drifter buoy – Page 2 – NOAA Teacher at Sea Blog

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025

Dorothy Holley: Introduction, July 25, 2025

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Dorothy Holley

Aboard NOAA Ship Pisces

July 31 – August 15, 2025

Introduction

Hello! My name is Dorothy Holley and I have been teaching Science in North Carolina for my whole career. While North Carolina does touch the Atlantic Ocean, I live in the capital city of Raleigh, about two and a half hours from the beach. And that’s just it…. my family, my students, my community….. we all think about going to the beach. But what is beyond the sand and the surf? The OCEAN!! Over 70% of the world is water!! That is a LOT of science lab space!!

For the next two weeks, I am going to be a NOAA Teacher at Sea. NOAA stands for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA is one of the seven uniformed services of our government, whose roots stretch back to 1807 when President Thomas Jefferson established the Survey of the Coast to create nautical charts for safe navigation. Today NOAA is responsible for weather forecasting, severe weather prediction, climate monitoring and research, ocean and coastal management, deep-sea exploration, as well as data collection and dissemination. In other words, NOAA helps us live better by supporting the economy, protecting life and property, and promoting environmental stewardship.

a political map of North Carolina, showing Raleigh to be roughly central to the state — Map of North Carolina. Raleigh is in the center. (Credit: World Atlas)

A couple of years ago, I worked in Washington, DC, to grow as an education leader. I wanted to understand how science education was being supported and how I could better prepare my students for life after high school. One of my first “field trips” was to NOAA offices in Maryland where I saw science being used to improve our quality of life.

a courtyard and tidal pool (creating waves that break against a wall) in front of buildings — NOAA headquarters

The picture below shows a Tide Predicting Machine that was designed by the U.S Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1895. Construction began in 1896 and was completed in 1910. The machine was used continually until 1965, when it was replaced by a computer.

a tide predicting machine - a large metal machine with many moving levers and dials - inside a glass case, on display. there are framed historic photographs of the machine located in and around the glass case. — Tide Predicting Machine, used until 1965

I also got to tour a NOAA “Hurricane Hunter.” These planes fly right into the eye of Hurricanes to gather important and real-time data.

Dorothy Holley in front of a Hurricane Hunter

view of a seat inside the airplane on tracks so that it can slide back and forth; a stack of computers or radio equipment in front the chair — Hurricane Hunter airplanes are modified for the mission!

The stickers on the bottom of the plane are like the stickers our football players put on their helmets each season to recognize special achievements on the field.

stickers on the belly of the airplane: first, three rows of flags of different nations; then four rows of red hurricane-shaped stickers containing storm names and dates — Real time data was collected from all of the Hurricanes listed here on the belly of the airplane

close up view of some of the storm stickers, red stickers shaped like a hurricane spiral: they read EPAC Bonny 1976, Frances 1976, Gloria 1976, Emily 1987, Floyd 1987, Florence 1988, Humberto 2001, Iris 2001, Michele 2001 — Close-up view of the stickers commemorating the storms this Hurricane Hunter surveyed

Last December, some of the other teachers at West Johnston High School and I participated in a teacher workshop on RESILIENCY. We visited a ghost forest and the second oldest federal marine laboratory in the nation. This NOAA facility in Beaufort, NC conducts scientific research to help us understand and preserve coastal environments, manage sustainable fisheries, and maintain coastal resilience.

four women in jackets and coats pose for a photo on a beach. behind them, we can see sun bleached stumps and knees of dead cypress trees — Teachers at West Johnston High School in a ghost forest on the NC coast.

As a Teacher at Sea, I will sail on NOAA Ship Pisces to better understand and relate the jobs of the scientists and the science being used. The Teacher at Sea program was established in 1990 and has been in existence for 35 years. Teachers from all 50 states as well as four territories have logged over 20,000 days at sea, sharing thousands of blog posts, conducting more than 100,000 hours of ocean-based research, and relating countless stories of science application. To become a Teacher at Sea, I had to fill out a lengthy application (which included asking people to write letters of reference on my behalf), attend virtual training sessions, read and fill out quite a bit of paperwork, and speak with a seasoned team of NOAA specialists who are invested in helping teachers make connections for their students. Charts, maps, and calendars have been consulted, checked, and analyzed!

