AZORES UNDERSEA VOLCANOES

Expedition Itinerary
Our expedition begins amid the volcanic peaks and green terraced valleys of the Azores archipelago 1500 km off the Portuguese Coast.

Bathed by the warm gulf current, this nine-island paradise is home to 23 species of dolphins and whales, including the sperm whale. There are countless species of birds, like the native Priolo, Cory Shearwater, and several others in migration across the Atlantic Ocean.

From the Azores, we sail aboard the world's largest Oceanographic research vessel - the Akademik Mstislav Keldysh - to our dive site, 280 miles (450km) to the southwest. Your dive to the Rainbow vents will be made aboard either the MIR I or MIR II submersibles. These are vessels capable of reaching ocean depths of 20,000 feet (6,090m). Housed aboard the Keldysh, the MIRs (meaning 'peace' in Russian) are two of only five manned submersibles in the world that can reach these depths.

Constructed of special nickel steel, they are specifically designed to withstand the enormous pressures that exist in these ocean depths. The MIRs habitat compartment is seven feet (2.1m) in diameter, accommodating one pilot and two passengers. No traditional bathroom facilities exist on board however a special pre-dive diet will help keep you comfortable. Air pressure inside the cabin remains at a constant one atmosphere: the air is recycled in a manner similar to that used on board spacecraft.

The Descent
Following a final briefing, you'll enter the submersible, and the Keldysh on-board crane will lift the MIRs into the ocean. After pre-dive testing, ballast water will be pumped into the tanks and you'll begin your descent at a rate of 100 feet (31m) per minute. Three view ports, each seven inches thick will be your windows to this undersea world. By 800 feet (245m) all traces of sunlight will be gone and you will be immersed in total darkness. To conserve power, the MIR submersibles descend without external lights. However the pilot will,at times, switch them on to observe passing marine life.

Even in the darkness, the ocean is alive. Be sure to look for tiny bioluminescent creatures, whose glowing characteristics require no lights to be seen. By 4,000 feet (1,220m) the interior of the MIR will start to cool and you may want to don extra clothing. Topside the Keldysh (only occasionally out of voice contact) will help navigate the MIR to the vent field 7,875 feet (2,400m) below the ocean surface.

Your deep dive observations will provide valuable data for the on-board research scientists.

Observing The Rainbow Vents
MIR pilots have explored numerous active vent fields throughout the world and in 1999 they worked in the Rainbow area. As the submersible enters this field you'll soon discover the origin of the name.

Shimmering patterns of superheated water abound as vents 'breathe' into the cold seawater (34ºF/1ºC). Black smokers belch out plumes of dark stygian elements. Mineral deposits spewed onto the seafloor surrounding the vents offer a beautiful kaleidoscope of colour. A recent lava flow will produce 'pillow lava' formations - Mother Earth's new crust, fresh out of the oven.

Especially important are the robust and diverse life forms crowding these rare vents. Here are some of the oldest life forms on earth, unknown to man until just two decades ago, ready to be seen and captured on film for later reflection.

A 9-day expedition to explore the Rainbow Undersea Volcano will depart Ponta Delgado, Azores 22nd August 2005 returning to Ponta Delgado 30th August 2005.

Day 1
Overnight ( U.S. passengers) flights to Ponta Delgado, Sao Miguel, Azores.

Day 2
Arrival to Ponta Delgado (note European participants make day flights from their home cities). Late afternoon transfer to our vessel, Akademik Keldysh for an evening sailing.

Day 3
At sea. Our orientation and lecture programmes begin. Dr. Anatoly Sagalevitch, the chief scientist and Head of the Expedition will introduce divers to the submersibles. Welcome dinner on board.

Day 4
Morning arrival at the "Rainbow" hydrothermal vent site. Positioning of the navigation transponders will take up the rest of the day. Lectures and orientation programmes will continue.

Days 5/6
The submersible dive programme begins and continues through these days. Non-dive days are built in to the schedule to take account of technical needs and possible unfavourable weather. Other daily activities will be planned.

Day 7
Our final day at the "Rainbow" site. Evening retrieval of the transponders after which we start sailing back to the Azores.

Day 8
At sea. Our on-board experts will recap our very unique experiences during the course of this extraordinary expedition. A farewell barbecue with the crew will be held on deck.

Day 9
Morning arrival to Ponta Delgado. Disembark RV Keldysh and depart to your home destinations.

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