This data set is a processed version of data obtained during the First GARP (Global Atmospheric Research Program) Global Experiment (FGGE). The data were obtained by 359 individual drifting buoys from November 1978 to January 1981 mostly in the southern hemisphere oceans. This data set was processed by Dr. Steven L. Patterson from NODC. The buoys were supplied by different countries. Included in the documentation is a description of the data set and a manuscript titled "Surface Circulation and Kinetic Energy Distribution in the South by S.L. Patterson". This paper was published in the Journal of Physical Oceanography 15 (7).

Data from 42 drifter deployments were released by Dr. Phil Richardson of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Some of the data were collected jointly with Dr. Robert Cheney while at the University of Rhode Island. The data were collected from October 1974 to April 1980 in the North Western Atlantic. Each drifter has its own reference number starting with L00717 and ending in L00759. The documentation includes floater format and file organization.

Depth, temperature, and other data were collected from the OCEANUS from June 21, 1991 to July 4, 1991. Data were submitted by Dr. Robert Weller of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. These data were collected using XBT casts in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

The accession contains drifting buoy data archived by Marine Environmental Data Service (MEDS), Canada. The data were collected between January 1986 and June 1988. The data are in DRIBU code and GF-3 format. Only positions and time are reported.

Current and other data were collected from fixed platforms in the South Atlantic Ocean from 22 February 1975 to 24 February 1980. Data were collected by the Texas A&M University (TAMU) as part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration / International Ocean Studies / First Dynamic Response and Kinematics Experiment in the Drake Passage (IDOE/ISOS/FDRAKE). Data were processed by NODC to the NODC standard F015 Current Meter Components format. The F015 format is used for time series measurements of ocean currents. These data are obtained from current meter moorings and represent Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed point and measure flow past a sensor. Position, bottom depth, sensor depth, and meter characteristics are reported for each station. The data record comprises values of east-west (u) and north-south (v) current vector components at specified date and time. Current direction is defined as the direction toward which the water is flowing with positive directions east and north and negative directions west and south. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10-15 minute time intervals. Water temperature, pressure, and conductivity or salinity may also be reported. A text record is available for optional comments.

Temperature and pressure profile data were collected using moored buoy from the Atlantic Ocean from July 28, 1974 to January 1, 1976. Data were submitted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Department of Geology and Geophysics in part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration/ Mid-Ocean Dynamics Experiment (IDOE/MODE) project.

Current meter components data were collected from FIXED PLATFORMS in the North Atlantic Ocean and others locations from 31 March 1979 to 01 November 1980. Data were collected by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Data were processed by NODC to the NODC standard F015 Current Meter Components format. The F015 format contains time series measurements of ocean currents. These data are obtained from current meter moorings and represent the Eulerian method of current measurement, i.e., the meters are deployed at a fixed point and measure flow past a sensor. Position, bottom depth, sensor depth and meter characteristics are reported for each station. The data record includes values of east-west (u) and north-south (v) current vector components at specified date and time. Current direction is defined as the direction toward which the water is flowing with positive directions east and north. Data values may be subject to averaging or filtering and are typically reported at 10 - 15 minute time intervals. Water temperature, pressure and conductivity or salinity may also be reported. A text record is available for optional comments.

Temperature, pressure, east-west current component, north-south current component, fluorescence, and other data were collected using moored buoy and profiling floats in the North Atlantic Ocean and North American Coastline-South from October 3, 1972 to July 13, 1973. Data were submitted by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution as part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration / Mid-Ocean Dynamics Experiment (IDOE/MODE). There is an analog file available.

Temperature profile and tide data were collected from fixed platforms in the Gulf of Mexico and the NW Atlantic (limit-40 W) from 15 April 1977 to 25 November 1980. Data were collected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration (IDOE) and the combination of USSR POLYGON project and US MODE (IDOE/POLYMODE) projects. The tide data found in files 31-76 of this submission contain tide data unassociated with any project and are filed under NODC reference #L00976.

Temperature and pressure profile data were collected using moored buoy in the Atlantic Ocean from November 20, 1973 to November 1, 1974. Data were submitted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Department of Geology and Geophysics as part of the International Decade of Ocean Exploration / Mid-Ocean Dynamics Experiment (IDOE/MODE) project.