To provide further geophysical data to aid the interpretation of a GLORIA survey conducted in the area in October 1985, and to obtain knowledge pertinent to the general structural analysis of the northern boundary of the Caribbean Plate. The GLORIA survey consisted of a grid in the central Cayman Trough and a single swath eastward through the Trough to the Windward Passage.
Location
Cayman Trough, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Caribbean Sea, North America, North Atlantic;
Summary
The cruise operated in the eastern Cayman Trough, northeast and north of Jamaica, and in the central Cayman Trough, south of the Cayman Islands. The seismic system operated well throughout the cruise, once initial streamer problems were worked out. End points of seismic profiles are indicated in the appendix. A total of 1270 nautical miles (2352 km) of seismic data were collected. The Starfix navigation system worked perfectly throughout the cruise giving excellent results. The gravity system also worked well. Unfortunately, both the magnetometer and seismic tape recorder failed early in the cruise, and, after considerable effort, were found to be unrepairable. The tape recorder had mechanical problems in the tape takeup system. The magnetometer first developed noise due to inadequate fluid in the bottle resulting from a broken pressure-compensating diaphragm. An emergency repair was made by D. Nichols, consisting of removing the diaphragm, sealing the pressure compensation holes in the bottle, and filling it with clean diesel fuel. This worked well and provided excellent, quiet data for about a day. However, further problems developed due to short circuits in the tow cable which were unrepairable. Eastern Cayman Trough Survey: 9 survey lines; Central Cayman Trough Survey: 22 survey lines.
Comments
Original Center People field contained: William Dillon, co-Ch. Sci.; Terence Edgar, co-Ch. Sci.; Dave Nichols, Electronics Technician; David Mason, Seismic Technician; C. Delorey, Watch Stander, Cruise Data Curator; R. Diaz, Watch Stander.
R. Diaz, Watch Stander; C. Heywood, Nav.-Grav. Technician (Branch of Pacific Marine Geology); H. Carvajal, Watch Stander and Observer (INGEOMINAS, Colombia); J. Banhan, Watch Stander and Observer (Geological Survey of Jamaica)
