FY 1993

Estimation of seafloor roughness spectral parameters from multi-beam sonar acoustic backscatter data: Axial Seamount, Juan de Fuca Ridge

Dziak, R.P., H. Matsumoto, and C.G. Fox

Geophys. Res. Lett., 20(17), doi: 10.1029/93GL01057, 1863–1866 (1993)

A new method to estimate seafloor roughness spectra applies the surface backscatter model of Jackson et al. [1986] to multi-beam sonar backscatter data. The use of principal components analysis, following spectral estimation, derives a single mappable index from correlated spectral parameters. This index can be mapped as a continuous field corresponding to geological observations in the area. This method allows for quantitative delineation of the neovolcanic zone and other zones of volcanic and tectonic activity from hull-mounted sonar systems.