view of a time capsule with a plaque that reads: This geodetic mark was established to commemorate 200 years of science, service, and stewardship to the nation by NOAA and its predecessor agencies and to mark the location of NOAA's 200th Celebration Time Capsule. The materials reflect the essence of NOAA in the year 2007, as well as the agency's rich history, preserved for the benefit of NOAA's future community. Sealed in December, 2007, to be opened in 2032. — NOAA’s 200th Celebration Time Capsule and Geodetic Mark

One special opportunity for me as a Teacher at Sea will be to deploy a DRIFTER and for us to monitor and analyze the drifter data. The Global Drifter Program began in 1979 with over 1,000 drifters already deployed. We can make predictions about marine debris, animal larvae paths, and oil spills, and then track our drifter after it is deployed. This data will ultimately help us make more accurate weather forecasts and track storms and hurricanes.

illustrated diagram of a drifter buoy. a white ball floats at the water line; this is labeled "Surface float - designed for moving on the surface with currents." The float has an Antenna, labeled: "the drifters transmit the data they collect as well as their position via satellite." Data is depicted as a gray triangle extending up from the antenna to a satellite in the sky, which is communicating with a satellite dish on land. Beneath the float, down into the water, extends a black cable, thicker toward the float. It's labeled: "Sensors: Sea Surface Temperature sensor and various measuring systems." The cable connects to what appears to be gray cylindrical tube, waving in the water labeled "Drogue: The buoys have some form of subsurface drogue or sea anchor." — Drifter information

A drifter ready to be deployed! Photo by TAS ’24 Tonya Prentice

I will share my NOAA Teacher at Sea journey here for you to read and to see. You are welcome to ask questions here on the blog and I will ask the team for help in answering them.

I can’t wait to begin this incredible journey!

Fair winds and safe sailing!

dholleyscience

July 3, 2024

Nick Lee: First Days at Sea, July 2, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Nick Lee

Aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson

June 29 – July 20, 2024

Mission: Pollock Acoustic-Trawl Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Eastern Bering Sea

Date: July 2, 2024

Weather Data from the Bridge:

Latitude: 59° 54.8 N
Longitude: 171° 54.9 W
Wind Speed: 14 knots
Air Temperature: 5.0° Celsius (41° F)

Science and Technology Log:

We’ve been sailing for just under two days, and I’ve already had an opportunity to witness lots of science aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson!

We spent the first day transiting to the start of the survey – I am part of Leg 2 for this cruise, and so we are picking up where Leg 1 left off. Since we won’t be able to find every pollock in the Bering Sea, we will need to rely on a representative sample, and then our data will be used to estimate the total stock.

The map below shows the intended path of our cruise, and the vertical lines represent transects, or lines along which we will collect data, spaced 40 nautical miles (or 74 km) apart so that we can cover the entire region with the time we have. Since we just recently arrived at the start of our survey, I’m still learning about the different data the science team will be collecting – more on that in a future blog post!

nautical chart of the Bering Sea, showing the land of Alaska to the east and a portion of Russia in the northwest. The cruise trajectory is overlaid in bold blue or red lines, with north-south transects connected by shorter westward connections. The blue transects start in Dutch Harbor and head west; the red transects are farther west — Map of the survey with the portion that I’ll be participating in shown in red, and the portion that has already been completed in blue.

On our way to our survey site, I was able to launch a drifter buoy through NOAA’s Adopt-a-Drifter Program. Unlike some other buoys, a drifter buoy is not fixed to the ocean floor. Instead, they float and “drift” with the ocean currents. Importantly, drifters are equipped with some sort of drogue – an underwater anchor. This way, the surface float (and the drogue) will move with ocean currents, but won’t be influenced as much by wind.

Deploying a drifter is as simple as dropping it into the ocean! I was able to deploy our first drifter last night off the stern (back of the ship). Our drifter was wrapped in biodegradable packaging for a safe deployment, but once in the water it should have opened up and extended to its full length.

a repeating video clip of Nick starting to toss the drifter buoy over the rail of NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson. he is wearing a helmet and a life vest, and looking away from the camera. — Deploying an ocean drifter.

Once deployed, the drifter transmits its location via satellite, and scientists are able to use this data to better understand ocean currents. You can track my drifter’s trajectory here!

