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Global HF Radar effort

Global Observing

Global HF Radar Assets

There are at least 300 HF radars deployed in many countries. Several countries have begun using HF radar-derived ocean currents for their operational oceanographic needs. 
Below is a static map image captured on 8 June, 2012. A dynamic, interactive HF Radar Asset map will be available soon.

A static map image of Global HF Radar Assetcaptured on 8 June, 2012

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Structure of the GEO Inaugural HF Radar Global Task

Co-Chairs

Enrique Alvarez-Fanjul (Spain), Jack Harlan (USA), Lucy Wyatt (Australia). 
A call was made for additional co-chairs at the 1st Ocean Radar Conference for Asia (ORCA), May 17-18, 2012

 

Anticipated Working Groups

Information Management: Data Management and Data Products and Modeling

Capacity building:  New HF radar networks

 

HF Radar Data Sources

U.S.A: US IOOS

National Data Buoy Center, NDBC

Scripps Coastal Observing Research and Development Center

Australia: IMOS - ACORN

Korea Observations from Busan | Observations from Yeosu

 

Uses of HF Radar Data

Coming soon: Succesful applications of HF radar (global scale)

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Key References

Resources and Documents


Quality Assurance / Quality Control Methods

Coming soon.

 

Basic Siting Guidance

Coming soon.

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Global Observing

Surface Current velocities and direction presented on an high frequency radar map

Surface Current velocities and direction presented on an HF radar map

Maps of ocean surface current velocities created from HF radar networks are helping to save lives, respond to oil spills, and monitor the coastal ecosystem in many regions of the world.  For example, surface current maps support coastal ocean search and rescue, depict trajectories of spilled oil, and reveal dispersal of buoyant larvae.  These are just a few of the specific applications of HF radar data presently employed.

There are at least 300 HF radars currently deployed in many countries.  Several countries have begun using HF radar-derived ocean currents for their operational oceanographic needs. 


Global HF Radar Network to Share Ocean Current Data

High Frequency (HF) Radar Antenna

High Frequency (HF) Radar Antenna

The benefits of a global HF radar network include: 

  • sharing important ocean current data among nations, and
  • sharing information and expertise to foster the creation of new national HF radar networks and to enhance existing networks and training for personnel.
The extensive experience of countries with HF radar networks can be called upon to make significant progress toward the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Work Plan 2012-2015 (pdf)

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Anticipated Outcomes

Long Term Goals:

To make HF radar data available in a single standardized format in near real time

To develop a Worldwide QA/QC standard

To develop easy-to-use standard products

To assure HF radar data assimilation in ocean and ecosystem modelling

To develop emerging uses of HF radar in the areas of ecosystem, tsunami, and climate.


Short Term Actions:

Form working groups to address specific HF radar network topics

Create an assets map to display the locations of existing HF radar sites and collect the websites where HF radar data is available

Create a GEO Global HF Radar page at U.S. IOOS website that can be linked to by multiple participants with access from multiple websites. COMPLETED.