich with nutrients. Also, the switchgrass was doing a phenomenal job of preventing soil erosion. Amy Johnson, a scientist at the University of Tennessee, helped us see that the switchgrass was changing the very structure of the soil. As Argonauts, it was really interesting and awe-inspiring to be seeing what could be a preview of the world's next energy source.

After a nice lunch, we took the soil samples from the switchgrass field back to the laboratory at Oak Ridge Labs with Dr. Dale to analyze them along with the ones we got from Mt. St. Helens. With the help of Chuck and Dr. Dale, sieves, forceps, some water, and a little sodium hexamata phosphate we sorted the sample into silt, sand, clay, and organic material. After we dried the material, we further ground it into powder using a stainless steel ball mill. Finally, the samples were ready for the chemical analysis that will take place tomorrow with Chuck and Dr. Dale's help.

Friday - November 20, 2009 - Argonaut Reflections
Student Argonaut Emily Judah

Argonaut Reflections - En Español Listen to Student Argonaut Maria Marquez's slideshow in Spanish.

Student Argonaut Connor Bebb

I had never been there before, and I was taken aback by the beautiful pictures and décor. After the tour, we headed out to the Smithsonian Institution via the DC Metro. This was my first time on a subway system, and I definitely had fun. When we arrived at the Smithsonian, we were greeted by Host Researcher Dr. Mike Wise, and our mission continued.

Using the sample that we took from the mine yesterday, we began a series of experiments. We were interested to know what the specimen was, and whether or not it could be a new species! Dr. Wise himself wasn't sure if he had ever even seen it before. We were really hoping this was a new mineral -- and that we would get to name it Argonite!

Our first test involved a couple different microscopes. We started by taking a peak under a regular microscope to get a closer view of the sample. When asked what it looked like, the thought of cauliflower came to mind -- the crystals were bunched together and had a few puffy formations.

After each of us had taken a look at the sample, we used a high-powered electron microscope to take a much closer look. When we looked at the sample with the electron microscope, we saw that it really didn't look like cauliflower, and there were areas that looked like little bumpy drinking straws -- it was not, in fact, smooth. By focusing in on specific areas of the sample, we were able to get a rough idea of some of the elements that formed it, such as silicon.

The electron microscope didn't give us all of the information we needed, so we continued our investigation with renewed fervor.

For the next test, we used a spectral imaging microprobe to investigate a different specimen. The microprobe allowed us to conduct a full chemical analysis of the sample. We were pretty sure that it was either columbite or tantalite from our first search. Dr. Wise had us create and test our hypotheses through the experiments, as a part of the scientific process.

We then moved on to our last and final test in the search for Argonite. We went into a new lab, which had an x-ray diffraction machine. This would be one of the more important steps in discovering whether or not we had found a new type of mineral. By putting the sample into the x-ray machine, it would be bombarded with radiation, which would react to the specimen's atomic pattern. As the machine powered up, we were both nervous and excited to find out if this was in fact a new type of mineral. We waited with great anticipation as the machine processed the last bits of its data. When we looked at it though, it seemed that our efforts were for naught. The sample we had put in the machine was too small, because there were no observable peaks of other elements. Dr. Wise, however, informed us that while this did not show that it was a new mineral yet, it did not rule out the possibility that it could be. So for now, the search for Argonite continues.

By this time, however, it was time for our mission debriefing with Dr. Wise. To me, the mission was a success for a few reasons. First and foremost, I felt inspired to go out and share this knowledge of pegmatites and geology with other people. Second, I realized that I have a deep love for the pegmatites, and that they are not only nature’s art, but clear evidence that the key to our future lays in the past. I can only hope that future generations will be able to enjoy these wonderful minerals as much as I did.

Thursday - November 19, 2009
Hi Ho, Hi Ho; It's into the Mine We Go
Student Argonaut Maria Marquez

Yesterday was a day to remember. We started early in the morning at 6:45. We drove south towards Richmond, Virginia, and then west to the Amelia Pegmatite District. Here, we would find one of the most amazing places we have ever seen -- the Morefield Mine.

When we arrived, we really didn’t know what to expect. The only thing we knew was that we were going down a ladder about 45 ft. below the surface.

Before going into the mine, Sam gave us our safety precautions. That really worried me. I had no idea about all the hazards that we might face in the mine -- like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, treacherous ladders, and falling rocks. I really admire the people who do that.

