Technology is a Bless!

As you probably already know, the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) is “an international research organization that conducts seagoing expeditions to study the history of the Earth recorded in sediments and rocks beneath the seafloor.” I am sure I am not adding anything new here. This program makes available their scientific findings and data to the public through their webpage but sometimes finding what you are looking for can be a bit of a headache. The good news is that they have improved their “Google Earth Scientific Borehole map” and this tool really makes the difference. There are instructions on how to download and install the Google Earth plug-in in the following web address: http://www.iodp.org/borehole-map/ 

This is my short version of how to do it:

1.  You need to have Google Earth on your computer. This is free software and you can download and install the package using this link http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html
2.  Open Google Earth
3. Go to Add on the main menu
4. Select Network Link
5. A window will pop-up
6. On the ‘Name:’ field type IODP
7. On the ‘Link:’ field copy and paste the following link: http://campanian.iodp-mi-sapporo.org/google/data/iodp.kml
8. Voila! You should be able to see the IODP directory on the left column under places so make sure that the box is checked

Keep in mind that you will be able to see the location of the boreholes but once you try to access the data trough the links you will need to create an account with IODP. Creating this account is pretty simple and it gives you automatic access to reports and other useful data. Some information, like images for bathymetric maps will require additional authorization and they provide a contact email address to request access. There you go!

IODP Data on the GOM using Google Earth - active links will allow you to access data and reports

Since we are talking about cool sites, then let’s also talk about mareano! This webpage contains bathymetric maps and a series of tools that allow you to see information about sediment composition, biotopes and habitats in Norwegian waters. An online GIS interface makes it very easy to select different layers of information and to navigate trough the data. Highly recommended!

MAREANO has an online GIS tool that allows you to display lawyers with different data types

MAREANO maps also have active links that provide access to higher resolution images that you can download

The Ocean Explorer webpage from NOAA is also an online gem with lots of updated information  about ongoing offshore exploration around the world. Check it out!

Atlantic Canyons Undersea Mapping 2012 Expedition

Well! I shall go and prepare for my own offshore exploration adventure. I’ll be out at sea with a team of scientists who will be acquiring seismic data in the Gulf of Mexico for the next two weeks. There are three things that concern me: 1) hope hurricanes stay away from the area, 2) hope I do not get seasick since I’ll be the only woman onboard and “I’m no chicken!” and 3) hope we have internet access, otherwise this might become the biggest of challenges. No Internet? Really?