One for the scientists OR Dave Heil's students
13 May 2012 | Marianas Trench
David
It is damn hot, there is no wind and I am feeling lazy. So here is something I typed up previously and never posted.
In Saipan I turned the fridge to its coldest setting so see how cold it could get while the boat sat in 36 degree water. It managed to get to -5.8 degrees. I noticed however that water in a plastic bottle had not frozen even though some guacamole, salsa and other items did. I pulled it out, and poured the water it into a cup to drink. To my amazement it turned to ice in the cup! I have seen champs do this but that is due to a pressure change. This was a PET bottle which had been previously opened. The next day I demonstrated my neat little trick to Nicky. He wanted ice for his G & Ts after all. Imagine being able to pour your own ice! This time I poured the water from a full 2 litre bottle. Like the day before it turned to ice as it landed in the cup. But the water in the bottle remained in its liquid state. The interior of the boat was about 35 degrees C and it was extremely humid. Barometric pressure was 1022. The bottles were made of flexible plastic so there would have b een no pressure change. The boat was docked and there was minimal movement. Ok Dave - get your students to work on that one. Chris might be able to help.
As for the Marianas Trench - Today we stopped the boat and had a bit of a swim at place which our chart said was 8,565 metres deep. Could fit a couple of Mt Fujifs below. I've never seen water so blue. After the swim we cooked a couple of steaks, had a beer and then motored on. No wind makes it very hot above and below deck. It was not long after that we stopped again for another swim to cool off.
David
David