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Seismic exploration noise reduction in the Marginal Ice Zone.
1Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), Box 115, 3191 Horten, Norway dag.tollefsen@ffi.no.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|July 5, 2014
Summary
Ambient noise in the Fram Strait
Area of Science:
- Ocean Acoustics
- Arctic Geophysics
Background:
- Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) acoustics are crucial for understanding Arctic sound propagation.
- Seismic exploration is a significant source of low-frequency underwater noise.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate spatial variability of ambient noise in the Fram Strait MIZ.
- Quantify noise reduction with increasing ice cover.
Main Methods:
- Deployed a sonobuoy array in the Fram Strait MIZ in June 2011.
- Analyzed ambient noise levels from 10-200 Hz.
- Applied a spreading loss model to observed noise reduction.
Main Results:
- High noise levels (10-200 Hz) linked to distant seismic exploration (1400 km).
- Noise levels decreased significantly with range into the ice cover.
- Observed attenuation factor was lower than for interior Arctic propagation.
Conclusions:
- Distant seismic exploration is a major contributor to MIZ ambient noise.
- Under-ice interaction significantly contributes to transmission loss.
- Spreading loss model effectively describes noise reduction in the MIZ.
