Resources

RRS James Cook JC007

Cruise summary report

Cruise Info. 
Ship name (ship code)RRS James Cook (740H)
Cruise identifierJC007
Cruise period2007-03-05 — 2007-04-17
StatusCompleted
Port of departureSanta Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Port of returnSanta Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
PurposeResearch
ObjectivesThe three key objectives of our original proposal were to test:
1. The hypothesis that mantle upwelling and melting is focused at the centres of slow spreading ridge segments and transposed by sub-horizontal flow away from there.
2. The hypothesis that plate accretion and separation mechanisms are fundamentally different in 'magma-starved' areas.
3. Mechanisms of detachment faulting and extensional strain localisation in the lower crust and upper mantle.

We proposed to achieve these objectives by detailed surveying and sampling across an extensive region of magma-poor seafloor spreading around Fifteen Twenty Fracture Zone (FTFZ), coupled with microstructural, geochemical and palaeomagnetic analyses. TOBI deep-towed sidescan and magnetic data were to be obtained both to inform the choice of sampling sites and to aid in structural, lithological and geodynamic interpretations.

We spent 29 days on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) in the vicinity of 13 to 15N. We collected multibeam ship-based bathymetry, gravity and magnetic data and TOBI sidescan, magnetic and water-column data from a total area of about 8,000 km2. We recovered samples from 47 drill and dredge stations throughout the area, in support of the objectives.
Chief scientistRoger C Searle (University of Durham, Department of Earth Sciences)
Cruise reportRRS James Cook JC007 cruise report jc007.pdf (9.57 MB) 
Ocean/sea areas 
GeneralNorth Atlantic Ocean
SpecificTropical North Atlantic
Track chartsRRS James Cook JC007 cruise track — jc007trk.pdf (0.16 MB) 
Measurements 
Physical oceanography 
Subsurface temperature and salinity measurementsQuantity: activity duration in days = 11
Description: TOBI deep-towed continuous CTD measurements
Geology and geophysics 
DredgeQuantity: number of hauls = 30
Description: Dredge hauls recovering a variety of rock types
Core - rockQuantity: number of cores = 7
Description: 7 oriented 8 unoriented rock cores using BGS oriented rock drill (''BRIDGE" drill)
Geophysical measurements made at depthQuantity: activity duration in days = 11
Description: TOBI deep-towed continuous 3-component magnetic field data
Multi-beam echosoundingQuantity: activity duration in days = 40
Description: Simrad EM120 multibeam echosounding, depth and backscatter data.
Long/short range side scan sonarQuantity: activity duration in days = 11
Description: TOBI deep-towed 30 kHz sidescan sonar, 6 km swath width
Gravity measurementsQuantity: activity duration in days = 42
Description: Continuous gravity measurements with LaCoste & Romberg marine meter S-75, tied to Earth Gravity Network stations in Tenerife
Magnetic measurementsQuantity: activity duration in days = 20
Description: Continuous measurements on passage and in survey area