On Wednesday last week, Year 12 and 13 Geography students were treated to a ‘ship to shore’ live zoom link to the Joides Resolution. This is a scientific research vessel which is drilling core samples from the Mediterranean gateway seabed, looking for evidence of past climate change amongst other things. Our report from Miss Gill, Head of Geography, shares more information.
Miss Gill, Head of Geography
The expedition is looking at rock cores in order to identify past climate changes and mass extinction events in the hope that evidence from the past can help make decisions about the future.
Students were shown around the ship; the view of the Mediterranean from the ‘office’ window drawing an audible gasp from the audience and then on to the drilling derrick with its enormous bits and through to the different well-equipped laboratories.
The scientists come from many different nations and have specialties in disciplines such as sedimentation geology, micropaleontology, geochemistry and geophysics. After the expedition, the core samples will be stored in Bremen and be available to many more scientists for further research.
The students had an opportunity to question the scientists onboard with everything from ‘What is the most important thing you have found so far?’ to ‘Do you get seasick?’ and ‘Why is it important to identify gas in the samples?’ If you want to know the answers, ask an A level Geograper! If you’d like to find out more about the Joides Resolution and what they do, visit https://joidesresolution.org/expedition/mediterranean-atlantic-gateway-exchange/.
