Gliders

Credit: Coastal Endurance Array Team, OSU

An array of ~6 gliders travels along five east-west transect lines within the Coastal Endurance Array from approximately the 20-m isobaths to 126 W (and out to 128 W along the Oregon and Washington lines), as well as a north-south transect along 126 W. They collect ocean observing data to supplement those collected by the stationary moorings.

Gliders are buoyancy-driven mobile assets. They change their buoyancy by drawing in water through their nose making their front end heavy causing them to sink through the water. To float back up to the surface, they push the water out. Their wings provide lift allowing the gliders to move forward as they change depth. Due to their efficient design, with no need for propellers or an engine, gliders can be deployed for several months at a time.

The gliders are able to dive to both shallow (to 200 m) and deep ( to 1000 m) depths.