Chapter 35 



APPLICATIONS OF SEDIMENTATION TO NAVAL 

 PROBLEMS 



R. Dana Russell « 



Staff Geologist and Oceanographer 



U. S. Navy Electronics Laboratory 



San Diego, California 



Applications of the study of sediments to naval problems are much 

 broader than might be inferred from a strict interpretation of the term 

 sedimentation, which is usually taken to mean the processes by which 

 sediments are formed. This discussion therefore includes applications 

 in the more general fields of sedimentary petrology and submarine 

 geology. Also, the Navy's interest in these fields is not limited to in- 

 vestigations immediately applicable to today's problems. Well aware 

 of the need for increasing our fund of basic scientific knowledge, and 

 of the fact that future applications are not always predictable, the 

 Navy Department undertakes or sponsors a number of fundamental 

 research projects in the earth sciences. A few examples of these are 

 listed as indications of the Navy's breadth of interest. 



The information on which this article is based is scattered through 

 reports and documents not readily available to the general public. 

 Much of this information has not yet been published. The accom- 

 panying bibliography is therefore incomplete, and it is not possible 

 to mention all those who participated in the work described. I can 

 only express my general indebtedness to all the geologists, oceanog- 

 raphers, and others who contributed, especially during World War II. 



FIELDS OF APPLICATION 



The principal fields in which information on sediments applies to 

 naval problems are in the use of underwater sound, in mining opera- 

 tions, in the installation of underwater equipment, in shore installa- 

 tions and amphibious operations, and, to a limited extent, in the opera- 

 tion of naval vessels. 



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