In addition to a GPS that tracks location, drifters are often equipped with sensors for temperature, pressure, salinity, and more. Below is the path my drifter took in its first day after deployment, and the sea temperatures it encountered.

a map of a small section of the ocean between 191.2 to 192.0 degrees W and 55.4 to 56.2 degrees N. A series of colored squares form a small spiral in the middle; the squares range in color from orange to purple. Beneath the map there's a key explaining that the colors indicate temperature, ranging from purple (6 degrees Celsius) to red (7 degrees Celsius.) — Drifter trajectory and sea surface temperature.

I also was able to observe the deployment of a CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth) sensor. CTD measure some of the same properties as drifters, but CTDs are lowered down into the water and then raised back into the boat. This means that CTDs only collect data at one geographic location at a time, however, they collect data throughout the entire water column, from the surface down to the ocean floor (~80 meters at our last deployment). CTDs can also collect water samples at different depths, allowing scientists to study them further. NOAA has a great resource on CTDs here!

view of the conductivity, temperature, and depth probe (in the center of a cylindrical metal apparatus) suspended from a cable just beyond the railing of the ship; it is about 10 feet above the ocean's surface at this point. in the distance, the sky is gray and cloudy, and the ocean is gray and calm. — CTD being lowered to collect data.

Personal Log:

When I applied to NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program, I was told that one thing that was required of all its participants was flexibility. This is especially true for cruises leaving from Dutch Harbor, where bad weather and flight cancellations are common. On this leg, a series of travel delays meant that we left port a day later than expected. However, this meant that I was able to spend some time exploring Dutch Harbor!

Dutch Harbor is one of the most remote and beautiful places I’ve ever visited. During my wanderings around the town, I spotted whales, a fox, and plenty of bald eagles. Alaska’s military history is also apparent in the hills surrounding Dutch Harbor, which are full of World War II bunkers.

view of calm blue ocean waters from a green hillside; in the distance, two ships are visible — Views from Dutch Harbor (left), inside a World War II bunker (center), and one of many bald eagles (right).

view under the archway of a bunker - there's sand underneath and open vegetation beyond — Views from Dutch Harbor (left), inside a World War II bunker (center), and one of many bald eagles (right).

Since we left port, there’s been a lot to adjust to about living on a ship. The ship is a bit of a maze – lots of narrow hallways and hidden staircases. After making a lot of wrong turns, I’m starting to get a sense of the layout.

Work happens on the ship at all hours of the day – I’ve been assigned the night shift (4 pm – 4 am), so as a natural morning person, I’ve completely changed my sleep schedule! Because someone is always working, that also means that someone is always trying to sleep, so I’ve learned to be careful about not letting doors slam behind me.

view of a stateroom: two berths (bunk beds), a chair, a window with curtains, a hiking backpack and a bag. — My stateroom for the next three weeks.

This morning, we practiced our first set of safety drills. To simulate what would happen if we needed to abandon ship, everyone was required to don a survival suit (also called a “Gumby suit”). It was quite a process to put on the suit – luckily one of the other scientists, Mike, gave me some pointers ahead of time!

Nick poses, thumbs up, for a photo in the survival suit; it covers his mouth and nose — Gumby suit

I’m looking forward to learning more about life at sea over the next few weeks!

Did You Know?

NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson was named after an Alaskan fisherman and activist who worked to improve the industry for other Alaskans (https://www.omao.noaa.gov/marine-operations/ships/oscar-dyson )

June 21, 2024June 21, 2024

Nick Lee: Teacher at Sea Introduction, June 21, 2024

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Nick Lee
Aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson
June 29 – July 20, 2024

Mission: Pollock Acoustic-Trawl Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Eastern Bering Sea

Date: June 21, 2024

Introduction:

Hello! My name is Nick Lee, and I am excited to be one of this year’s Teachers at Sea! I teach 11th/12th Grade Environmental Science and Computer Science at Codman Academy Charter Public School, located in Dorchester, MA (a neighborhood of Boston).

