Development of an Acoustic Probe for Detailed Ocean Bottom and Sub-Bottom Surveys.

摘要

The report outlines the development of an Acoustic Probe designed to resolve fine details of bottom and sub-bottom sediment layering particularly in deep water where ship sounders are usually inadequate. Penetration depths range from 12to 72meters and resolution approaches 15cms. The new instrument consists of a small but high powered short-pulse echo sounder operating at 12kHz and designed to be lowered on 1/4inch diameter single conductor logging cable to a maximum water depth of 6200meters. This unit is self-contained and battery operated. Excellent correlation has been observed between depth of sub-bottom layering as recorded by the Probe and as determined from sediment cores taken in the same location. Generally,the acoustic stratigraphy thus obtained in localized survey areas has proven sufficiently detailed to pre-determine acoustically whether an area warrants further investigation via coring or other means.