BLAKE Expeditions Te Rua-o-Te-Moko / Fiordland 2024

In 2024, a group of eight students and five primary and intermediate teachers travelled to Te Rua-o-Te-Moko Fiordland for an immersive experience in scientific research and environmental exploration. They worked alongside leading scientists and environmental experts from the University of Otago and GNS Science to study the seafloor sediments within the fjords, which offered a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how these complex systems operate and their capacity to absorb carbon.

Fjords are recognized as significant carbon sinks, currently estimated at 11% of total annual global marine sequestration, playing a crucial role in carbon storage and climate regulation. The team’s research focused on mapping and analysing how carbon is buried within the fjord’s sediments, which will contribute to a broader understanding of the size, function, and stability of carbon sinks globally. This work is essential for improving our knowledge of carbon sequestration processes in Aotearoa and their impact on the global climate.