1. Bathymetry of the Sea Floor
“Mapping the Ocean Floor
How and Why”

2. Purposes for Bathymetry
Determine the bottom depth and contour these depths for bottom analysis
Determine topographic features by looking from the top down and bottom geomorphology
Detail physical factors including water current, sediment transport, slope and areas for layering, etc…
Use values for comparisons of changing bottom features and movement of sediments

3. Technologies have evolved to more accurately survey the ocean floor

4. Using echo sounding to determine depth
Measuring water depth: Echosounding
Test your knowledge
If a sound pulse takes 2 seconds to travel to the seafloor and return to the ship, what is the depth to the seafloor? (Use 1500 m/sec as the speed of sound).

8. George’s Bank Bathymetric Chart

9. Lake Michigan Bathymetric Map showing contour intervals