Atlantic Ocean Temperature Profiles from CHAIN Research Vessel, 1973

Atlantic Ocean temperature-depth profiles were collected from the R/V CHAIN during a one-week cruise in June 1973. Data were gathered using mechanical and expendable bathythermographs as part of the IDOE/MODE project and processed by the National Oceanographic Data Center into the Universal Bathythermograph Output format. This dataset provides paired temperature and depth measurements at non-uniform inflection points to define the thermocline curve.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical temperature structure and thermocline depth in the Atlantic Ocean using paired temperature-depth values.
• Calibrating or validating ocean model simulations for the 1970s using precise location and time data for each cast.
• Studying short-term oceanic variability during a focused research cruise by examining profiles from June 6 to 13, 1973.

Strengths

• Data processed to a standardized NODC format (UBT), ensuring consistency for analysis.
• Precise temporal coverage documented for a focused one-week research cruise.
• Profiles capture thermocline inflection points efficiently, not just uniform depth intervals.

Limitations

• Exact row count, column names, and dataset size are unknown across all sources.
• Conflicting last update dates: Data.gov lists 2026-04-01 (likely a metadata error), while NASA Earthdata lists 1973-06 -13.
• Instrument depth capability varies (450m, 760m, or 1830m), but the actual maximum depth for this dataset is unspecified.

Provenance

Source

Harvard University, submitted as part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration / Mid-Ocean Dynamics Experiment (IDOE/MODE) project.

Collection Method

Temperature profiles collected using mechanical Bathythermograph (BT) and expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) casts from the R/V CHAIN.

Time Range

1973-06-06 to 1973-06-13

Freshness

1973-06-13 00:00:00

Geography

Atlantic Ocean (specific cruise track not detailed)