Northern California Coastal Current Measurements from 1986-1989

1986-1989 data from a 5-year physical oceanography program studying circulation on the continental shelf between San Francisco and Oregon. The study, supported by the Minerals Management Service, includes direct and indirect measurements of currents. It was conducted by researchers including Bruce A. Magnell of EG&G Geos and data is managed by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Center for Coastal Studies.

Use Cases

• Analyze seasonal variability in coastal currents using moored current data time series.
• Model wind forcing effects on circulation patterns using current and atmospheric data.
• Study vertical structure of water columns with CTD measurement profiles.
• Track advective processes and water mass movement using Lagrangian drifter data trajectories.
• Assess bottom pressure data for relationships with sea-level observations and current response.

Strengths

• 5-year study duration providing multi-year temporal context.
• Includes multiple complementary data types: CTD, moored currents, XBT, sea-level, and drifter data.
• Focus on high-quality direct measurements with specified temporal and spatial resolution objectives.

Limitations

• Data collection ended in 1989, representing historical conditions that may not reflect current oceanographic states.
• Specific row counts, sample sizes, and data completeness for each measurement type are not provided.
• Some referenced data, like bottom pressure and Lagrangian drifter data, are noted as not being archived in the primary repository.

Provenance

Source

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) Data Zoo, funded by the Minerals Management Service.

Collection Method

Field measurements from a physical oceanography program, including moored instruments, CTD casts, XBT drops, sea-level gauges, and drifters.

Time Range

1986-1989

Freshness

Historical dataset; last updated date indicates 1989, with no stated update frequency.

Geography

Continental shelf and upper slope off Northern California, from San Francisco to the Oregon border.