An empirical time-depth model for calculating water depth, northwest Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

The velocity of sound in water varies nonlinearly with depth in temperate and tropical ocean basins, limiting the accuracy of representing water velocity with a single average value. A seventh-order polynomial provides an empirical model for converting seismic travel time to water depth in the northwest Gulf of Mexico. This method works best for the continental slope where relief can vary markedly over salt structures, whereas application on the shelf is limited by local and seasonal variations in water velocity. Calculated depths may differ from those of other techniques because of difficulties interpreting competent water bottom. © 1993 Springer-Verlag.