Velocity of Sound in Sea Water (20°C, 10m depth) to Meter per Hour

The speed of sound in seawater at 20°C and 10 meters depth is approximately 1,522 m/s, varying with temperature, salinity, and pressure.

Complex function of T, S, P. Mackenzie equation: c ≈ 1,449 + 4.6T - 0.055T² + 0.00029T³ + (1.34-0.01T)(S-35) + 0.016z. Typical: ~1,500 m/s.

To km/h: × 3.6. To ft/s: × 3.281. 1,522 m/s = 5,479 km/h = 3,404 mph.

Naval sonar, commercial ship echo sounders, underwater positioning systems, and marine seismic surveys.

Sound speed increases ~1.3 m/s per °C, ~1.3 m/s per PSU salinity, and ~1.7 m/s per 100m depth. SOFAR channel at ~1000m depth traps sound for thousands of km.

Using a single constant — sound speed in the ocean varies significantly with depth and location. Always measure or calculate for local conditions.

~1,500 m/s is a good approximation. Remember: warmer, saltier, deeper = faster sound. Critical for accurate sonar ranging.

Meter per hour measures the distance in meters traveled over the course of one hour. It's a very slow speed unit used for measuring gradual processes.

1 m/h = 1/3600 m/s = 0.000278 m/s. Very small speed unit for very slow processes.

To m/s: ÷ 3,600. To km/h: ÷ 1,000. To ft/h: × 3.281.

Glacier movement (typically 10–200 m/h in fast glaciers), hair growth (0.0001 m/h), slow industrial processes, and scientific experiments.

Average glacier: 10–100 m/h. Tectonic plate movement: ~0.005 m/h. Bamboo (fastest growing plant): up to 0.091 m/h.

Confusing m/h with m/s — m/h is 3,600 times slower. Using it for normal speeds instead of km/h or m/s.

Remember: 1,000 m/h = 1 km/h. Useful for very slow processes. Think glaciers, not cars.