Observations Regarding Sediment Type and Compressional-Wave Velocity

Abstract

The long-term goal is to enable realistic geoacoustic modeling given limited sediment properties information. The purpose of this research is to examine ODP sonic logs to determine if there are indeed consistent relationships between compressional-wave velocity (Vp) and certain sediment types. Geoacoustic models (Hamilton,1980) are widely used in the acoustical and geophysical communities to predict acoustic behavior in the upper several hundred meters of the sea floor. The basis for these models are regression equations that provide expected values for various sediment geoacoustic properties as they change with depth below the sea floor. A key element of geoacoustic models is the change in sound velocity with depth. Hamilton (1980) derived velocity/ depth functions for three sediment types (siliceous - S, terrigenous - T, and calcareous - C) based on empirical fits to field measurements (sonobouy data). The curves imply a correlation between sediment type and velocity to the extent that one can reasonably predict acoustic behavior in most ocean areas.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 2001
Accession Number
ADA626070

Entities

People

  • Frederick A. Bowles

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Acoustic Signals
  • Boundaries
  • Carbonates
  • Communities
  • Data Sets
  • Earth Sciences
  • Information Operations
  • Military Research
  • Motion
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Seabed
  • Sediments

Readers

  • Acoustical Oceanography.
  • Oceanography.
  • Regression Analysis.