Book 19, Question 50
How Do Scientists Map the Bottom of a River?
Scientists map the bottom of a river with sonar! Sonar sends a pulse of sound down and times how long the echo takes to return. A boat travels back and forth to build a map.
More fun facts
- Scientists map river bottoms using sound.
- Scientists study river bottom maps to see how floods could affect bridges.
- Side-scan sonar paints a picture of the riverbed.
- Lidar makes detailed models of a river's depth, width and flow.
- USGS scientists are mapping the whole stretch of the Potomac River.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA Ocean Exploration
Questions kids ask
How can sound map a riverbed?
Side-scan sonar uses sound to paint a picture of the riverbed.