33i^ 



underlying surface become important. Increased numbers of observations and 

 entire new systems were introduced. And again, high-speed computers made 

 it possible to digest the wealth of information. Thus, theory and observa- 

 tion began to exist on an equal footing. Indeed, it is now realized that 

 a new approach to the observational program is in order. 



One of the problems facing us, an urgent one in meteorology, is how to 

 obtain new and more accurate information on energy exchanges between the 

 ocean and the atmosphere and vice versa. This problem was investigated in 

 the early 1960 ' s by a joint panel on air-sea interaction of the National 

 Academy of Sciences Committee on Oceanography and the National Academy of 

 Sciences Committee on Atmospheric Sciences. The Chairman of this Panel is 

 Dr. Benton. The work of the Panel culminated in National Academy of Science's 

 Publication No. 983? 1962. This report outlined eloquently the problem areas 

 of air-sea interaction and formulated six recommendations which, if implemented, 

 will lead (in the Academy's opinion) to a new approach to the general problem. 

 Today I would like to stress only one of the six recommendations which 

 introduces the concept of "area studies." 



An area study is in effect what meteorologists would call a synoptic 

 scale investigation over a suitable and carefully selected oceanic area where 

 a number of observational techniques can be employed and intercompared. The 

 problem of energy exchanges is considered of such complex nature, and the 

 available methods still not completely adequate (perhaps with the exception 

 of direct Reynolds stress measurements and vertical heat flux determinations) 

 that it seems necessary to plan and to conduct a thoroughly redundant experi- 

 ment in order to gain some confidence in any oneof the existing techniques . 

 The study area will be bounded by a line of meteorological observations at 

 its circumference in order to evaluate line integrals and apply continuity 

 considerations as independent checks on other indirect techniques. 



The Federal Government responded to the Academy report when the Inter- 

 agency Committee on Oceanography and the Interdepartmental Committee on 

 Atmospheric Sciences jointly appointed an Ad Hoc Panel on air-sea interaction 

 chaired by Dr. Jacobs, Director of the National Oceanographic Data Center. 

 In 1963 the Panel made several recommendations one of which has been acted 

 upon by the Interagency Committee on Oceanography and the Interdepartmental 

 Committee on Atmospheric Sciences. Subsequently, the Federal Council for 

 Science and Technology agreed to assign special responsibility for the air- 

 sea interaction research to the Department of Commerce. The following letter 

 records the assigning of this responsibility: 



6 March 196k 

 MEMORANDUM FOR: 



J. Herbert Hollomon, Chairman, ICAS 

 James H. Wakelin, Chairman, ICO 

 SUBJECT: Air-Sea Interaction Program 



At its meeting on February 25, 196^, the Federal Council discussed 

 questions related to the responsibility of the Department of Commerce for 



