An Ocean of Sound

Imagine you are deep in the ocean. Your senses are muted. You cannot see, smell or taste. Touch is very limited. Only your hearing is available to help you understand your surroundings. Luckily, you are surrounded by the “ocean soundscape.” This is a vast and complex collection of sounds that come from living organisms, natural processes and human activities. Sound is used underwater the way we use light to “see” and is the primary method for sensing in deep ocean environments. Sound is essential for marine animals to survive, find food and locate marine life to communicate. It is used by humans to map the ocean bottom, explore for oil and gas, find sunken treasure and search for submarines.

In this session we will explore the many uses of sound in the ocean. We will begin by seeing how sound is generated and spread throughout the ocean, followed by the many ways sound is used by marine life. Next, we will examine how sound is used by humans for exploration, research and military operations. Finally, we will discuss noise pollution in the ocean and its impact on marine life.

Peter Ranelli, Ph.D., has more than 40 years of experience in oceanography and meteorology. He completed a 25-year career in the U.S. Navy, specializing in operational oceanography and meteorology, retiring with the rank of captain. He has extensive experience in underwater systems including autonomous robotic vehicles, underwater acoustics as applied to anti-submarine warfare and communications, physical oceanography and meteorology, oceanographic instrumentation and operational environmental support. He served as the battle group oceanographer for the USS New Jersey (BB-62), the fleet oceanographer for the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea and deputy director of ocean and atmospheric sciences at the Naval Research Laboratory. After leaving the Navy, he was the head of applied research at the NATO Undersea Research Centre in Italy. Peter has a master’s degree with distinction in meteorology and oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School and was awarded a secretary of the Navy fellowship to earn a Ph.D. in oceanography from Dartmouth College.