Impact of Upper Ocean Variability on Acoustic Propagation - a contribution to the NORSE DRI
Abstract
The heterogeneous density field at the surface of the ocean leads to a non-uniform response of the upper ocean to atmospheric forcin g and complex evolution of the upper ocean properties. Particularly at subpolar latitudes, the variability at short temporal and spa tial scales produce significant variation in acoustic transmission loss at mid- and low-frequencies. The Nordic Seas northeast of Ic eland provide excellent opportunities to understand the relative importance of atmospheric forcing, mesoscale stirring, and instabil ities associated with lateral density gradients and shear in driving rapid upper ocean evolution in the subpolar North Atlantic. We propose to use sustained, multi-month measurements collected as part of the NORSE project to quantify and understand the evolution o f fine- and submeso-scale features and investigate the impact of specific features (e.g. fronts, eddies) and stochastic variability (internal waves, spice) on observed acoustic transmission loss and ray pathvariability.Approved for Public Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112768
Entities
People
- Luc Rainville
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington