Downloading and reading data from the World Ocean Atlas 2001

For technical help or to report problems, please contact OCL.help@noaa.gov

Data description:

The World Ocean Atlas 2001 (WOA01) contains data for various statistics and objectively analyzed fields for one-degree squares and five-degree squares at standard depth levels for most ocean variables, or in the 0 - 200 meter layer for the integrated plankton biomass values.

Downloading data:

All the WOA01 output files are in GZIP* compressed format. However, Netscape* and Internet Explorer (IE)* handle GZIP compressed data files differently.
Netscape automatically decompresses the data file during download but maintains the file extension ('gz'). This will cause problems with programs such as "gzip" or "WinZip" because they will try, and fail, to uncompress the already uncompressed file. Internet Explorer (IE) downloads the file in compressed format and maintains the file extension ('gz').

NETSCAPE USERS: Can download the data file in two ways: (1) hold the "shift" key and click on the link to the data file or (2) right-mouse click on the link and select the "save link as" option. After you download the file simply remove the "gz" file extention. After downloading the file, you can view the data using any ASCII text editor.

INTERNET EXPLORER USERS: Can download the data file by copying the link location to your browser and then saving the file in your local working directory. After you download the file, use gzip to uncompress the file. The WOD01 utilites describe the use of GZIP* tools to uncompress "gz" compressed format for DOS and UNIX users. Note that other PC programs, such as winzip, are able to uncompress the data file. After downloading and uncompressing the file, you can view the data using any ASCII text editor.

MOZILLA USERS: Can download the data file in two ways: (1) hold the "shift" key and click on the link to the data file or (2) right-mouse click on the link and select the "Save Link Target As ..." option. After you download the file, use gzip to uncompress the file. The WOD01 utilites documentation describe the use of GZIP* tools to uncompress "gz" compressed format for DOS and UNIX users. Note that other PC programs, such as winzip, are able to uncompress the data file. After downloading and uncompressing the file, you can view the data using any ASCII text editor.

FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL (FTP) USERS:
If you have problems downloading the WOA01 data using Netscape or IE, you may try to ftp data from the the following URL: NODC ftp server

If you download the data directly via ftp, then
ftp ftp.nodc.noaa.gov
login: anonymous
Password: your complete e-mail address
cd pub/WOA01/
cd to specific directory for variable
bin (to set binary transfer type)
get filename.gz (where filename is the name of your data file)
bye (to exit the ftp access)

Reading WOA01 data format:

The WOA01 data format description can be found in the WOA01 documentation. The WOA01 data format can be read using any of a number sample programs written in FORTRAN and C (or the user can write his/her own code).

For technical help or to report problems, please e-mail to OCL.help@noaa.gov