SOFAR Axis Depth Lookup
Actual sampled sound-speed minima/ties only, no geographic axis table or interpolation to a unique duct center. Caller independently establishes units, regime, calibration and applicability; this does not establish design-code compliance, authenticity, operational safety, treatment efficacy or a validated forecast.
Description
A SOFAR axis is associated with a sound-speed minimum in a water column.
A SOFAR axis is associated with a sound-speed minimum in a water column.1
This tool finds minima among sampled depths and retains every exact tie.
When to use SOFAR Axis Depth Lookup
Use this tool to calculate or review the supplied observations under the stated rules. Match the observation interval, units, datum, coordinate signs and model regime.
How to use SOFAR Axis Depth Lookup and understand its results
- Match the observation interval, units, datum, coordinate signs and model regime.
- Enter observedSoundProfileDepthM, observedSoundSpeedsMSecond, using the field meanings and rules below, then run the tool.
- Read sampledSofarMinimumDepthsM, minimumObservedSoundSpeedMSecond. Inspect nested result fields where present, and review unknown records separately from known matches.
- Correct any reported input issue and run again. Before using a successful result, check the stated units, signs, reference scope and observation coverage.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| observedSoundProfileDepthM | Observed sound profile depth m | list of number | Required |
| observedSoundSpeedsMSecond | Observed sound speeds m second | list of number | Required |
Supply nonempty aligned nonnegative depths and positive sound speeds. Depths must strictly increase, with one sample allowed. Find the minimum speed and return all observed depths with exactly that value. It does not interpolate a duct centre.
minimum=min(c_i); depths={z_i:c_i=minimum} Use the matching field units and the exact boundary, ordering and reference rules above.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| sampledSofarMinimumDepthsM | Sampled sofar minimum depths m | list of number |
| minimumObservedSoundSpeedMSecond | Minimum observed sound speed m second | number |
{
"input": {
"observedSoundProfileDepthM": [
0,
100,
200
],
"observedSoundSpeedsMSecond": [
1500,
1480,
1480
]
},
"output": {
"sampledSofarMinimumDepthsM": [
100,
200
],
"minimumObservedSoundSpeedMSecond": 1480
}
}Limitations and assumptions
The stated observation or model covers only the supplied record and reference regime. It does not fill missing measurements, supply uncertainty estimates or produce a validated forecast.
Missing required fields, unknown fields, wrong types and violated rules return input issues. Numeric values and outputs must be finite. Lists and matrices must be dense, without missing cells. Numeric lists allow at most 10000 entries; ordinary string lists allow at most 128 strings of 128 UTF-16 units each; numeric matrices allow at most 128 rows and 128 columns, subject to narrower requirements above.
Alternative or Complementary methods
For a related step, use Brunt Vaisala Ocean Stability Calculator: The squared Brunt–Väisälä frequency describes stratification in a matched density profile. For a complementary comparison, use Potential Density Sigma Theta Calculator: Potential density evaluates a parcel at its potential temperature and a chosen reference pressure.
References
-
SOFAR Axis Depth Lookup — tool.io
Similar or alternative tools
- Brunt Vaisala Ocean Stability Calculator
The squared Brunt–Väisälä frequency describes stratification in a matched density profile.
- Potential Density Sigma Theta Calculator
Potential density evaluates a parcel at its potential temperature and a chosen reference pressure.