We had to wear hard-toed shoes and mining helmets, and carry a breathing device, just in case the mine flooded with CO gas. The shoes that Sam handed us were huge -- they were about three times the size of my feet! I didn’t know how I was going to go down a ladder, especially when I found out we were going down not one ladder, but four. Oh well, an Argonaut has to do what an Argonaut has to do!

And so, the four Argos and Host Researcher Dr. Mike Wise headed down into the mine. The ladders were not actually that bad; everyone did a great job.

Once we were down in the mine, we discovered a whole new and fascinating world. I couldn’t believe my eyes, seeing all of those beautiful minerals that we'd been talking about in the last couple of days. Some of the minerals we found were quartz, mica, topaz, white and green feldspar (amazonite), tantalite, and garnet. It was really awesome to learn about their formation; their characteristics and properties; and how they are used. Dr. Wise talked to us about pegmatite – a course-grained, igneous rock that contains all of those beautiful minerals. We learned that pegmatite grows from the outside inward. Water plays an important role in the formation of this rock. The intensity of color in the amazonite is due to the different quantities of water.

Also in the mine, we collected a few specimens of rocks to take back to the labs at the Smithsonian Institution. We are looking forward to finding out what minerals they contain today!

Before going out of the mine, we went down another level, so we made it down to about 67 ft. total. The amazonite over there was amazing. The dark blue green crystals were huge.

We were in the mine for over 5 hours, but it felt like no time at all. You completely lose track of time when looking at the beautiful minerals. None of us even had to go to the bathroom the whole time! By the time we came the surface, we were surprised to find it was already nighttime, and completely dark.

Hungry, dirty, and singing songs, we headed off to have some dinner with Dr. Wise before going back to our hotels.

Adios, los veo el sabado!

Marifer

Teacher Argonaut Cindy Duguay

Argos Cindy and Emily at Sideling Hill in Maryland.

The Student Argos reporting back on their findings at Sideling Hill.

The Argos and Host Researcher Dr. Mike Wise explore the magnificent collection of pegmatites at the Smithsonian Institution.

Dr. Wise prepping the Argos for their mission to a pegmatite mine in Virginia.

An enormous amethyst quartz from my home state of Maine.

One of the incredible pegmatites on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

The opportunity to get to work alongside a Host Researcher was something I knew I wanted -- not just for myself, but to be able to share it with my students. That has become real now!

The wonderful excitement and enthusiasm that JASON provides for students still continues today. For me, the adventure of learning is so much fun. What I enjoy, is never knowing what learning opportunity will come up next, and being able to get out of the classroom and learn alongside researchers and students. It is really cool to be seeking knowledge at the same time as the students. We share our findings together and collaborate on what we've learned.

What impresses me is that the students are so self driven and passionate about their learning. For example, at breakfast, they were planning when they would have time to write in their team journals at night. They are always asking questions and seeking to find the answers.

In my time here, I have asked each researcher what got them interested in their careers. I find this especially important to bring back to my students, since there are so many interesting paths in science and no one way to achieve success.

Yesterday we met Kelly Rose who is studying methane hydrates in the Arctic and the Alaskan Continental Shelf. She said that a fifth grade science teacher hooked her, and with the support of a few other good teachers along the way, she is now able to do something she loves. It seems like every researcher we meet has had a few great teachers who helped 'light the spark' of inspiration within them.

Kelly also relayed a common theme that I am hearing from many scientists as well: at each step in a student's journey - be it from high school to college, or college to a career - you have to ask yourself what you like doing and what are you good at. Once you find that out, you can then pursue opportunities that really allow you to fulfill your passions. Both George Guthrie and Mike Wise echoed those important sentiments.

One of the great things I am taking away from this experience is the realization that I can make an important difference in students' lives. With so many challenges facing the next generation -- I truly hope I can.

Dr. David Brezinski and Dr. Dale Shelton from USGS giving us a brief tour of an incredible syncline -- Sideling Hill.	Dr. Shelton explaining the different characteristics of some of the rocks at the Sideling Hill syncline.
Dr. Mike Wise and the Argos at the Smithsonian Institution's Rocks and Minerals Collection.	A 'rainbow of minerals' on display at the Smithsonian Institution's incredible rocks and minerals display.

