Using new cabled ocean observing technologies,
scientists around the globe will

Acquire continuous long-term, broad-bandwidth data under all weather conditions to characterize periodic (e.g., tidal), episodic (e.g., volcanic), and low-frequency (e.g., Pacific Decadal Oscillation and plate deformation) signals

Obtain high-precision measurements coordinated in time and space, i.e., a coherent sampling array

Provide a well-characterized environment in which process studies can be conducted

Integrate data and information across disciplines, with multi-variate data sets to explore and test causal relationships

Develop and verify models integrating physics, chemistry, geology, and biology

Use power in new and creative ways (e.g., robotics and pumping)

Use real-time communications for adaptive sampling and remote control

A key document describing the science that will be enabled by ocean obervatories is the Ocean Observatories Initiative Science Plan, published in 2005.

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