How do you map the depths of the seafloor?
Bathymetry is the measurement of water depth in oceans, seas, or lakes. Using R/V Falkor’shigh resolution multibeams the team will scan the bottom of the ocean and image its relief - similar to a medical scan of the ocean’s floor. The multibeams operate using specialized sonar system. A mutlibeam sonar sends out sound waves that bounce off the sea floor and, by measuring these returning waves, it allows the science team to make a map. You can learn more about bathymetry here.