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Sound generation in the ocean by breaking surface waves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 April 2006

Y. P. Guo
Y. P. Guo
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
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Abstract

Various flow processes resulting from the breaking of ocean surface waves are examined in order to determine their relative efficiencies as sources of sound. Momentum fluctuation arising from splashing water sprays is identified as the major contributor to the underwater sound. It is shown that the splashing is more efficient in radiating sound than other processes, such as unsteady foaming that entrains air bubbles into water, and turbulent motions in the surface layer associated with compressibility of the entrained bubbles. A model is presented to estimate the sound power radiated in terms of parameters of the wind and surface wave field. Comparison of theory with measurements is made and good agreement is discovered.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 181 , August 1987 , pp. 329 - 347
Copyright
© 1987 Cambridge University Press

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