Nick stands on a small boat, wearing a life vest and holding a scientific instrument, probably one that measures water chemistry. We can see calm water surrounding the boat and a semi-developed shoreline not far in the distance. — Photo Credit: Ed Yoo

I love teaching Environmental Science, because I’m able to take students outside of the classroom on fieldwork (at Codman, we call academic field trips ‘fieldwork’). We have studied the trees in our schools microforest, visited local farms, and explored different parts of the Greater Boston coastline. This past year, we were fortunate to work with the Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research, a partnership that allowed us to take students out on the water and collect samples in the intertidal zone.

Two students, wearing hoodies with the hoods obscuring their faces, stand in the seaweed wrack on a shoreline holding large white buckets. One is dipping the bucket into the water to take a sample, while the other, wearing a life vest, waits nearby. We see a small white skiff with an outboard motor, anchored in the water, in the far corner of the photo. — Environmental Science exploring the intertidal zone at the Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research (Photo Credit: Ed Yoo)

My students even had the opportunity to build an ocean drifter, which helps scientists track currents and marine debris. A local fisherman helped us launch the drifter, and we’ve been tracking its movement off the coast of Massachusetts (you can find its current location here: https://studentdrifters.org/tracks/drift_stonehill_2024_1.html). I’ll hopefully be launching another drifter in the Eastern Bering Sea this summer, and next year’s students will be able to compare the paths the two drifters take.

a Google Earth aerial view of the coast of Massachusetts with two trajectories displayed in white and teal lines around the water; the trajectory lines are very squiggly, indicating that the buoys spent a while circling in the bay before clearing the "hook" of Cape Cod. — Path of Codman’s Ocean Drifter (white) as of June 21, 2024

I’m looking forward to learning more about marine science this summer, and I hope to bring back as much knowledge as possible for my students!

Science and Technology Log:

In a little over a week, I will be sailing aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson as part of the science team on a pollock survey. Just getting to NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson will be an adventure – I’ll be flying from Boston to Seattle, Seattle to Anchorage, and then Anchorage to Dutch Harbor!

starboard view of NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson (R 224) underway — NOAA Ship *Oscar Dyson* (Photo credit: NOAA)

I’ve already been in touch with two members of the science team: Abigail McCarthy and Robert Levine. Both were kind enough to send me some reading to learn about the ship’s mission – there’s a lot of new terms but I’m starting to get a better picture of what we’ll be doing!

We will be sailing on a Midwater Assessment and Conservation Engineering (MACE) survey, collecting data on primarily walleye (Alaska) pollock. Most of my job will be to help process the fish in the trawl catch, recording data like fish species, length, and age. The data we collect will help scientists learn more about the current pollock population in the Eastern Bering Sea, ultimately informing the quotas (limits) set for commercial fishing operations.

a scientific illustration of an Alaska pollock, showing the characteristic three dorsal fins — Alaska pollock, also known as walleye pollock. (Photo credit: NOAA)

This process is crucial to prevent overfishing – in 2022 commercial fishermen caught over 2.7 billion pounds of Alaska pollock (valued at $316 million) from the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/alaska-pollock). While these numbers may seem high, careful management has kept commercial pollock fishing operations sustainable. In fact, NOAA calls US wild-caught Alaska Pollock a “smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations” (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/alaska-pollock/seafood).

I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such important work for the future of our oceans and fisheries!

Personal Log:

I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri, far from the ocean. However, since I’ve been teaching environmental science in Boston, I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about our planet’s oceans and the importance of protecting them.

Last year, through the generous support of the Pat Cooke Foundation, I was able to travel to the Netherlands, where I spent two weeks working with a small-scale fishing company. There, I was able to catch wild oysters and sea bass, and participate in all steps of seafood production, from catching and processing fish to selling direct to consumers in restaurants and markets. I also learned how most fish we buy in supermarkets change hands many times, sometimes traveling across the world for days or even weeks before being purchased by the consumer. This experience has made me passionate about sustainable seafood – recently, I’ve been trying to buy only seafood local to Massachusetts and New England.

Nick stands on the back of a fishing vessel in the ocean; land is only barely visible at the horizon far in the distance. He's wearing a long sleeved shirt, gray fishing overalls, boots, black gloves, and a hat. In his left hand he grasps three fish by their gills. Behind him on the deck we see crates for holding fish. The sky is partially clouded in lovely shades of blue, pink, and purple. — Last summer, I worked with a small-scale fishing company in the Netherlands that caught and sold wild oysters and sea bass.

