Microtopography of Five Small Areas of the Continental Shelf by Side-Scanning Sonar

Abstract

The microtopography of the continental shelf in five areas between Nova Scotia and New York was investigated with side-scanning sonar. The results were checked against those previously obtained by conventional methods in all areas and against later visual observations of the bottom from a research submersible vessel in two areas. Side-scanning sonar proved to be an ideal device for learning the distribution and relationships of rock, boulder, and sand bottoms and for measuring the patterns and trends of several sizes of sand waves and of large ripple marks