Use of eddy modeling in studying acoustically‐relevant effects and underwater‐sound transmissions

Abstract

Mesoscale eddies give rise to large sound‐speed variations and large rotational currents, both of which may have considerable impact on underwater sound transmissions. Before transmission through an observed eddy can be adequately studied, a reasonable description of these environmental effects must be available. The primary intent of this paper is to show that, for certain classes of eddies, using limited temperature or current data and an analytical eddy model, approximations to the acoustically‐relevant environmental effects can be obtained throughout the eddy. Questions of unique specification of model parameters and of data sufficiency are analyzed. Using a previously‐derived eddy model, we present a number of examples including the use of time‐independent bathythermograph data and time‐dependent data obtained from oceanographic moorings. If the data is sufficient in both type and amount, accurate approximations to sound‐speed and current structures can be obtained. However, even if measurements are ...