Kasten Cores and Methane Seeps

By: David Sybert

The Kasten Core has been unleashed!  In an effort to get a more complete and deeper core scientists aboard the R/V Armstrong have turned to the Kasten Core.  The Kasten Core is a large square stainless steel tube that is pushed into the sediment by a series of weights that are positioned above the steel tube.  The core is dropped down to the seafloor, the weights push the tube into the sediment, and as the core is brought out of the sediment two small doors close inside the tube, which keeps the sediment in the tube as it is brought back to the surface.  When it arrives back on deck a side of the tube is removed allowing access to the core inside.  Samples are then collected for the numerous studies using the sediment. 

 

Yesterday there was much success in coring with enough mud for everyone!  Samples were taken from over 400 meters underwater.  As the evening drew late there was also sampling of potential methane seeps on the sea floor using a CTD and deep-water camera.  Stay tuned for some imagery of what the sea floor looks like around one of the potential seeps.