CAVITATIONAL MECHANISM OF ACOUSTIC-SIGNAL GENERATION BY AN UNDERWATEREARTHQUAKE

Sound generation due to acoustic cavitation induced in the upper ocean ic layers by underwater earthquakes is considered. Cavitation is cause d by the reflection of the initial pressure pulse generated by bottom displacement from a pressure-release boundary (the sea surface). A new equation of motion of a vacuum cavity with allowance for the effect o f sound radiation at the final stage of its collapse is proposed. The rate of vacuum cavity collapse is found to be less than the sound velo city in water. The form of the spectrum emitted by cavitating water du ring an underwater earthquake is determined, and the characteristic ac oustic pressure levels are estimated.