Listening to a Melting Arctic Ocean – Singing the Blues?
Peter N. Mikhalevsky, SAIC
February 19, 2009
Abstract:
The waters of the Arctic Ocean have been warming since the mid
1990’s. Average maximum temperatures have risen by more than
1°C. In the last 20 years submarine measurements of sea ice
draft have shown a 40% reduction in average sea ice thickness while
satellite remote sensing has shown a 14% reduction in sea-ice extent
over the same period decreasing at a rate of 3-5%/decade (thicker
multi-year ice at 7-10%/decade). Forecasts indicate that if these
trends continue the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free, “A Blue Arctic
Ocean” before the end of this century. Significant effort is
needed to expand our observational capabilities in the Arctic Ocean to
support better modeling, forecasting and improve our understanding of
this critical ocean and the linkages to global climate. One
technique acoustic thermometry has been shown to be a very effective
for monitoring average heat content and average temperature in the
Arctic Ocean and in particular in the Arctic Intermediate Water (AIW)
layer. Two experiments conducted in 1994 and 1999 measured the
warming and demonstrated the feasibility of long term
observations. Plans are in process to incorporate acoustic
thermometry and tomography in in-situ Arctic Ocean observatories.
Biographical Information:
Dr. Mikhalevsky’s expertise is in underwater acoustics, acoustic signal
processing, and oceanography. Dr. Peter N. Mikhalevsky received
the B.A. and M.S. degrees jointly from Harvard University in 1972 and
the Ph.D. degree from M.I.T. in 1979. Dr. Mikhalevsky was
commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy in 1972 and served on active
duty for 12 years followed by 8 years in the reserves, retiring in
1992. His specialty is Anti-Submarine Warfare and he was
instrumental in the introduction of tactical towed arrays in the Navy.
Upon leaving active duty in 1983, Dr. Mikhalevsky joined the faculty of
M.I.T. where he was Associate Professor in the Department of Ocean
Engineering teaching acoustics and array processing. He joined
SAIC in 1985 and started a new division in advanced marine science and
technology. Dr. Mikhalevsky is currently Senior Vice President
and Manager of SAIC’s Acoustic and Marine Systems Operation. Dr.
Mikhalevsky has authored or co-authored more than 20 publications in
books and journals and more than 40 in conference proceedings and
presentations. For his research in underwater acoustics Dr. Mikhalevsky
is the recipient of the Biennial Award (now the R. Bruce Lindsay Award)
of the Acoustical Society of America, the A.B. Wood Medal and Prize
from the Institute of Acoustics, U.K., and the Decibel Award from the
Naval Undersea Warfare Center, New London, CT. Dr. Mikhalevsky is
an SAIC Fellow, a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and
Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.