The reflection of a plane wave of sound from a layer separating regions of different sound velocities, the layer itself containing a velocity variation through an extremum, is considered in terms of its dependence upon the angle of incidence, the layer thickness, and the velocity variation through the layer. It is found that the power reflection coefficient may differ significantly from its value for the corresponding abrupt or monotonic velocity transition. Numerical results are tabulated for various types of layers of thickness from zero to ten wavelengths and with a total velocity transition of ±5 and ±10 ft/sec.