A wave-theoretical interpretation is given of pressure waves generated in shallow water by explosions of charges of T.N.T. ranging from 0.5 to 300 lbs., and recorded by Ewing and Worzel. (See accompanying paper, Explosion sounds in shallow water.)

The normal mode theory of propagation of sound in layered media, which was developed by the writer in 1941, was extended to cover the case of explosive sound, and the predictions of the theory about the shape and variation of amplitude in the received pressure pulse were investigated in detail. It was found that the theory predicted the existence of...