Below the surface Observation

These labels tell you how each science layer gets its numbers. This is a help guide; it does not change the map.

Observation Measured by an instrument. For example, an Argo float measures water temperature and salinity. Check the measurement date: it may not be from today.

Observation-derived estimate Estimated from measurements. For example, satellite readings are processed into the sea-ice and marine-heatwave maps.

Model estimate Calculated by a computer model. Examples include wind, waves and ocean chemistry. These are not direct measurements at the place you click.

Observations + model Measurements and model results appear together. Open the layer information to see which is which.

An estimate is not automatically wrong, and a measurement is not exact. Each layer's information explains its dates, detail and known limitations.

Source

International Argo Program via Marine Institute ERDDAP

Citation / DOI

10.17882/42182

Resolution

Individual float profiles, irregular vertical and geographic sampling; no nominal horizontal grid.

Update cadence

Profiles arrive as floats surface; bounded saved sample, not a continuous global stream.

Licence

CC BY 4.0 (Marine Institute dataset).

Uncertainty

Original QC flags and adjusted errors are shown when retained. Missing flags or errors are not inferred.

Time coverage

Selectable saved profiles have their own times and locations; they are not a time series at one fixed point.