Currents have been observed for a long time by mariners. The first record of a scientist measuring such an ocean feature (the Gulf Stream) is Benjamin Franklin in 1777. But for years, the view was at sea level, and so was fragmented.

Piece by piece, oceanographers began to put together the ocean circulation puzzle. With developments in space technics, especially satellite altimetry, an elevated view became possible, allowing new pieces of the world's oceans to be filled in.

One such example is Australia's Leeuwin Current. For years, three "currents" had been identified and named west and South of Australia; the Leeuwin Current (southwards, west of Australia), the South Australian Current (eastwards up to Tasmania, south of Australia) and the Zeehan Current (southwards, along the Tasmanian coast). However, use of altimetry measurements helped in proving that those features were part of a unique current following the Australian coast. Such a current, the longest coastal current identified in the world, has an important impact on local climate, sea biology and navigation.