Institute for Geophysics

  • About
    • Institutional History
    • Mission & Science
    • Job Listings
    • Outreach
    • Contact
    • UT Austin Science Olympiad
  • News
    • Media Releases
    • Geophysics Blog
    • In the News
    • Staff and Student Awards
    • Media Contacts
  • Research
    • Climate
    • Polar and Planetary
    • Energy
    • Marine Geosciences, Seismology and Tectonics
  • Staff
    • Research Scientists
    • Postdoctoral Fellows
    • Administrative Staff
    • Scientific Support Staff
    • Research Affiliates
    • Find an Expert
  • Students
    • Current Students
    • Recent Graduates
    • Meet the UTIG Student
    • Prospective Students
  • Seminars
  • COVID-19
    • JSG Coronavirus Updates
    • Give to UT’s Student Emergency Fund

May 16, 2017

GOM^2 Blog Entry 4: Depth to Seafloor

This post is a part of a series from the Genesis of Methane Hydrate in Coarse-Grained Systems: Northern Gulf of Mexico Slope (GOM^2) expedition.

By Peter Polito

It seems like figuring out the sea floor depth would be pretty easy with the luxury of modern technology: Sonar, seismic, acoustic, etc. However, at the end of the day we rely on actually touching it—just like seafarers of yesteryear. As the drillers and roughnecks built out the drill string they meticulously track the number of joints (lengths of pipe), total them up, account for stretching under its own weight, then touch the bottom: 6,719 feet.

In the video below you’ll see a subtle seafloor current sweeping away the very fine sediment as it is disturbed by the bit. If we assume an average sediment accumulation rate the bit just tapped through 3000 years of mud. Not visible in this photo are the seven scientists on the edge of their seat with excitement.

Filed Under: GOM2 News, homepage-news, News, Stories Tagged With: GOM2 Expedition, methane hydrate

Tweets by UTGeophysics

Institute for Geophysics

J.J. Pickle Research Campus,
Building 196
10100 Burnet Road (R2200)
Austin, TX 78758-4445

Phone: 512-471-6156
Fax: 512-471-2370

Driving Directions

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Questions?

Email us at utig@ig.utexas.edu or contact the webmaster at social@ig.utexas.edu.

Resources

Seismograms

Publications Database

Facilities

Helpful Links

Contact Directory

Job Listings

UTIG Fact Sheet

UTIG Brochure

UTIG Science Vision Plan

UTIG Newsletter

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our Partners

Bureau of Economic Geology

Department of Geological Sciences

Visit the Jackson School's website

Copyright © 2021 Institute for Geophysics
The University of Texas at Austin · Web Privacy Policy · Web Accessibility Policy