Long ranging bathymetric surveying

A long range acoustic side scan echo ranging system has been tested in the region east of the Bahama Islands and the Blake Plateau. The system employs a discrete, linear hydrophone array towed at an approximate depth of 600 m. Deep explosive charges fired at regular intervals serve as sound sources. Reflections were returned from the Bahama and Blake escarpments at ranges up to 370 km and can be correlated with known topographic relief. This ranging system test clearly shows the possibilities of making long range bathymetric surveys.