Natural Resources: Oceanographer
Natural Resources
Oceanographer: Carolyn Berger
by Mike Yoshiura
About 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered with water, and much of that is uncharted territory.
While searching for the right career path, Carolyn Berger explored every option, and she made sure nothing was left uncovered. She even took an occasional risk when the situation called for it. The 26-year-old recently completed the master's program in Ocean Sciences from the University of California at Santa Cruz - but if she had not gone out on a limb and volunteered, she may not have uncovered her calling in life.
"As an oceanographer, you only have so many opportunities to collect your samples. You really have to make the most of every opportunity," said Berger.
So Many Choices, So Little Time
Carolyn was born and raised in Hawaii, and she graduated from Punahou High School in 1999. After high school, she opted for the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where she ran for the women's cross-country team. After two years of college, the NCAA requires student athletes to declare a major. Unsure of her future, Carolyn mulled it over and declared Political Science her choice.
"When I was in undergrad, I wasn't sure what I was going to pursue. All I knew is that I wanted to save the world. I was pretty sure I was eventually going to end up going to law school for environmental law."
Curiosity Fulfilled The Cat
Berger graduated from the University of Hawaii in 2004, with a Bachelor of Science in Global Environmental Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
In 2002, the summer before her fourth year of college, a curious Carolyn went on a month-long voyage that changed her life forever. She traveled to the port of Astoria in Oregon to analyze the hydrothermal ammonia at the Juan de Fuca Ridge (also known as the Endeavour Ridge).
"The reason why I saw the hydrothermal vents the first time was because I volunteered. Volunteering is everything! It's so crucial when you're considering a career."
Use Your Imagination…
Once they arrived in Astoria, the crew hopped aboard the RV-Atlantis (research vessel) at the mouth of the Columbia River. As they left the port, Carolyn remembers being briefed on emergency drills, and throwing up for the next two hours.
"The mouth of the Columbia River is known for being rough and dangerous. The best thing to do to get adjusted to the ship is to get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water. I ended up sleeping for most of the way. It was probably only a day or two before we got to the hydrothermal vent."
Once the crew located the hydrothermal vent, Carolyn, "Dudley," and Brian Pope boarded a submarine called the ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Alvin. The Alvin was the size of a small-yellow school bus, large enough to cram three adults in a 16 square foot passenger compartment.
"Just to give you an idea of how small the sub was; there were no bathrooms. I'm sure you can use your imagination."
Her First Snowfall
After the three-member crew settled in, the Alvin started its descent down to the ridge, about a mile below sea level. It took three hours to reach the ridge, and by that time the water temperature had dropped to two degrees Celsius. The passenger compartment in the submarine was so unbearably cold that the crewmembers bundled up with three or four layers of clothes.
She was sick, cold, and growing impatient, but what she was about to see was the dawning of a new day.
"As you're descending you can't see anything. Everything's pitch black and the next thing you know, its' snowing!"
Not real snowflakes or crystals. Actually, it was the marine type.
"It was so cool. Words can't describe my first snowfall. I just knew from that point on, this was what I wanted to do."