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# Deep Ocean Drifter

## Currents Tutorial

To monitor ocean currents and ocean water characteristics far beneath  the ocean surface, scientists use devices called profiling floats.  While Davis drifters remain at the ocean surface during their  deployment, profiling floats are programmed to sink to a particular  depth and remain there for a specific period of time. At that depth,  which scientists call a "parking depth", the profiling float drifts  with the prevailing current. After the pre-programmed time period, the  profiling float begins to rises to the ocean surface. As the profiling  float ascends, it can be programmed to take a series measurements from  the surrounding water, which may include the water's temperature,  salinity, and pressure. When the profiling float reaches the surface,  it transmits its data to an orbiting satellite to determine the  profiling float's position, and begin to receive the profiling floats  data. The satellite also receives information about the path the float  has taken while it was drifting. When all of the float's data has been  transmitted, the float sinks again to drift and the cycle is repeated.  Floats are designed to make about 150 such cycles. Some floats, such as  the one depicted in the image below, can sink and drift up to 2,000  meters (approximately 6,500 feet) beneath the surface of the ocean.

### Currents Lessons

              - Welcome
              - Tidal Currents 1
              - Tidal Currents 2
              Coastal Currents
              - Waves
              - Longshore Currents
              - Rip Currents
              - Upwelling
              Surface Ocean Currents
              - The Coriolis Effect
              - Surface Ocean Currents
              - Boundary Currents
              - The Ekman Spiral
              The Global Conveyor Belt
              - Thermohaline Circulation
              - The Global Conveyor Belt
              - Effects of Climate Change
              How Are Currents Measured?
              - Age of Exploration
              - What is a "knot"?
              - Shallow Water Drifter
              - Deep Ocean Drifter
              - Current Profiler
              - Shore-based Current Meters
              - How Currents Affect Our Lives?
              - References
              - Roadmap to Resources
              - Subject Review

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