CALYPSO Drifter Data

DESCRIPTION

The Lagrangian Drifter Laboratory’s CALYPSO dataset was funded by the Office of Naval Research. The dataset encompasses drifter deployments from 2018 to 2022 in the Mediterranean Sea. A description of the CALYPSO project can be found here.

A combination of Surface Velocity Program (SVP) drifters and Directional Wave Spectra Drifters (DWSDs) were deployed. The SVP drifters have a drogue at 15 m depth and measure the near-surface ocean currents while taking observations of surface temperature. The DWSDs measure the sea surface temperature, sea level pressure, and wave energy and direction.  Three datasets are available:

SVP Data include hourly drifter time, location, and sea surface temperature. The data are quality controlled to eliminate spikes in temperature and GPS location (using 3 standard deviations for each temperature and speed) and land.  A variable for the drogue is included. A change in the baseline drogue may indicate a change in the drogue status, such as the drogue becoming unattached.

DWSD Sensor Data include time, location, sea surface temperature, sea level pressure, and bulk wave parameters such as significant wave height. The sensor file also includes the quality control flags for the wave observations.

DWSD First-Five Data files contain the wave energy and directional coefficients: a₀, a₁, b₁, a₂, and b₂. When a wave observation is taken, the timestamps between the two files will correspond.

HOW TO USE THESE DATA

The data are available via the ERDDAP framework, with links for each of the citations.

• The data are available for your use only.
• As you proceed with your analysis, please track the portion of the data that will be used in publications and communicate that information to us.
• Please cite the datasets as in the CITATIONS below and provide us with the full reference(s) associated with the data DOI.