Hot topics in acoustical oceanography

Abstract

Acoustics continues to play an ever-increasing role as a means of exploring the ocean. In every area of oceanography, acoustic techniques are being used to make measurements that would have been considered science fiction only a few scant years ago. In this lecture, we will show some of the recent, sometimes startling advances that have been made in oceanography using acoustics. We will also endeavor to put the acoustics measurements in the context of other types of measurements that are made. Starting with physical oceanography, we will look at the advances that have been made, going from the largest (gyre) scales to the smallest (microscopic turbulence) oceanographic scales. We will then turn to marine geology, and examine how various acoustic techniques both map the structure of the marine sediments and also help us understand the formation of sedimentary structures. Finally, we will examine marine biology, where acoustic techniques are helping us quantify the abundance of marine life and, at a more basic level, understand marine ecosystems.