The Styrofoam and Water-pressure Experiment

We received these photos April 23rd from Kodiak where the styro heads were making the rounds before leaving port.
On May 2 heading toward Dutch Harbor, the styrofoam heads went into deep water along with our CTD to a depth of ~1000 meters.  The before ruler (left) was 18 inches, and the larger head measured 12 inches tall. The after ruler (right) is 12 inches long and the larger head is 9.5 inches tall. Pressure compressed the styrofoam so we lost 2.5 inches in height. The head is now 79.2% of its original height. The other dimensions were also reduced.
   


Before (they attended a lecture) After (they floated in the Bering Sea)

Styrofoam cups: the original was a "small" 8 ounce size cup. The compressed version looks like it is closer to a 1 ounce cup, with shrinkage in all directions. It looks as though it kept its original shape pretty well.
This is the CTD frame with bags full of styrofoam attached. This carried your styrofoam heads and cups down deep in the water. This is at the start of the CTD cast.