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Ocean Data Access and Tools
NASA data span the geophysical parameters that characterize the global ocean and the physical processes operating within its depths and at its surface. Our datasets and tools help researchers translate these interconnected data points into actionable knowledge.
Ocean Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measurements near Nauru, Micronesia in 1999 | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 1999-06-11 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
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| Measurements near Santa Barbara, California in 2009 | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2009-11-19 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
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| Measurements near the Orinoco River outflow region, 1998 to 2000 | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 1998-06-24 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Measurements off James Ross Island, Antarctica | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2005-01-19 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
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| Measurements off the Argentinian coast near Drakes Passage | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2008-12-16 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
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| Measurements off the coast of Baja California onboard R/V Melville in 1999 | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 1999-10-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Measurements off the San Diego, Californian coast | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2007-08-21 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Measurements off the Virginia coast in 2005 | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 2005-03-30 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Measurements onboard the Russian R/V Akademik Sergey Vavilov | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 1998-08-12 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
|||
| Measurements onboard the Turkish research vessel Bilim | 0 | BUOYS, MOORINGS, Water-based Platforms, AUVS, ROVS, Ships | 1999-10-06 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
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Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Platform
SWOT provides detailed surface topography and monitors water body changes over time. The platform enables high-resolution ocean monitoring at 15-150 km spatial scales, tracking ocean currents, coastal dynamics, storm surges, and regional sea level changes. On land, SWOT measures water storage changes in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and wetlands, supporting river discharge estimates for water resource assessment.
Researchers explore using SWOT data to derive two-dimensional estimates of sea ice thickness.
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Swath Visualizer provides a visualization of two instruments’ coverage of Earth's surface: the Ka-band Radar Interferometer and altimeter.
SWOT presents opportunities and challenges in characterizing sea surface height anomalies.
Ocean Data Tools
| Tool Sort descending | Description | Services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOTO | State of the Ocean (SOTO) is an interactive web-based tool that generates informative maps, animations, and plots that communicate and prove the discovery and analysis of the state of the oceans. | Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization | |
| STREAM | STREAM is a rapid water quality monitoring tool that processes satellite imagery to create maps showing chlorophyll-a, Total Suspended Solids, and water clarity at 20-30 meter resolution. | Processing | |
| SWOT Swath Visualizer | The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Swath Visualizer provides a visualization of two instruments’ coverage of Earth's surface: the Ka-band Radar Interferometer and altimeter. | Analysis, Data Curation, Visualization |
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