Summary of Five Years of Ambient and Anthropogenic Sound in the SOCAL Range Complex 2012 - 2017

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Underwater ambient and anthropogenic sounds were recorded over 5 years in the U.S. Navy’s Southern California Range Complex, at three sites ranging from ~500 m to 1300 m deep from June 2012 to June 2017. This report summarizes low-frequency ambient soundscape and anthropogenic sounds from mid-frequency active sonar and explosions over the 5-year period. Long-term average ambient sound pressure levels were highest at the shallow near-shore site (P) and lowest at the site (H) in the western San Nicolas Basin, likely related to nearby vessel activity.