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3D View

The 3D view stacks horizontal maps of potential temperature (θ) or absolute salinity (SA) at six pressure levels. Use it to compare the upper ocean within a selected region.

Generate a View

Sign in and run a geographic search with Trajectory off.

  1. Open Analyze, or Tools on a narrower screen, and select Generate 3D view.
  2. Drag on the map to draw a rectangle. The border snaps to a 0.5° grid and stops expanding at the size limit.
  3. Check the bounds and profile count in the bottom panel. Drag again to change the region, or select Cancel (Esc) to exit.
  4. Select Generate, or press Enter. The result opens when ready.

Select 1–500 profiles from the current search results. The count updates while dragging; a red border indicates an empty or over-limit selection. The limit applies to the selected region, even if the search returned more than 500 profiles.

Progress and cancellation are available in Analyze / Tools. Only one analysis job can run at a time.

Read the View

Choose θ or S and a pressure level. Surface uses 10 dbar; the other levels are 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 dbar. The selected surface and its dots are emphasized; other layers remain visible in lighter colors.

Dots show values derived from profiles at each pressure, and vertical lines connect the same profile. Faint contours join equal values, while a latitude–longitude grid helps locate positions on the selected surface. Each variable uses one color scale across all layers. Palettes match vertical sections, but their value ranges may differ.

Observation period shows the earliest and latest UTC observation dates among the selected profiles. It stays the same when switching variables or pressure levels.

An information marker on a pressure button indicates insufficient data. Check its tooltip and the valid profile count below the plot. If no surface is available, try a different region or search period.

Surfaces include estimated values between and beyond observations. See 3D view limitations for how interpolation, coverage, and observation times affect interpretation.

  • Drag to rotate, or use the rotation and tilt buttons.
  • Scroll or use Zoom in / Zoom out to zoom. Reset view restores the initial view.
  • Use ↑ / ↓ for shallower / deeper levels and ← / → for θ / S. Changing the selection preserves rotation and zoom.

Select Reopen 3D view to return to the latest result without recalculation, or Generate 3D view to choose another region. Resetting the search, leaving Explore, or signing out clears the result. Image and data export are not available from this view.