Influence of Bathymetry on the Propagation of Signals and Noise

Abstract

The ambient noise field is a complex and highly variable phenomena with many components, including contributions due to shipping. Spatial characteristics (e.g., the horizontal directionality) of the ambient noise field have been measured with towed line arrays in many of the major water masses of the world. This paper addresses the effects of bathymetry on the propagation and measurement of ambient noise can be fully understood only when the bathymetry along the propagation paths has been considered. Examples of measured data are presented illustrating the effects of bathymetric stripping and bathymetric shielding on the spatial character of the ambient noise. Other examples of measured data will be shown demonstrating that bathymetric influences are not limited to a narrow frequency range. In addition, modelled data is used to illustrate the effects of the surrounding bathymetry on noise and signal propagation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 09, 1991
Accession Number
ADA231765

Entities

People

  • J. Newcomb
  • M. R. Bradley
  • R. A. Wagstaff

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Acoustic Propagation
  • Active Sonar
  • Ambient Noise
  • Arrays
  • Bathymetry
  • Data Processing
  • Frequency
  • Measurement
  • Noise
  • Personality
  • Reverberation
  • Shielding
  • Shipping
  • Sonar
  • Transmission Loss
  • Water Masses

Readers

  • Acoustics.
  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Theoretical Analysis.