A Scatterer Map for the Malta Plateau

Abstract

A method is described by which reverberation data gathered on a cardioid array can be processed to produce a 'scatterer map' of an area. Such a map shows the locations of strong seabed scatterers and gives a qualitative estimate of their strength. The method cannot give absolute values for scattering strength but its output is nonetheless useful in describing the locations of strong scatterers in an area. Low-Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) data gathered on the Malta Plateau are presented and the physical causes of observed strong scatterers are described, along with an assessment of the degree of certainty to which these causes are known