REFLECTION COEFFICIENTS AND BOTTOM LOSSES AT NORMAL INCIDENCE COMPUTED FROM PACIFIC SEDIMENT PROPERTIES

Abstract

Rayleigh reflection coefficients and bottom losses of compressional waves at normal incidence on the water‐sediment interface are computed with values of density and velocity measured in sea‐floor sediment samples; main sediment types in three major environments of the Pacific and adjacent areas are included. Some typical average computed values of acoustic bottom loss at normal incidence in db are (1) continental shelf: sands, 8; silty sand, 10; sandy silt, 14; silty clay, 16; (2) abyssal plain: clayey silt, 17; silty clay and clay, 21; and (3) abyssal hill: silty clay and clay, 17. Comparisons with actual measurements at sea by several investigators demonstrate the validity of the approach.