I’m excited to be back working with fish this summer, and I’m looking forward to learning more about sustainable fishing from the scientists and crew aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson.

Did You Know?

Many fish, birds, and mammals including Steller sea lions depend on Alaska pollock as a food source (https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/alaska-pollock/overview).

August 23, 2018

Tom Savage: Farewell Fairweather and the Drifter Buoy, August 23, 2018

NOAA Teacher at Sea

Tom Savage

Aboard NOAA Ship Fairweather

August 6 – 23, 2018

Mission: Arctic Access Hydrographic Survey

Geographic Area of Cruise: Point Hope, northwest Alaska

Date: August 23, 2018

Weather Data from the Bridge

Latitude 87 43.9 N
Longitude – 152 28.3 W
Air temperature: 12 C
Dry bulb 12 C
Wet bulb 11 C
Visibility: 10 Nautical Miles
Wind speed: 2 knots
Wind direction: east
Barometer: 1011.4 millibars
Cloud Height: 2000 K feet
Waves: 0 feet

Sunrise: 6:33 am
Sunset: 11:45 pm

Science and Technology Log

Today we deployed the drifter buoy off the stern of the Fairweather off the southeast coast of Kodiak Island Alaska, at 3:30 pm Alaskan time zone. The buoy will be transmitting its location for approximately one year. During this time, students will be have the opportunity to logon and track its progress.

This project is very exciting for many of my students at the Henderson County Early College and elementary students at Atkinson Elementary (Mills River, NC) and Hillandale Elementary (Henderson County, NC) that have participated in my “Young Scientists” program. Prior to my journey to Alaska, I visited those elementary schools introducing them to the mapping that we were going to collect and the important mission of NOAA. As part of this outreach, students designed stickers that I placed on the buoy prior to deployment yesterday. In addition, Ms. Sarah Hills, a middle school science teacher from the country of Turkey, is also going to track its progress.

An interesting note: my “Young Scientists” program was inspired in 2015 after participating in my first Teacher at Sea trip on board NOAA Ship Henry Bigelow. I would like to thank the NOAA Teacher at Sea Alumni coordinator Jenn Annetta and Emily Susko for supporting this effort!

Drifter buoy — Deploying the drifter buoy off the stern of the Fairweather – Photo by NOAA

All schools are welcome to track its current location. Visit the following site http://osmc.noaa.gov/Monitor/OSMC/OSMC.html. In the upper left hand corner enter the WMO ID# 2101601 and then click the refresh map in the right hand corner.

The last day at sea, crew members had the opportunity to fish from the ship in a region called the “Eight Ball,” which is a shoal just of to the southwest of Kodiak Island. Within ten minutes, the reels were active hauling in Halibut. I have never seen fish this big before and Eric reeled in the biggest catch weighing around 50 lbs! Alaska is a big state with big fish!

Halibut — Eric hauling in his catch! Photo by Tom

Personal Log

This is my last day on board the Fairweather. For three weeks I witnessed a young NOAA Corps crew orchestrate an amazing level of professionalism and responsibilities to ensure a productive mission. While on board and I met new friends and I have learned so much and will be bringing home new lessons and activities for years to come. The crew on board the ship has been very warm, patient and very happy to help answer questions. I am very honored to be selected for a second cruise and have enjoyed every minute; thank you so much! As we sailed into Kodiak Island, witnessed an eye catching sunrise, wow!

Kodiak Sunrise — Sunrise, Kodiak Island – photo by Tom

I wish the crew of the Fairweather, Fair winds and happy seas.

Tom

March 1, 2012August 11, 2021

Wes Struble: Science Research in the Bahamas? Sign me up! February 27, 2012

NOAA Teacher at Sea
Wes Struble
Aboard NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown
February 15 – March 5, 2012

Mission: Western Boundary Time Series
Geographical Area: Sub-Tropical Atlantic, off the Coast of the Bahamas
Date: February 27, 2012

Weather Data from the Bridge

Position: 26 degrees 31 minutes North Latitude & 76 degrees 48 minutes West Longitude / 9 miles east of the Bahamas
Windspeed: 8 knots
Wind Direction: East by Southeast
Air Temperature: 24.8 deg C / 76.5 deg F
Water Temperature: 24.2 deg C / 75.5 deg F
Atm Pressure: 1025 mb
Water Depth: 3830 meters / 12,770 feet
Cloud Cover: Approximately 60%
Cloud Type: Some altostratus and cumulostratus

Science/Technology Log:

The temperature has become quite warm and it has been a delight to walk around the deck in the sunshine in a t-shirt and shorts (the current weather back home is between 10 and 20 deg F and snowing). As you can see from the photo below the weather continues to be clear with some fair weather cumulus clouds and a light breeze.

