North Atlantic Ocean Temperature Profiles from the RV Eastward

Temperature-depth profile data collected using mechanical bathythermograph (MBT) instruments aboard the RV Eastward in the North Atlantic Ocean. The dataset covers a specific cruise from September 5 to 12, 1973, and was processed by the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) into the standard C128 format. Each observation includes cruise information, date, position, time, and paired temperature-depth values recorded at uniform 5-meter intervals down to a maximum depth of approximately 285 meters.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the vertical thermal structure of the upper ocean using temperature-depth pairs.
• Studying short-term oceanic variability during a specific cruise in September 1973.
• Calibrating or validating ocean model outputs for the North Atlantic region using historical in-situ data.
• Investigating sea surface temperature and mixed layer depth from point-based geospatial and time-series observations.

Strengths

• Data is processed to a known, documented standard (NODC C128 format).
• Provides precise temporal bounds for a dedicated research cruise (1973-09-05 to 1973-09-12).
• Specifies a concrete maximum observation depth and measurement interval (approx. 285m at 5m intervals).

Limitations

• Column names and the exact row count are unknown, limiting detailed analysis.
• The dataset's utility is confined to studying the upper ocean thermal structure due to instrument depth limits.
• Conflicting freshness dates exist between platforms (2026 vs. 1973), casting doubt on update history.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), originally from NODC processing.

Collection Method

Collected via mechanical bathythermograph (MBT) instruments during a research cruise.

Time Range

1973-09-05 to 1973-09-12

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:05:22.430148

Geography

North Atlantic Ocean (specific cruise track of RV Eastward)