Bringing ocean observations to users is almost as important as actually making those observations. That's why Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) includes a comprehensive data management system as well as multiple avenues for delivering the data to a variety of users, including those with a need for the latest-available ocean observations from satellites, HF radars and gliders.
One of these avenues is the OceanCurrent website, where a wide range of graphical representations (including animations) of the many types of IMOS data are just a few mouse clicks away. The site also has a News section, which 1) informs readers about ocean events such as extreme currents or water temperatures, and 2) shows people how to interpret the available graphics, to empower them to notice such features themselves.
The site serves as a preview facility, showing the space-time coverage of the various data sets, both individually and in relation to each other. By overlaying point measurements made by current meters, gliders etc., on maps of sea surface temperature, ocean colour and geostrophic velocity from altimetry satellite imagery, users can quickly see the broader context of the in-situ data, helping them to correctly interpret the point data. The imagery is updated several times a day, attracting users from outside the research community while also allowing members of the research community to locate and study particular ocean phenomena.