Equatorial Calm

Equatorial Calm

Credit: Image © Science/AAAS, photograph by Benjamin Brunner

Calm seas on the equator during the research expedition of the R/V Knorr.

Scientist at Sunset

Scientist at Sunset

Credit: Image © Science/AAAS, photograph by Benjamin Brunner

The scientific crew worked 12 hour shifts for 42 days aboard the Knorr.

R/V Knorr

R/V Knorr

Credit: Image © Science/AAAS, photograph by Benjamin Brunner

The research vessel Knorr anchored in Costa Rica.

Core Comes Aboard

Core Comes Aboard

Credit: Image © Science/AAAS, photograph by Hans Røy

A 10-foot (3 meter) core of the seafloor comes aboard the R/V Knorr. Scientists analyzed the oxygen levels inside the sediment to measure the metabolisms of microbes inside.

Sampling the Seafloor

Sampling the Seafloor

Credit: Image © Science/AAAS, photograph by Hans Røy

A 98 foot (30 meter) core pulled from the seafloor. Photo by Hans Roy.

Aquatic Ecologist Hans Roy

Aquatic Ecologist Hans Roy

Credit: Image © Science/AAAS, photograph by Bo Barker Jørgensen.

Hans Roy guides a sediment core on board on another research voyage.

Core Sample

Core Sample

Credit: Image © Science/AAAS, photograph by Bo Barker Jørgensen.

An example of a core sample (this one with sediment dating back to the Ice Age).

Opening a Core

Opening a Core

Credit: Image © Science/AAAS, photograph by Bo Barker Jørgensen.

Researcher Hans Roy opens a sediment core (not taken on the R/V Knorr expedition). The sediment in the core has not seen the sun for 10,000 years.