Tuesday - November 17, 2009 - In the Labs of NETL
Student Argonaut Emily Judah

After being awakened by some cold showers, the Argos headed down to a delightful breakfast in Morgantown, WV. We then packed into our vans and headed down to the National Energy Technology Lab (NETL). We started with what they call Extreme Drilling. We were met by Bill and Jamie, who head up NETL's Drilling Fluid Lab. I was extremely excited to see some of the equipment that they use to research the only drill in the world that goes down 30,000 feet and reaches temperatures well past 500 degrees Fahrenheit. I loved it when Bill said that "we are studying the economics of drilling, because they want to drill deeper, quicker, faster and better."

I was fascinated by an example he showed us. He really motivated me by saying that all a geologist needs in the field is a razor, a magnifying glass, and water. With these three objects, you can find out an amazing amount of information. For instance, you can determine whether a rock is metamorphic, sedimentary, or igneous; the types of grains the rock is made of; and how dense or compact it is.

Argos Emily and Cindy experimenting with the properties of different rocks with Bill and Jamie.

By dropping water and acid on a few core samples, you can quickly tell a lot about the rock's characteristics.

After our drilling experience, we met up with Grant Bromhal. He showed us some awesome examples of the pores in coal and shale and how they impact the behavior of gas that passes through them. This is a critical part of Dr. Guthrie's research, because it helps determine what the best rocks would be to capture some of the carbon dioxide that is released into the atmosphere while producing electricity.

He started by pouring water onto a sponge with large open pores. Immediately, the water was absorbed into the sponge. He then poured water onto an extremely dense sponge, and the water pooled on top. This was an interesting corollary that illustrated how CO2 moves through rocks, depending upon their density or porosity.

He then showed us one of the ways they illustrate this type of behavior: by pumping a blue dye into a ‘micromodel’ of rock cores. The model is used to help record and monitor the movement of fluid throughout the cores.

We then got to take an exciting look at some of the other high tech tools they are using at NETL. Dustin showed us how they have enhanced the same CT scanners that they use on humans to look inside rocks. We scanned samples of a golf ball, a baseball, and core of coal. We had to leave the room to watch from a safe distance. Right before our eyes, images of the core samples appeared on the screen. It was a completely different perspective compared to what you can see with your own eyes. The golf ball was dense, while the coal was filled with fractures that can act as air passageways. The baseball was unique from both of them -- it was dense in the middle and full of air passageways throughout the windings nearer the surface.

Injecting dye into micromodels of rock cores to illustrate how gas could behave as it passes through.

Emily and Dr. Guthrie reviewing their fieldwork.

We grabbed some pizza for lunch, and headed back to learn about some of the other research NETL is doing from Kelly Rose. Kelly is investigating some of the possibilities of using methane gas as an energy source. While a lot more research needs to be done before we could use it, there is enough methane in the earth right now that if we could harness only 1% of it, it could supply our world with energy for 80 years!

We said our goodbyes to the inspiring Dr. Guthrie. He was so good at explaining complex ideas to us -- I really feel like I have a much better understanding of a number of complicated issues in geology. I really enjoyed walking the mine with him, and seeing all that he studies up close and hands on. He encouraged us to continue on in our science studies and share our knowledge back home with others. Overall, it was really incredible opportunity to get to work with such an amazing scientist. I just can’t get over how much he knows. My head is full!

After we left NETL, we headed out on a brief but extremely fun non-geological adventure. At West Virginia University, they have designed some type of personal transportation system that we called the Egg! We jumped on to take a brief tour of the campus. We acted like we were on a monstrous roller coaster, hands in the air, reaching top speeds of 10mph. It may not sound like much, but the Argos agreed that it was more fun than putt-putt or bowling. We were definitely labeled tourists by the college kids!

Many people have asked what my favorite JASON experience is. That is a really hard question to answer, but I can tell you that the people I have met make the experience of learning science an inspiring, amazing journey that I will remember and cherish forever.

Howdy from West Virginia,

Argo Emily

Examining different drill bits at NETL. Some drills are tipped with diamonds to help bore through some of the hardest rocks deep beneath the surface of the Earth.

Inspecting core samples taken from deep beneath the surface of the Earth.

After breakfast, we headed out to NETL and the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH), where they have an entire mine used for testing. They conduct experiments with some of the newest technologies designed to make mining safer for those who risk their lives every day to bring us the electricity we take for granted. At the mine, we were given a guided tour through a world of darkness from Paul at NIOSH. Dr. Guthrie was with us every step of the way, helping us understand how all of this can tell us more about the history of the Earth, and how it ties into his own research on carbon sequestration.

