Sound speed and attenuation measurements in gassy sediments in the Gulf of Mexico

The speed and attenuation of sound in gassy marine sediments in the Mississippi delta area have been measured by means of small (1 to 500 mg) explosive charges buried 30 m below the mud line. The respective values obtained were 800 m/sec and 1.4 dB/kHz-m. Effective gas content was estimated to be approximately 0.06 percent.