Gulf of California Expedition, 1939

This expedition to Gulf of California on the research vessel "E.W. SCRIPPS" was led by Harald Sverdrup and studied the hydrography of the Gulf and the exchange of water between the Gulf and adjacent parts of the Pacific Ocean. 2500 soundings were made which changed the scientific view of the Gulf floor and showed its southern part consisted of steep ridges and deep basins and troughs. The expedition also proved that the Seri Indians of Tiburon were not cannibals.

Explore the UC San Diego Digital Collections for more photos from the expedition 

Reports:

• Gulf of California: Preliminary discussion of the cruise of the "E.W. Scripps" in February and March, 1939
• Soundings in the Gulf of California and off the west coast of Lower California in 1939

Letters, clippings and ship's logs available in the UC San Diego Library Digital Collections