WHOI Technical Reports
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The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution publishes technical reports describing projects carried out by WHOI researchers. New reports are added as they become available.
Pre-1978 reports are scanned and added by request; contact the WHOAS project manager whoas@whoi.edu to have a Technical Report added.
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Technical ReportCALYPSO 2022 N/O Pourquoi Pas? Cruise Report(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2025-06)This report summarizes activities on the French research vessel Pourquoi Pas? operating as part of the Office of Naval Research CALYPSO project during its main 2022 field program in the northwest Mediterranean. Other components of this field program included the Netherland’s research vessel R.V. Pelagia, a fleet of underwater gliders operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB). The goals of the CALYPSO DRI are to observe and predict the three-dimensional pathways by which water from the surface ocean makes its way into the deeper ocean. The focus was on the submesoscale (roughly 10 km and smaller) where geostrophic balance breaks down and ageostrophic flows tend to create strong vertical motion The work involved several US institutions, IMEDEA (CSIC) and SOCIB (Spain) and CNR (Italy). The following cruise report may also be useful. Cruise report R/V Pelagia Cruise No. 64pe497, 18 Feb – 12 Mar 2022, Palma – Palma, Spain: Johnston, S, N. Calafat, B. Casas, E. Cutolo, R. Daniels, F. Falcieri, T. Litchendorf, I. Lizar´an, C. McNeil, A. Pascual, N. Reynard, A. Shcherbina, & J. Tintor´e 2022. doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/EN7T4
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Technical ReportTwenty-third Setting of the Stratus Ocean Reference Station Cruise On Board RV Cabo de Hornos March 10 – 23, 2025 Valparaiso, Chile – Valparaiso, Chile(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2025-05)The Ocean Reference Station at 22 °S, 85 °W under the stratus clouds west of northern Chile is being maintained to provide ongoing climate-quality records of surface meteorology, air-sea fluxes of heat, freshwater, and momentum, and of upper ocean temperature, salinity, and velocity variability. The Stratus Ocean Reference Station (ORS Stratus) is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Observation Program. It is recovered and redeployed annually, with past cruises that have come between October and May. This cruise was conducted from March 10 to 23 on the Chilean research vessel Cabo de Hornos. During the 2025 cruise on the Cabo de Hornos to the ORS Stratus site, the primary activities were the recovery of the previous (Stratus 22) WHOI surface mooring, deployment of the new Stratus 23 WHOI surface mooring, in-situ calibration of the buoy meteorological sensors by comparison with instrumentation installed on the ship, CTD casts near the moorings. Surface drifters were also launched along the track.
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Technical Report2023 program of study: GFD on other worlds(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2025-05)The 2023 Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Summer Study Program started on June 20th on the topic of GFD on other worlds. The principal lectures were given by Professors Heather Knutson (Caltech) and Geoff Vallis (University of Exeter). Heather’s lectures described what we can find out about GFD on other worlds from observations of extrasolar planets, and reminded everyone of the power of well-designed blackboard talks in engaging their audience. Geoff’s lectures covered a number of ’hot’ theoretical topics on the atmospheric dynamics of our solar system planets as well as giant and terrestrial exoplanets. We also had two tutorials: a fun “DYNamics” demonstration of properties and instabilities of rotating fluids by Jon Aurnou (UCLA) and the now yearly “Dedalus tutorial” by Keaton Burns (MIT).
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Technical ReportA digital Planck universe and the flow of time(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2025-04)This report describes a continuation of the theoretical work reported previously in two WHOI Blue Cover reports, WHOI-2024-02 and WHOI-2024-04, the former entitled “A Higgs universe and the flow of time” and the latter entitled "“A digital Higgs universe and the flow of time.” This report extends the work found in the previous two reports to quantum effects, a more in-depth treatment of the nature of time, and a look at the fundamental particle table. The overall work is an outline or sketch of a full theory, and it’s value is in the basic concepts, plus some initial results. Recommendations for further work are also presented.
