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Free-floating satellite-tracked lagrangian drifters are deployed as part of the EcoFOCI oceanographic research effort. Drifters are drogued at 25 or 40 meters depth, eliminating wind influence on drifter movement. At northern latitudes, an average of 15 positions per day are obtained from satellite-based Argos instruments, and relayed to NOAA/PMEL via ground-based telemeter stations and processing centers. Drifters are Metocean Holey-sock or Technocean Tristar drogues. We transform incoming data to drifter plots and animations that show along-track motion. Data and plots are published for public use.
- Chukchi Sea Drifter & Ice Concentration Movie, 23-second M4V, Oct.1-Nov.24, 2011
- Data Download: completed drifters 1986 to present. Data are available individually or as a gzip file of all drifters per-year. Drifter data that spans more than one year are listed under the start year. Downloadable data come from completed, non-transmitting drifters. Please contact EcoFOCI for questions or assistance.
- Animations: 2001 to present
Drifter Deployment
