bathymetry
Underwater depth mapping
Bathymetry is the measurement and mapping of underwater depths—the submarine equivalent of topography.
A bathymetric map shows the contours of ocean floors, lake beds, or river bottoms: The bathymetry revealed an underwater canyon.
The data comes from sonar, satellites, or direct soundings.
Data shown visually
- contourBounding line of shape
- GISSpatial data framework
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- profilingCharacterizing by patterns
depth sounding · nautical chart · topographic · three-dimensional
Nautical depth unit
- abyssImmeasurably profound depth
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- seafloorOcean's solid base
- deep-seaOf ocean depths
benthic · ocean basin · continental shelf · mid-ocean ridge · seamount · submarine canyon · profundity · plunge
Study of water bodies
- geodesyEarth measurement science
- oceanologyStudy of marine environments
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
- marine scienceStudy of ocean systems
salinity · tidal · current · water column · thermocline · ocean floor · nautical · maritime
Underwater detection by echoes
- echosounderAcoustic depth-measuring instrument
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- acousticRelating to sound
- transducerEnergy form converter
hydrophone · ROV · swath · depth gauge · lead line
chart
Data shown visually
profiling · depth sounding · nautical chart · topographic · three-dimensional
fathom
Nautical depth unit
deep-sea · benthic · ocean basin · continental shelf · mid-ocean ridge · seamount · submarine canyon · profundity · plunge · pressure
hydrography
Study of water bodies
- geodesyEarth measurement science
- oceanologyStudy of marine environments
- sedimentologyStudy of geological deposits
marine science · salinity · tidal · current · water column · thermocline · ocean floor · nautical · maritime
sonar
Underwater detection by echoes
- echosounderAcoustic depth-measuring instrument
- submersibleUnderwater exploration vehicle
- acousticRelating to sound
transducer · hydrophone · ROV · swath · depth gauge · lead line
bathymetrytopography
Physical feature mapping
land surveying · altimetry · height measurement · geodesy · geomorphology