Thursday Evening Presentation - May 12, 2011, 6:30pm
The Challenges of Oceanographic Expeditions: Following in the Footsteps of the 1789-1794 Malaspina Campaign
In July 1789, on the orders of the Spanish Crown, the Spanish Naval officers Alejandro Malaspina and José de Bustamante y Guerra embarked on a 5 year oceanographic expedition around the world. Its purpose was to conduct a comprehensive study of the political and economic situation of its viceroyalties accompanied with a report on the flora, fauna, and local people. The route of this historic expedition is now being re-traced by Spanish scientists on-board the R/V Hesperides to evaluate the impact of global change on the oceans and its biodiversity.
The talk will cover the original and concurrent Malaspina expeditions and highlight the destinations where both voyages coincide, with particular emphasis on the territories that today belong to the United States. It will also discuss the planning of the navigational route, the logistic support required by an oceanographic expedition, and a summary from the first four months of this round the world voyage.
Speakers:
Sandra Rebok
Deputy Vicepresidency of Scientific Culture, Spanish National Research Council
Commander Juan A. Aguilar-Cavanillas
Commander of the Spanish Navy's oceanographic research vessel, 'Hespérides'