Resolving meso-scale seabed variability using reflection measurements from an autonomous underwater vehicle.

摘要: Seabed geoacoustic variability is driven by geological processes that occur over a wide spectrum of space-time scales. While the acoustics community has some understanding horizontal fine-scale variability, less than O(100) m, and large-scale greater O(103) there paucity data resolving meso-scale O(100–103) m. Measurements along an ostensibly “benign” portion outer shelf reveal three classes variability. The first class was expected due to layer thicknesses: this only could be directly tied seismic reflection data. second rapid changes in properties and/or boundaries, occurring scales meters hundreds meters. third observed as variations angle/frequency dependent coefficient within single observation suggestive at meter or less. Though generally assumed negligible acoustic modeling, are indicative strong given layer. observations give early insight into possible effects on long-range propagation reverberation.