National Geographic Expedition Diving Science

All is well on the Bahama Blue Hole shoot for National Geographic. The science keeps rolling in. Some of the conditions are very challenging with high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and low or no visibility. We're using Megalodon rebreathers for collections of stygiobitic life and sampling of bio-mats. Now that we have arrived in Andros, we will be recovering some human Lucayan bones from Sanctuary and Stargate caves. Brian Kakuk, Kenny Broad and I will also search for and recover a deep speleothem from Stargate in order to date previous sea level stands. One brought out of Dan's cave has been dated up to 350,000 years old. The climate data within this sample can show what topside conditions were like in almost year by year accuracy. These samples have already revealed that several massive warming events in the past occurred extremely rapidly. Its a thrill being a part of such fascinating science, but I can't do it justice. Stay tuned next summer for National Geographic Magazine and NOVA Television.  Jill Heinerth  Pic: Dr. Tom Iliffe with cave biology sample (JH)