FY 1983

Wind dependence of underwater ambient noise

Kerman, B.R., D.L. Evans, D.R. Watts, and D. Halpern

Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 26(2), 105–113, doi: 10.1007/BF00121536 (1983)

Sound generated underwater by wind waves displays two sensitivities to wind speed depending on whether the waves are breaking. A historical review is presented of several experimental studies over the years, as well as new results obtained at a relatively quiet, deep equatorial Pacific site. The duration of the experiment, the multiple high frequency bands as well as the desirable acoustic attributes of the site are useful in establishing the wind sensitivity, and its variability. The results are compared to a recent theoretical model of sound generation by oscillating bubbles in breaking waves.