ASA 128th Meeting - Austin, Texas - 1994 Nov 28 .. Dec 02

2aUW2. Correlation functions for sediment acoustic properties.

Kevin B. Briggs

Seafloor Sciences Branch, NRL, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529

Models for sediment volume scattering require knowledge of the correlation functions for sediment sound velocity and density (or porosity). High-resolution vertical correlation functions of these properties have been estimated using sediment porosity and compressional wave velocity data measured vertically at regular, closely spaced intervals from diver-collected core samples. Because the data series are truncated owing to a limited core length, the correlation functions were estimated using a first-order autoregressive model and autocorrelations were calculated with Burg's algorithm. Correlation length estimates were from a variety of shallow-water sites. Relationships between grain size and correlation length are discussed.