After getting our safety lessons, we adventured where no Argo has gone before -- down under Earth's surface! I couldn't help but feel a little bit nervous when we entered the mine and were surround by complete darkness. Luckily, we had our hard hats with miner's lights.

Dr. Guthrie discussing how some of the rocks and minerals in the mine formed.

Dr. Guthrie discussing how some of the rocks and minerals in the mine formed.

It was fascinating to look at the coal and find it in its natural surroundings. We even got to go into a part that is usually closed, that they called the racetrack, due to its unique shape. They didn’t really have races there, but it was a vital component to the experimentation of ventilation in mines.

We also got to see some of the old mining technology that they used to work with. It was amazing to see what great strides we have taken to prevent dangerous accidents in the last couple centuries.

Connor and Emily inspecting the wall of the mine.

Examining the walls of the mine with Dr. Guthrie.

Sadly, we couldn’t spend all day in the mines discovering its secrets, though I will always treasure the time we did have and the incredible experience it gave me. I have to admit, I was happy to see the light of day again. I developed an incredible respect for the people who expose themselves to danger every day to provide us with coal, because so many things can go wrong.

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Emerging from the coal mine.

After a quick sandwich, we talked with Dr. Guthrie more about the geology of the area, and he took us to see an exposed coal seam on land. Exposed coal seems are similar to what we saw deep in the mine, with some important differences. While we were there, Dr. Guthrie shared a vast amount of information about the coal above ground and how it is different. Several factors contribute to those differences, such as weathering, human influence, and just other natural minerals mixing up with each other.

Examining an exposed coal seam and gathering samples for the lab.

Emily taking samples with a rock hammer.

On the hill, we were able to observe several different rock layers, and talked about how they may have formed over vast amounts of time. To start determining what types of rocks these were, we took some samples with a rock hammer. My fellow Argo, Emily, seemed to enjoy breaking the rocks a little too much! Once we had our samples, Dr. Guthrie led us to the lab at the Analytic Chemistry building to start analyzing.

There, we met Christina and Bret from NETL, who taught us how geologists study minerals and rocks in the lab. Christina told us that geology can be a lot like forensics, because geologists spend much of their time searching for small clues to help tell the greater story of the Earth. Looking at one of our rock specimens, we saw many of the different minerals from which it is made. Christina helped us understand the difference between rocks and minerals, by comparing a rock to a fruit salad, and a mineral to a piece of grapefruit! A mineral is like one type of fruit, whereas a rock is a big mixture of individual minerals.

In the lab with Dr. Guthrie, Dr. Christina Lopano, and Dr. Bret Howard, using X-rays and electron microscopes to analyze rock samples.

Examining a model of zeolite in the Analytical Chemistry lab with Dr. Guthrie.

We got to analyze our specimens using some of their cutting edge technologies. We took x-rays and used an electron microscope to get a better look at all of the grains and structures within the rocks, and see all of the different minerals in our specimen.

We ended our day with dinner at a Hibachi grill, where the highlight for me was catching a shrimp in my mouth. Being an Argo is one of the most wonderful things that has happened to me. I am amazed at how much I learn everyday about how connected our world is.

Tomorrow, we will be at a different NETL Lab, learning even more, and I can’t wait to get started again.

At the entrance to the NIOSH mine with Argos Connor, Cindy, Emily and Maria.

Emily experimenting with the newest video technology - ArgoCam.

Finally, the mission continues... and new adventures are about to come. My journey started yesterday after I took two airplanes to arrive in Washington DC. The flights were awesome, because I got to sleep on both of them after getting up at 4:30 AM! Peter from JASON greeted me and took me to the National Gallery of Art. I am not only learning geology, but also art. At the National Gallery, I tried to relate some of what I was seeing to geology, and I found that some of the art sculptures were carved in marble or terra cotta. So, even in art, geology plays a role.

We had dinner at an Indian restaurant; it was delicious. After that, I went promptly to sleep, because I had to wake up at 4:30 AM again for two more flights.

When I got to Pittsburgh, I met the other Argonauts on this mission, Emily, Connor and Cindy. I am really happy to finally be with them again. When we met at boot camp, we all grew extremely close -- so it was very exciting to see them.

