Ocean soundwaves could help stop tsunamis

Published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics, the research describes how sound waves and surface gravity waves – which had previously been thought unrelated due to the disparity in their propagation speeds – can interact. Known as triad resonance, the process requires two acoustic waves and a single surface gravity wave.

By aligning the properties of the different waves correctly, the sound waves can be used to alter the dynamics of the ocean waves. As well as being used to reduce the wave power of a tsunami, the technique could also amplify wave power for enhanced clean energy generation. 

“Our study describes how these two wave types, which exist in parallel worlds, can nevertheless exchange energy when the right conditions mature,” said Dr Usama Kadri, reader in Applied Mathematics at Cardiff University and lead author of the study.

“This ‘conversation’ between acoustic waves and surface gravity waves is made possible by a unique three-wave interaction known as triad resonance. In theory, this process allows us to effectively control wave energy – either by reducing destructive waves like tsunamis or boosting ocean waves for renewable energy capture.