Sienna Rhodes
Oregon's ocean soundscape is a rich tapestry of natural and human-induced noises. From the crashing waves on its rugged coastline to the vocalizations of whales and the hum of ships, the Pacific Ocean in the Northwest can be a remarkably loud environment. Scientists from Oregon State University have studied the ocean sounds off the coast of Oregon, deploying hydrophones to capture the diverse acoustic landscape. The Oregon Coast offers a unique soundscape, with ambient noise levels that can be similar to or even exceed those of other regions, especially in the lower-frequency range influenced by surf-generated noise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oregon Coast Ocean Sound | Soothing |
| Varied mix of tidepool life and sand | |
| Ancient "ghost forests" | |
| Roaring sounds of sea lions | |
| Vocalizations of blue whales and fin whales | |
| Sounds of waves, wind and rain | |
| Booming cries of whales | |
| Rumbling of ships passing overhead | |
| Crescendos from earthquakes |
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What You'll Learn
Oregon Coast's ambient noise
The Oregon Coast is known for its ambient noise, with the Pacific Ocean in the Northwest creating a remarkably loud environment. A year-long study of noise, published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, found that the Oregon Coast had similar noise levels to other regions for frequencies above 100 Hz, but rose sharply for frequencies affected by surf-generated noise – generally below 100 Hz.
The study, supported by the Department of Energy, the Oregon Wave Energy Trust, NOAA, and OSU, deployed a hydrophone in 50 meters of water just off the coast of Newport, Oregon, to listen to the natural and human-induced sounds from the ocean. The researchers recorded noise from local vessels during 66% of all hours of the year, with an acoustic spike during the commercial crabbing season. However, the biggest contributor to the low-frequency sound budget was from the surf breaking on the beach a few kilometres away.
The Oregon Coast's ambient noise is also influenced by the presence of wildlife, such as the Steller sea lions in America's largest sea cave, the Sea Lion Caves, located on the Oregon Coast. The roaring sounds of these sea lions can be a life-changing experience for visitors.
Additionally, Oregon scientists have contributed to research on ocean noise more broadly, including a project that lowered a hydrophone almost seven miles below the ocean surface into the Challenger Deep, the deepest spot on Earth. The device recorded constant sounds from natural and man-made sources, including the booming cries of whales, ships passing overhead, and earthquakes. This research is part of a broader effort to monitor increasing levels of man-made noise in the world's oceans and their impact on marine life.
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Whale vocalizations
The mechanism of whale sound production differs between the two suborders of cetaceans: the Odontoceti (toothed whales) and the Mysticeti (baleen whales). Odontocetes, such as dolphins, produce rapid bursts of high-frequency clicks and buzzes by passing air through a structure in their head called the phonic lips, which act similarly to human vocal cords. These sounds are then shaped and directed by the melon, a specialized organ, to create a beam of sound useful for echolocation. Every toothed whale, except the sperm whale, has two sets of phonic lips, allowing them to make two sounds independently.
Sperm whales, on the other hand, have vocalizations based on four types of clicking: echolocation, creaks, codas, and slow clicks. Codas, in particular, are short rhythmic sequences of clicks that are distinctive to each social group and are learned through vocal learning within these groups. They act as symbolic markers of clan identity, indicating patterns of travel, foraging, and socializing or avoidance between clans.
Baleen whales, including the largest whales such as the blue whale, were previously thought to produce sounds at frequencies of around 15-20 Hz. However, a whale in the North Pacific was recorded "singing" at 52 Hz, a surprisingly low frequency. This discovery suggests that currently known whale species may have a much wider vocal range than previously thought, and it has sparked debate among scientists about the uniqueness of this vocalization and the potential for hybrid whale species.
The study of whale vocalizations is an ongoing area of research, with scientists like those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) deploying hydrophones to record and study whale sounds in particularly noisy areas of the ocean, such as the Challenger Deep. By analyzing these vocalizations, scientists hope to gain insights into whale behavior and communication, and the impact of human interaction and noise pollution on their marine environment.
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Environmental sounds
The Oregon Coast is known for its ambient noise, with a varied and robust soundscape. Environmental sounds range from waves pounding the beach, to the wind, to the vocalizations of blue and fin whales, and the barking of sea lions.
Oregon-based oceanographer Robert Dziak, who led a project for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), noted that the ocean is a surprisingly noisy place, with constant sound from natural and man-made sources. The sounds of the ocean can be soothing, and some people find the beating of the waves relaxing and helpful for concentration.
