Current direction and wind wave spectra data from moored current meter casts in the North American Coastline-South from 1985-01-16 to 1985-04-01 (NCEI Accession 8600012)

Current direction and wind wave spectra data were collected using moored current meter and CTD casts in the North American Coastline-South from January 16, 1985 to April 1, 1985. Data were submitted by National Ocean Service (NOS). Data has been processed by NODC to the standard NODC standard F005- Current Meter Data and F191- Wave Wind Spectra formats.

The F005 format is used for time series measurements of ocean currents obtained using moored current-measuring instruments, principally Aanderaa current meters (manufactured by Aanderaa Instruments Inc.). These data represent the Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed mooring point and measure flow past the sensor. Position, water depth, and sensor depth are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of current direction and speed at specified date and time. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10-15 minute time intervals. Other environmental parameters may also be reported. These include: water temperature, salinity, conductivity, and transmissivity; wind direction and speed; and dominant wave direction, height, and period. A text field is available for optional comments.

The F191 format is used to report meteorological data and ocean wave spectra data from NDBO. The format contains seven data record types to: 1) Identify the buoy for position, duration, rate of sampling and heading. 2) Identify the meteorological parameters (temperature, pressure, weather, solar radiation, and surface waves). 3) Report time series frequency, density and resolution of waves. Each record is 120 characters in length, sorted by station and record type. The first nine columns for all records are to be used for file type (columns 1-3) and file identifier (column 4-9). The file identifier, to be assigned by the originator, is a unique originator id for each data submission. After submission, the NODC reassigns to this field a unique NODC identifier.