Parameter &
Data Types

Ocean Currents
  ADCP Data
  details at right  »

Other data and
projects at NODC

Archive of
original data

NOAA Library
Resources

Go directly to the Joint Archive for Shipboard ADCP (JASADCP) *

Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) are a common component within shipboard instrumental packages onboard UNOLS, NOAA, and Navy fleets. During the late 1980s, the data quality was limited by lack of continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) coverage and uncertainties in the ship's heading information. By the mid 1990s, the quality improved significantly due to the 24-hour GPS coverage, differential GPS techniques, and the advent of GPS heading sensors. With reliable heading and navigation data, absolute currents in the upper ocean are determined. The data provide fine resolution in time (~5 minutes), depth (~10m), and horizontal distance (~2 km) throughout the duration of a cruise.

The growing database allows a fresh view of upper ocean velocity structure on a variety of temporal and spatial scales. The National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) ensures the long term preservation and facilitates access to these important data.

The NODC established the Joint Archive for Shipboard ADCP (JASADCP) * at the University of Hawaii for the acquisition, review, documentation, archival, and distribution of shipboard ADCP data sets. The activities are overseen by the NODC liaison, Pat Caldwell, and the locality takes advantage of close proximity to the ADCP and Common Oceanographic Data Analysis System (CODAS) experts of the E.Firing ADCP Laboratory.

Data producers are encouraged to contribute the high-density data sets that have passed quality control, calibration, and navigation stages to NODC via the JASADCP.  Metadata (information about the data) are vital for the archive and should be included with data submissions. Support to the growing scientific database is greatly appreciated.

* JASADCP data is located at the Univ. of Hawaii. You will be leaving the Federal Government.