Much of the team is meeting again this week here in Tallahassee, Florida at the university to review what progress each of the discipline teams have made in analyzing their samples, visit the core again (like a long lost friend), select additional samples to be taken from the other side of the working 1/2 of the core, the one we didn't touch while on-ice, and to make plans for future collaborations, meetings, and drill hole proposals. The heat,
humidity, trees and insects make it a very different environment
than where we saw each other last.
The primary reason we are meeting here is that Florida State University houses the Antarctic Core Library. Every sediment core that has been drilled in Antarctica (remember there aren't that many) is stored here in a climate controlled room. We suited up in heavy coats and suits to go in to take a look.
Looking at innocuous rows of shelves and boxes, it felt a little like I was peering into the government warehouse at the end of the first Indiana Jones movie - who knows what is in each box!? Only I do know. I know what the depth numbers mean, I recognize the acronyms of the projects and know where each one was taken from. I know exactly how much trouble, sweat, teamwork, and expertise each box represents. And I know what kind of
information we can learn from them.
Thanks ANDRILL! Your big picture vision of a multi-national, interdisciplinary team has made an incredible difference to me, the other ARISE educators, and everyone we have had a chance to share the experience with!
