The Hidden Impact Of Military SONAR On Marine Life

Cross posted from https://lemmy.ca/post/70299144

In 1906, Lewis Nixon invented the first sonar-type listening device to detect icebergs. Years later, Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) became a staple in naval military warfare for its ability to detect submarines. With the ocean bed holding critical oil and communication lines, submarines are key to surveillance practices necessary for threat assessment and protection. However, there are a lot of unique challenges with submarines, including navigation.

With so much of the ocean bed still unmapped, sonar technology is used to detect geological structures underwater. Sonar is critical for people to find their way around the ocean, search for objects, and make sure threats are detected before they cause any harm. However, humans aren't the only ones to use sound waves to make sense of their surroundings. Many animals rely on echolocation or biological sonar to live, especially in the ocean. Here's why the military's use of sonar is terrible for our friends underwater.