U.S. Geological Survey Oceanographic Time-Series Data Collection

April 4, 2018

These pages provide access to Oceanographic time-series measurements made by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1975 and the present as part of research programs. The data were collected to address specific research questions and were primarily collected over durations less than a year, using stationary platforms, with sensors near the sea floor. Some of the measurements span the vertical extent of the water column, but others are limited to the area less than 5 meters above the sea floor. These data have been used to study of ocean dynamics and to validate coastal ocean models.

Image of USGS personnel deploying an instrumented bottom lander — Oceanographic equipment, including an instrumented bottom lander are deployed near Cape Hatteras, NC in 2009 as part a study of the local sediment transport dyanmics.

Image of oceanographic equipment platform deployed off the coast of Martha's Vineyard — Steaming to the deployment site south of Martha's Vineyard, MA in 2011. The platform shown was specially adapted so the arm cycles up and down through the Benthic Boubdary Layer while deployed on the seafloor. For more information see https://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2011/11/fieldwork2.html.

Oceanographic Equipment on the fantail of a R/V Savannah at sunrise — Dawn breaks behind one of the bottom landers on deployment day.

Neil Ganju and Patrick Dickhudt preparing an oceanographic platform to measure wetland sediment transport in Forsythe NWR, NJ — Neil Ganju (standing) and Patrick Dickhudt preparing an oceanographic platform to measure wetland sediment transport in Forsythe NWR, New Jersey