CODAR

CODAR Challenge

Coming Soon

WHAT DOES CODAR MEASURE?

CODAR or coastal radar is used to measure water currents over a large region of the coastal ocean. This helps us understand the amount of influence ocean currents have on the Antarctic food web.

CODAR LOGISTICS.

These HF radar antennae can operate under any weather conditions. The antennae are located near the water's edge on top of a high point of land. The CODAR site needs at least two antennas! The first antennae transmits a radio signal out across the ocean surface and the second listens for the reflected radio signal after it has bounced off the ocean's waves. The CODAR measures the change in frequency of the radio signal, which can tell us how fast the water is moving away or towards the antenna.

How do the SWARM scientists use CODAR in Antarctica?

Reading the Map

The map to the left shows data generated by a computer using the information collected from three CODAR sites in Antarctica.

The tan area represents land which the white area is the water! Do you see the red dots on the map??

The red dots are the CODAR sites. These sites surround an area called Palmer Deep. Palmer Deep is a canyon off Palmer Station where the SWARM scientists will be studying and collecting lots of data! Remember... CODAR is just one piece of data the scientists are collecting.

Other technologies the SWARM team will be using are shown on the map too! The glider paths are shown by the red lines and the black dots show the three moorings. Go back to the "Research Page" to check out more details about these technologies.

What are the arrows on the map telling us?

The CODAR system SWARM deployed in the Antarctic is an excellent tool to map the currents of the surface ocean.
There are three CODAR sites used in Palmer Deep. One at Palmer Station (PALM), one in the Joubin Islands (JOUB), and one in the Wauwermans Islands (WAUW).
Information from all three sites is combined and a map of the ocean currents is generated. The vectors (arrows) on this map indicate the speed and direction of the ocean currents.

Take a look at the map, where are the strongest currents located?