Applied Underwater Acoustics

Chapter 8

The Seafloor

M.D. Richardson¹, and D.R. Jackson^2     1Marine Geosciences Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS, United States     ²Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States

Abstract

An understanding of seafloor properties and processes is essential for the solution of many problems in underwater acoustics where acoustic–seafloor interactions dominate. This includes an understanding of acoustic propagation, reflection, and scattering models. Applied bottom-interacting acoustic problems should employ the simplest seafloor models and sediment characterization that provide results with the accuracy required for the problem. In this chapter, we provide a review of recent acoustic ...