Measurements of Sediment Sound Velocity in Carbonate Sediments from the Whiting Basin, Puerto Rico.
Abstract
A series of sediment cores were obtained from the Whiting Basin southeast of Puerto Rico to investigate the factors affecting the velocity of sound in marine carbonate deposits. The cores indicated that the deposits in the Whiting Basin are similar to abyssal plain deposits with lenticular turbidite sequences alternating with pelagic sediments. Normal methods for predicting sound velocity from the physical properties of the deposits were found to be inaccurate for these samples. The established relationships of grain size and porosity to sound velocity were invalid because the sands found in the cores consisted of hollow foram tests, causing high porosity independent of grain size. The rigidity of the deposit was the most significant factor determining sediment sound velocity and was itself controlled by (1) the sediment source, (2) transportation effects, (3) the packing of the deposit, and (4) the presence or absence of intergranular cementation. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 19, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0762754
Entities
People
- Robert W. Morton
Organizations
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center