Narragansett, RI -- July 23, 2003 -- Just as light passes through the atmosphere, so do acoustic waves travel easily through the ocean, and these waves are helping scientists learn more about the mysteries that the ocean holds. The URI Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) and the Naval War College Foundation invite the public to explore "Adventures in Underwater Sound: A New Wave of Ocean Exploration," a multi-media presentation given by GSO dean and physical oceanographer Dr. David Farmer. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, August 5, at 7 p.m. in Spruance Auditorium at the Naval War College in Newport. Science exhibits will be on view in the auditorium lobby prior to the lecture.

We can listen to the sound made by distant storms or underwater volcanoes, the fracturing of sea ice in the Arctic, or the impact of a raindrop on the sea surface, thereby discovering intimate details of the ocean and its interaction with the atmosphere and sea floor. From their vocalizations we can track the movement of marine mammals over great distances, and with active sound sources we can explore the exchange of water through straits, the generation of huge subsurface waves and the small changes in ocean temperature associated with climate change. Farmer’s dynamic and colorful presentation will illustrate these exciting developments that have led to acoustics’ new role in ocean exploration.

David Farmer is an internationally renowned expert on acoustical oceanography. Prior to his appointment as GSO dean, he was an oceanographer at the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Sidney, British Columbia, Canada. Together with his colleagues and graduate students, he seeks new insights on ocean processes through innovative measurement and analysis. He has a particular interest in the application of acoustical techniques to ocean research and has explored their use in topics ranging from the measurement of ocean surface bubbles to the fracturing of sea ice. Farmer is the recipient of numerous honors and awards and is recognized around the world for his innovative research.

This summer series is co-sponsored by the Naval War College Foundation through the generosity of the Colonel John A. and Eileen F. Carr Fund and the URI Graduate School of Oceanography.

Due to limited seating, reservations are required. To order free tickets, call the URI Graduate School of Oceanography at (401) 874-6642.