The Drake Passage. Home of the fastest currents and worst weather in the world. The Drake Passage is the 500 mile opening between the southern tip of South America and the most northern tip of Antarctica. It is the connection between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and was likely formed some 30 million years ago. The fierce winds blow and the currents rip through this passage at over 10 knots in places, and as such most people pass through as quickly as possible, not wanting to linger and be hit by bad weather. Not us however. In May 2011 we're headed to the Drake Passage to look for corals on seamounts and ridges deep on the seafloor. In 2008 we had a very successful pilot program and discovered extensive cold-water coral ecosystems in the Drake Passage, potentially very different from those we see on the Argentinian or Antarctic Continental Shelves. It's going to be an exciting voyage, so be sure to check in with us and explore our blog more!
