Previous Story
Learn about underwater marvels of the Marianas
|
Posted on Feb 05 2009
The Office of the Governor and the Pacific Islands Club are partnering to host a public forum on “Minerals Mining in the Marianas.” The forum will be conducted by Dr. James R. Hein, a marine geologist from the U.S. Geological Survey, and it will be held at the Charley’s Cabaret at PIC on Sunday, Feb. 8, from 10am to 12pm.
Dr. Hein will talk about the abundant marine minerals (gold, manganese, cobalt, etc) of the Marianas Archipelago and about the soon to be completed Feb. 2-7, 2009 R/V Natsushima cruise traveling from Guam to Saipan. He is a member of an international scientific team from Japan and the United States that is aboard the RV Natsushima. The research team is headed by Dr. Yoshihiku Tamura from JAMSTEC and Dr. Robert Stern from the University of Texas at Dallas.
These modern-day ocean explorers will use a remotely operated marine vehicle (Hyper-dolphin) to gather rock samples and conduct oceanographic studies of the submarine volcanoes in Rota.
Come to the forum and learn more about the most volcanically active Ring of Fire in the world, the magnificent Marianas Trench, and be amazed at seeing liquid carbon dioxide bubbles streaming out of the Champagne Vent at more than a mile deep. Come and listen to Dr. Hein describe the wonder of what happened when the Pacific Plate met the Philippine plate to form the Mariana Islands. Enjoy the beautiful colors of unique marine animals such as shrimps and crabs that live near and within the hydrothermal vents where water temperatures reach 217 degrees Fahrenheit. These rare animals are now protected forever under the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, which was declared by President Bush on Jan. 6, 2009.
Enjoy Sunday Brunch at PIC as you journey to the bottom of the Marianas Trench to see gold, manganese and other breathtaking minerals resting at the bottom of the ocean.
Dr. Hein will also make an afternoon presentation on the same day at the Susupe Multipurpose Center from 1pm to 4pm. The public is invited. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]
