Modeling high-frequency reverberation data from coastal waters

Abstract

High-frequency (40–180 kHz) acoustic reverberation data have been taken from a region 26 miles south of Panama City, Florida. The data sets were obtained from a series of bottom scattering measurements taken in an area where the bottom was covered with coarse sand and shell fragments. Two different high-frequency scattering models designed for high-frequency reverberation predictions had previously failed to match the data. These data have been reexamined using highly accurate ocean acoustic computer models based on the finite-element solution to the Helmholtz wave equation. While these models were designed for lower frequency predictions, the availability of supercomputers allowed us to apply these models at these high frequencies. In this study, new comparisons are given to the data and to the previous modeling predictions. [Work supported by ONR/NRL and a High Performance Computing DoD grant.]