Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project Records, 1991-1996
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project Records
- Dates:
- 1991-1996
- Abstract:
- The collection consists of administrative files, technical documents, legal materials, correspondence and audiovisual materials from the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project.
- Extent:
- 15.6 Linear feet (39 archives boxes)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project Records, SAC 32. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection consists of administrative files, technical documents, legal materials, correspondence and audiovisual materials from the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project. Subjects of note include project publicity and the Marine Mammal Research Program.
Arranged in six series: 1) MEETINGS, 2) LEGAL FILES, 3) PUBLICITY, 4) SUBJECT FILES, 5) CORRESPONDENCE and 6) AUDIOVISUAL RECORDINGS.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate (ATOC) Project was launched in 1993 after several decades of mounting global warming concerns. The theoretical origins of ATOC can be traced as far back as 1975 when scientists Walter Munk and Carl Wunsch suggested acoustic tomography as a technique for measuring temperature variations across large expanses of the ocean.
This approach led to the 1991 Heard Island Feasibility Test (HIFT). Two sound sources were installed: one on Pioneer Seamont off central California and the other north of Kauai. Designed to establish the usable parameters of long-range acoustic transmissions in the ocean, this experiment determined that underwater sounds transmitted from Heard Island in the South Polar Sea could be discerned at great distances around the globe. These results provided the necessary conceptual foundation for the launch of the ATOC program in 1993.
ATOC was administered by the Cecil and Ida M. Green Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. The purpose of the project was to investigate climate change using satellite altimetry, acoustic thermometry and climate modeling in the North Pacific Ocean. 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.
Although ATOC was initially approved and the appropriate permits were attained, the project stirred considerable public controversy regarding the effects of underwater acoustics on marine mammals. Although the sound sources transmitted were in accordance with marine mammal study protocols, continuous negative media attention compelled the funders of the project to withdraw their support. ATOC was gradually defunded and ultimately discontinued in 2006. When the ATOC office closed, Peter Worcester transferred the Project's records to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography Archives.
- Acquisition information:
- Acquired 1998.
- Accruals:
-
This collection has additional unprocessed materials not described in this finding aid. See the UC San Diego Library catalog record to view the acquisition dates and extent of unprocessed additions.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-06-26 11:46:57 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW TWO TO THREE (2-3) WEEKS FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Original media formats are restricted. Viewing/listening copies may be available for researchers.
- Terms of access:
-
Publication rights are held by the Regents of the University of California.
- Preferred citation:
-
Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project Records, SAC 32. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
- Location of this collection:
-
9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0175La Jolla, CA 92093-0175, US
- Contact:
- (858) 534-2533