Bula from Fiji!

I’m Cate McLeod, one of the 3 MATE Interns aboard the R/V Thompson for the next few weeks. I will be helping out the science party on this upcoming cruise to examine the early phases of subduction along the fault within Ocean Bottom Seismographs (OBS), multibeam surveys, and magnetometer tows!


I’m originally from the Northeast and have spent all of my life around if not on the ocean. I graduated with a B.S. in Geosciences with a concentration in Geophysics from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. During my undergrad, I participated on my first research cruise aboard the R/V Atlantis and since then, have found myself sailing with the science parties on various other cruises and ships. I love being at-sea and getting to know the amazing people who make oceanographic research possible.


We will be in port for another couple of days, mobilizing the oncoming science equipment and I cannot wait to set sail with the rest of the science party aboard cruise TN-453.  I’m looking forward to aiding the science party and learning what I can from the marine technicians about their role on the Thompson!

-Cate