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Scientists didn't know much about the ocean floor before the 1950s because technology at the time limited their ability to explore deep underwater. The development of sonar technology and submarines during the 1950s allowed scientists to collect more data and map the ocean floor more accurately. Additionally, prior to this time, most research efforts were focused on studying the land, so the ocean floor remained largely unexplored.

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Q: Why didn't scientists know a lot about the ocean floor prior to the 1950s?
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Why didn't scientists know a lot about the ocean floor prior to 1950s?

Prior to the 1950s, scientists had limited access to advanced technology that enabled deep-sea exploration. Sonar technology and submersibles were not widely available, making it difficult to study the ocean floor in detail. Additionally, the vast size and depth of the ocean made it a challenging environment to explore and understand.


Is it true that during the 1940s and 1950s scientists began using radar on moving ships to map large areas of the ocean floor in detail?

Yes, that is true. Scientists began using radar on moving ships to map large areas of the ocean floor in detail during the 1940s and 1950s. This method, known as swath mapping, allowed for more accurate and comprehensive mapping of the ocean floor compared to previous techniques.


How do scientists map features of the ocean floor using sonar?

Scientists use sonar to map the ocean floor by sending sound waves from a ship to the ocean floor. These sound waves bounce back and are picked up by a receiver on the ship, providing information about the depth and texture of the ocean floor. By analyzing the time it takes for the sound waves to return, scientists can create detailed maps of the underwater terrain.


Why do scientists look to the ocean floor to research the mantle?

Scientists study the ocean floor to understand the mantle because it provides access to the boundary between the Earth's crust and mantle. This boundary, known as the Moho, holds key information about the composition and behavior of the mantle, helping scientists understand processes like plate tectonics and mantle convection that shape the Earth's surface.


How can scientists map the ocean floor using the satellite Geosat?

Scientists can map the ocean floor using the satellite Geosat by measuring the height of the ocean surface, which is affected by the gravitational pull of underwater features. By comparing these measurements with known gravitational models, scientists can infer the shape and depth of the ocean floor. This method, called satellite altimetry, allows for the creation of detailed maps of the seafloor topography.

Related questions

Why didn't scientists know a lot about the ocean floor prior to 1950s?

Prior to the 1950s, scientists had limited access to advanced technology that enabled deep-sea exploration. Sonar technology and submersibles were not widely available, making it difficult to study the ocean floor in detail. Additionally, the vast size and depth of the ocean made it a challenging environment to explore and understand.


Is it true that during the 1940s and 1950s scientists began using radar on moving ships to map large areas of the ocean floor in detail?

Yes, that is true. Scientists began using radar on moving ships to map large areas of the ocean floor in detail during the 1940s and 1950s. This method, known as swath mapping, allowed for more accurate and comprehensive mapping of the ocean floor compared to previous techniques.


What are the scientist who work on the ocean floor called?

Scientists who work on the ocean floor are called marine biologist


How do scientists make maps of the ocean floor?

Sonar


Why do scientists look to the ocean to research the mantle?

Why do scientists look to the ocean floor to research the mantle? Because magma from the mantle flows out of active volcanoes on the ocean floor. These underwater volcanoes have given scientists many clues about the composition of the mantle.


Why didnt scientists know a lot about the ocean floor prior to the 1950's?

Because water is mostly opaque, and there was a LOT of it between the surface and the ocean floor. Divers were limited to a few hundred feet depth, and it wasn't until the development of the bathysphere and bathyscaphe that people were able to do down deep and LOOK.


Why do scientist look to the ocean floor to research the mantle?

Why do scientists look to the ocean floor to research the mantle? Because magma from the mantle flows out of active volcanoes on the ocean floor. These underwater volcanoes have given scientists many clues about the composition of the mantle.


How did scientists determine how the ocean floor is?

Radiometric Dating.. APEX!


How do scientists map features of the ocean floor using sonar?

Scientists use sonar to map the ocean floor by sending sound waves from a ship to the ocean floor. These sound waves bounce back and are picked up by a receiver on the ship, providing information about the depth and texture of the ocean floor. By analyzing the time it takes for the sound waves to return, scientists can create detailed maps of the underwater terrain.


How do scientists study the ocean?

They send underwater submarines to study the ocean floor.


Why do scientists look to the ocean floor to research the mantle?

Scientists study the ocean floor to understand the mantle because it provides access to the boundary between the Earth's crust and mantle. This boundary, known as the Moho, holds key information about the composition and behavior of the mantle, helping scientists understand processes like plate tectonics and mantle convection that shape the Earth's surface.


How can scientists map the ocean floor using the satellite Geosat?

Scientists can map the ocean floor using the satellite Geosat by measuring the height of the ocean surface, which is affected by the gravitational pull of underwater features. By comparing these measurements with known gravitational models, scientists can infer the shape and depth of the ocean floor. This method, called satellite altimetry, allows for the creation of detailed maps of the seafloor topography.