Description
The collection consists of administrative files, technical documents, legal materials, correspondence and audiovisual materials
from the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project.
Background
The theoretical origins of the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate (ATOC) Project began in 1975 when Walter Munk and Carl
Wunsch discovered ocean acoustic tomography as a technique with which to measure temperature variations across the large expanses
of the ocean. This discovery activated the 1991 Heard Island Feasibility Test, which was designed to establish the usable
parameters of long-range acoustic transmissions in the ocean. This precursory experiment determined that underwater sounds
transmitted from Heard Island in the South Polar Sea could be discerned at great distances around the globe, and provided
the necessary conceptual foundation for the launch of the ATOC program in 1993. The Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate
Project was administered by the UCSD Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
The purpose of the project was to investigate climate change using satellite altimetry, acoustic thermometry and climate modeling
in the North Pacific Ocean. ATOC was initially approved and the appropriate permits were successfully attained. As originally
hypothesized, data analyses from ATOC confirmed that acoustic thermometry can be used as an effective tool for measuring large-scale
ocean temperature variability. However, the project stirred considerable public controversy regarding the effects of underwater
acoustics on marine mammals. Continuous negative media attention compelled the funders of the project to withdraw their support,
and ATOC was gradually defunded and ultimately discontinued in 2006. Peter Worcester transferred the ATOC files to the SIO
Archives when the project's office closed.
Extent
15.6 Linear feet
(39 archives boxes)
Restrictions
Publication rights are held by the Regents of the University of California.
Availability
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.