We got some lunch, and headed out to the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Lab (NETL). It was then that I got to meet our first host researcher -- Dr. George Guthrie. We had our first mission briefing, where we talked together about the history of Earth, energy and coal.

Reviewing data on recent global energy trends with Dr. Guthrie.

Emily and Connor with Dr. Guthrie at NETL in Pittsburgh.

It was really interesting to learn about the process by which coal forms, and how scientists can predict where it can be found by better understanding Earth's geology. But what really interested me the most was the geologic sequestration of CO2. I never imagined that we could actually store and capture CO2 and inject it back into rocks within the earth. If we can figure out how to do this efficiently, we can get energy from the Earth without releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere.

Examining some properties of coal with Dr. Guthrie.

Our first mission briefing with Dr. Guthrie.

The Argos and Dr. Guthrie at dinner in Pittsburgh.

Be careful Emily!

We are all extremely excited to get started on our mission tomorrow. We will be heading into a coal mine where they test a variety of procedures for working more efficiently with coal. I am pretty sure it will be very interesting. I am really tired -- so I am going to get a rest now. Keep following us, and thank you for all your support. Adios!

Para mis amigos en Mexico: !Espero verlos en una semana para contarles todo! Esta es una experiencia increible que nunca olvidare, gracias a todos los que estan viendo esto y me estan siguiendo por Facebook!

Saludos desde Pittsburgh,

Marifer

The JASON Argonaut Team has thawed out and dried off, and is ready to jump back into the field for two more missions of Operation: Tectonic Fury. This time, we are packing our mining hats and getting ready to get dirty!

Next week, three more Student Argonauts and one Teacher Argo will travel across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and Washington DC with JASON Host Researchers to find out what lies beneath the surface of the Earth. First, Dr. George Guthrie (NETL) will guide us through the layers of Earth, as we explore a coal mine and use some cutting-edge technology tools to discover what rocks and fossils can tell us about our planet's past. What did the world look like millions of years ago; why does it look the way it does now; and how can we be good stewards of the planet for future generations?

Then, we will explore a pegmatite mine near Richmond, Virginia with the Smithsonian Institution's Dr. Mike Wise. We will work with him to better understand the building blocks of our planet: rocks and minerals. What does geology have to do with our food, or our health, or the video games we play? We aren’t entirely sure yet, but that's what science is about -- asking questions.

Please check back often to read our updates, or ask us questions. We can't wait to get out into the field and start our missions!

Student Argonauts			Teacher Argonaut
Connor Bebb	Emily Judah	Maria Marquez	Cindy Duguay

Friday - November 6, 2009 - A Hike to Remember
Teacher Argonaut Jennifer Peglow

Amazingly cold! Today was a bitter day for fieldwork - but Argos always persevere. Sleeting rain and fluffy snow pummeled our caravan as we crawled the sloping topography of Mount St. Helens.

The Argos; Dr. Virginia Dale, a research ecologist with Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Dr. Crisafulli, a zoologist, found their way to Hummock Trail where we prepared for a 5-hour hike, investigation, and tour of the area to learn more about the geologic processes that shaped this area of Earth over time and space.

The wind howled and bit as we meandered through the newly growing forest area of Mount St. Helens. It was impressive to see so much vegetation! I expected to see nothing but black ash or barren landscape. Yet, Dr. Dale explained that primary succession happened rapidly after the eruption. The mudflows created 120 new ponds in the area, increasing the river flow and the opportunity to create new environments for soil development and bio-diverse communities. In turn, the aquatic life and biodiversity of the area has flourished in the past 29 years; yet, the forces of erosion continue to play a huge role in altering the topography of the area.

It was shocking to see how much erosion influenced the landscape of the North Toutle River, which, at one point, touched the sides of its banks - one flat expanse of land and river. Now a deep chasm contains the width of such a narrow river!

After a hike to the river in the driving rain, we worked with Dr. Dale and Dr. Crisafulli to analyze the soil in a couple different locations. We used a quadrat to examine and document the plants that were growing in region, and made inferences about the soil chemistry. Then, we collected samples, examining the different horizons of the soil as Argo Ben dug deeper into the earth. In February, we will be taking these samples back to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to further analyze the soil chemistry back in the lab using some cutting-edge technologies.

Using a quadrat with Dr. Dale.

