High-frequency acoustic propagation in the presence of ocean variability in KauaiEx

Variability of physical ocean parameters can cause significant fluctuations of acoustic propagation in shallow water. In the Kauai experiment (KauaiEx) conducted during June-July 2003, extensive acoustic measurements along with various environmental measurements were made using a variety of vertical line arrays and a bottom mounted sound source in a 100-m shallow water region near the Kauai Island, Hawaii. In this paper, acoustic signals recorded on three autonomous receiving arrays are studied against the measured environmental parameters. It is shown that high frequency acoustic propagation is affected by the temporal and spatial changes in the water column and the sea surface. It is also shown that the ocean variability impacts different arrival rays depending on their travel paths.