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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 | Version Sort ascending | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Ocean Pre-SWOT Level-4 Hourly MITgcm LLC4320 Native Grid 2km Oceanographic Dataset Version 1.0 | 1.0 | MITgcm | Computer | 2011-09-13 to 2012-11-15 |
N: -53 S: -57.5 E: 158 W: 148 |
2 Kilometers x 2 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 12.5-km Ocean Surface Wind Vector Climate Data Record Optimized for Coastal Ocean | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
12500 Meters x 12500 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| SWOT Level 2 Radiometer Brightness Temperatures and Troposphere Operational Data Product, Version 1.0 | 1.0 | SWOT | AMR | 2022-12-16 |
N: 77.6 S: -77.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
netCDF-4 | |
| GHRSST Level 4 REMO_OI_SST_5km Regional Foundation Sea Surface Temperature Analysis (GDS version 2) | 1.0 | TRMM, NOAA-19, NOAA-20 | TMI, AVHRR-3 | 2002-09-01 to 2016-10-12 |
N: 15 S: -45 E: -15 W: -70 |
0.05 Decimal Degrees x 0.05 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| SPURS-2 shipboard disdrometer data for the E. Tropical Pacific field campaign | 1.0 | Ships | RADAR | 2016-08-11 to 2017-11-17 |
N: 24.204 S: 5.055 E: -119.886 W: -144.783 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) Observed Climate Change Impacts Database | 1.0 | MODELS | Computer | 1970-01-01 to 2014-12-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
Excel, WMS | |
| SWOT Level 2 Nadir Altimeter Interim Geophysical Data Record with Waveforms, Version 1.0 | 1.0 | SWOT | Jason-class Altimeter, AMR | 2022-12-16 |
N: 77.6 S: -77.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
300 Meters x 300 Meters<br>6000 Meters x 6000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| GHRSST Level 2P Central Pacific Regional Skin Sea Surface Temperature from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) Imager on the GOES-15 satellite (GDS version 2) | 1.0 | GOES-15 | GOES-11 Imager | 2013-08-01 to 2020-03-02 |
N: 72 S: -44 E: 180 W: 146 N: 72 S: -44 E: -105 W: -180 |
4200 Meters x 4600 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| SPURS-2 Controlled Flux Technique (CFT) data for the E. Tropical Pacific field campaign R/V Revelle cruises | 1.0 | R/V Revelle | PYROMETERS | 2016-08-24 to 2017-11-11 |
N: 21.26 S: 5.06 E: -118.32 W: -157.88 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | RAW |
| CYGNSS Level 2 Ocean Surface Heat Flux Science Data Record Version 1.0 | 1.0 | CYGNSS | DDMI | 2017-03-18 to 2020-09-30 |
N: 40 S: -40 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
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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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SeaDAS | Sea, earth, atmosphere Data Analysis System (SeaDAS) is a comprehensive image analysis package for the processing, display, analysis, and quality control of ocean color data. | Analysis, Visualization, Processing | |
| 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 | |
| Worldview | Worldview offers the capability to interactively browse over 1,200 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. | Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization, Access, Comparison, Monitoring Natural Events |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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