Shipboard Ocean Temperature Profiles from 922 XBT Drops, 1994-1995

Sixteen sets of bathythermograph (XBT) data were collected via the SEAS III program across over 16 different ships. The data from 922 drops was transmitted from cruise ships to the National Ocean Service in Rockville, MD, and subsequently received by NODC. Collection occurred between September 14, 1994, and March 3, 1995.

Use Cases

• Analyzing historical ocean temperature profiles based on bathythermograph (XBT) data.
• Studying spatial and temporal variability of sea conditions based on data collected from over 16 ships.
• Calibrating or validating oceanographic models using shipboard environmental acquisition system data.
• Researching data collection and telemetry methods for historical ocean observation programs like SEAS III.

Strengths

• Contains data from 922 individual bathythermograph drops.
• Data collected systematically via the SEAS III program across over 16 different vessels.
• Covers a defined time range from September 1994 to March 1995.

Limitations

• Last updated 1995-03-03 00:00:00; freshness should be verified.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

NOAA_NCEI (National Centers for Environmental Information).

Collection Method

Collected via Shipboard Environmental data Acquisition System (SEAS) III program and transmitted via telecommunication.

Time Range

1994-09 14 to 1995-03-03

Freshness

Historical data; last updated date is 1995-03-03.

Geography

Likely covers areas traversed by the over 16 cruise ships; specific regions are not stated.