Item talk:Q57544
From geokb
Hydrographic surveys of rivers and lakes using a multibeam echosounder mapping system
A multibeam echosounder is a type of sound navigation and ranging device that uses sound waves to “see” through even murky waters. Unlike a single beam echosounder (also known as a depth sounder or fathometer) that releases a single sound pulse in a single, narrow beam and “listens” for the return echo, a multibeam system emits a multidirectional radial beam to obtain information within a fan-shaped swath. The timing and direction of the returning sound waves provide detailed information on the depth of water and the shape of the river channel, lake bottom, or any underwater features of interest. This information has been used by the U.S. Geological Survey to efficiently generate high-resolution maps of river and lake bottoms.
Table of Contents
- Using Sound Waves to Map River and Lake Bottoms
- The Multibeam Echosounder Mapping System
- Applications of the Multibeam Echosounder Mapping System
- References Cited
