NW Atlantic XBT Temperature-Depth Profiles from 1992

From January 11 to December 20, 1992, this dataset contains ocean temperature and depth profiles collected via expendable bathythermographs (XBT) in the Northwest Atlantic, west of 40°W. Data were gathered from the ships OLEANDER and YANKEE CLIPPER as part of the Ship Of Opportunity Programme, comprising 27 sections submitted by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The profiles record temperature at non-uniform inflection points to define the thermocline curve, with potential depths up to 1830 meters.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical ocean temperature structure based on paired temperature-depth inflection points.
• Studying seasonal thermocline evolution in 1992 based on time-series data from two specific vessels.
• Calibrating or validating ocean models using historical in-situ XBT profile data from the NW Atlantic.
• Investigating the Ship Of Opportunity Programme's data collection methods and format standards.

Strengths

• Contains data from a precise one-year time range (1992-01 11 to 1992-12-20).
• Includes 27 distinct XBT data sections, providing multiple transects for analysis.
• Data is stored in a standardized archival format (NODC C116) used for ocean profiles.

Limitations

• Column names and exact row counts are unspecified across all sources.
• Conflicting 'last updated' metadata between platforms (1992 vs. 2026) suggests potential provenance confusion.
• Limited spatial coverage to the NW Atlantic region west of 40°W.

Provenance

Source

Mr. Glenn Strout, National Marine Fisheries Service, Narragansett, RI; submitted to the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC).

Collection Method

Collected via expendable bathythermograph (XBT) instruments deployed from ships OLEANDER and YANKEE CLIPPER under the Ship Of Opportunity Programme (SOOP).

Time Range

1992-01-11 to 1992-12-20

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:42:47.228692

Geography

NW Atlantic (limit 40°W)