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Gulf of Maine Daily Sea Surface Temperature

Provided by: University of Maine Climate Office |Published on: August 2, 2023

Graphs/Tables Grades 9-12, ap-college

Synopsis

This interactive graph and colorful map provide data about the daily sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Maine since 1981 and the current sea surface temperatures throughout the Atlantic Ocean.
Students can hover over the graph to get detailed information for specific dates and the graph and supporting data can be downloaded in a variety of formats.

Subjects: Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics

Authors: University of Maine Climate Office

Region: North America, USA - Northeast, United States, Global, Maine, Maine - Coastal

Languages: English

Positives

The data in the graph is specific to the Gulf of Maine and allows students to explore temperature differences throughout the year and between years.
Useful information about the data and its presentation is provided below the map, along with additional links.

Additional Prerequisites

The data for each year can be hovered over to highlight that year's temperatures, but if you click on that year, it will disappear in the chart. This allows you to deselect years you do not wish to view.

Differentiation

This resource could supplement a lesson on the basics of climate change and how humans are causing it.
This resource could augment a classroom discussion on how increases in saltwater temperatures are impacting marine ecosystems.
This resource could be used to create free-response questions on how humans could reduce sea surface temperatures around the world.
Have math students download the data and then create graphs that compare average annual sea surface temperatures between years or monthly average sea surface temperatures from the most recent year to 1981.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

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Resource Type and Format