Abstract:
The parabolic equation (PE) method is a useful approach for solving range-dependent ocean acoustics problems. The PE method can also be used to model the propagation of internal gravity waves in the ocean. One of the possible applications of a range-dependent gravity wave model to ocean acoustics would be to generate a model-based noise spectrum that could be used as an alternative or complement to the empirical spectrum of Garrett and Munk [J. Geophys. Res. 80, 291--297 (1975)]. This could be done using the approach of Kuperman and Ingenito for modeling surface-generated acoustic noise [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 67, 1988--1996 (1980)] for an appropriate distribution of gravity wave sources. The mathematical details of a PE for gravity waves will be discussed. Examples will be presented to illustrate the propagation of gravity waves in range-dependent environments. [Work supported by ONR.]