On this cruise we have two physical oceanographers, Andy Pickering and Gunnar Voet. They are on the hunt for “internal waves.” Although the name sounds pretty groovy, you can’t surf these waves. Internal waves travel along density interfaces below the surface of the ocean. If you’ve ever mixed oil and water and looked at the interface between the two, you’ve seen an internal wave! When an internal wave passes through the ocean, it can lift or lower a layer of water, moving zooplankton and phytoplankton into or out of the sunlight. When these waves break, they cause the water to mix, moving nutrients around. To find the waves, Andy and Gunnar use a large pole-like tool called a biosonic. Check it out below!
