Current components, physical, and other data from moored current meters and CTD casts from NOAA Ship Discoverer and other platforms from the NE Pacific (limit-180) from 1993-08-18 to 1994-09-28 (NCEI Accession 9500006)

Current components, physical, and other data from moored current meters and CTD casts from NOAA Ship DISCOVERER and other platforms from the NE Pacific (limit-180). Data were collected by Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) as part of the VENTS program from 18 August 1993 to 28 September 1994. Data has been processed by NODC to the standard NODC F015-Current Meter Data (Components) and the F022-CTD High Resolutions formats. Data in this accession do not conform completely to the F022-CTD format.

This F015 format is used for time series measurements of ocean currents. These data are obtained from current meter moorings and represent Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed point and measure flow past a sensor. Position, bottom depth, sensor depth, and meter characteristics are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of east-west (u) and north-south (v) current vector components at specified date and time. Current direction is defined as the direction toward which the water is flowing with positive directions east and north and negative directions west and south. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10-15 minute time intervals. Water temperature, pressure, and conductivity or salinity may also be reported. A text record is available for optional comments.

The F022 format contains high-resolution data collected using CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) and STD (salinity-temperature-depth) instruments. As they are lowered and raised in the oceans, these electronic devices provide nearly continuous profiles of temperature, salinity, and other parameters. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering or obtained by interpolation and may be reported at depth intervals as fine as 1m. Cruise and instrument information, position, date, time and sampling interval are reported for each station. Environmental data at the time of the cast (meteorological and sea surface conditions) may also be reported. The data record comprises values of temperature, salinity or conductivity, density (computed sigma-t), and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity at specified depth or pressure levels. Data may be reported at either equally or unequally spaced depth or pressure intervals. A text record is available for comments.