The Eirik Drift: Archive of palaeoenvironmental development of climate and circulation in the Greenland and Labrador Seas - Cruise No. MSM12/2 - June 17 - July 13, 2009 - Reykjavik (Iceland) - Reykjavik (Iceland) (English)

Cruise leg MSM 12/2 with RV MARIA S. MERIAN, leaving Reykjavik on 17.6., returning to Reykjavik on 13.7.2009, comprised seismic reflection and geological studies of the Eirik Drift, a sedimentary structure south of Greenland. The Eirik Drift has been documenting the sedimentation near southeast Greenland since the Miocene by forming an archive for the depositional processes in this region, which have been shaped by the Western Boundary Undercurrent (WBUC), the Greenland ice sheet and the material input from the Labrador Sea/Davis Strait. A detailed study and analysis of both structure and composition of the Eirik Drift via seismic and geologic methods as well as a correlation with results from ODP and IODP sites (ODP Leg 105 and IODP Expedition 303) was needed to lead to information on the development of the WBUC as well as the dimensions and expansion/retreat of the Greenland ice sheet. Seismic profiles were gathered, which capture the structure of the sediment drift down to basement and lateral relocations of the main depot centres. In total ~2000 km of high resolution seismic reflection data were recorded. Bathymetric and Parasound data were recorded parallel to the seismic profiling. Parasound data were used to pick significant locations for geological sampling. The incorporation of high resolution seismic reflection investigations with geologic sampling results in the combination of different timescales and much clearer understanding of the evolution of the climate southwest of Greenland. Geological sampling was carried out at 12 locations. To complement the seismic and geological studies CTD measurements at 8 locations and ADCP measurements across the whole Eirik Drift were carried out.