Sound Waves and Ocean Acoustics

Acoustic (sound) waves have been called the “daylight” of the ocean. Unlike the air, light in the ocean is absorbed within tens of meters and the vast reaches of the ocean depths are almost completely dark. However, the ocean is largely transparent to acoustic waves. Many organisms living in the ocean have adapted to the use of acoustic waves to get information about their environment, and many ocean observing technologies have been developed along similar lines.

This section will rely on materials found on the Discovery of Sound in the Sea (DOSITS) website. and on Dan Russell’s website Acoustics and Vibration Animations.