We use cookies to improve your experience, some are essential for the operation of this site.

End of a RAFOS float with burnwire bitten off.

End of a RAFOS float with burnwire bitten off.
End of a RAFOS float with burnwire bitten off.
End of a RAFOS float with burnwire bitten off.
End of a RAFOS float with burnwire bitten off.
Comments (0)
289435
Moravits, Cody
End of a RAFOS float with burnwire bitten off.
Still Image
10/04/2016
IMG_0551.jpg
Image Of the Day caption:
WHOI physical oceanographer Amy Bower uses Range and Fixing of Sound (RAFOS) floats like this one to track the movement of water in the ocean. The float drifts with currents at a specified depth, recording its position, water temperature, and pressure. Once the float's mission is completed, a small, silver U-shaped burnwire dissolves, releasing a steel weight. The float then rises to the surface where it transmits its data via satellite to scientists back on land. This float washed up on the shore of Padre Island, Texas, with its burnwire intact, suggesting its weight had been bitten offmost likely by a swordfish or mako shark.
Photo by Cody Moravits
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Labels
This item includes these files
Image
Image
Collections