On a depth sounder, what type of bottom shows clear lines?

Prepare for the Boatswain’s Mate Chief (BMC) SWE Exam with in-depth study materials and multiple-choice questions. Enhance your understanding with well-explained hints and explanations. Ready yourself to excel!

Multiple Choice

On a depth sounder, what type of bottom shows clear lines?

Explanation:
The key idea is how the seabed reflects the sonar signal. A depth sounder sends an acoustic pulse and listens for the returning echo. Hard bottoms with a strong reflectivity, like gravel, bounce more of that sound back and produce a sharp, continuous bottom echo that appears as clear lines on the display. Softer bottoms such as soft mud absorb and scatter the sound, giving a fuzzier, less defined bottom indication. Sand can also show a distinct bottom, but gravel typically yields the cleanest, most crisp line. So, gravel is the bottom type that shows clear lines on a depth sounder.

The key idea is how the seabed reflects the sonar signal. A depth sounder sends an acoustic pulse and listens for the returning echo. Hard bottoms with a strong reflectivity, like gravel, bounce more of that sound back and produce a sharp, continuous bottom echo that appears as clear lines on the display. Softer bottoms such as soft mud absorb and scatter the sound, giving a fuzzier, less defined bottom indication. Sand can also show a distinct bottom, but gravel typically yields the cleanest, most crisp line. So, gravel is the bottom type that shows clear lines on a depth sounder.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy