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    • Current, physical profile, and meteorological data collected as part of the Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), 2003-02-28 to 2004-04-11 (NCEI Accession 0031345)

    Metadata Updated: May 1, 2025

    This dataset includes measurements of the following parameters: Profile Currents, currents, Temperature (water), salinity, pressure, profile CTD, PALFOS profile CTD and currents, PIES (estimates of vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, density and referenced geostrophic velocities), remote sensing (SST, SSH). The data were collected on the following cruises: LH845-03, LH846-03, LH847-03, PE04-10, PE04-12, PE04-17, TM080-04, PE04-34, PE04-35, TM084-04.

    During this study fixed position moorings supporting acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs), fixed level current meters, and a variety of sensors to measure conductivity, temperature and pressure. Additionally, inverted echo sounders with pressure (PIES) were placed on the bottom at specific locations over the study area. This placement was coordinated with both current measurements and the coordinated remote sensing component of this study - in particular sea surface height. The final observations were provided by both profiling (PALFOS) and fixed level (RAFOS) drifters placed in the study area but allowed to drift and provide lagrangian information as well as C/T profiles where PALFOS floats rose to the surface every ten days. The primary objectives of the study were to develop an improved understanding of the conditions and processes that resulted in the documented circulation patterns in the study area and how these related to forcing mechanisms important to the overall upper and lower-layer Gulf circulation and transport. Results showed that in the relatively anomalous study interval, upper layer circulation patterns dominated Loop Current related eddies (cyclonic and anticyclonic). Relatively weak correlation could be defined between upper and lower layer circulation patterns. Lower-layer currents were apparently strongly affected by the presence of the Sigsbee Escarpment. Many measured current patterns could be related to topographic Rossby waves of various periods that varied with position relative to the Loop Current and bottom topography.

    The Minerals Management Service (MMS) awarded a contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to conduct a four-year study titled: Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico (often referred to as simply the Exploratory Study).

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

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    Dates

    Metadata Date 2025-03-19T23:13:01Z
    Metadata Created Date March 12, 2021
    Metadata Updated Date May 1, 2025
    Reference Date(s) August 6, 2007 (publication), January 3, 2022 (revision)
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from NOAA/NESDIS/ncei/accessions

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    Preview graphic

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date 2025-03-19T23:13:01Z
    Metadata Created Date March 12, 2021
    Metadata Updated Date May 1, 2025
    Reference Date(s) August 6, 2007 (publication), January 3, 2022 (revision)
    Responsible Party (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.nodc:0031345
    Access Constraints Cite as: Waddell, Evans (2007). Current, physical profile, and meteorological data collected as part of the Exploratory Study of Deepwater Currents in the Gulf of Mexico by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), 2003-02-28 to 2004-04-11 (NCEI Accession 0031345). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0031345. Accessed [date]., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
    Bbox East Long -79.733
    Bbox North Lat 28.497
    Bbox South Lat 23.208
    Bbox West Long -93.08
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded
    Graphic Preview Description Preview graphic
    Graphic Preview File https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0031345
    Graphic Preview Type PNG
    Harvest Object Id cbe81e8f-7464-4383-8550-d3e234bc7519
    Harvest Source Id c084a438-6f6b-470d-93e0-16aeddb9f513
    Harvest Source Title NOAA/NESDIS/ncei/accessions
    Licence accessLevel: Public
    Lineage
    Metadata Language eng
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-93.08, 23.208], [-79.733, 23.208], [-79.733, 28.497], [-93.08, 28.497], [-93.08, 23.208]]]}
    Progress completed
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2003-02-28
    Temporal Extent End 2004-04-11

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