Abstract
Theories of sound generation by surface wave interaction usually calculate the far field noise, i.e., that applicable to receivers deep in the ocean, say 5000 m deep. Substantially higher noise levels are to be expected at receivers in the near field (depths up the several hundred metres). This paper compares the theoretical and measured depth dependence results. At 50 m depth, noise levels may be up to 20 dB higher than at 5000 m. The noise generated by wave interaction depends critically on the horizontal spread of surface wave energy. Measurements of this spread of energy are fairly consistent at high frequencies and wind speeds, and these are the values usually used to calculate the noise. As frequencies approach the spectral peak from above, the spread of energy decreases with the consequence that noise levels would be lower than predicted. Moreover, estimates of this spread vary over a wide range in the region of the spectral peak, sufficient to vary the predicted noise levels by about 40 dB. This may account for some of the observed variation in noise levels, however there remain some unresolved inconsistencies.
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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Cato, D.H. (1993). Depth Dependence and Some Anomalous Effects of Noise from Surface Wave Interaction. In: Kerman, B.R. (eds) Natural Physical Sources of Underwater Sound. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1626-8_13
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1626-8_13
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