Collecting soil samples for Oak Ridge National Lab.

Even though I wanted nothing more than my own personal heater, the experience was one that I will remember for years to come. The scenery around me was awe-inspiring. One of the most impressive aspects of the 1980 eruption is the presence of fallen trees still present in the blast site area after 29 years! New trees and other vegetation have prospered while the grim reminder of past events sits beside two-year-old trees.

Our time together ended with photos in front of "the mountain" and a playful snowball fight! Two Argos - Karina and Sachi - had not ever even been in the snow before.

A terrific experience filled with new knowledge and appreciation for the natural processes that continue to shape our planet.

That concludes this stage of our mission. Stay tuned for more Argo updates coming soon!

Ben digging up a soil sample for further analysis. Different soil horizons reveal interesting facts about the regional ecology and geology.	Teacher Argos Jen and Jodi, trying to stay warm.
What a Team! Argonauts with Dr. Dale and Dr. Crisafulli.

Thursday - November 5, 2009 - The Next Mission Begins at Mount St. Helens!

We also met with Bob from NETL who gave us an informative explanation on carbon sequestration, a new technology still being researched, which might help us lower our carbon dioxide emissions by pumping CO2 down into the bedrock.

Afterwards, we drove to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, located at an elevation of 4500ft! The drive was simply fantabulous, though we only got to see glimpses of St. Helens. The weather just wouldn’t cooperate with us. It was so windy that it was hard to walk without staggering!

There, we reunited with our fellow Teacher Argonaut, Jennifer Peglow.

We were shown a small movie clip on the 1980 Mt. St. Helens blast. I did not know that the consequences of the blast had been so devastating until then! After the movie, we met our next host researcher, Dr. Virginia Dale from Oak Ridge National Lab, who gave us an insightful presentation on the ecological impacts of the 1980 eruption. Eric McDonald then briefed us on the geological impacts of the blast.

It was a long day for both the Argos and the film crew, but we all enjoyed every bit of it. Tomorrow will be our last day here. Everyone is a little sad but cannot wait to start on with whatever is in store for us! Our journey has been simply terrific till now! We’ve met well-known researchers, conducted experiments with them and have learned about their pivotal researches and findings. It has been truly inspirational! Pray the weather will be with us tomorrow!

Walking along Johnston Ridge with Dr. Dale, near the crater of Mount St. Helens.	The wind was staggering at the top of the mountain.
At Johnston Ridge Observatory with Dr. Dale.	Blowing off some steam with Dr. Dale at the end of a very long day!

As I was reflecting on my mission, I saw a picture of me and the Argonauts playing with shovels in the sand, and it hit me. I saw the picture not only with my eyes, but with my heart and my gut. This is what I love to do.

Thank you Argos, and thank you JASON. The experience has given me sublime moments where I felt competent, creative and joyful. I wish I could do this every day of my life.

The Argos – Ben, Karina, Sachi and Jodi – work really hard. The days are long, starting with breakfast meetings, working right through after-dinner meetings, and they are always prepared and cheerful. Last night at 10:00PM, when I asked them if they wanted to do one last experiment, they were up for it.

The whole experience reminds me a little bit of going to sea on a research vessel. We weren't at sea, of course, but what is similar, is the small group of people focused on a getting a job done, working very intently.


It is a long time spent together, with not only the Argos, but with the crew from JASON -- everybody is working in close quarters, with intense collaboration. It really feels good.

I started learning geology with field trips and lab work. When I realized that to understand plate tectonics, I would need to study the ocean floor, I began to go out to sea and use geophysics to study things I couldn't see and couldn't visit directly. When I wanted to answer questions at a global scale, like how many volcanoes are there on the ocean floor, I turned to satellites. One of the challenges of this Argonaut experience was how to take something as abstract as remote sensing with satellites, and bring it to the Argonauts as something they could see and touch.


Blair Baldwin at OMSI was a great help. They had an incredible resource that lets us see spherical data sets on a globe - NOAA's Science on a Sphere.

We then had a really fun drive with the Argos, sitting in the car and mapping data. This is something anyone can do anytime in a car. The Argos were very observant and imaginative; and they were also diligent and faithful to the scientific process and the task of logging data.