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Technical ReportPreliminary acoustic and oceanographic observations and configuration information from the 2021 NESBA Experiment(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2025-03)The 2021 New England Shelfbreak Acoustics (NESBA) experiment was sponsored by ONR to investigate sound propagation and scattering effects on the southern New England shelfbreak. The shelfbreak region has been observed to have increased soundspeed variability due to physical oceanographic, geological, and biological effects, such as an increased influence from the Gulf Stream. The abrupt topography (i.e. slope) and submarine canyons, varying seabed properties, and oceanographic features such as the shelfbreak front, thermohaline intrusions, and shelfwater streamers resulted in varying sound propagation and 3D effects. The experiment consisted of a network of acoustic and oceanographic moored equipment complimented by multi vessel operations over a six-month period. The acoustic and environmental sensor parameters from moored, deployed and towed assets are described in this technical report.
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Technical ReportGeologic effects of ocean bottom currents : western North Atlantic(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1972-07)Bottom photographs, sediment cores and high resolution echograms from the Atlantic continental margin of North America reveal distinctive features created by the Western Boundary Undercurrent, a deep current associated with the thermohaline circulation of the Atlantic. Current lineations observed in oriented bottom photographs taken on the continental rise show features indicative of significant sediment transport and deposition parallel to bathymetric contours. Bottom current directions inferred from the orientation of current lincations correspond to the flow direction of the Western Boundary Undercurrent predicted long ago by the pioneering work of Georg Wüst. Sediment cores reveal a distribution of distinctive brick-red clay that has apparently been transported from the Cabot Strait southwesterly to. the Blake-Bahama Outer Ridge. Massive muddy sands are typically found on abyssal plains. The graywacke-type sands from the abyssal plains may exceed 50 cm in thickness, and as a rule, rarely exceed 50 per 10 m of core. The continental rise is, on the other hand, underlain by sediment containing as many as 500, thin ( IOOcm/sec) turbidity currents flowing downslope; and 2) continental material transported in suspension through the water column and subsequently mixed with pelagic components to form hemipelagic sediment. The very largest and most competent turbidity currents reach the abyssal plains where they deposit relatively thick beds of muddy, graded coarse sand, silt and clay known as Turbidites. The well-sorted fine sand, silt and clay laminations deposited by contour currents flowing on the continental rise are known as Contourites.
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Technical ReportA compilation of moored current-meter data from three topographic experiments : the Bermuda microstructure array, the island trapped waves array and the Gibbs fracture zone array, volume XXVII(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1981-08)
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Technical ReportExperimental evidence of geomagnetic orientation in elasmobranch fishes(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1979-03)Marine sharks, skates, and rays are endowed with an electric sense that enables them to detect voltage gradients as low as 0.01 μV/cm within the frequency range of direct current (DC) up to about 8 Hz. Their electroreceptor system comprises the ampullae of Lorenzini, which are delicate sensory structures in the snouts of these elasmobranch fishes. Sharks, skates, and rays use their electric sense in predation, sharply cueing in on the DC and low-frequency bioelectric fields of their prey. Swimming through the earth's magnetic field, they also induce electric fields that may provide them with the physical basis of an electromagnetic compass sense. Their ability to orient magnetically has in fact been demonstrated in recent training experiments.
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Technical ReportReport of the live large whale stranding response workshop(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-11)Reasoned triage and management of live large whale stranding events prompted this workshop. Safety is paramount for humans and must be mitigated for them and whales during responses. Clinical assessment is critical, with emaciation and poor prognosis often worsening welfare if released. Accurate length and estimated weight data are essential. Supportive care and treatments depend on understanding the underlying pathophysiology of stranding. Maintaining an airway, monitoring breathing, minimizing stress, protecting eyes, modulating temperature, and preventing sunburn are priorities. Additional strategies can include mild sedation, fluid administration, and flipper excavation to relieve pressure. Tools to indicate post-release survival include photographs, genetic samples, paint sticks, and identification, VHF, or satellite-linked tags. Acceptable rescue techniques included towing offshore with a tackle or lines over or under the body and around the axillae, inflatable lift bags, and trenching. Nets and towing by the flukes are unsuitable. Refloating of stranded large whales can be considered if a clinical examination suggests a favorable prognosis, and a release method could be safely undertaken without undue stress and trauma to the animal. However, in many cases euthanasia is the most humane option if practical, or letting nature take its course if need be.
