Glider-derived Ocean Currents

Missions 18, 19, 20, and 21: Successfully Completed

Glider ID StatusRegionDeployment# of profilesLast Comm. (UTC)
SG630RecoveredCaribbean Sea07/16/2018
SG635RecoveredCaribbean Sea07/16/2018
SG610RecoveredNorth Atlantic07/19/2018
SG649RecoveredNorth Atlantic07/31/2018

AOML also operates four additional gliders in partnership with the US Navy. Data from these gliders can be found in the IOOS website

This web page provides access to surface and depth averaged ocean currents determined with underwater gliders.

SG630 SG635 SG610 SG649

Maps of Glider-derived Ocean Currents SG630

Next Loop >>

Surface currents are estimated by the underwater glider as the drift of the vehicle during the time when it is standing at the surface between dives, using GPS time and Location.

Underwater gliders use an accurate hydrodynamic model to determine the path of the vehicle in still water based on its speed and direction. Using this model, depth-averaged currents are determined by comparing the predicted surfacing location of the vehicle with the actual surfacing position according to the GPS. Depth average currents estimates have an accuracy of 0.01 cm/s and are assumed to act over the whole profile uniformly.