The Maud Rise Nonlinear Equation of State Study (MaudNESS) is a project funded by the National Science Foundation to investigate the role of nonlinearities in the equation of state of seawater in initiating and maintaining deep convective overturning in the open Southern Ocean. The project consists of a late-winter research cruise to the Weddell Sea in 2005 and an array of modeling activities covering a wide range of spatial scales.

This site provides:

1. background information on convection in the Weddell Sea
   
2. description of the observational component of the project
   
3. description of the modeling component of the project
   
4. daily updates from the RV Nathaniel B. Palmer. Ship's Position.Situation Report.
   

The companion thermobaricity site discusses the thermobaric effect in detail and the educational page provides an introduction to these topics for anyone interested in the project.

A great description of life and science aboard the NBP during the Maudness project cruise can be viewed at http://www.esr.org/maudness_cruise/cruise_main.html.