GCOS Essential Climate Variables - Ocean Surface

Facilitating Access to Global Observing Systems Data and Information

GCOS Essential Climate Variables (ECV)
Ocean Surface
Current

Definition: Ocean Current - A movement of ocean water characterized by regularity, either of a cyclic nature or, more commonly, as a continuous stream flowing along a definable path. Three general classes, by cause, may be distinguished: 1) currents related to seawater density gradients, comprising the various types of gradient current; 2) wind-driven currents, which are those directly produced by the stress exerted by the wind upon the ocean surface; and 3) currents produced by long-wave motions. The latter are principally tidal currents, but may include currents associated with internal waves, tsunamis, and seiches. The major ocean currents are of continuous, stream-flow character, and are of first-order importance in the maintenance of the earth's thermodynamic balance. (From the Glossary of Meteorology)

Satellite Observations: (Satellite Missions)

Data, Product, Metadata and Information Access

Non-satellite or in-situ

Satellite

ARGO is a global array of over 3,000 free-drifting profiling floats that measures the temperature and salinity of the upper 2000 m of the ocean. This allows continuous monitoring of the temperature, salinity, and velocity of the upper ocean, with all data being relayed and made publicly available within hours after collection (temperature, salinity, current) (data access) (data documentation) (metadata) (video) (National Activities Summaries) (Coordinating Body: Argo Steering Team (AST)) (contact)

SLPP Currents (University of Hawaii Sea Level Center (UHSLC)) (data access) (data documentation) (metadata) (contact)

[ECV Matrix Main Page] [About the ECV Matrix] [Reference Documents] [Contact] [Updated August 16, 2010]