22 October 2015
Studying Tamu Massif
Posted by lhwang
We’re pleased to introduce a series of guest blog posts by Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Research team on their research vessel Falkor. Join us as we catch up with them and follow along on their expedition.

Dr. William Sager, leading expert on Tamu Masiff and Chief Scientist on the R/V Falkor for this expedition.
Credit: SOI/Kerry Ward
The Falkor is currently on a 36-day research trip. Her destination is Tamu Massif, a massive underwater volcano, located approximately 1500 kilometers (or 932 miles) east of Japan in the Shatsky Rise oceanic plateau. During their journey, researchers will focus on collecting bathymetric and magnetic data that could help clarify how Tamu Massif, possibly the world’s largest single volcano, was formed.

The control room , Dr. Sager shows student scientists what to watch for while mapping the ocean floor.
Credit: SOI/Suraida Nanez-James

Tamu Massif, a massive shield volcano that rises over 20 kilometers into the air and covers an area the size of California or Japan.
Credit: Will Sager.
Learn more about the tools, like Maggie the scalar magnometer and the multi-beam echo sounder, the research team are using to map the ocean floor along their journey. The ship arrived at Tamu Massif earlier this month, and the team has already done a lot of sea-floor mapping and data collection. They now have an updated topographic map of the seamount.
Expedition blogs to date:
- 10:06: Introducing Tamu Massif, the “World’s Largest Single Volcano”
- 10/7: Meet SOI’s New Student Opportunities Participant: Rachel Edward
- 10/9: On Our Way and Already Mapping
- 10/10: Motion of the Ocean
- 10/11: The Domain of the Golden Dragon
- 10/13: Quieting the Noise
- 10/16: Return to Tamu Massif
- 10/17: Right on Track
- 10/19: Filling in the Gaps – Part I
- 10/20: Where in the World – Updates from Tamu Massif
- 10/20: Filling in the Gaps – Part II
- 10/22: Inspiring Our Youth to Explore