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Technical ReportCyclonic rings formed by the Gulf Stream 1965-66(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1972-06)A cyclonic ring of Gulf Stream origin is defined to be a member of a special class of eddy; when the meandering Gulf Stream forms a long loop to the right of its downstream direction and the two sides of the loop, with currents flowing in opposite directions, approach each other and come in contact, a ring is formed consisting of a closed segment of the Stream revolving cyclonically around a mass of cold water detached from its former position in the slope water area to the left of the Stream. The first observations of the formation, migration and decay of such rings on seven cruises, covering the period from September, 1965, through February, 1966, are described. The two rings observed started as elliptical shapes, the long axis about 250 km, and gradually changed to circles about 110 km in diameter. The maximum surface currents, on the order of 150 cm/sec, continued strong over the five month period. The rings migrated at a rate of about 10 cm/sec, following irregular, probably anticyclonic paths with a net displacement to the SW. It is estimated that they have a life span of about 12 months. On the bases of a few crude assumptions, using average annual surface current speeds, the monthly net departure of the Gulf Stream from its mean position and a few transport values, it is estimated that from 5 to 8 cyclonic rings form per year.
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Technical ReportA digital Higgs universe and the flow of time(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-10)Theoretically considering velocities greater than c implies considering an observer’s past and extends the overall analysis into the complex plane. By using a series of rotations by i in the complex plane at the Planck scale, one can create a four-lobed structure of “instants of time,” which together with considering matter and antimatter in the lobes and the +/- sense of the rotation, leads to a Higgs field representation of spacetime. A metric is developed for this system as well as a generalized spacetime interval. It is shown that the Friedmann Equations are consistent with our “Higgs Cosmology” if generalized to a set of gravitationally coupled equations that connect the forward and backward going solutions. Simple solutions for the forward and backward going universes are presented and are shown to be consistent with the backward solution providing both inflation and a “cosmological constant” type of dark energy. Dark matter is discussed and is separately hypothesized to be due to the mass of the four “Higgs sectors” as seen by an observer in our universe. A digital, stroboscopic and holographic universe picture emerges which can also be viewed as a beginning theory of quantum gravity at the Planck scale.
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Technical ReportForethoughts on rubber rafts : familiar and new considerations in the handling of rubber life rafts -- including drift-rate curves, facts on drogues, handling of rafts under oars and sail, raft equipment, signalling devices, and new factors in oceanography, search and rescue. Submitted for the use of ocean flyers(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1944-06-15)This manual on the handling of rubber life rafts is submitted as an indicator of one type of specialized, integrated information not yet available to U.S. ocean flyers, Some of this information is new and conclusions drawn from it may considerably affect both the action of survivors in planning their raft procedure and navigation, and the action of air-sea rescue units in conducting search. Other of this information has already been collected and disseminated by various departments, bureaux, and agencies of the U.S. Armed Forces. The present manual attempts to combine both types of information and provide a more comprehensive coverage of raft problems than has as yet been made. While it is in no sense definitive and does not include the handling of all currently-issued or currently-developed types of raft (e.g., the "seatpack" one-man raft aboard small fighter planes, the large rubber sailing boat dropped to the survivors of such planes, or the excellent keel rafts still awaiting official approval and acceptance), it covers many problems common to all types and is submitted to aid in the preparation of pamphlets dealing with raft handling, raft navigation, raft equipment, aild the problems of survival and air-sea rescue.
