We are deploying a dozen pressure-temperature gauges (PTGs) around Yellowstone Lake. These measure pressure and temperature at the lake floor every few seconds. With this network, we can record the pressure variations experienced by the deep hydrothermal systems we’re targeting. The high sampling rate means we record not only seasonal variations in lake level, but also the pressure variations from waves, including both wind-driven waves with a period of a few seconds and basin-wide seiche waves with a period of several minutes. Measuring these pressures is an important part of assessing the sensitivity of the deep hydrothermal vent fields. Photos by Rob Sohn, WHOI. Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research Permit.
The pressure/temperature gauge team is led by Karen Luttrell, seen here catching a bit of sun as the RV Annie transits. Karen has been working on Yellowstone Lake since 2011. Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research permit.
Louis Garcia is a PhD student at LSU working with Karen to deploy pressure gauges in and around Yellowstone Lake. Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research permit.
The PTGs are mounted to an anchor designed to float gently to the lake floor and rest securely for a year. The ball float eases descent, while the ring provides a handle for the ROV to grab during recovery. Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research permit.
Some tasks are better done in the cabin of RV Annie. Louis programs a PTG (in his right hand, without its protective shell) ahead of deployment. Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research permit.
Louis attaches the PTG (in the yellow housing) to an anchor ahead of deployment. Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research permit.
Dropping your research instruments overboard always feels inelegant, but sometimes in life you’ve just gotta let go! Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research permit.
HD-YLAKE deployments require precise positioning of the RV Annie: Karen Luttrell and Dave Lovalvo confer about where we are and where we’re going. Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research permit.
Our lake-bottom PTG is supplemented by a network of similar instruments along the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake. Louis is downloading data from one of these gauges in preparation for the summer season. Work was completed under an authorized Yellowstone Research permit.
