Abstract:

The feasibility of an inversion for the properties of the stochastic internal wave field using acoustic measurements is demonstrated. Certain parameters of a generalized internal wave model can be obtained for both deep- and shallow-water cases. A hierarchy of inversion scenarios has been studied using numerical simulations where the scenarios vary from extensive vertical and temporal separations to single point measurements. Because acoustic measurements intrinsically average over range, they provide an important constraint to three-space plus time stochastic models. Using acoustic data with standard oceanographic measurements provides even a more stringent set of inversion constraints. These issues are considered and how acoustics may be used to answer open questions about the properties of internal waves and other random ocean processes is examined.