Contours are plotted at the following depths: 3000 m, 2000 m, 1000 m, 500 m, 200 m, 150 m, 100 m, 80 m, 60 m, 40 m, 20 m.
Colors denote Sea Surface Temperature
2012 SST-trace Drifter Animation
2012 BOEM-UAF Chukchi/Western Beaufort circulation study home page
2011 Drifter plots and animation
Background:
The data displayed on this page are collected as part of a satellite-tracked drifter study in the Northeast Chukchi Sea in the summer of 2012. The sampling involves co-located deployments of WOCE SVP (10 m drogue) and Microstar (1 m drogue) drifters to ascertain the surface and near surface circulation. These cluster deployments will allow us to better understand current shear in the upper ocean and its relation to seasonal changes in stratification and winds. The data and this understanding will be useful in evaluating circulation and oil spill trajectory models for this shelf. This data is used with companion studies of surface current mapping radars, instrumented moorings and autonomous gliders to engender a more comprehensive understanding of the Chukchi Sea's physical dynamics.
Acknowledgements:
Offshore deployments are funded through the Coastal Marine Instutute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Sponsors include the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Shell Oil, Conoco Phillips, and Statoil. Nearshore drifter deployments are funded by the North Slope Borough/Shell Baseline Studies Program and deployed by the North Slope Borough's Department of Wildlife Management.
Offshore deployments are funded through the Coastal Marine Instutute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Sponsors include the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Shell Oil, Conoco Phillips, and Statoil. Nearshore drifter deployments are funded by the North Slope Borough/Shell Baseline Studies Program and deployed by the North Slope Borough's Department of Wildlife Management. Deep (30 m drouges) drifters are contributed by NOAA/PMEL.
Contact:
For information about these deployments, contact
Institute of Marine Science
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Room 115 O'Neill Building
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220
Phone: (907) 474-7993
email: tjweingartner@alaska.edu
Institute of Marine Science
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Room 114 O'Neill Building
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220
Phone: (907) 474-7834
email: sldanielson@alaska.edu