Depth-integrated equation for hydro-acoustic waves with bottom damping

Abstract

AbstractWe present a depth-integrated equation for the mechanics of generation, propagation and dissipation of low-frequency hydro-acoustic waves due to sudden bottom displacement in a weakly compressible ocean overlying a weakly compressible viscous sediment layer. The model is validated against a full 3D computational model. Physical properties of these waves are studied and compared with those for waves over a rigid sea bed, revealing changes in the frequency spectrum and modal peaks. The resulting model equation can be used for numerical prediction in large-scale domains, overcoming the computational difficulties of 3D models while taking into account the role of bottom dissipation on hydro-acoustic wave generation and propagation.