Sound propagation in shallow water: A detailed description of the acoustic field close to surface and bottom

Experimental data are compared with normal-mode predictions for an isovelocity shallow-water propagation channel overlying a complicated layered bottom. Measurements were made close to both the sea surface and the sea floor with a vertical hydrophone spacing of 1 m. Excellent agreement between theory and experiment is obtained over the frequency range 50–3200 Hz and for ranges up to 30 km. Some problems associated with deterministic modeling are also discussed and appropriate solutions are indicated.