University of Western Australia Ocean Glider program launches 400th mission along Rottnest Continental shelf
The ocean glider program is a 16-year collaboration between UWA and Integrated Marine Observing System and has reached a significant milestone hosted in Perth waters; the glider set off on its 400th mission.
'Reaching 400 missions is a testament to the dedication, vision of our team, the strength of our partnerships and the importance of sustained ocean observation,' said Professor Chari Pattiaratchi in a UWA
media statement.
The gliders made a huge discovery in 2020, uncovering an incredible network of underwater rivers that encircle the entire continent.
'This is the most significant discovery for coastal oceanography in recent decades, not only in Australia but globally,' Professor Pattiaratchi said at the time.
Professor Pattiaratchi said usually satellites were used to track surface features such as river plumes, but because the water flow was below the surface it was undetected until ocean gliders were deployed.
These underwater flows are found along over 10,000 kilometers of the Australian coastline and are formed by dense, salty water which flows off the continental shelf.
Impressively, the gliders have spent 10,000 days in the water and traversed over 125,000km underwater.
In the latest mission, gliders were launched along the Rottnest continental shelf and will focus on collecting data on seasonal upswelling, the Leeuwin Current and monitoring marine heatwaves.
UWA Ocean Institute senior researcher Christine Hanson said the Leeuwin Current acts as the parent of lesser northward flowing counter-currents, the Capes Current and the Ningaloo Current.
'Seasonal upswelling is particularly important off Ningaloo, as this brings up cool water and high nutrients that support the reef,' Dr Hanson told the
Fremantle Herald.
However, recent monitoring of the Leeuwin Current discovered a 'warm water layer' covering Ningaloo Reef, leading Dr Hanson be be concerned the reef was in 'critical danger.'
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Halfway between an underwater drone and a space rover, the University of Western Australia's 'ocean glider' has made some mind-bending discoveries in Australian oceanography. The ocean glider program is a 16-year collaboration between UWA and Integrated Marine Observing System and has reached a significant milestone hosted in Perth waters; the glider set off on its 400th mission. 'Reaching 400 missions is a testament to the dedication, vision of our team, the strength of our partnerships and the importance of sustained ocean observation,' said Professor Chari Pattiaratchi in a UWA media statement. The gliders made a huge discovery in 2020, uncovering an incredible network of underwater rivers that encircle the entire continent. 'This is the most significant discovery for coastal oceanography in recent decades, not only in Australia but globally,' Professor Pattiaratchi said at the time. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Professor Pattiaratchi said usually satellites were used to track surface features such as river plumes, but because the water flow was below the surface it was undetected until ocean gliders were deployed. These underwater flows are found along over 10,000 kilometers of the Australian coastline and are formed by dense, salty water which flows off the continental shelf. Impressively, the gliders have spent 10,000 days in the water and traversed over 125,000km underwater. In the latest mission, gliders were launched along the Rottnest continental shelf and will focus on collecting data on seasonal upswelling, the Leeuwin Current and monitoring marine heatwaves. The ocean glider program is a 16-year collaboration between UWA and Integrated Marine Observing System. Credit: IMOS UWA Ocean Institute senior researcher Christine Hanson said the Leeuwin Current acts as the parent of lesser northward flowing counter-currents, the Capes Current and the Ningaloo Current. 'Seasonal upswelling is particularly important off Ningaloo, as this brings up cool water and high nutrients that support the reef,' Dr Hanson told the Fremantle Herald. However, recent monitoring of the Leeuwin Current discovered a 'warm water layer' covering Ningaloo Reef, leading Dr Hanson be be concerned the reef was in 'critical danger.'
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