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My name is Jesse and I am from Miss Sheild’s seventh grade class in Lexington, MA. I have a question about the Black Smoker: What’s the highest temperature from a black smoker that you have recorded?

Thank you for spending your time to read my question!

Sincerely,
Jesse

Hello Jesse:

The highest temperature from a black smoker that I know of is 408°C that was measured at a black smoker on the East Pacific Rise.

Thanks for the question, and I hope you will continue to follow our cruise!

Best wishes,
Susan Humphris

Hi, I am Max McKenna, a student in Ms. Sheild’s seventh grade class at Clarke Middle School in Lexington, MA. We have been following your expedition very closely and I have a few questions. One is, do you think that you will ever find another vent site like the Rosegarden? And my second is, how long is the longest that anyone could stay in Alvin the submersible?

Thank you for this opportunity to give students an almost first hand experience at deep ocean studies.

MAX

Hi Max:

There are many more vent sites left to find on the ocean floor, so I suspect that we might very well find a site that is characterized by diffuse venting – just like Rose Garden.

In answer to your other question–Alvin is equipped with life support for three people for three days. However, that is for emergencies only! The limiting factor as to how long Alvin stays down on a daily basis is battery power. Typically, Alvin descends at about 8 a.m. and returns to the surface before dark at about 5 pm., so it is a very long day!

Keep Diving and Discovering!
Best wishes,
Susan Humphris

Hi Ms. Humphris,

My name Is Josh and I am in Ms. Sheild’s 7th grade class. I was wondering about the Alvin. Do you ever feel claustrophobic or feel like you are getting sick and think you have to leave the Alvin? Has anyone ever had to go back up because they were sick or claustrophobic?

From,
Josh

Hi Josh:

Well, it is pretty cramped in the Alvin, but I do not feel claustrophobic! The most difficult time is when the Alvin comes back to the surface of the ocean, and you have to wait for the ship to pick you up. During that time, if it is rough, it is a bit like being in a washing machine as you get tossed around by the waves. That makes some people feel seasick!

Before anyone goes down in Alvin, they are given a safety briefing in the submersible, so they get the chance to sit in there and see if they will be able to deal with the close quarters for eight hours. I am not aware of anyone having to return due to sickness of claustrophobia – but there again, I have not been out here for every dive!

Best wishes,
Susan Humphris

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