A sound intensity field that is influenced by refraction of high frequency sound in a high‐frequency internal wave is compared with the intensity field in the same medium with no internal wave on the thermocline. Ideal ocean mediums composed of three distinct layers are assumed for both cases. The surface layers have no sound velocity gradient, and the other two layers in both mediums are characterized by linear sound velocity gradients. Properties of the internal waves are similar to those observed off the coast at San Diego, California, in the summer months. The results show that narrow zones of high intensity and broad zones of low intensity alternately occur over a range as predicted by an earlier theory. In the first case (no internal wave in the medium 1, contrasts in the intensity of about 5 db occur over distances of one internal wavelength or less. In the second case (an internal wave in the medium), intensity contrasts of as much as 22 db occur over the same distance.