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Technical ReportSubmesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE) Data Submission Report(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-04)This document reviews the sampling details of the S-MODE (Submesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment), a NASA-funded, EVS-3 (Earth Venture Suborbital-3), oceanographic field program. It describes what measurements were collected, when and with what instruments and platforms. For each measurement platform it gives simple plots showing the basic dataset, and describes the sampling in detail. S-MODE in situ and aircraft data are available from the PO.DAAC (Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center) landing page, and individual datasets are also available at the DOIs listed in the “Data Availability” section of this report.
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Technical ReportA Higgs universe and the flow of time(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-04)Theoretically considering velocities greater than c implies considering an observer’s past and extends the overall analysis into the complex plane. By using a series of rotations by i in the complex plane, one can create a four-lobed structure of “instants of time,” which together with considering matter and antimatter in the lobes and the +/- sense of the rotation, leads to a Higgs field representation of space and time. A 10x10 metric is developed for this system as well as a generalized spacetime interval. It is also shown that the Friedmann Equations are consistent with our “Higgs Cosmology” if generalized to a set of coupled equations that connect the forward and backward going solutions. Simple solutions for the forward and backward going universes are presented, and are shown to be consistent with the backward solution providing both inflation and a “cosmological constant” type of dark energy, Dark matter is also discussed and is hypothesized to be due to the mass of the four “Higgs sectors” as seen through the lens of relativity by an observer in our universe. A PowerPoint presentation on this work is presented at the end of the report as a supplement.
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Technical ReportBight Fracture Zone Experiment: Moored Instrument Data Report, July 2015 - July 2017(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-04)This document describes the steps used for the initial processing of the Bight Fracture Zone mooring data, collected between July 2015 – July 2017. The data were collected using SBE MicroCATs and Nobska MAVS- 4 Acoustic Current Meters. The initial processing for both the MicroCAT and MAVS-4 consisted of removing data collected while out of water, replacing data outliers with NaNs, and correcting drifts in the data. In addition, the MAVS-4 data were transformed from instrument coordinates to earth coordinates and magnetic declination was correction was applied.
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Technical Report2018 program of studies: sustainable fluid dynamics(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-02-09)The 2018 GFD Program theme was Sustainable Fluid Dynamics with Professor Andrew Woods of the University of Cambridge serving as principal lecturer. Andy showed the audience in the cottage and on the porch how to find similarity solutions everywhere, from deep in the earth to high in the atmosphere. He expanded on his lectures with the fellows during “Andy time”, and stayed on throughout the summer to participate in the traditional debates on the porch with participants old and new. Andy also contributed enthusiastically to the supervision of the fellows, particularly when there was an opportunity to squirt food dye into an experiment.
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Technical ReportOxygen isotopic analysis of two cores from the Vema Channel, southwestern Atlantic Ocean : an evaluation of the method and results(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1976-03)The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of oxygen isotopic analysis in establishing a late Pleistocene stratigraphy in two cores (CHN 115-88 and CHN 115-89) from the Verna Channel. Glacial and interglacial stages and stage boundaries in the two cores were identified, based on fluctuations in the 018 curves obtained by analysis of bulk foraminiferal assemblages. The position of the Brunhes/Matuyama boundary near the base of both cores provided an estimate of average accumulation rates of 0.94 cm/103 years in core 88, and 0.86 cm/103 years in core 89. The δ 018 curve for core 88 indicates a continuous stratigraphic record of glacial and interglacial stages as far back as stage 20; stages in core 89 are identifiable as far as stage 12. Stratigraphic interpretation within the top portion of the cores is somewhat uncertain, possibly due to disturbed or missing sediment. variability in accumulation rates down-core, and the possibility of missing coretop sediment, contribute to the uncertainty in stage designations. The degree of variability of accumulation rates within cores 88 and 89 may be estimated by assuming a constant sedimentation rate, and then comparing the "time scale" of the stage boundaries with that of Shackleton and Opdyke (1973). The results indicate that oxygen isotopic analysis of bulk foraminiferal assemblages can provide reliable interpretations in some instances where analysis of monospecific assemblages is not possible. Analysis of monospecific assemblages, however, will be required for more precise and reliable paleoclimatic interpretations.
