Global Ocean Surface Currents from Drifters (Monthly Climatology)

A climatology of near-surface currents and temperatures for the world, one-quarter degree resolution, derived from satellite-tracked surface drifting buoy observations. This layer shows global ocean surface currents using magnitude and direction. Magnitude is represented in meters per second (m/s) and direction is represented in geographic degrees. Follow this link for [more information.] Ocean currents are important for several reasons: 1. Climate regulation: Ocean currents play a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate by distributing heat around the planet. For example, the Gulf Stream carries warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic, which helps to moderate temperatures in Europe. 2. Nutrient distribution: Ocean currents transport nutrients from deep waters to the surface, supporting the growth of phytoplankton and other marine organisms. These organisms form the base of the marine food web and are essential for the survival of many species, including fish and marine mammals. 3. Oxygen production: Phytoplankton, which rely on nutrients brought to the surface by ocean currents, are responsible for producing a significant portion of the Earth's oxygen through photosynthesis. 4. Marine ecosystems: Ocean currents influence the distribution of marine species and shape the structure of marine ecosystems. They can create habitats for specific organisms and affect the migration patterns of marine animals. 5. Transportation and trade: Ocean currents have been used for centuries as natural highways for maritime transportation and trade. They can help ships travel more efficiently by taking advantage of favorable currents. This climatology was developed by Rick Lumpkin (NOAA/AOML) and Lucas Laurindo (Univ. Miami), in collaboration with Arthur Mariano (Univ. Miami), Mayra Pazos (NOAA/AOML), and Erik Valdes (CIMAS/AOML). Previous versions were developed with Gregory Johnson (NOAA/PMEL), Silvia Garzoli (NOAA/AOML), Jessica Redman (CIMAS), and Zulema Garraffo (Univ. Miami). More Information: [https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/phod/gdp/mean_velocity.php] . Dataset Summary Phenomenon Mapped: Ocean currents - magnitude (meters/second) and direction (geographic degrees) Geographic Extent: Global Ocean (73S to 85N) Projection: GCS WGS84 Cell Size: 30 kilometers (~30km) Pixel Depth: 64-bit; Double Units: Magnitude in (meters/second) meters per second (m/s) and direction is represented in geographic degrees Dimensions: Time (Monthly Climatology) Time Extent: Data from 2005-2023 was compiled and used to generate this monthly climatology Source:NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory – Physical Oceanography Division (PhOD), Data Vintage: 3.10, released 21 August 2023 Publication Date: July 2024 What can you do with this layer? The layer can be used in analysis and visualization. This layer can be used to summarize the minimum magnitude, maximum magnitude, and mean magnitude values withing a polygon (using zonal statistics). In ArcGIS Online this layer can be used with [the “Flow” renderer to visualize ocean currents] with movement. Questions? Please leave a comment below if you have a question about this layer, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.