ASA 127th Meeting M.I.T. 1994 June 6-10

2pUW13. Investigation of the ocean acoustic signatures from strong explosions at a long distance in the ocean sound channel by computer simulation.

Minao Kamegai

John W. White

Douglas B. Clarke

Lawrence Livermore Natl. Lab., L-200, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551

The identification and location of ocean acoustic signatures are the principal objectives of a program to discourage clandestine testing of nuclear explosives. Difficulties arise primarily from variations in the water column. In turn, these variations affect acoustic propagation in the SOFAR channel. In this study, the path effects on the signals generated by strong explosions (1 and 10 kn) are investigated. The goal is to make a quantitative correlation between the initial source description and the final acoustical signatures received at a great distance under various conditions. The study is performed entirely by computer simulations applying two computer programs in succession. First, the explosions are simulated by a 2-D hydrodynamic computer program, CALE, which was originally developed to calculate astrophysical problems. The computed signals have reached more than 700 m deep approaching the SOFAR channel. At this point, the CALE output is linked to a hydro-acoustic computer program, the NPE code, by which wave propagation in the SOFAR channel is modeled. The NPE code was developed at the Naval Research Laboratory to study ocean acoustics. [Work supported by the U. S. Department of Energy under Contract No. W-7405-ENG-48.]