MARINE OBSERVATION SOURCE · S004
Global Drifter Program (GDP)
Discover marine observations available through Global Drifter Program (GDP), including parameters, platforms, spatial and temporal coverage, metadata, and access methods.
- Operator
- NOAA AOML
- Role
- Observation network + archive
- Platforms
- Surface drifting buoys
- Observed variables
- Position; surface currents; SST; often SLP; selected extra sensors
- Spatial coverage
- Global open ocean
- Period
- 1979-present
- Depth coverage
- Surface / drogue depth metadata
- QC and data mode
- Real-time plus QC database updated every few months
- Access method
- Real-time search; interpolated search; entire hourly dataset; delayed-mode QC bulk download
- Indexed download targets
- 4
Canonical parameters
- Sea-level / barometric pressure
air_pressure_at_sea_level - Eastward ocean current
eastward_sea_water_velocity - Northward ocean current
northward_sea_water_velocity - Sea-surface temperature
sea_surface_temperature
Discovery and access
Drogue status is essential metadata for interpreting current velocity.