The Ocean Soundscape
Sound may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the ocean, but it is everywhere. It carries secrets about the behavior of marine animals, the dynamics of natural events, and countless other underwater processes. Read more below about different oceanic sounds and how researchers use them to understand the underwater world.
BIOLOGICAL
In the ocean, where visibility is often limited, many marine animals rely on sound to navigate, forage, and communicate. Researchers study these sounds to understand migration paths, social behavior, and food sources. Understanding these patterns not only gives us insight into their lives, but also guides efforts to protect animals and their ecosystems from threats like habitat disruption, overfishing, and human-made noise.
ANTHROPOGENIC
Humans add a lot of extra noise to the ocean, and it’s changing how marine animals live. Imagine living next to a railroad with trains passing by every minute of every day - that's what some ocean creatures experience. Things like boats, construction, and sonar create loud sounds that can travel for miles, sometimes disturbing or drowning out the calls of whales, fish, and other marine life. By studying these human-made noises, scientists can identify ways to reduce our impact and help both people and animals thrive.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Earthquakes, waves, wind, and ocean currents constantly generate acoustic energy under the water's surface. These sounds provide important context for marine life, influencing how animals communicate, navigate, and detect predators or prey. By studying environmental noise, scientists can also monitor natural events, understand ocean dynamics, and assess how human activity may impact ocean acoustics.
Scroll through the image below to see some of the important acoustic signals in the oceanic soundscape. If there's one that interests you, click on it to learn more and hear a sample.
