Arcadia teacher conducts tsunami research for Discovery Channel

Susan Holt, a biology teacher at Arcadia High School, was recently part of a research team conducting a study of the cause of the deadly December tsunami in Thailand.

As the only teacher on the team, Holt helped conduct a survey of the ocean floor with Geophysicist Dr. Kate Moran, Paul Tyler from the University of Southampton and Modeling and Visualization Expert Dr. Stephen Grill.

“I learned how to collect seismic data using an airgun and hydrophones in a streamer. The data was collected on paper and by using software that allows scientists to visualize it in different ways. What they visualize are the layers of sediment and rock underneath the ocean floor so they can identify where faults and geological features are,” said Holt.

In addition, the scientists collected pictures and video from the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to identify disturbances and geological structures, as well as identify where animal life was present, indicating a lack of recent disturbance, where it was absent and where there were indications of recent damage to sea life that takes decades to grow in a sedimentary position. The scientists took the data collected and used computer programs to create models of events that led to the tsunami.

The scientific information collected was used to produce a video that will air on the Discovery Channel, Canadian Discovery Channel and the BBC in August.

Holt encourages other teachers to participate in this type of once in a lifetime hands-on research trip that allows teachers to bring information back to the classroom for their students to also learn from their experiences.

“I found this opportunity by going to the National Science Teachers’ Association National Convention in Atlanta in April 2004. Once at the convention, teachers have many choices of workshops and presentations to see. I was lucky enough to have noticed the ARMADA Project presentation for teachers to participate in oceanographic research. I heard past participants talk about the research they participated, including researching Dusky Dolphins in New Zealand and studying the Norwegian Fjords. The ARMADA Project pays for all expenses to travel to University of Rhode Island to be trained, the expedition and pay a stipend to teachers that participate.” said Holt.

Holt, who has been teaching for 12 years, flew to Thailand on May 6, and spent about 17 days aboard the research ship M/V Performer and returned home on May 29.

To view Holt’s online journal, please visit http://www.armadaproject.org/journals/2005-2006/holt.htm. For more information about the ARMADA Project, please visit http://www.armadaproject.org.

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