Washington Coast Ocean Currents from Seven 1981 Moorings

University of Washington researchers collected ocean current and temperature data from seven moorings off the Washington coast over a 19-day period in 1981. The dataset contains filtered and edited hourly u and v current components from a mix of Aanderaa and Vector Measuring Current Meter instruments, along with 10-minute temperature samples. This foundational data supported key studies on coastal circulation and upwelling dynamics in the Pacific Northwest.

Use Cases

• Analyzing cross-shelf and along-shelf current variability using the u and v component time series.
• Studying short-term temperature fluctuations and their relation to coastal upwelling events.
• Calibrating or validating numerical models of circulation on the Washington continental shelf and slope.
• Investigating the temporal structure of near-shore currents using data filtered to a 2.5-hour half-power point.

Strengths

• Data was edited for spurious values and filtered, indicating quality control procedures.
• Simultaneous measurements from seven distinct mooring locations provide spatial context.
• Instruments sampled at high frequencies (4-minute and 10-minute intervals) before processing.

Limitations

• Exact row count, file size, and complete column schema are unknown across all sources.
• Sources conflict on the 'last updated' date, reporting both 1981-09 05 and 2026-03-05.
• License and author attribution information is not provided.

Provenance

Source

University of Washington, maintained by NOAA NCEI.

Collection Method

Data collected from seven current meter moorings (Aanderaa and VMCM instruments), filtered, edited, and interpolated to hourly values.

Time Range

1981-08-18 to 1981.09-05

Freshness

2026-03-05 22:29:20.100116

Geography

Off the Washington coast, North East Pacific.