We had a great stop at Oregon State University with Anne Trehu, Charlotte Goddard and Chris Goldfinger. We saw the practical reality of living with plate tectonics and assessed the seismic hazards people face who live in tectonically active areas. We saw traditional seismology, but we also saw two very cool new things:

First, we heard Dr. Trehu tell us about slow earthquakes that are detected with GPS, not traditional seismic tools. Second, Dr. Goldfinger told us about paleotectonics. He takes core samples out of the sediment of the ocean floor to find evidence of historic earthquakes that occurred before we had any instruments to record them. On the way to Newport, the Argos were great with the GPS unit - they are very comfortable with computers and technology. We got a really cool profile of the ups and downs as we traversed the Coast Range.

That night, I went out onto the beach in the moonlight, inspired to find an additional hands-on activity to do with the Argos. When I came back up the hill with a shovel on each shoulder, Bill and Karina thought I looked like some ghoul who had been burying a body! But, it paid off the next morning, because we got to get a little dirty and played in the sand. This was a good segue to our next stop where we looked at underwater mapping, because the shovel broke through the sand in the same way that the North American plate makes faults in the sediment on the ocean floor.

The Hatfield Marine Science Center has a beautiful library where we had a great morning with NOAA researchers studying undersea eruptions and other seismic activity.

Steve Hammond told us about their Ocean Exploration program, and how they got to use secret Navy listening data designed to hunt submarines to hunt earthquakes and volcanoes. Bob Embley showed us all some totally awesome video of undersea eruptions. He also showed us how they could calculate the volumes of magma a seamount was putting out on the ocean floor by remapping volcanic surfaces over time. This was beautifully illustrated with great maps prepared by Susan Merle.


We finished our day by going back up the mountains. We found 43-million year old rocks that showed the same stratigraphic pattern of alternating sand and mud that we had seen in Dr. Goldfinger's core taken from the seafloor today. We realized that this area has been tectonically active for a long time, and that subduction is not just about the horizontal convergence, but there is a lot of vertical motion - mountain building - going on as well. The view from the top of Mary's Peak was wonderful, with snow-capped Cascade volcanoes, the town of Corvallis, and the valley below. We could see all the features of our driving transect laid out beneath our feet. It was a beautiful day.


The experience is not without its challenges. We had to improvise around timing, logistics, and light. Some activities went longer than planned, which meant that others had to be shortened. And, if there is one regret or disappointment that I have, it's that the Argos and I did not have more time to play with data together. I wanted to do even more experiments and map work, and see how we tie the scale of outcrops and driving transects to the scale of ocean mapping and satellites.

This has truly been a really wonderful experience. Every minute spent with the Argonauts is a wonderful minute. If I could ever do something like this again, I would say yes immediately.

Their families should be really proud of them, and their teachers are the luckiest people in the world. Argos and crew, I miss you already.

Dr. Smith and the Argo Ben using shovels and sand to illustrate subducting plates.

The ridges that are formed by pushing a shovel across sand or snow resemble some of the land features that form during subduction.

After this we headed to the Hatfield Marine Science Center to work with NOAA to learn more about local ocean floor mapping. Dr. Steve Hammond introduced us to the facility and gave us some background information on the area. Off the coast of Orego,n the Juan de Fuca plate is subducting under the North American plate, creating underwater volcanoes and earthquakes.

Next, Dr. Bob Embley gave us a presentation that went a little more in depth. We learned about the methods of sea-floor mapping and of locating underwater tectonic activity. They showed us some of the very detailed maps of the Juan de Fuca plate that they had been working on for the past 30 years. There are a few underwater volcanoes in this area, especially along the plate boundary. NOAA uses some of the Navy's sensors to locate these earthquakes and volcanoes. Scientists here are just beginning to study volcanoes that were unreachable before. We even got to see some incredible new video footage of underwater eruptions, which was very cool. NOAA will be publishing these soon, and we were one of the first groups to ever see them.

Now that we had a better idea of what geologists study on a local level, Dr. Smith showed us some amazing maps on both the international and local level. We talked about and compared and contrasted the maps. Looking at the maps really helped us comprehend and visualize what we have been learning for the past couple days. It was interesting to see the relative scale of the mountains we saw on land, compared to the vast mountain ranges of the oceans.

To wrap up Mission 4 we took a road trip to Mary's Peak, just outside of Corvallis. On the way up we stopped by a cliff. Dr. Smith asked us what kind of rock we thought it was, so it became my job to break off a piece of the cliff with a hammer to help identify it. After a couple whacks, we broke a chunk off, and we could plainly see individual grains in the rocks, so we decided that it was sedimentary rock.

