depth sounding
Measuring water's floor
Depth sounding is the measurement of water depth, traditionally done by lowering a weighted line until it hits bottom.
The technique gives us sound out and plumb the depths as metaphors for investigation.
Modern depth sounding uses sonar—sending sound waves down and timing their return.
A single measurement is also called a sounding: The chart showed soundings of forty fathoms.
- lead lineWeighted rope for depth
- sonarUnderwater detection by echoes
- bathymetrySubaqueous topographical measurement
- hydrographyStudy of water bodies
- chart datumTidal elevation reference point
plumb bob · magnetometers · pressure sensors · dredging · ship navigation · sea level · ocean floor · deep water · cartography · dead reckoning · ping · trench · probe · anchor · submarine · survey · maritime · hull
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