Lesson #3 
Lost and Found..

Name _____________________

What oceanographic data will help determine what path
the Gulf Stream surface current follows?

Hypothesis:

 

 
Which type of data will better assist you in supporting your hypothesis? (Circle)

REAL TIME DATA HISTORICAL DATA
Conclusion:

Answer this after you have completed the activity

  

Real Time Data Directions and Questions
Ship Data
  1. What color are the wind barbs that designate ships currently traveling in the North Atlantic Ocean?

    2.  

     
     
     
     
     
     

  2. Choose two ships approximately at the same latitude (30N to 40N Latitude - one near coast, the other further out to sea) and record their Ship ID Codes in your Data Collection Table (Use capitals if necessary).

    3.  

     
     
     

  3. Use the Ship Database to find the current position and sea surface temperature of each of the ships. (Note: Not all ships will record sea surface temperature.) Record this data in your Data Collection Table.
  1. Predict whether either of your chosen ships is possibly in the Gulf Stream?

    2.  

     

    Ship #1 _________ yes or no Ship #2____________ yes or no
     
     

  2. If possible, locate the ships' position on your Data Collection Map. (Note : This map may not be large enough to do this, if so skip to buoy data)
 
Name________________________
Gulf Stream Voyage (Lesson #3)

Real Time Data Directions & Questions Continued..
Buoy Data
  1. Locate each buoy position on your Data Collection Map
  1. Record the current temperature reading for each buoy in your Data Collection Table and on your Data Collection Map.
  2. Which buoys do you predict may currently be in the path of the Gulf Stream?


Satellite Data

  1. Look at the satellite temperature map and record in your Data Collection Table the temperature at each buoy and ship location. Do the temperature readings for the buoys and ships match the satellite's readings?

    2. Yes         No         Some
     
  2. Explain why there might be differences in these temperature readings.

    3.  

     
     
     
     
     

  3. In the satellite picture, the Gulf Stream is noted as GS. Are the ships and buoys that you predicted actually in the Gulf Stream or simply influenced by Gulf Stream waters? No (not in GS) In (in GS) Inf (Influenced by GS waters)

    4.  

     

    Ship #1_________ Ship #2___________ Nantucket Buoy __________

    George's Bank Buoy ________ East of Cape May Buoy ________ Delaware Bay Buoy ________

  4. If you were planning to swim at the beach, would you rather have buoy, ship or satellite data available to you? Why?

    5.  

     
     
     
     
     

  5. If you wanted to easily chart the Gulf Stream would you use buoy, ship or satellite data? Why?