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A NEW OCEANOGRAPHIC PARTNERSHIP 



Led by Walter Munk, researchers at the Scripps Institutiori of Oceanography propose 

 a new oceanographic partnership>-the Joint Ocean Climate Initiative (JOCI). 



The ocean plays a profound role in seasonal, interarmual and decadal climate 

 changes. JOCI proposes joint use of acoustic (subsurface) and complementary 

 satellite altimeter (surface) measurements. The combination of the tomographic, 

 jdtimetric and other data obtained from national and international weather services 

 will permit, for the first time, an estimate of the oceanic state virtually from week- 

 to-week. Only with such estimates will it be possible to continue rigorous testing of 

 models, to calculate the way in which the ocean interacts with the atmosphere, and 

 ultimately to forecast future climate. 



ONR— The focus on underwater acoustics is critical to improving the U.S. 

 submarine detection capability. Acoustic coherence limits, imposed by natural ocean 

 variability, ultimately determine our ability to use sound for underwater 

 communication, navigation and submarine detection. 



NOAA— JOCI would be an element of the global-scale observation system and a 

 forecasting effort using observations based upon modem modeling codes. 



NSF-JOCI will focus on the underlying scientific issues and problems of gyre 

 dynamics. This is one of the least understood aspects of ocean dynamics owing to 

 the historical difficulties in obtaining adequate observations of the time variability. 



NASA—Satellite altimetry has emerged in the last three years as the central element 

 of a true global ocean observing system. J(X^I wil! exploit the NASA capability and 

 complement it with measurements and scientific activities required to produce a 

 serious system directed at understanding the ocean and climate. 



SERDP-Accurate information on hearing capabilities of marine mammals and sea 

 turtles, and on the response of marine mammals and other marine organisms to 

 man-made sounds, is badly needed to support formulation of rational policies for 

 the use of sound in the sea. 



SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY 

 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO 



