The Velocity of Sound in Sea Water at Zero Depth

The velocity of sound has been measured in natural sea water samples at megacycle frequencies by means of modern interferometric techniques. From these measurements, an empirical equation has been formulated, and new tables and graphs of the velocity of sound in natural sea water at zero depth are presented on the basis of this equation. The validity of utilizing these velocity tables at sonar frequencies is based on theoretical work which indicates the error introduced by so doing is at least an order of magnitude smaller than the claimed accuracy. The accuracy of these tables is estimated to be within or - 0.2 meter per second. The velocity values range approximately 2-4 meters per second higher than those in existing tables.