Bottom Interaction in Ocean Acoustic Propagation
Abstract
The long term objective is to understand the dominant physical mechanisms responsible for propagation and scattering over distances from tens to thousands of kilometers in the deep ocean where the sound channel is not bottom limited. The specific goal is to study the role of bottom interaction and bathymetry on the stability, statistics, spatial distribution and predictability of broadband acoustic signals observed just above and on the deep seafloor (greater than the critical depth). What is the relationship between the seismic (ground motion) noise on the seafloor and the acoustic noise in the water column? What governs the trade-offs in contributions from local and distant storms and in contributions from local and distant shipping? How effective is seafloor bathymetry at stripping distant shipping noise from the ambient noise field? This project addresses "the effects of environmental variability induced by ocean internal waves, internal tides and mesoscale processes, and by bathymetric features including seamounts and ridges, on the stability, statistics, spatial distribution and predictability of broadband acoustic signals..." (quote from the Ocean Acoustics web page). Understanding long range acoustic propagation in the ocean is essential for a broad range of Navy applications such as the acoustic detection of ships and submarines at long ranges, avoiding detection of ships and submarines, long range command and communications to submerged assets, and improving understanding of the environment through which the Navy operates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA617572
Entities
People
- Ralph Stephen
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution