What is the function of sonar technology?

Sonar technology primarily serves the function of detecting underwater objects. This is accomplished through the use of sound waves. Sonar, which stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging, emits sound pulses into the water, which then travel until they encounter an object and are reflected back to the source. By measuring the time it takes for these echoes to return, the location, size, and shape of the object can be determined.

This ability to detect various underwater objects makes sonar invaluable in numerous applications, such as navigation, fishing, and scientific research. For instance, boats and submarines use sonar to scan the ocean floor and locate obstacles, while researchers might employ the technology to study marine life or underwater landscapes, contributing to our understanding of underwater ecosystems.

The other options, while related to marine exploration or communication, do not capture the primary function of sonar technology. Measuring water temperature is a function of thermometers and other environmental sensors, transmitting messages through water typically involves specialized radio frequencies or other communication technologies, and surveying the seabed can be accomplished using different techniques not limited to sonar alone, though sonar can be a part of those methods.