Acoustic thermometry for Arctic Ocean climate

Abstract

Several climate models suggest that the Arctic Ocean may be one of the more sensitive indicators of global climate change. In addition to changes in the Arctic Ocean temperature, the ice pack will also respond to these changes; for example, its mean thickness, roughness and the percentage of open water will all be modulated. Low frequency acoustic propagation in the Arctic is strongly influenced by the ice pack properties since the SOFAR axis is at or near the surface. In addition to the travel time and phase changes that could be observed due to changes in the Arctic Ocean temperature; phase and amplitude coherence, travel times, transmission losses, modal coupling are just a few of the observables which would respond to changes in the pack ice. Current understanding as well as future work and possibilities for acoustic thermometry of Arctic Ocean climate are reviewed.<>