This Is Used To Study The Ocean Floor

Sound waves travel through water at.

This is used to study the ocean floor. Sound waves are emitted and bounce off the ocean floor to determine the distance from the receiver which most likely causes the western coast of the united states to be so plentiful and diverse in sea life. In this chapter we start by reviewing the history of ocean exploration and the use of the oceans as a means of transportation for colonization and trade. There are three tools used to map the ocean floor sonar satellites and submersibles. According to scientific american the ocean floor has been mapped.

The study of oceanography allows scientists to study the ocean floor and sea life. Sonar is also known as echo sounding. Thus exploration and study of the oceans has lagged many centuries behind human explorations and scientific studies of the land and terrestrial ecosystems. Bathymetry the shape of the ocean floor is largely a result of a process called plate tectonics.

1 asked in oceans and seas. A graph is generated that shows the ocean s depth in relation to the location of the ship. This technology allows a broad three dimensional view of the ocean floor topology. Sonar is a type of electronic depth sounding equiptment made in the 1920 s it is an acronym for sound navigation and ranging.

A device records the time it takes sound waves to travel from the surface to the ocean floor and back again. They study the floor using instruments such as a deep sea exploration vehicle. Today s technology lets scientists to study the ocean in a quicker and precise way. Plate tectonics and the ocean floor.

The graph reveals the topography of the ocean floor. Scientists are using various other techniques such as radar to explore the ocean floor. How is sonar used to map the surface of the ocean floor. A gpsglobal positioning system satellite receiver determines the exact location of the ship on the earth s surface.

Understanding this technology is a key element to improve our abilities to locate resources in a marine environment to replace those that are being depleted. The outer rocky layer of the earth includes about a dozen large sections called tectonic plates that are arranged like a spherical jig saw puzzle floating on top of the earth s hot flowing mantle. Echo sounding technology is used to study the structure and composition of the ocean floor.