Quick Start: Your First 10 Minutes
Follow this path from a map search to one float’s trajectory and an optional signed-in analysis.
Open OceanGraph and follow along.
Before You Start
You can complete steps 1–3 without an account. Profile graphs, analyses, and derived data layers require signing in.
See Features for the complete access and usage-limit reference.
Step 1: Search the map
- Set a Date Range (anonymous: up to 30 days; signed in: up to 90 days).
- Set the Geographic Bounds by interacting with the map.
- Optionally check Only profiles with BGC to keep profiles with biogeochemical measurements.
- Run the search. Matching profiles appear as markers on the map.
If you already know a float, enter its WMO ID in the Profile Details panel and press Enter to load all of its profiles.
See Search and Bookmark for details.
Step 2: Select a marker
Click a marker and read its profile context first: WMO ID, cycle number, date, latitude, and longitude. These details tell you which float, profile, place, and season you are about to interpret.
Signed-in users can also inspect the selected profile graph. Start with the overall shape of temperature or salinity and note the surface layer, the main gradient, and the deeper structure before moving to a multi-profile view.
Step 3: Follow One Float (Trajectory and Section)
- In the map command bar, turn on Trajectory to load every cycle along the selected float’s trajectory.
- Open Analyze and select View section to see the time-series vertical section.
The dashed line marks the selected profile. Gray or blank areas indicate missing or insufficient data, not zero values.
See Trajectory and Time-Series Vertical Section.
Step 4: Choose an Analysis — Signed In
Open Analyze and select Generate θ–S to compare temperature-salinity structure, or Run clustering to group profiles by vertical structure. On narrower layouts, open Tools first.
With Trajectory off, these analyses use the current search results; with it on, they use all loaded cycles for the selected float. The limit is 500 profiles or cycles. Analyze shows progress, cancellation, and reasons for disabled actions.
See θ–S Diagram and Clustering.
Continue With Derived Data Layers
Signed-in users can choose one Data layer to color map markers:
- MLD: mixed layer depth; works with core Argo profiles.
- SOM: subsurface oxygen maximum; requires dissolved oxygen data from BGC profiles.
- Mode Water: detected layer thickness for a selected type, such as NPSTMW.
Gray or no-data markers indicate that a valid result is unavailable. MLD and SOM can also appear on the matching section chart.
If something doesn’t work
| Symptom | Likely cause and next step |
|---|---|
| No search results | The date range or area is too restrictive, or the BGC filter is on. Widen the range/area, or uncheck Only profiles with BGC. |
| θ–S or Clustering won’t run | The disabled item in Analyze gives the current count. With Trajectory off, narrow the date range or bounds to 500 profiles or fewer. With it on, a WMO with more than 500 cycles cannot be analyzed. |
| A feature is missing from the screen | θ–S, Clustering, MLD, SOM, mode water data layers, and downloads require signing in. Sign in and try again. |
| A chart is missing or has blank areas | Check Limitations for parameter availability, missing observations, and quality filtering. |
Where to go next
- Review the full Usage Guide and choose the workflow that matches your goal.
- Compare your own Argo-format JSON files in Vertical Profiles (signed-in, desktop only).
- Browse precomputed views in Visual Lab.
- Read the Articles for background on Argo floats, T-S diagrams, BGC parameters, and more.