S-MODE: Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics from Slocum Glider Profiles

Slocum glider in-situ measurements capture temperature and salinity profiles to 1000m depth during the Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE). The dataset supports the S-MODE goal of understanding how short-scale ocean dynamics influence vertical exchange of physical and biological variables. Data were collected approximately 300 km offshore of San Francisco during a pilot campaign in October 2021 and intensive periods in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical temperature and salinity structure based on 1000m profiles.
• Studying sub-mesoscale ocean dynamics and their role in vertical exchange.
• Validating ocean circulation models with in-situ glider data from a fixed location.
• Investigating temporal variability of ocean properties from 4-hourly profiling.

Strengths

• Provides high-resolution vertical profiles to a depth of 1000 meters.
• Data collected during a dedicated field campaign (S-MODE) with specific scientific objectives.
• Features a fixed sampling location and a regular 4-hour profiling interval, suggesting consistent temporal coverage.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as row count, file size, and specific column names are unavailable across all platforms.
• The license is listed as 'other-license-specified' on Data.gov but is 'None' on NASA Earthdata, indicating a potential conflict or lack of clarity.
• The most recent update date conflicts between sources (2026 on Data.gov vs. 2023 on NASA Earthdata).

Provenance

Source

US Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) Slocum gliders, dataset hosted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Collection Method

In-situ measurements from Slocum gliders profiling the water column.

Time Range

Pilot campaign in October 2021, plus intensive operating periods in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.

Freshness

Last updated dates conflict: Data.gov lists 2026-04 09, while NASA Earthdata lists 2023-05-31.

Geography

Approximately 300 km offshore of San Francisco.