Binaural systems measure instantaneous time/level differences between acoustic signals received at the ears to determine angles λ between the auditory axis and directions to acoustic sources. An angle λ locates a source on a small circle of colatitude (a lamda circle) on a sphere symmetric about the auditory axis. As the head is turned while listening to a sound, acoustic energy over successive instantaneous lamda circles is integrated in a virtual/subconscious field of audition. The directions in azimuth and elevation to maxima in integrated acoustic energy, or to points of intersection of lamda circles, are the directions to acoustic sources. This process in a robotic system, or in nature in a neural implementation equivalent to it, delivers its solutions to the aurally informed worldview. The process is analogous to migration applied to seismic profiler data, and to that in synthetic aperture radar/sonar systems. A slanting auditory axis, e.g., possessed by species of owl, leads to the auditory axis sweeping the surface of a cone as the head is turned about a single axis. Thus, the plane in which the auditory axis turns continuously changes, enabling robustly unambiguous directions to acoustic sources to be determined.
The Alula‐Fartak transform fault is associated with a broad, steep‐sided valley running NNE‐SSW across the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. A discussion of the tectonics of the fracture zone is based principally on GLORIA side scan sonar and gravity data. The transform valley is 180 km long and 25 km across, has 3.5 km of relief, and is bounded by transverse ridges. The northern two‐thirds is highly asymmetrical in cross section. The eastern wall dips 38° and appears to be a single scarp exposing a section of oceanic crust 3100 m thick. The western wall is much less steep and accommodates several normal faults oriented at about 15° to its general trend. A very fine, long sonar target running along part of the valley delineates the main active strike‐slip fault. The sonar data also reveal many fine faultlike targets between the main walls, running approximately at right angles to the trend of the valley, which may be anti‐Riedel shears. A 50‐km‐long, 7.5‐km‐wide, and 1.5‐km‐high median ridge runs along the southern third of the transform valley. Gravity data show that the valley is underlain by a significant mass deficiency thought to be a large serpentinite intrusion. The median ridge is suggested to be the surface manifestation of a large serpentinite diapir. The ridges flanking the transform valley are above a level compatible with isostatic equilibrium and are interpreted as flexural features raised in response to the upward loads imposed on the lithosphere by the fracture zone valley and its underlying mass deficiency. Very shallow crust is located close to the ridge‐transform intersections. This is considered to result from static flexure induced by the negative load of the transform valley superimposed on dynamic compensation of the spreading center valley. Evidence of a c. 3.5 m.y. B.P. change in spreading direction suggests the transform has experienced a recent component of opening, accounting for several aspects of its structure.
The backscatter response of a seabed to an incident sonar signal is dependent on the carrier wave frequency: i.e., the seabed is acoustically colourful. Colour is implemented in a prototype three-frequency sidescan sonar system deployed in the Pentland Firth, north Scotland. Sonar amplitude data as a function of frequency are processed to render them an unconfounded effect of the seabed normalized to the response at a reference inclination angle, for colour to be a meaningful property of the seabed. Methods for mapping data at sonar frequencies to optical primary colours for human visualisation are explored. We recommend methods that in our opinion generate colour characteristics harmonious with human vision in which: shadow is white; saturation black; colour shade darkness is proportional to backscatter strength; and shades of red, green and blue are seen in proportion to the backscatter amplitudes of the low-, mid-and high-frequency sonar data. Frequency equalisation is applied to achieve a balance in colour responses in images. The seabed in the survey area is acoustically colourful. Using the "negative BGR" colour mapping method: a weakly backscattering sand dune in the north of the survey area appears as shades of light blue and purple; a strongly backscattering halo of cobbles around the dune appears as shades of hazel brown; a strongly backscattering gravel ridge across the south of the survey area appears as shades of royal blue; and exposed rock as textures ranging in colour from light brown to light blue/green. There is evidence for colour anisotropy (a dependence of colour on the direction of ensonification). Similarities between anthropic colour sonar and the natural sonar of Microchiropteran bats are noted. Bats' sonar satisfies the information criteria for acoustic colour, and it is hypothesized that it informs a colourfully-perceived world view.
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