Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 06/11/2007 - 16:01
Forums
Kuril Islands Biocomplexity

Hi Ms. Nikula,

(This is my Polar TREC assignment question.) Smile

Once the data is collected at the site, what is that information used for? Why do the scientists and participating teachers collect the information and do studies (on the Kurils)? Also regarding preparations, how many seminars do you have to attend and are there any new scientists coming on your boat to the Kurils? What boat are you taking to the Kurils? If you could do one thing again from your last Kuril trip, what would it be?

Chris Jones

Whatcom Day Academy

8th Grade

Mon, 06/11/2007 - 19:38

Misty Nikula

Wow, Chris, that is a lot of questions!Well, the scientists that I am workin with are studying the Kurils because they happen to be a place where people have lived for a fairly long period of time, the sites are relatively undisturbed, and they have had to deal with harsh conditions including volcanic activity - so why did people live there and how did they manage? These are the questions that are interesting to the scientists that I am working with.
The data that they collect will eventually be put into a big computer model that will try to connect the volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, the climate of the areas, the places where people lived and the food that was available to them. The idea is that then we will be able to understand how they adapted to and affected their environment.
I have attended all of the seminars that I need to to get ready - and I had the conference call to talk about the logistics for my trip today while you were in PE.
Now I just have to get the rest of my stuff and pack and get on a plane in a month!
I don't have to get any immunizations this time since I got them all last time, at least.
There aren't any new scientists coming on the expedition - but there ARE some new students (see today's post to see who they are!).
The ship that we will be on is called Iskatel.
If I could do one thing again from last summer . . . . it would be to visit the Russian Hot Springs again that we went to when we were on the north end of Iturup.  They were amazingly beautiful and very relaxing!
Ms Nikula