Moored instrument data from the Synoptic Ocean Prediction Experiment captures the physics of Gulf Stream meandering and ring interactions. The dataset includes observations from the Inlet Array near Cape Hatteras and the Central Array near 68°W, collected between 1987 and 1990. The program was maintained by the URI, UNC, and UM research groups.
Use Cases
- Analyze deep current velocity time-series from 3500m to detect strong cyclonic and anticyclonic events beneath the Gulf Stream.
- Model the relationship between Gulf Stream meander crest/trough passage and bottom pressure gauge readings from 12 IES instruments.
- Correlate temperature sensor data from acoustic doppler current profilers with current meter measurements at 400, 700, 1000, and 3500 meter depths.
- Study inflow conditions near Cape Hatteras using current data from the Inlet Array's 5 deep current meters and 9 inverted echo sounders.
Strengths
- Observations span nearly 3 years, from October 1987 to September 1990, providing a multi-year time-series.
- The Central Array's largest configuration included 24 IESs and 12 tall current meter moorings with four instrumented depth levels, offering multi-depth measurements.
- Data revealed specific deep flow phenomena, with velocities at 3500m depth recorded as high as 35-40 cm/s during strong events.
Limitations
- Data collection ended in September 1990, making the observations over 30 years old and potentially not reflective of current ocean conditions.
- Spatial coverage is limited to specific arrays in the North Atlantic (e.g., near Cape Hatteras, 68°W, 55°W, 50°W), not the entire Gulf Stream path.
- The exact row count, file formats, and completeness of individual sensor records are unknown from the provided description.
Provenance
- Source
- SCIOPS organization, via NASA Earthdata.
- Collection Method
- Collected via moored instrumentation including inverted echo sounders (IES), bottom pressure gauges, current meters, and acoustic doppler current profilers.
- Time Range
- 1987 to 1990
- Freshness
- 1990-09-30
- Geography
- North Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Gulf Stream region from Cape Hatteras to the Grand Banks, including the Inlet and Central Arrays.