Current Map by Current Map is a powerful tool for visualizing ocean dynamics. This interactive map uses animated streamlines to depict tidal currents in coastal areas of the United States, offering high-resolution, real-time, and forecasted ocean current data. It's a practical, visually striking resource for sailors, scientists, and anyone with an interest in the ocean’s ever-changing tidal forces.
Animated streamlines are often used on interactive maps to visualize real-time and forecast wind currents. This is the first time I've seen them used for actual water currents. The use of animated streamlines on a map was I believe first demonstrated on Fernanda Viégas and Martin Wattenberg's Wind Map. Cameron Beccario further developed the concept by utilizing animated streamlines on a fully interactive map in his popular Earth Nullschool visualization of global weather conditions.
Behind the scenes of Current Map, sophisticated physics models simulate real-world ocean conditions, taking into account factors like tides and wind forcing to produce accurate short-term forecasts. Users of the map can explore these tidal forecasts directly in their browser, or download GRIB files for use with navigation software, making the data accessible even when offline.