The Oregon Coast has a particularly high level of surf-generated sound, with the constant sound of breaking surf dominating the low-frequency noise budget. This wasn't necessarily the loudest noise, though, as boats passing overhead can create stronger signals. The sounds of the ocean are being mapped to monitor increasing levels of man-made noise and their effects on marine life.
The Oregon Coast offers a range of spots with unique sounds, from the peaceful Manzanita Beach, with its ancient "ghost forests", to the bustling Port Dock One in Newport, where the barking of sea lions can be heard. The sounds of the ocean can be experienced virtually through videos and noise generators, providing a relaxing auditory experience.
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Biological sounds
The ocean is a noisy place, with a combination of human-made and biological sounds. Marine animals have evolved over millions of years to use underwater sound as a primary means of communication and to assess their environment. Sound plays an essential role in critical activities for marine species, like breeding, foraging, maintaining social structure, and avoiding predators.
The degree to which these sounds are present varies from one ecosystem to another and on diurnal and seasonal timescales. Biological sounds are a noticeable contribution to the ocean soundscape at certain times of the year. The dominant source of naturally occurring noise across the frequencies from 1 Hz to 100 kHz is associated with ocean surface waves generated by the wind acting on the sea surface. Below 5-10 Hz, the dominant ambient noise source is the nonlinear interaction of oppositely propagating ocean surface waves, which are called microseisms.
The sounds of marine life are important to study as they can inform us about the behaviours of marine animals. For example, researchers use hydrophones to measure sound levels and to understand the impact of human-made noise on marine life. SoundMap and CetMap are tools that allow us to map the time and location of noise and the number of cetaceans in a given area at a specific time. This information is used to determine where marine animals go to breed and find food, and what routes they use to migrate.
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Oregon's ocean sound budget
Oregon's ocean soundscape is a rich tapestry of natural and human-induced noises. From the booming cries of whales to the rumble of ships, the ocean's deepest spot off the Oregon coast is surprisingly noisy, as discovered by Oregon-based scientists. This has sparked interest in the impact of human-induced noise on marine life and efforts to monitor and map ocean soundscapes.
Oregon's unique soundscape is shaped by its dynamic ocean environment, including the constant sounds of breaking surf on its beaches. Researchers from Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center deployed a hydrophone in 50 meters of water off the coast of Newport, Oregon, to study the ambient noise for over a year. They found that Oregon's low-frequency noise budget is often dominated by the constant sounds of breaking surf, which can be remarkably loud and impact ambient noise levels in the coastal ocean.
The study, published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, was supported by multiple organizations, including the Department of Energy and the Oregon Wave Energy Trust. It plays a crucial role in understanding the environmental impacts of testing wave energy devices off Oregon's coast. The research contributes to a broader effort to monitor increasing levels of human-made noise in the world's oceans and their effects on marine life.
To further these efforts, funding for ocean science research in Oregon has been a topic of discussion. The Ocean Science Trust, created by the 2013 legislature, initially lacked funding and staff. However, with support from organizations like Oregon Shores, there have been efforts to secure funding for the Trust to enable research and provide matching money for grants from federal and private foundation sources. The competitive grant program aims to catalyze funding from other sources and address the relationship between ocean health and various aspects such as livability, health, economic prosperity, and safety in Oregon and its coastal communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oregon Coast has a varied and robust sound budget. Sources of sound include natural sources like waves pounding the beach, heavy winds, and biological sounds like the vocalizations of blue whales and fin whales. There are also human-induced sounds, such as those from ships, container shipping traffic, commercial fishers, and recreationalists.
There are many spots along the Oregon Coast known for their unique ocean sounds. Some popular spots include Manzanita Beach, Newport, and Depoe Bay. Manzanita Beach, known for its soothing ocean sounds, has city rules that prohibit chain stores and restaurants. Newport is known for its California sea lion sightings and the sounds of their barking. Depoe Bay is home to the Whale Watching Center, which offers staff assistance, binoculars, and educational materials for spotting whales.
Scientists from Oregon State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have deployed hydrophones in the Pacific Ocean near Oregon to study the natural and human-induced sounds. These hydrophones are designed to withstand the rugged ocean conditions and are placed near the seafloor to capture low-frequency sounds. The data collected helps evaluate the intensity and impact of new sounds introduced to the ocean environment.
