IDOE/POLYMODE: XBT Temperature Profiles from RV ENDEAVOR, 1978

Temperature-depth profile data were collected from 8 to 25 May 1978 using expendable bathythermograph (XBT) casts from the RV ENDEAVOR in the Atlantic Ocean. The data were processed by the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) into the Universal Bathythermograph Output (UBT) format, which records temperature at non-uniform inflection points to define the ocean's thermal structure. This dataset was part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration, specifically the joint USSR POLYGON and US MODE (POLYMODE) project.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical ocean thermal structure based on temperature-depth pairs recorded at inflection points.
• Studying mesoscale oceanographic features (e.g., eddies, fronts) in the Atlantic during the POLYMODE experiment timeframe.
• Validating and calibrating historical ocean reanalysis models using in-situ XBT observations from a defined research cruise.
• Researching ocean heat content variability using profile data that can reach depths of 450m, 760m, or 1830m.

Strengths

• Data is processed to a recognized standard format (NODC UBT), ensuring a degree of interoperability.
• Provides specific temporal coverage from a focused 18-day research cruise in May 1978.
• Cross-platform presence on U.S. government data portals (Data.gov, NASA Earthdata) signals archival importance and accessibility.

Limitations

• Critical metadata is missing, including row count, file size, specific column names, and data license.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates (1978 vs. 2026) create uncertainty about the most recent provenance action.
• Documentation is referenced via an external link that may be outdated or broken.

Provenance

Source

University of Rhode Island; Graduate School of Oceanography, submitted to NODC.

Collection Method

Collected via expendable bathythermograph (XBT) casts from the RV ENDEAVOR.

Time Range

1978-05-08 to 1978-05-25

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:14:53.773544

Geography

Atlantic Ocean