Current meter components, physical, and other data from current meters and CTD casts from NOAA Ship RONALD H. BROWN and other platforms as part of the VENTS program from 1996-06-14 to 1997-10-05 (NODC Accession 9800031)

Current meter components and physical data were collected from current meters and CTD casts from NOAA Ship RONALD H. BROWN and other platforms from 14 June 1996 to 05 October 1997. Data were collected by the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) as part of the VENTS program. Data were processed by NODC to the NODC standard F015 Current Meter Components and F022 High Resolution STD/CTD data format. Full format and format code descriptions are available at http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/General/NODC-datafmts.html.

The F015 format contains time series measurements of ocean currents. These data are obtained from current meter moorings and represent the Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed point and measure flow past a sensor. Position, bottom depth, sensor depth and meter characteristics are reported for each station. The data record includes values of east-west (u) and north-south (v) current vector components at specified date and time. Current direction is defined as the direction toward which the water is flowing with positive directions east and north. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10 - 15 minute time intervals. Water temperature, pressure and conductivity or salinity may also be reported. A text record is available for optional comments.

The F022 format contains high-resolution data collected using CTD (conductivity-temperature-depth) and STD (salinity-temperature-depth) instruments. As they are lowered and raised in the oceans, these electronic devices provide nearly continuous profiles of temperature, salinity, and other parameters. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering or obtained by interpolation and may be reported at depth intervals as fine as 1m. Cruise and instrument information, position, date, time and sampling interval are reported for each station. Environmental data at the time of the cast (meteorological and sea surface conditions) may also be reported. The data record comprises values of temperature, salinity or conductivity, density (computed sigma-t), and possibly dissolved oxygen or transmissivity at specified depth or pressure levels. Data may be reported at either equally or unequally spaced depth or pressure intervals. A text record is available for comments.