Zetes expedition

Abstract

From January 4 to August 8, 1966, the R. V. Argo of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography was employed in the North Pacific Ocean (Figure 1) on investigations covering a wide range of oceanographic studies. The expedition, called Zetes, logged 17,000 miles. It was supported by funds from the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research. Particular studies were made during each of the seven parts of the expedition, and some programs were conducted more or less continuously. The Argo, formerly a U. S. Navy salvage vessel, is 213 feet long, 39½ feet wide, and, when fully loaded, draws 15 feet and displaces 2079 tons. Cruising speed is about 12 knots, and her range is about 7000 miles. She is comparatively well suited to work in severe sea conditions: January–April work in high latitudes was performed very successfully despite the weather. ©1966. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.