Alan is somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and Thom has been dissecting fish left right and centre at Te Papa. What better time to talk about deep-sea digging?
After the exciting news last month about the geological cruise that drilled through the Moho (the area where the Earth’s crust meets the mantle), we thought it would be interesting to talk with Andrew McCaig, the co-chief scientist for that expedition. Andrew talks us through the expedition's goals, achievements and the drilling process itself. Why were geologists interested in reaching this area and what exactly is serpentinisation?
We also hear from two other crew members onboard the JOIDES Resolution during the 399 expedition, Igneous petrologist, Kuan Yu Lin and marine technician Luan Heywood. Kuan and Luan talk us through their experiences of working onboard the research vessel and why expedition 399 was so special. 
We also hear from previous guest and great friend of the show, Ashley Rowden (his interview on seamounts can be found in episode 30). We grabbed him quickly before he chaired the deep sea session at the New Zealand Marine Science Society conference and he treated us to a great story of James Cameron’s involvement in a previous conference that Ashley was organising.
We’re really trying to make this project self-sustaining so we have started looking for ways to support the podcast. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. And we want to thank our most recent patrons:
Tammy Frank | Martin Pollizotto | Ray M | Nicole Vite-Liebl | Anna P | Eric
Thanks again for tuning in, we’ll deep-see you next time!
 
Check out our podcast merch here! Which now includes Alan’s beloved apron and a much anticipated new design... 
 
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
podcast@armatusoceanic.com
We’d love to actually play your voice so feel free to record a short audio note!
 
We are also on:
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod, @ArmatusO
Facebook: DeepSeaPodcast, ArmatusOceanic 
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast, @armatusoceanic
 
Keep up with the team on social media
Twitter: 
Alan - @Hadalbloke (https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke)
Thom - @ThomLinley (https://twitter.com/ThomLinley) 
Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://twitter.com/geeinthesea) 
 
Instagram: 
Georgia - @geeinthesea (https://www.instagram.com/geeinthesea/) 
 
Read the show notes and find out more about us at:
www.armatusoceanic.com
 
Glossary
Archaea - Microorganisms similar to bacteria in size and simplicity, but are very different molecularly. They’re thought to be the ancient intermediate group between bacteria and eukaryotes.
Astrophysics - Astrophysics is a branch of space science that applies the laws of physics and chemistry to seek to understand the universe.
Atlantis massif - An underwater mountain in the Atlantic Ocean.
Core barrel - A plastic tube which collects the rock core from drilling into the sediment.
Core samples - A long column of rock obtained by drilling into sediment or rock with a hollow steel tube.
Deep biosphere - The expansive ecosystem of microbes which exist deep under the seabed.
Derrick (on a ship) - A machine that is used to move things on a ship (similar to a crane).
Drill cone - A tool which can crush rocks during the drilling process.
Drill pipe - A hollow pipe used in drilling projects.
Fault - A fracture or discontinuity in an area of rock because of big movements in the rock.
Geochemistry - The study of the chemistry of geological materials such as rock, sediment, soil and water.
Goblin shark - A species of deep-sea shark with a retractable jaw.
IODP - International ocean discovery program.
JOIDES Resolution - A drilling ship used by the IODP.
Kaharoa - (RV Kaharoa) Research vessel owned by NIWA in New Zealand. Thom and Alan have conducted many expeditions from this vessel.
Lost city hydrothermal field - An area of hydrothermal vents on the Atlantis Massif, in the Atlantic Oc