At 200 - 500 m depth, thermocline water is characterised by strong vertical gradients of temperature and salinity. These water masses are found in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, but feature different hydrographic properties in either of the oceans. The floats perform underwater navigation using acoustics signals, which are transmitted by moored sound sources. Four black concentric circles indicate the sound source mooring positions, whereas float launch positions are indicated as coloured dots.
Colour lines indicate cruise tracks.
The bulk of the floats is expected to surface during the fall 1998 and spring 1999. They will then transmit their collected data, which will be evaluated and analysed by the laboratories involved. The resulting float trajectories shall then be compared with hydrographic and satellite data in order to identify ocean processes and water pathways. Details of the cruises and first results can be accessed through the links below. These pages are written mainly for the scientific community and might not be very interesting for the public.