Nicolas Wienders, an associate research scientist in the FSU Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, invented Stokes Drifters to track and monitor the ocean currents at the surface. (Image credit: Bob Howard)

A Florida State University researcher developed a new technology that can track the oceans’ currents and surface circulation.

Ocean currents play an important role in many everyday processes such as shipping, navigation, commercial fishing, recreational boating and safety. They also impact our climate, sediment transport, ocean ecosystems and animal migrations.

But the movements of ocean currents at the surface — also known as the Stokes drift — are exceptionally tricky to track.

Nicolas Wienders, an associate research scientist in the FSU Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, invented Stokes Drifters to track and monitor the ocean currents at the surface. Once deployed, these GPS-equipped, disc-shaped instruments can easily be tracked and help scientists determine the direction of ocean currents.

Read more at Florida State University News.