Statistical Characterization of Seafloor Roughness
Abstract
Topography of the seabed can strongly affect underwater sound propagation in the ocean. Seafloor features fall into 3 overlapping categories according to size; large features that block propagation, intermediate features that act primarily as sloping bottoms, and small-scale features that act as scatterers. This paper presents statistical parameters of bottom topography for the 2 latter categories. Spatial wavenumber spectra of ocean bottom and subbottom roughness are determined from narrow-beamwidth echosounding and seismic reflection profiling. The spectra are compared to the expression P(K) = CK to the minus b power where P(K) is the power spectral density, C is a proportionality constant, K is the wavenumber, and b is a constant that characterizes the class of roughness. The parameter b is often assumed to be 3; however, this study shows that b can range from about 1 to 5. Topographic samples were found to have probability density functions which were both non- Gaussian and Gaussian. It is suggested that a first-order roughness data base include band-limited RMS roughness; K sub 1 and K sub 2 (the wavenumbers of the estimate); b; sediment type; physiographic province, water depth, and location. Reprints.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA201155
Entities
People
- J. E. Matthews
- Jonathan M. Berkson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory