Journals from Kendra

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New Journals from Kendra have been posted for Dec 21, 2007 and Jan 11,
2008.

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January 11, 2008
Location: S 54 58.285' W 066 45.049' Drive to Estancia Moat Kendra
Murray, Carleton College


All five members of Team Barbeau packed into our rented Chevy station
wagon and drove north out of Ushuaia onto Ruta J, a dirt road that
follows the Beagle Channel toward the eastern-most tip of Isla Grande
de Tierra del Fuego and dead ends just after Estancia Moat. Along this
rugged coastline the Yahgan formation of the Rocas Verdes marginal
basin crops out. It is a convenient and beautiful place to sample for
detrital zircon and thermochronometric analyses, as well as collect
structural measurements of bedding, fabrics, shear zones, and other
potential kinematic indicators that will help us parse out the complex
tectonic history of this plate boundary. We sampled at nine different
locals, collecting three large clastic samples.

This was car-based fieldwork, in which we drive along a gravel road
scoping for potential exposures and spacing good samples along the
length of the coast. When we arrive at an outcrop that, from a
distance, looks accessible with lithology that appears useful, we all
pile out of the wagon, grab field packs, hammers, sample bags and
perhaps a cookie for the brief walk, and head over to the outcrop.
Spreading out, we each explore determine if this would be a useful
place to spend time. Is the exposure good enough to understand its
structural relationship to other sampling sites, and are there
features we can measure? Is the lithology, apparent mineral content
and grain size useful for the project's goals? Is there a nice pebbly
beach, or perhaps a face at angle of repose where we can take our
afternoon nap? Stops can take as little as 15 minutes or over an hour.

As with much geology fieldwork, this kind of sampling means lots of
car time, which is made much more entertaining with background music.
We've picked up some CDs at the local grocery store, including some
Argentine folk music and 80's Fever mix that falsely claimed to be a
collection of Best 80's Music....Ever. My goal in the next few days is
to head into Ushuaia and purchase some blank CDs, so we can burn our
own theme music. There´s a lot more driving in store.
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December 21, 2007
Return to Punta Arenas! Kendra Murray, Carleton College


The unusually smooth seas of the Drake gave way to large waves on the
Southern Atlantic overnight as the Gould moved along Tierra del Fuego,
slowing our record-time crossing of the Drake. And giving us one final
rough ride this morning as we entered the Straights of Magellan.

However, the rough water did not postpone our long-awaited Galley
tour. Bobby lead us through the kitchen, pointing out the extra
handles and barricades strategically positioned to help prepare
delicious food in all kinds of weather. The Gould returns to the US
every three or four years, and the Galley chef takes this opportunity
to stock up on some American staples, dried goods, and foods not
available in Chile. Three years worth! The dry food storage is in the
bow of the boat on the same level as the galley, and there boxes and
bins are strapped to shelves attached directly to the strengthened
hull. When this massive "walk in pantry" is being stocked, the pallets
of food are lowered through a door in the ceiling by crane, similar to
how the back deck is loaded with containers with supplies for Palmer
Station and scientific equipment. One deck below the Galley are the
cold storage areas. The "freshies" (fresh fruit, veggies, meat and
dairy products) are kept in the room-sized refrigerator, while frozen
foods are in the neighboring (and equally large) walk-in freezer. A
dumbwaiter next to the stairwell helps to transport large amounts of
food from the cold storage to the Galley level. The tour ended with
ice cream all around and many many thanks to Bobby and his team for
keeping us so well fed.

Around 10 pm we arrived at the port in Punta Arenas and Team Barbeau,
many members of the MacPhee group, and Gould crewmembers gathered in
the lounge to awaited permission to go ashore. Once cleared of customs
and port security, we went out on the town, enjoying cervesa Austral
in a smoky pub.