Research Summary
Truk Lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia — Truk (a.k.a. Chuuk) was an Imperial Japanese Navy base during World War II. Considered second only to Pearl Harbor in strength, the U.S. saw this base as a major threat and in February 1944 began Operation Hailstone, a 2-day intense aerial bombing campaign that continued in various forms until the war's end. More than 50 naval and merchant ships were sunk in Truk Lagoon, along with up to 100 aircraft, with many intact, having been protected by the surrounding barrier reef. The submerged military remains also attract colorful and diverse marine life, some of it unique to the area, as well as divers from around the world. Maritime archaeologist Dr. Bill Jeffery, materials scientist Dr. Ian Macleod, and marine ecologist Maria Beger aim to document and help protect Truk Lagoon's rich historic and biological heritage.
Meet the Scientists
Dr. Bill Jeffery
James Cook University
We invite you to conduct the first comprehensive survey of this famous lagoon’s World War II submerged historic sites. We will be doing detailed archaeological examination of some of the wrecked planes and ships in conjunction with marine flora and fauna surveys as well as corrosion surveys to determine their rates of decay. The data we gather will help Mircronesia develop management strategies to preserve the heritage of the sites.
Dr. Bill Jeffery holds a Ph.D. in Maritime Archaeology from James Cook University and has worked for the Federated States of Micronesia’s National Historic Preservation Office since 2001 as a contract maritime archaeologist. He was the State Maritime Archaeologist for South Australia from 1981 to 2003, during which time he led several projects in South Australia and New Zealand, and participated as an archeological team leader throughout Australia and Asia. Since 2002, he has worked on a number of marine archaeology investigations in China as part of the Hong Kong government’s requirements for offshore developments. Dr. Jeffery will be responsible for the project’s maritime archaeology activities and will interact with Earthwatch volunteers throughout the expeditions.
Dr. Ian MacLeod
Western Australian Museum
Dr. Ian MacLeod is Director of the Museum Relocation Project for the Western Australian Museum and has also served as the Museum’s CEO. A Senior Fulbright Fellow in 1993, he studied at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles. He has a background in materials conservation and the decay of ancient and modern materials and has worked to solve complex problems associated with the preservation of Aboriginal rock art as well as materials from historic shipwrecks. Dr. MacLeod has conducted numerous conservation training workshops and has published more than 100 papers on applied chemistry, corrosion and conservation science. He has been awarded numerous research grants for his work. In 2002 he was elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological and Engineering Sciences and is currently a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.
Maria Beger
University of Queensland
Dr. Maria Beger earned two Master’s degrees before pursuing a Ph.D. in Coral Reef Conservation Planning and Modeling Studies at the University of Queensland, Australia. She has several years of hands-on conservation experience as well as seven years of experience working with volunteers in the field of coral reef surveying. She developed and led a conservation and resource assessment project in the Marshall Islands for three years, giving her an excellent knowledge of local flora and fauna and also of Micronesian customs and attitudes. For this project, Dr. Berger will coordinate the biological data collection, fish biodiversity assessments, and data analysis.