About: Seafloor mapping

Seafloor mapping (or seabed mapping), also called seafloor imaging (or seabed imaging), is the measurement, mapping, and imaging of water depth of the ocean (seabed topography) or another given body of water. Bathymetric measurements are conducted with various methods, from depth sounding, sonar and Lidar techniques, to buoys and satellite altimetry. Various methods have advantages and disadvantages and the specific method used depends upon the scale of the area under study, financial means, desired measurement accuracy, and additional variables. Despite modern computer-based research, the ocean seabed in many locations is less measured than the topography of Mars.