Acoustics is the science of sound; ocean acoustics attempts to describe how sound behaves in the ocean. A strong understanding of how sound behaves in different conditions beneath the surface of the water or the seafloor helps scientists answer fundamental questions about the planet, the ocean, and marine life. Sound travels much farther than light through water —in some cases, up to thousands of miles. The speed of sound in the ocean also varies, increasing with increases in temperature, salinity, and pressure (depth). These characteristics make sound an excellent tool to study questions about the physics, chemistry, and biology of the ocean that would be difficult or impossible to approach any other way. Ocean acoustics can involve detecting and interpreting naturally occurring sounds such as those made by whales and fish or earthquakes, as well as man-made sounds such as those made by ships. Scientists also purposely generate sounds in order to measure ocean currents, track temperature changes over vast areas of the ocean, or measure water depth and map the seafloor. Because sound travels well through solids scientists also use it to probe the structure of sediments and rocks deep beneath the seafloor in order to study such things as the geophysical processes that generate earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. From Oceanus Magazine[ ALL ] FEBRUARY 8, 2013 Seismic Studies Capture Whale Calls New software could reveal songs amid the sounds OCTOBER 5, 2012 What Is the Sound of 130 Wind Turbines Turning? Researchers record undersea sound at offshore wind farm site WHOI News Releases APRIL 1, 2010 Now in Broadband: Acoustic Imaging of the Ocean AUGUST 7, 2003 Geological Tool Helps Scientists Map the Interior of the Ocean WHOI In the News[ ALL ] JUNE 19, 2013 Sharks: Researchers plan to be off Chatham for tagging in August Cape Cod Times APRIL 5, 2013 River dolphins use lower pitch sonar signals than marine dolphins, whales Science Codex
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 13:31:43 +0000
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