The Challenger expedition, which took place from 1872 to 1876, measured the depth of the Atlantic Ocean using a technique called "sounding." This involved lowering a weighted rope or line overboard until it reached the ocean floor, then measuring the length of the line to determine the depth. The crew also used a device called a "sounding machine" that could provide more accurate measurements. The data collected during this expedition significantly advanced the understanding of ocean depths and topography.
Atlantic
Depth is a measure of distance between the surface and the ocean floor.
Ocean depth
SONAR
Scientists use sound waves to measure the depth of the ocean through a method called sonar. By sending sound pulses from a ship to the ocean floor and measuring the time it takes for the sound waves to bounce back, scientists can calculate the depth of the ocean at that location.
They are sometimes used to measure the depth of an ocean
A device called a echo sounder or sonar is used to measure the depth of the ocean using sound waves. Sound waves are emitted from the instrument and the time taken for the sound waves to bounce back from the ocean floor is used to calculate the depth.
Scientists use echo sounders or sonar technology to measure ocean depth. These tools work by sending sound waves down into the water and measuring how long it takes for the sound to bounce back, allowing scientists to calculate the depth of the ocean floor.
Sonar.
Lead Weight
Scientists measure ocean depths using sonar technology, which involves sending sound waves into the water and measuring how long it takes for them to bounce back. Another method is using satellite altimetry, which measures the sea surface height and then estimates the depth based on the gravitational pull of underwater features. Submersibles equipped with depth sensors can also be used to directly measure the depth of the seafloor.
The average depth of the ocean is about 2.5 miles.