Characteristics of signals recorded near shore in the Mediterranean during the THETIS 2 experiment

Most of the western Mediterranean coast is characterized by a narrow shelf and steep rise. Thus it should be fairly easy to install sources and/or receivers cabled to shore for permanent acoustic monitoring of the basin. The study of the feasibility of this option was one of the goals of the THETIS 2 project. Results of a ship-borne acoustic survey over the continental rise will be presented. Signals were recorded at 26 stations, opening up in range, with an 8-channel vertical array. Several of the receptions implemented a synthetic aperture array concept. Where available, the results will be compared to those obtained at French Navy, fixed hydrophones locations, in particular, a long time series at a single shallow water hydrophone. [Work supported by EC/MAST and IFREMER.]