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Technical ReportSeamounts near the eastern coast of North America(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1955-04)The chain of seamonts known as the New England Seamonts was examined. Bathymetry from six cruises in this region was contoured and a discussion of errors provided. Remains of calcareous algae in rocks dredges from the tops of two of the seamounts indicate that the seamounts have subsided more than 4,000 feet. Isostatic adjustment of a small seamount does not explain the subsidence, therefore it is suggested that much of this subsidence might be attributed to squeezing-out of plastic sediment from beneath the base of the seamounts or possibly that the sedimentary apron from the continent has spread seaward and caused the continental slope to become depressed.
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Technical ReportMarine mammals of the Pacific with particular reference to the production of underwater sound(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1949-07)The present report is concerned with one of the oceanic biology subjects designated by the Navy for investigation. In compliance with the assignment the objective has been (1) to assemble, analyze and where possible correlate with environmental factors, available information from Pacific waters, and (2) upon completion of this work to prepare recommendations for further field research designed to fulfill Navy requirements. A proposed program will be presented in a separate report. Considerable interference encountered by underwater acoustic gear is now known to be of biological origin. In coastal areas, especially along coral and rocky shores, much background noise can be attributed to fish (Fish, 1948) and invertebrates (Johnson et al., 1947). But beyond the influence of land there are certain characteristic sounds which have repeatedly been associated with marine mammals. Numerous visual observations of whales and porpoises coincident with the reception of such sounds have been made, and the charting of Submarine Patrol records (Charts VII to X, pages 56 to 59) reveals that all similar unidentified contacts have occurred within the known seasonal and geographical range of common marine mammals.
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Technical ReportThe Northwest Tropical Atlantic Station (NTAS): NTAS-21 Mooring Turnaround Cruise Report Cruise On Board RV Ronald H. Brown JOctober 6-25, 2022 Bridgetown, Barbados – Bridgetown, Barbados(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2022-12)The Northwest Tropical Atlantic Station (NTAS) was established to address the need for accurate air-sea flux estimates and upper ocean measurements in a region with strong sea surface temperature anomalies and the likelihood of significant local air–sea interaction on interannual to decadal timescales. The approach is to maintain a surface mooring outfitted for meteorological and oceanographic measurements at a site near 15°N, 51°W by successive mooring turnarounds. These observations are used to investigate air–sea interaction processes related to climate variability. The NTAS Ocean Reference Station (ORS NTAS) is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing (GOMO) Program (formerly Ocean Observing and Monitoring Division). This report documents recovery of the NTAS-20, the final mooring of the NTAS time-series. The NTAS moorings use Surlyn foam buoys as the surface element. These buoys were outfitted with two Air–Sea Interaction Meteorology (ASIMET) systems. Each system measures, records, and transmits via satellite the surface meteorological variables necessary to compute air–sea fluxes of heat, moisture, and momentum. The upper 160 m of the mooring line were outfitted with oceanographic sensors for the measurement of temperature, salinity, and velocity. The mooring recovery was done by the Upper Ocean Processes Group of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Drew Cole, onboard R/V Ronald H. Brown, Cruise RB-22-04. The cruise took place between October 6 and 25 2022. Other operations during the cruise consisted of the intercomparison between ship and NTAS buoy measurements, turnaround of Meridional Overturning Variability Experiment (MOVE) subsurface mooring array, CTD casts, and four Argo floats deployments. MOVE is designed to monitor the integrated deep meridional flow in the tropical North Atlantic. This report describes these operations.