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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NODC Standard Product: Ocean current drifter data (2 disc set) (NCEI Accession 0098060)

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These CD-ROMs hold over 4 million surface current observations, almost all obtained by the ship drift method. Date, data source, position, and current direction and speed are recorded for each observation. With the exception of about 5,100 observations taken using the Geomagnetic Electrokinetograph (GEK), these are not instrument-measured current data. Rather, they are indirect determinations of ocean surface currents based on the ship drift method. In this method, the difference between a ship's dead-reckoned position (determined from its previous position determined from a navigational fix) is ascribed solely to the effect of surface currents. These data are contained on disc 1 of this set.

In addition to the data files, disc 2 of this set provides surface current data summaries in the NODC Surface Current (Ship Drift) Long Summary format. These data are summarized by Modified Canadian ten-degree square, one-degree square, and month for all years. A Postscript file showing the Modified Canadian ten-degree square numbers is also included on disc 2 of this set. Subsurface Float Trajectories: The Subsurface Float Data Set consists primarily of SOFAR (Sound Fixing and Ranging) and RAFOS (SOFAR spelled backwards) float trajectories. These floats are ballasted for a target depth and acoustically tracked. Some ALACE (Autonomous Lagrangian Circulation Explorer) float trajectories are included with this float data set. ALACE is a subsurface float that cycles vertically from a depth where it is neutrally buoyant to the surface where it is located by, and relays data to, satellites. The Subsurface Float data has approximately 475 float trajectories and 432 float-years of data. Float depths range from a few hundred meters to several thousand with most observations falling in the 700 m to 2000 m depth range. Most of the trajectories are located in the North Atlantic Ocean and were obtained as part of a variety of experiments during the years 1972-1992.
  • Cite as: US National Oceanographic Data Center (2013). NODC Standard Product: Ocean current drifter data (2 disc set) (NCEI Accession 0098060). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0098060. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0098060
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Distribution Formats
  • Originator data format
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 1984-01-01 to 1993-12-01
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -80
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2013-01-18
  • revision: 2022-01-12
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
The contents of these discs are available as 1) a compressed .tar file via the download data button (download size limit may prevent obtaining all data in one transaction); 2) a complete ISO 9660 disc image, from which an identical replica of the original disc may be burned on new CD/DVD media, by navigating to the .iso file in the data/0-data/disc_image/ subdirectory; 3) individual files, by navigating to specific file(s) in the data/0-data/disc_contents/ subdirectory.
Purpose This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: US National Oceanographic Data Center (2013). NODC Standard Product: Ocean current drifter data (2 disc set) (NCEI Accession 0098060). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0098060. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: US National Oceanographic Data Center (2013). NODC Standard Product: Ocean current drifter data (2 disc set) (NCEI Accession 0098060). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0098060. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2013-01-18T22:41:54Z - NCEI Accession 0098060 v1.1 was published.
  • 2022-01-12T17:29:42Z - NCEI Accession 0098060 was revised and v1.2 was published.
    Rationale: Additional metadata files were received or created for this dataset. These updates were copied into the about/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • GEK
Platform
  • SUBSURFACE FLOAT
Last Modified: 2024-08-22T15:07:51Z
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