SPURS-2: Underway CTD Profiles from Eastern Tropical Pacific Cruises

SPURS-2 uCTD data provides vertical profiles of salinity and temperature from two research vessel cruises in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. The dataset contains 763 total casts from the R/V Revelle in August 2016 and October 2017, with observations binned in 6 or 8-meter depth intervals down to 500 meters. It supports the study of near-surface salinity dynamics in a rainfall-dominated region influenced by the North Equatorial Current.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical salinity and temperature structure in the eastern Pacific fresh pool.
• Studying seasonal variability of ocean properties from two cruises spanning 2016-2017.
• Validating satellite-derived salinity data from Aquarius, SMAP, and SMOS missions.
• Investigating the dynamics of zonal flows associated with the North Equatorial Current and Countercurrent.
• Calibrating or complementing data from the complementary SPURS-2 schooner Lady Amber and central mooring.

Strengths

• Contains a specific count of 763 uCTD casts (262 in 2016, 501 in 2017).
• Data is integrated with satellite remote sensing and other in-situ technologies for a multi-scale characterization.
• Focuses on a scientifically targeted region near 10N,125W with known high variability.

Limitations

• Column names and precise data structure are not specified in the provided metadata.
• The 'last updated' metadata field shows a conflict between 2017 and a future date of 2026.
• Data is provided in netCDF files (one per cruise), which may require specific software or libraries to access.

Provenance

Source

NASA-funded SPURS-2 oceanographic field campaign.

Collection Method

Data gathered via underway-CTD (uCTD), a towed profiling instrument deployed from the R/V Revelle.

Time Range

August 2016 and October 2017.

Freshness

Last updated metadata shows a conflict: one source lists 2017-11-11, while others list 2026-04-09.

Geography

Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, focused around a central mooring near 10°N, 125°W.