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Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project Records
SAC 0032
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Table of contents
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project Records
Identifier/Call Number: SAC 0032
Physical Description:
15.6 Linear feet
(39 archives boxes)
Date (inclusive): 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.
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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
MATERIAL.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.
Original U-matic and Betacam tape formats are restricted; however, content has been digitized and is available for viewing
upon request.
Acquired, 1998.
Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate Project Records, SAC 32. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Publication rights are held by the Regents of the University of California.
All content in series 6) AUDIOVISUAL MATERIAL has been digitized and is available for viewing upon request.
Communications Office Records (SAC 54) Accession 2010-28 contains 5 archives boxes of additional material on the ATOC project.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ocean tomography
Marine mammals -- Effect of noise on
Underwater acoustics
Ocean sounds -- Measurement
Acoustic Thermometry of the Ocean Climate Project -- Archives