Sonar - GoKawiil

New sonar data explains why 2022 Tonga volcanic eruption produced an unusual tsunami

Scientists compared sonar seafloor mapping taken before and after the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption, revealing physical changes to the underwater volcano that help explain the tsunami it triggered. The eruption's tsunami behaved differently from typical earthquake-generated waves, prompting researchers to investigate its distinct origin.

gizmodo.com · 2026-09-25

WHOI researchers build sonar-vision system for robots in murky underwater sediment

Amy Phung and Richard Camilli of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution developed a navigation method that lets underwater robots map their surroundings using sonar, which works regardless of water clarity, then pairs that data with a French-developed image-matching algorithm to estimate depth in real time. This combination lets a vehicle safely approach objects even when cameras are blinded by sediment clouds stirred up during seafloor operations.

technologyreview.com · 2026-08-25