Ron Brown Cruise - 16 Feb 2012 008 — A view of the wide western Atlantic off the Ron Brown's bow from the weather deck several days after leaving the port of Charleston, SC

TAS - Ron Brown - 17 Feb 2012 006 — The Ron Brown's wake trailing off into the west as we head toward our first CTD station

Ron Brown - 25 Feb 2012 - 2 002 — NOAA research scientist, Dr. Molly Baringer, Chief Scientist during the cruise, catches up on some computer work and reading in the shade of the bridge on the "lifeguard chair" on the "steel beach" (the weather deck) of the NOAA research vessel Ronald H Brown

TAS - Ron Brown - 17 Feb 2012 009 — A drifter buoy arrives prepackaged and ready for deployment

Ron Brown Cruise - 16 Feb 2012 009 — Removing the plastic packaging and recording the coordinates and serial number of the drifter buoy before deployment

Ron Brown Cruise - 16 Feb 2012 010 — A drifter buoy ready for deployment by Dr. Aurelie Duchez

Ron Brown Cruise - 16 Feb 2012 011 — Dr. Aurelie Duchez tosses the drifter over the stern of the Ron Brown. This cruise is a continuation of a long period of study (over 30 years) of the Gulf Stream and the Western Boundary currents in and around the region of Florida and the Bahamas. This region is of particular interest because of the impact these currents have on the weather and climate patterns of the northeastern North America and Northern Europe. The Gulf Stream current helps transport large amounts of heat energy derived from the equatorial Atlantic to the northern latitudes of America and Europe. An image of the Gulf Stream current from space - NASA photo. The Gulf Stream is the orange colored current that passes on the east coast of Florida and flows north along the eastern seaboard of the US

This phenomenon helps to moderate the climates of those areas by producing milder temperatures than would normally occur at these latitudes. Changes in the characteristics of these currents could potentially have a profound affect on the climates of these regions and it would be of particular interest to understand in detail the nature and interaction of these mobile bodies of water. To study these currents a combination of techniques have been employed. We should all be familiar with the concept of induction – the process of producing a current in a conductor by moving it through an electromagnetic field. This was one of the more important discoveries of Michael Faraday and is one for which we should be very grateful since most of our modern world depends upon the application of this scientific discovery.

M. Faraday — Michael Faraday - the great British Scientist

As an example think of what modern life would be like without electric motors or generators. Well, it just so happens there exist old communications cables on the seafloor under these very currents between south Florida and the Bahamas. These cables are affected by a combination of the earth’s magnetic field and the motion of the seawater (a solution composed primarily of dissolved ions, charged particles, of Na⁺ and Cl^–). This combination of charges, motion, and the earth’s magnetic field causes a weak electrical current to be induced in the cable – a current which researchers have been able to measure.

cable_schematic3 — A schematic showings the induction of an electric current in the underwater cable by motion of the sea water current (NOAA Image)

The electric current in the cable can be related mathematically to the strength of the ocean currents flowing over them. In addition to the data produced by the cable, the NOAA scientists are also deploying moored buoys below the surface that measure the characteristics of the seawater (temperature, density, etc) and use an Acoustic Doppler array to measure the relative motion of the current.

ADCP image from Grand Valley State Univsersity — ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) and two other types of buoys - image from Grand Valley State University

ADCP Image — An ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) buoy - Image from SAIC

Ron Brown - 25 Feb 2012 033 — A buoy deployment operation on the Ron Brown. Notice the large orange spherical ADCP buoys in the right foreground on the deck of the ship

These two data acquisition systems (in addition to the drifter buoys and CTD sampling) provide the data used to analyze the dynamics of the currents. As more data is collected and analyzed the nature and impact of these currents is slowly unraveled. Consider visiting the following website for a more detailed explanation:

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/wbts/index.php