Observing and Modeling the Pacific Ocean [Video]

Abstract

Marine scientists incorporate a wide array of observations and models to understand the oceans,\xa0their dynamics, and the life they support.\xa0The development of new sensing technologies such as satellites, gliders, and robotic floats, as well\xa0as increasing public\xa0interest and funding for projects\xa0to\xa0investigate the ocean’s role in climate change,\xa0has\xa0transformed\xa0marine sciences into big data sciences. But the\xa0observational\xa0scientist still faces numerous obstacles in measuring ocean characteristics such as sea surface height, currents, temperature, salinity, water color,\xa0ocean chemistry, and undersea life: electromagnetic radiation does not\xa0readily penetrate its waters, which makes it harder to conduct observations and communicate with underwater instruments, and because oceans are full of life,\xa0so called biofouling \xa0is a challenge to observing, especially in the sun-lit layers near the surface.\xa0Nevertheless, new technologies such as robotic vehicles and new sensors are enabling observations throughout the ocean water column.\xa0These technologies, coupled with rapidly advancing ocean models, are revolutionizing our understanding of the marine biosphere. \\[Image: UCSB undergraduates Andie Rupprecht and Sean Jawetz recover a robotic stand-up paddle board used for measuring ocean currents. Photograph by Libe Washburn.\\]\n \nVideo available: https://vimeo.com/527397347