Historical Upper-Ocean Temperature Profiles from the M. REYNOLDS

1954-01 08 to 1955-06-06, this dataset contains mechanical bathythermograph (MBT) temperature-depth profiles from the vessel M. REYNOLDS in the North Pacific Ocean, Philippine Sea, and South China Sea. Data was processed by the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) into the standard C128 format, with temperature recorded at uniform 5-meter depth intervals up to approximately 285 meters. It provides a snapshot of upper-ocean thermal structure for a specific mid-20th century period.

Use Cases

• Analyzing the vertical thermal structure of the upper ocean (0-285m) using paired temperature-depth values.
• Investigating seasonal or spatial variability in sea surface temperature and mixed layer depth across the North Pacific, Philippine Sea, and South China Sea.
• Validating or providing historical context for ocean model reanalysis products using precisely located and dated cruise observations.
• Studying the methodology and data characteristics of early oceanographic instruments like the Mechanical Bathythermograph (MBT).

Strengths

• Data is processed to a known, documented standard (NODC C128 format) ensuring a consistent structure.
• Provides precise spatiotemporal context for each profile, including cruise information, date, position, and time.
• Covers a specific 17-month time range (1954-1955) across a defined geographical area in the Pacific.

Limitations

• The dataset is limited to the upper ocean, with a maximum observation depth of approximately 285 meters.
• Key metadata such as row count, column names, and exact file size are unavailable from the provided sources.
• There is a conflict in 'last updated' metadata: datagov reports 2026-04-01, while nasa_earthdata reports 1955-06 06.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce (via National Oceanographic Data Center).

Collection Method

Temperature-depth profiles collected using a Mechanical Bathythermograph (MBT) instrument during a cruise, later processed to NODC standard C128 format.

Time Range

1954-01-08 to 1955-06-06

Freshness

2026-04-01 15:29:58.317970

Geography

North Pacific Ocean, Philippine Sea, South China Sea