Using seismic sources of opportunity to investigate sound propagation in the Gulf of Mexico

For more than two decades, a network of acoustic sensors has been monitoring ambient sound across the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), a region with extensive seismic survey activity. These surveys, trackable through the Automatic Information System (AIS), produce low-frequency acoustic signals that offer a unique opportunity to study sound propagation over large distances. The signals are consistently detectable across the sensor network, covering ranges of up to ∼1000 km. Analysis reveals that transmission loss is strongly influenced by bathymetric features between survey locations and receivers. Specifically, downslope conversion and subsequent deepwater propagation reduce propagation loss, while upslope and along-slope propagation lead to greater propagation loss. This study highlights the potential for seismic surveys to be a valuable resource for advancing our understanding of acoustic propagation in marine environments.