Undersea volcano in the Marianas located by SOFAR

Abstract

Transient underwater second signals were detected at widely spaced SOFAR depth hydrophones in the Pacific during 14 December 1973. The signals, which had sound pressure levels of up to 45 dB above background in the frequency band 10–100 Hz, were spaced from 15 sec to several minutes apart, and all came from the same source area. Preliminary SOFAR fixes obtained from selected transients plot south of Myojin volcano in the Mariana Island arc near 22°N, 145°E, and are believed due to submarine volcanic eruptions. [Supported by Office of Naval Research and Naval Ship Systems Command.]