The formula used to measure ocean depth using sound waves is based on the principle of echolocation and is known as the echo sounder equation. It relates the speed of sound in water, the time it takes for the sound wave to travel to the seafloor and back, and the depth of the ocean.
The formula is as follows:
Depth = (Speed of Sound × Time) / 2
Where:
- Depth is the ocean depth being measured.
- Speed of Sound is the velocity of sound in water, which is approximately 1,500 meters per second.
- Time is the round-trip time taken for the sound wave to travel from the surface to the seafloor and back.
By measuring the time it takes for the sound wave to return, which can be determined using specialized instruments like echo sounders or sonar systems, and knowing the speed of sound in water, the depth of the ocean can be calculated using this formula.