Dr. Smith explained that the rock in the cliff was very similar to the core sample that Dr. Goldfinger showed us yesterday. The sand or mudstone that we identified was like the large sections of mud that came from landslides resulting from underwater earthquakes. There were also small layers of clay or shale above the sandstone that represented the slow sediment build up in between landslides.

Finally, we traveled to the top of Mary's Peak. Once there, us Argonauts stood with Dr. Smith and discussed what we had learned, what we liked and found interesting, and how it might affect our future. I don't know if I will go into the field of ocean-floor mapping, but it is up to our generation to finish this important task.

Comparing maps with Dr. Smith and the Hatfield Marine Science Center.	The layers of different types of rocks reveal a history of mudslides and underwater earthquakes in the region.
Atop Mary's Peak, we were able to see Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood while we wrapped up our mission.

Teacher Argonaut Jodi Phipps

Great is actually an understatement. The students that I am working with - Karina, Sacchi and Ben - are talented, bright and great representatives of their age groups. I am honoured and delighted to work with such students. Not only do the students have a great time as Argonauts but also the teachers. We get to learn, explore and experience with the students the science of a great subject such as Geology, but we have the added advantage of working with awesome students who are engaged and delighted to learn about science.

Teacher Argo Jodi and Walter Smith examining the Oregon Coast

Argos and Dr. Smith on the beach, demonstrating transform faults in thrust zones.

Dr. Smith explained that our knowledge of the geography of the Earth's crust under the ocean is very vague, incomplete, and misunderstood. For example, what's the tallest mountain on earth? I’ll bet you answered 'Mount Everest.' Actually, if you measure Hawaii's Mauna Kea from its base under the sea to the peak, it stands at a height of 33,476 feet (10,203 meters). It could be argued that we know more about the surface of Mars than we do about our own planet. Just imagine the surreal underwater landscapes of the ocean that has never before been known to humans.

From OMSI, we drove south from Portland to Corvallis, the home of Oregon State University (OSU). Along the way, we performed a driving transect, recording our observations of geographic features that we could see from the car and identifying them by looking at the contour lines on topographic maps. When we arrived at OSU, we met with Dr. Ann Trehu and Dr. Chris Goldfinger, who are specialists on the past, present and future of tectonic plate movements in the Cascade Mountain Range, which extends from Northern California up into Canada. Behind the scenes, the Argos were racing against the sun to finish filming for the day. Our six days of footage will be condensed into a few edited hours for all of our viewers. Sometimes it feels like being on a reality show, just slightly less dramatic (geology can be pretty dramatic, too.) Our camera and production crew is just as much a part of the JASON team as the Argonauts are, and tomorrow we will continue on our quest to unravel the mysteries of Earth.

Argo Karina standing in front of NOAA's Science on a Sphere at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry	At OSU with Dr. Chris Goldfinger. We are examining a core sample that gives evidence of earthquakes over thousands of years.
Uncovering the deep trenches and tall mountains on our oceans.	At OMSI with the Argos and Dr. Smith, using a wave tank to learn how the layers of the Earth can form.
Talking with Dr. Anne Trehu about the local geology at OSU.	With Blair Baldwin from OMSI, standing in front of models of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens.

After getting off the plane, I was anxious to reunite with some of my fellow Argos. We all became friends during bootcamp, but I hadn’t seen them since. I was also excited to meet the host researcher that would be guiding us through our first mission – Dr. Walter Smith from NOAA. Dr. Smith uses satellites to help map and understand the volcanic mountains that lie beneath the oceans. Tomorrow, we’ll be starting our day at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, where we’ll use NOAA's Science on a Sphere to kick off our mission on plate tectonics. Then, we’ll be driving to the coast, conducting a transect along the way, studying how the land has formed over the last thousands and millions of years.

Now, it is time for some rest – tomorrow, the real journey begins.

Tectonic Fury Student Argonauts at Bootcamp	Dr. Walter Smith and the Argos getting ready for tomorrow at OMSI
Dinner with Dr. Smith	The Argonauts at their Mission Briefing

Student Argonauts			Teacher Argonauts
Ben Brannan	Karina Jougla	Sachi Sanghavi	Jennifer Peglow	Jodi Phipps