South Sandwich Island Expedition ~ Corbyn Johannes

SciEnvy
May 9
4 min read

Introduction

Far to the south, beyond the reach of ordinary seafarers, lies an untouched chain of volcanic islands—shrouded in thick fog and lashed by relentless winds that howl across the Southern Ocean. The waters here, cold and unnervingly turbulent in their depths, concealing silent, unseen worlds. The South Sandwich Islands.

Background

Hello, my name is Corbyn and I’m a first year PhD student at the University of Plymouth, studying the transport mechanisms and flows of dense water that interconnects the complex world of Antarctica. However, in the midst of this ongoing research, an unexpected challenge presented itself. Alongside an exceptional team of brilliant minds, I was tasked with unravelling the enigma behind a tsunami that, in 2021, descended and surged across every ocean basin.

This cataclysmic event was tied to the simultaneous occurrence of two immense earthquakes. Yet, the mechanism behind the creation of such a vast and destructive tsunami remains unresolved.

Some speculated that the initial shockwaves from the earthquakes generated a primary tsunami wave, which was then magnified by a colossal submarine landslide. Our mission: to gather evidence of this collapse and reveal the true force behind the great tsunami.

The Expedition

Our journey began aboard the research vessel RV Falkor (too) under the command of the Schmidt Ocean Institute.

We set sail from Punta Arenas, and for ten relentless days of battering winds and high seas, we approached the heart of the South Sandwich chain: Saunders Island. An actively smoking volcanic island clocked in ice and snow, rising from the unyielding fog that densely enshrouded our ship.

From now on, the closest humans to our vessel were onboard the international space station.

From Saunders Island, we pressed south, our course set for Montagu Island—the largest and most imposing of the South Sandwich chain. Here, the icy cliffs and restless fumaroles stood in defiance of the surrounding ocean, a stark reminder of the raw geological forces at play beneath our feet.

Beyond Montagu, we descended into the depths of the South Sandwich Trench. At over 7,500 metres, a world unseen and scarcely explored.

Our expedition then took us northward, towards the Protector Seamounts—a region of submerged volcanic peaks. Here, the seafloor held clues to the region’s dynamic history, and as we mapped its contours, we sought to uncover the secrets of its past and to glimpse the story it may yet tell of the future.

Tools

Our multibeam sonar swept across the seafloor, revealing the topography of the abyss and guiding us as we plotted intricate transect lines for the ship to follow. This was our instrument on inspecting any changes in the bathymetry which would indicate a landslide event.

From nine locations, we deployed SuBastian, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), whose mechanical arms reached down to help extract sediment samples and pried volcanic rocks from the seabed.

Using photogrammetry techniques, we captured detailed imagery of the jagged outcrops and stratified layers, preserving visual records of a submerged landscape shaped by dark submarine chaos.

Challenges, Lessons Learned, and What’s next ?

Working in such an extreme environment presented its fair share of challenges — from battling rough seas to troubleshooting technical glitches and resolving social issues onboard. These challenges reinforced the importance of adaptability and teamwork in fieldwork, skills that will undoubtedly benefit any future research expeditions.

Back in the office, far from the reckless fury of the Southern Ocean, I find myself immersed once again in the quiet pursuit of my PhD—poring over papers and data that offer glimpses into the vast mysteries of the deep.

Yet, even as I sit at my desk, I am reminded of the adventure of the sea. The echo of the waves, the bite of the polar wind, and the relentless thick fog linger in my mind.

Despite our tireless efforts, the landslide we sought — remains elusive. But this unanswered question fuels an even deeper resolve. I am determined to return, to venture once more into those treacherous waters, and push further south – where the mysteries of the deep grow even stranger.

Each discovery brings us closer to unlocking the truth, and I can only hope that the next expedition will carry me deeper into the heart of the unknown.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to sincerely acknowledge Dr. Jenny Gales for her unwavering dedication, hard work, and support throughout this journey. Her kindness and ability to listen made an incredible difference, and without her guidance, I would not have had the opportunity to be part of this remarkable expedition. Her efforts in organising such a complex and challenging mission, ensuring that everything ran smoothly, was extraordinary. I am deeply grateful for her mentorship and for giving me the chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

I would furthermore like to extend my sincere gratitude to the esteemed members of the GoSouth team who accompanied me on this expedition: Dr. Andrea Verolino, Tea Isler, and Moritz Lang. Their remarkable expertise and unwavering dedication rendered the journey not only intellectually enriching but also immensely enjoyable. I remain perpetually impressed by their breadth of knowledge and am deeply indebted to them for their invaluable assistance and steadfast support throughout the expedition. Their contributions greatly enhanced the success of our endeavour and made this extraordinary voyage all the more memorable.