Skip to main content

Ocean Data Access and Tools

NASA data span the geophysical parameters that characterize the global ocean and the physical processes operating within its depths and at its surface. Our datasets and tools help researchers translate these interconnected data points into actionable knowledge.

Visit Ocean Learning Resources to better understand the metadata for each data collection.

Ocean Datasets

View All Datasets
Dataset Version Platforms Instruments Temporal Extent Spatial Extent Spatial Resolution Data Format
MERRA-2 tavg1_2d_flx_Nx: 2d,1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Surface Flux Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2T1NXFLX) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

MERRA-2 tavg1_2d_slv_Nx: 2d,1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Single-Level Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2T1NXSLV) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_int_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Vertically Integrated Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXINT) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_flx_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Surface Flux Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXFLX) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_rad_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Radiation Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXRAD) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

GHRSST Level 4 MW_IR_OI Global Foundation Sea Surface Temperature analysis version 5.1 from REMSS 5.1 Aqua, Terra, GPM, Suomi-NPP, GCOM-W1, NOAA-20, TRMM, CORIOLIS MODIS, GMI, VIIRS, AMSR2, AMSR-E, TMI, WINDSAT 2002-06-01

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -179

0.09 Decimal Degrees x 0.09 Decimal Degrees netCDF-4
GHRSST Level 4 MW_OI Global Foundation Sea Surface Temperature analysis version 5.1 from REMSS 5.1 GCOM-W1, GPM, Aqua, TRMM, CORIOLIS AMSR2, GMI, AMSR-E, TMI, WINDSAT 1997-12-31

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

0.25 Decimal Degrees x 0.25 Decimal Degrees netCDF-4
Aquarius Official Release Level 3 Ancillary Reynolds Sea Surface Temperature Standard Mapped Image Descending Daily Data V5.0 5.0 NOAA-11, NOAA-14, NOAA-9, NOAA-16, NOAA-17, NOAA-19, BUOYS, NOAA-7 AVHRR-2, AVHRR-3 2011-08-25 to 2015-06-07

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

1 Decimal Degrees x 1 Decimal Degrees HDF5
Aquarius Official Release Level 3 Ancillary Reynolds Sea Surface Temperature Standard Mapped Image Ascending 28-Day Running Mean Data V5.0 5.0 NOAA-11, NOAA-14, NOAA-9, NOAA-16, NOAA-17, NOAA-19, BUOYS, NOAA-7 AVHRR-2, AVHRR-3 2011-08-25 to 2015-06-07

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

1 Decimal Degrees x 1 Decimal Degrees HDF5
Aquarius Official Release Level 3 Sea Surface Spiciness Standard Mapped Image 28-Day Running Mean Data V5.0 5.0 Aquarius_SAC-D AQUARIUS_RADIOMETER, AQUARIUS_SCATTEROMETER 2011-08-25 to 2015-06-07

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

1 Decimal Degrees x 1 Decimal Degrees HDF5
SHOWING 10 OF 2175
Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Platform
SWOT provides detailed surface topography and monitors water body changes over time. The platform enables high-resolution ocean monitoring at 15-150 km spatial scales, tracking ocean currents, coastal dynamics, storm surges, and regional sea level changes. On land, SWOT measures water storage changes in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and wetlands, supporting river discharge estimates for water resource assessment.
Discover more from SWOT
Earthdata grapic identifier on patterned background

SWOT Swath Visualizer

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Swath Visualizer provides a visualization of two instruments’ coverage of Earth's surface: the Ka-band Radar Interferometer and altimeter.

Ocean Data Tools

View All Data Tools
Tool Description Services
SeaDAS Sea, earth, atmosphere Data Analysis System (SeaDAS) is a comprehensive image analysis package for the processing, display, analysis, and quality control of ocean color data. Analysis, Visualization, Processing
SOTO State of the Ocean (SOTO) is an interactive web-based tool that generates informative maps, animations, and plots that communicate and prove the discovery and analysis of the state of the oceans. Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization
STREAM STREAM is a rapid water quality monitoring tool that processes satellite imagery to create maps showing chlorophyll-a, Total Suspended Solids, and water clarity at 20-30 meter resolution. Processing
SWOT Swath Visualizer The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Swath Visualizer provides a visualization of two instruments’ coverage of Earth's surface: the Ka-band Radar Interferometer and altimeter. Analysis, Data Curation, Visualization
Worldview Worldview offers the capability to interactively browse over 1,200 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization, Access, Comparison, Monitoring Natural Events
SHOWING 5 OF 15

Frequently Asked Questions

Earthdata Forum

Our online forum provides a space for users to browse thousands of FAQs about research needs, data, and data applications. You can also submit new questions for our experts to answer.

Submit Questions to Earthdata Forumand View Expert Responses

Earthdata
Forum