Attenuation of Sound in Sea Ice, 10–500 kHz

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Langleben, M. P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1969
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Ellesmere Island; Tanquary Fiord; Journal of Glaciology; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000026988; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000026988

Abstract Measurements of the attenuation of acoustic waves in sea ice at frequencies f between 10 kHz and 500 kHz have been made on the ice cover at Tanquary Fiord, Ellesmere Island (lat. 81° 25′ N., long 76°50′ W.). A horizontal transmission path at a depth of 4 ft (1.3 m), mid-way between the top and bottom surfaces of the ice cover, was used at ranges varying from 25 ft (7.6 m) to 4 ft (1.3 m) between piezoelectric transducers immersed in oil-filled bore holes. The attenuation coefficient α was found to fit the equation a α = c 1 f + c 2 f 4 with c 1 = 4·45 × 10 −2 db m −1 kHz −1 , and c 2 = 2·18 × 10 −10 db m −1 kHz −4 . Over the frequency band covered, the linear term was predominant and the Rayleigh scattering term relatively insignificant.