"Military sonar" refers to a type of underwater sound technology used by the military to locate objects or enemies in the water. It works by emitting sound waves that bounce off surfaces and return to the device, helping military personnel detect and locate underwater targets or navigate through the ocean.
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This project is designed to better understand the behavior of numerous protected marine mammal species that inhabit the southern California Bight and provide direct, controlled measurements of their reactions to sound, including
military sonar systems.
It is also providing direct, controlled, high - resolution measurements of individual reactions to sound,
including military sonar systems, to better estimate risk and minimize effects of mid-frequency sonar systems.
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How Military Sonar Kills Whales (Video)
This interdisciplinary research collaboration of private sector, federal agency, and academic scientists is designed to increase knowledge of marine mammal behavior and changes in behavior as a function of sound exposure, including
simulated military sonar, for various species.
Dr. Southall has been a leading member and co-principal investigator of three recent pioneering behavioral response studies, focused mainly on effects
of military sonar systems and deep - diving beaked whales.
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Military Sonar Kills Whales (Video)
Biologists worked on the assumption the creatures were immune, but recent reports of beaked whales suffering acute bendslike symptoms
after military sonar exposure raised the question anew.
Beaked whales showed a variety of responses to both real,
military sonar in the distance and nearby simulated sonar.
By better understanding this species» diving behaviors, the scientists hope to solve an ongoing mystery: Why are Cuvier's beaked whales particularly sensitive to
military sonar operations?
A custom vertical line array sound source will project simulated MFAS signals at much lower power than
real military sonar systems during CEEs.
While military sonar systems and seismic airguns used in oil / gas exploration and scientific research have received considerable attention in the overall issue of noise impacts on marine life, less intense but far more widespread and chronically - present noise sources, particularly large commercial ships, have only recently begun to be specifically considered.
Brandon Southall, SEA Inc. and University of California Santa Cruz, will be presenting «Marine Mammal Responses to
Simulated Military Sonar: Southern California Behavioral Response Study» on Tuesday, March 12 at noon (4 pm GMT) at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
We know that ocean noise is damaging to whales, especially when it comes to the deadly effects
of military sonar.
The work provides some of the first clues into
how military sonar might cause whales to strand themselves and could eventually lead to regulations to protect the animals.
Some marine biologists had raised the possibility that distracting noises,
including military sonar, could have disoriented the whale.
Military sonars have clearly contributed to some recent strandings of beaked whales, but no evidence supports assertions that all whales are being affected by sonar.
To document the impacts of boat engines,
military sonar, and other unnatural sounds on these animals, a team led by biologist Heather Heenehan of the Duke University Marine Laboratory in Beaufort, North Carolina, deployed underwater acoustic recorders in four popular resting bays off the shores of Kona, Hawaii, from 2011 to 2013.
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Military sonar can alter blue whale behavior: Human - made noises cause ocean giants to move away from feeding spots.»
Webcast: Marine Mammals and
Military Sonar.
Marine animals are suffering from the decimation of their food sources from overfishing and from assaults by destructive fishing gear,
military sonar, oil drilling and pollution.
Whales are extremely sensitive to sound, and it is known that
military sonar is a significant cause of whale deaths.