ECHO

ECHO is a sidescan sonar towfish, which is an instrument that allows scientists to “look” at the seafloor up to a depth of 3,000 meters. ECHO sends out sound waves, which bounce off the ocean floor or objects resting on the ocean floor. These sound waves are sent back to the ship and are recorded. The sound recordings can then be used to create images of the sea floor based on the depth to which the waves traveled. Because sound travels further underwater, ECHO can be more effective then light and video and can image a larger area faster. ECHO was developed for the Institute for Exploration by the Woods Hole Marine Systems Inc.